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Failed to connect to MySQL: (1203) User howardkn already has more than 'max_user_connections' active connectionsPath: ...!eternal-september.org!feeder3.eternal-september.org!news.eternal-september.org!eternal-september.org!.POSTED!not-for-mail From: Zen Cycle Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech Subject: Re: Most significant advance in bike technology for speed? Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:10:27 -0500 Organization: A noiseless patient Spider Lines: 58 Message-ID: References: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Injection-Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 23:10:27 +0100 (CET) Injection-Info: dont-email.me; posting-host="d0e20bc63789956912e9cd801d4c1b6a"; logging-data="2535303"; mail-complaints-to="abuse@eternal-september.org"; posting-account="U2FsdGVkX1/2vZ2wIRrUHrVIvwLe3x3DXrkInT8jLZI=" User-Agent: Mozilla Thunderbird Cancel-Lock: sha1:Tp++PRqsml0TOwlHufb9DYWRi5M= In-Reply-To: Content-Language: en-US Bytes: 3361 On 1/24/2025 2:33 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote: > In another forum, someone postulated that integrated brake & shift > levers (like STI) were the most significant bit of racing technology > ever designed for increasing speed. But that claim met with little > respect. One skeptic noted that there was no great increase in average > race speeds in Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Leige- > Bastogne-Leige or Giro de Lobardia since about 1960, including during > the era of STI adoption. By contrast, in the  years 1930 - 1960 average > speeds increased around 30%. (Note: That does not mean that STI is not > tactically beneficial. That's a separate issue.) > > But if not STI, what were the most significant tech developments > regarding bicycle race speeds? > > Here’s my list: > > Pedals & cranks, as opposed to scooting a “hobby horse” via feet on the > ground. > > Tubular metal frames and wire tension (spoke) wheels. > > Large driven wheels, to give a much higher effective “gear.” (The > Ordinary or Penny Farthing) > > The “Safety Bicycle” with a diamond frame and chain drive, getting the > rider down lower, to greatly reduce aero drag as well as pitchover on > braking. > > Pneumatic tires. Hard tired “safeties” had terrible rolling resistance. > > The handlebar stem, invented by the heroic Major Taylor, to allow a much > more aero riding position. > > Rim brakes, by whatever mechanism, as opposed to spoon brakes acting on > a tire. > > Multiple gears, by whatever mechanism. > > The derailleur, making multiple gears easy to shift, customizable and > light weight. > > Recumbent geometry in some situations. Recumbents seem to be slower > uphill, but tend to be faster on level or downhills > > Fully enclosed streamlined aero shells tremendously increased speed, but > at a great reduction in versatility and practicality. > > Beyond those, ISTM that most developments have been chasing ever > diminishing returns. > I'd like to point out that integrated brake/shifter designs also enhanced safety, eliminating the need to move the hands from a position of control on the bars (Even bar-end shifters required moving your hand to a position with less control). -- Add xx to reply