Innovations that are no more but maybe still should be

[ishaw]

Inspired by this thread: https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/innovations-that-werent.483790/.

While milling over the annoyance of internal routing (did that get a mention in the inspirational thread?), it got me thinking about things that once upon a time were considered useful or better but are no longer, or are a dying breed, seemingly for no good reason aside from 'progress'.

Might be interesting to get people's thoughts on why these useful things are on their way out or are hanging out with the dodo for no good reason.

I'm not anti-progress, I have modern and retro bikes, but it feels like new is not always better in all areas.

A few thoughts to get things moving.

External cable routing.
They work, do what they say in the tin and are simple and effective.

Internal bottom brackets (square taper)
Lasted ages, worked.

Serviceable parts. I'm thinking various here but I often find myself thinking how many forks are simply binned when stanchion or bushing wear occurs, he'll even steerers that are cut too short. Was there anything inherently wrong with a removable steerer or stanchion? Fork internals you could service at home? Xo rear mechs were supposed to be rebuild able, but damned if I ever remember seeing a service kit.

I'm sure there are tons more, thumbies for example but I don't want to use up everything in my post.

Over to you......

 

[Twozaskars]

26" wheels. "Let's make the trails more gnarly or find rougher terrain" to "let's fit bigger wheels to reduce the bumpiness of the terrain".

 

[MattiThundrrr]

 

[Kieran-b]

 

[d8mok]

Personally I think square tapers were a terrible idea. Yes the BB on modern outboard don’t last so long but they are cheap.

Internal routing isn’t bad as long as you are are running electric gears. Looks much cleaner and once done , you don’t need to remove that often as brakes can be bled with them inside the frame still.

You can beat technology in my opinion. However modern bikes have nothing on the looks of the 90s stuff.

 

[benjabbi]

To be fair most of the old style stuff is still produced in some form or another, just no longer mainstream or mid level, so not as readily available.

 

[pictonroad]

I'm a serial bike fiddler and ride modern bikes hard in all weathers. None of the things you've chucked up are better than the modern equivalents.

We went through a phase where stuff was changing for change's sake but I 'think' we're mostly out the other side now.

I-beam saddle clamps solved the inherent unnecessary fiddly-ness of attaching a saddle, just a shame they were so uncomfortable. Saddle clamps are still annoying.

 

[novocaine]

I'm a serial bike fiddler and ride modern bikes hard in all weathers. None of the things you've chucked up are better than the modern equivalents.

We went through a phase where stuff was changing for change's sake but I 'think' we're mostly out the other side now.

I-beam saddle clamps solved the inherent unnecessary fiddly-ness of attaching a saddle, just a shame they were so uncomfortable. Saddle clamps are still annoying.

I think it's pretty safe to say that there isn't a modern invention without something with a similar function or purpose already existing. The "amazing" that people seek from the past is often no longer made because it was a fad or because it rubbish and pointless. Everything else, evolved to what we see now. A modern bike isn't more capable, it's just easier for those without the skills of "the best riders" to ride (so I guess it's more capable really).

Put Minnaar on a patriot from 2005 and me on a 2025 something something, and I'm still not going to beat him, but I reckon there'd be a few seconds lost from difference.

 

[Uncle Grumpy]

View attachment 1014598

Ahhh, one of those multi-positional chain guides. Cool.

 

[2manyoranges]

There are some things tech wise in life which are far worse. The wet belt in Ford engines. Stupid. I mean REALLY stupid. And the tiny ting rubber belt driving the oil pump on the newer F150s. Stupid. The aluminium matrix in the recirculation system in VW bi-turbo diesels. Stupid. REALLY stupid.

But for bikes? I don't feel the same.

Are disc brakes an innovation? Nope. We had them on cars in the late 1950s. I always thought it extraordinary that we didn't have them on bikes. No exotic materials needed. Just design, that's all. No big deal. I am not nostalgic for old cants. I loved the satin alloy on the original V brakes. But then some people think V brakes are a bit modern. I run discs because I like stopping.

Is long low and slack an innovation? Nope. It's just an adjustment of geometry. And some of us were messing with all that in the 1990s, just as people were messing with it in the 1930s.

Is 27.5 an innovation? Nope ... 650B. Is 29? Nope.

Cotter pins? tapers? Splines? Innovation? Nope. Just standard engineering. All sorts have been applied to bikes since the double diamond frame was invented.

I like the look of Breezers and Bontragers and Oranges. They are NICE. it's probably a good thing that they are still around and being cared for. And great that RB exists for information exchange, parts, and general mental well-being.

But when I am thrashing down a flint-strewn descent on the South Downs or trying in vain to keep up with The Grom on an alpine DH trail am I thinking 'I wish I had XTR cants and a square taper BB?' ....er.....no.