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.