The six BIGGEST irritants of MODERN bicycle design
Trying to prevent technological advancement in any industry is a bit like swimming against a tide of schooling salmon. The UCI sticks its oar in sometimes, but good engineering always finds a way around.
If we didn’t allow technology to advance, we’d all be riding around on the boneshaker bikes of 1869 – and we’d probably think the rattling experience was as good as it gets.
However, some advancements take time to reach refinement. Case in point, the first SRM power meter launched in the 1980s required a Yellow Pages-sized instruction manual to just get going; early power meter pedals worked best if you sang a lullaby at the ideal pitch while tightening to optimum torque. But now? Anyone can fit a pair of power pedals to any bike and have accurate readings in seconds – albeit still at significant outlay.
Other advancements go full circle: Cannondale’s HeadShok system of 1992 featured on early mountain bikes; it was phased out when ‘real’ suspension
