This is a shameless attempt to save the the most advanced civilization in
history from imminent self destruction by eliminating carbon emission,
dependence on foreign sources of fuel,obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
Cycling accomplishes all those things at once and helps us develop a better
understanding of ourselves, each other and our relationship to the cosmos.

Oh, horse puckey!
I like to ride bikes, have been doing it all my life.
The rest of that crap is just a fringe benefit,
and the blogosphere gives me a chance to share my interior
monologue with virtual rather than imaginary friends.

Monday, October 2, 2017

An event that rivals the advent of disc brakes.

Outside Magazine has produced a list of new products found at the Interbike show this year which, they promise, will comprise the FUTURE of cycling.  It was not even an interesting list of products and better represent the past than the future.
There is the Cento10 Air road bike.  Remarkable for having clearance for tires up to 32 mm wide, it is revolutionary to anyone who has been cycling less than 10 years.  It does have some sort of elastomer crap in the seat tube that is supposed to enhance "vertical compliance" by a few millimeters, whatever that means.
Smith Sunglasses now use magnets to attach to the interchangeable lenses. (WTF!!!)
Pivot Mach 5.5 will only be offered in one lot of 300 bikes and
 are unremarkable except for the paint job.
The 3T Strada will be revolutionary in offering a 1x11 drivetrain 
and clearance for wider tires, like all the new bikes.
The Focus Project Y will eliminate any pretense and include electric assist and battery pack built into the downtube.  No more game playing, mechanical doping is available right off the showroom floor.
The rest of the revolutionary 11 products comprising the "future of cycling" are;
Oakley has a new helmet,
Ortlieb makes a backpack,
Burley makes a trailer,
Thule "invented" a hydration pack,
there is a more expensive inner tube for the "tubeless" tires,
and a bike rack for your car, after all 
riding back to your car is the future of cycling.

I haven't been so excited since disc brakes were introduced.




4 comments:

  1. Congratulations! You have just become a replica of the Retro Grouch!

    Although, I am not against your new identity nor your assessments of the "future of cycling". Your comments seem fairly spot on to me.

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    Replies
    1. I'm no "Retro Grouch." I installed a threadless headset once, I know what this new stuff is all about. Actually, I like new tech when it is designed to be useful. Unfortunately the only use for 95% of the gear being created is a ride back to the car.

      Marc

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  2. To my eye, all of those bikes are just ugly. Maybe they function well for some group that rides in ways I don’t, but for me, there’s no appeal.

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    Replies
    1. I couldn't agree more, a friend sent me a picture of a new CF crotch rocket he was considering and said it was beautiful. I only saw Ugly, Uncomfortable and Useless.
      Marc

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