On Friday, April 16, 2021 at 6:17:58 PM UTC-7, wrote:
On Sat, 17 Apr 2021 05:46:31 +0700, John B.
wrote:
On Fri, 16 Apr 2021 14:54:10 -0700, sms
wrote:

On 4/16/2021 1:08 PM, Mark cleary wrote:
The local bike shop needs a mechanic they called me about doing some work for them. They knew I could build wheels and repair them and the manger of shop knows me. Well I go in to discuss things and they said most all the work they do is on disk brake bikes. That surprised me although they are a Trek Dealer.

It's amazing how fast disc brakes have taken over, even on road bikes.
Perhaps it's just an effort by manufacturers to get new customers to
avoid buying used rim brake bicycles. You've seen how one poster here is
incredulous that no one is buying his used rim brake Trek for the price
he wants, but the reality is that a use rim brake road bicycle is no
longer desirable by many buyers even though in most cases there's little
benefit to disc brakes on a road bike.

Well, It's NEW! and therefore MUST be better! Just like a 11 speed
bicycle must be better then a 10 speed bicycle :-)
Not good enough. Soon, the 22 speed corn cob will become the de facto
standard for excellence in cycling overkill.
http://www.learnbydestroying.com/jeffl/pics/bicycles/#Corn%2520Cobb%2520Freewheel.jpg
To make a reasonably straight chain line with 22 gears, just stack up
two identical triple gear chain rings that cover 2 or 3 adjacent gears
on the freewheel. Shifting both front and rear derailleurs
simultaneously might require contortionist or a computer, but those
are easy enough to find. It might also be rather difficult to ride,
but that's easily forgiven by owner in trade for the cool looking
photo opportunities. Patents pending.

Soon everyone will be riding on 22 speed freewheels and cassettes.


Nothing introduced after 1975 -- by personal proclamation the index year for the golden age of cycling -- is worth a ****. Not STI, good clinchers, more comfortable tires, discs, electronic, step in pedals, etc., etc. Its all marketing, posing, consumer nonsense. All of my current bikes are just marketing and flash. I hate them and will burn them in a heap and then go get a real bike -- a 1975 bleeding-edge 126mm six speed (13-19) with a boat anchor qua seat post with two adjusting bolts buried under the saddle for maximum inconvenience. I'm going to get real leather toe-straps with the Holstein fur exteriors still intact, hubs with imaginary seals for wet weather riding in the PNW. Maybe some Mathauser brake pads. And a bottle dyno with an incandescent light. Forward into the past!

-- Jay Beattie.