Re: Fw: [CR]Bike technology peaked in the 1984?

(Example: Racing)

From: <DTSHIFTER@aol.com>
Date: Sat, 21 Apr 2001 11:06:41 EDT
Subject: Re: Fw: [CR]Bike technology peaked in the 1984?
To: moos@penn.com, rchasteen@kc.rr.com
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Mavic lists a weight of 445gm for the ceramic coated Open Pro and 425gm for the non-coated. Their lightest clincher rim was the Reflex @390gm (listed weight) but is now only available in tubular form.

From personal experience, the reflex (clincher) was pretty fragile, while the tubular version has held up very well, even on the pot-holed road surfaces of upstate NY.

My experience with the classic rims has been that the truly "fly weights," (the sub 300gm rims, e.g., SC Medaille d'Or; Fiamme Ergal, Martano SL, Mavic Record du Monde) do not hold up well on anything other than good road surfaces (this has been mentioned previously by other listmembers). They also don't suffer fools lightly (even if the fools are light!!!). For all around riding in this part of the country, I have several GP-4 (most 36o) equipped bikes and have been very happy.....

As far as Bike Technology "peaking" in 1984.....science & technology, being what they are, will continue to evolve and progress. We certainly have much more technologically advanced bicycles and components than were in existence in years past, and I am certain we will continue to see technological advancements in the years to come. It's the nature of the "things." BUT, bicycles don't have to be measured in purely technological terms and that is where we (The List) differ with much of the contemporary mainstream of cycling.

Of course with very technical aspects of the sport (especially off-road riding & competition) you will be at a disadvantage if you are not equipped with some of the latest technology (how many List members have gone for a "serious" MTB ride? I know Brandon posed a similar question just recently). BUT, we can also measure bicycling in terms of the "experience" we have from doing it, and my experience, for instance, can be a wonderful thing out riding my 30 year old Raleigh with friction shifters, 5 speed freewheel, and clips & straps, as well as my 6 year old Co-Motion with clipless pedals, 8 speed cassette & indexed DT shifters.

Aren't Bicycles & Bicycling wonderful!!!

Cheers,

Chuck Brooks Malta (gray and raining after a pretty nice week!!!)NY