I am so taken aback by what I've just seen that I must share it with this list. Before any of you jump on my back about how all of this is off-topic, consider a few things...
The spirit of the technical trials bikes is alive and well and living at Posh Bikes. Well, at least part of the spirit. Consider the integrated saddle and post offered here (scroll down for pic):
http://www.poshbikes.com/
or this bottle cage that is, "primarily designed for weight saving, this item is not recommended for racing use." What does this even mean? You don't use it in races, you use it when you're weight saving? How about having no cage at all? I rarely get thirsty while weight saving.
http://www.poshbikes.com/
And for you luddites who still use chromed steel TA cages (as I do) your nightmare is here:
http://www.poshbikes.com/
There is a point here. It seems that there is a lot of very fancy stuff available these days that just doesn't seem fit for racing. For example, a seat that can't be adjusted just doesn't seem practical in a racing environment (or anywahere else IMHO). With the UCI setting a lwer limit on bike weight, and one that is pretty easy to run up against (or is that down against?) what is the incentive to use this ultra-light gear? Is there some sort of techical trials competition going on in Germany and Switzerland that I don't know about? Seriously... is that the referenced activity of "weight saving?" I suspect that this is just stuff for riders who will never, ever have to worry about the UCI, and who engage in cash ripping contests with friends, but it would be interesting to see a modern version fo technical trials, perhaps without the fenders, lights and racks... although that might lead to a whole new market in SL touring parts....
Tom Dalton Bethlehem, PA, USA
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