John Wood wrote:
"And finally, if modern bikes are so clearly superior in every way, why does Peter Post's record for average speed still stand for Paris-Roubiax?"
I wasn't aware Paris-Roubaix was a time trial. This is an old saw that vintage weenies like to cling to. What were the team tactics that day? Which way was the wind blowing? What was the speed of the peloton before the break?
The classic equipment is another one. iBob-ers love to point to the older style equipment still in use at P-R. But P-R and the few remaining northern classics are the exception. Most racing is done on smooth modern roads with, appropriately, smooth modern equipment.
and while I'm ranting..............if you want to exclaim about failures of CF bikes please limit it to first hand experience. Everything else is hearsay. Likewise if you would like to deride the modern CF bike compared to your on topic steel please tell us which of these CF pro bikes you have ridden - more than around the parking lot:
Colnago C-50 Trek Madone Giant TCR Time VXR Look 585 Specialized Tarmac Cervelo Soloist Ridley Damocles Lapierre HM Orbea Orca BMC Pro
none of the above? Hmmm....
Dumping on the new stuff is no better than some lycra-clad weenie dumping on (our beloved) old stuff.
Julian Shapiro
warmer but not warm enough in
Sag Harbor, NY