tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post1880353817184098770..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Bicycle Shorts: Lego Bicycle ShopBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-47394976118880764452017-05-01T10:52:05.026-04:002017-05-01T10:52:05.026-04:00There's also a new innovation type, and it'...There's also a new innovation type, and it's far more insidious than a new wheel size, or brake type. <br /><br />I've lost count of the number of bottom bracket standards that have come into being in the last 5 years. <br /><br />Ditto for headsets. <br /><br />Had a Trek in the shop last week, used a Cane Creek tapered headset, or supposedly did. <br /><br />Turns out, the top end bearing was, the lower one was larger in OD, by 1 mm. Guess who had sole stock of said bearing. <br /><br />The BB standards differences serve no valid purpose except to do the same thing. Drive consumers back into the brands arms for every stinking part they can make proprietary. =:(MendonCycleSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02213406716238931069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-9605175541859971592017-04-29T13:02:53.971-04:002017-04-29T13:02:53.971-04:00I guess no one reading this blog is per se a luddi...I guess no one reading this blog is per se a luddite. There's is innovation that improves the cycling experience (the suntour shifters, better tires, etc), and then there's creation just because companies need something new to entice consumers. This happens in everything, not just bikes. Does it matter if your mtb is 26", 650B or 29"? Will the wheel size difference really change the experience? Not that much really... But it allows companies to push different products and give the look of innovators. My 2c.Capitãohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14161215373468436027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-41749084644516813912017-04-28T20:41:06.287-04:002017-04-28T20:41:06.287-04:00Where do you draw the line? If you eschewed all te...Where do you draw the line? If you eschewed all technological advances, we'd still be riding, what? Penny farthings? Probably not; technological advance. Boneshakers? Probably not; technological advance. Drasiennes? Probably not, radical technological innovation.<br /><br />I agree that very much "advance" is merely "please buy this now!" But you'd agree that db 531, strong aluminum alloys, good rubber pneumatic tires, and modern metallurgy that allows one to make strong, light chains are all good advances? What about clipless pedals? Modern sealants that let you ride Compass extralight tires in goathead areas? Aero brake levers? 6 cogs per wheels? 7? 8? 9? 10?<br /><br />One of my favorite technological innovations is the Suntour Power Ratchet bar end shifter. Technological innovations -- bring 'em on!Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-28633771022242498252017-04-28T12:58:37.975-04:002017-04-28T12:58:37.975-04:00OMFG, it's my life, in a nut shell.
Had some...OMFG, it's my life, in a nut shell. <br /><br />Had someone stop in yesterday, looking for a full suspension 29er. <br /><br />My main brand (unwisely IMHO) stopped doing 29FS this year, in favor of all 650B squishy, both skinny and plus. <br /><br />While I wished I could have sold him what he was after, however, attempting to save a sale, I informed him that 650B+ has the same OD as 29 skinny, so, effectively, a 29er FS. <br /><br />He would not be dissuaded, and I cannot argue. <br /><br />I'm not sure who all this hyper segmentation of the market is designed to help, but with brands choosing to opt in, or out, of various trends at will, the shop's hands are tied to sell customers what they desire and consumers are often left with a dizzying array of choices, and the fervent belief that making the wrong one will result in them having a bad experience. <br /><br />Shit like this really makes me want to just close up and go be a hermit somewhere....<br /><br />Thanks, that was hilarious!MendonCycleSmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02213406716238931069noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-43058281699746780162017-04-27T19:32:55.794-04:002017-04-27T19:32:55.794-04:00The video is hilariously creative. Thanks for the ...The video is hilariously creative. Thanks for the chuckle, Brooks.Chris Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206266021301909754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-18660857820156693362017-04-27T17:37:56.238-04:002017-04-27T17:37:56.238-04:00Isn't being impressed "with how far the t...Isn't being impressed "with how far the technology has come" just another way of saying that one is going to "jump on the new trends"?Justine Valinottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10852069587181432102noreply@blogger.com