There is no doubt that a lot of the bicycle design today is driven by lowering manufacturing costs, in materials used, joining methods, and overall design. The people will buy what the media hypes. We all know the British cycling mags regularly have ads for real road bikes, featuring mudguards and lights. Can't find a trace of that in Bicycling, and hardly any such machines in most American shops. No doubt some of the innovations do add ease of use and convenience, such as 'brifters', but most of us on this list prefer the simplicity of DT shifters. I never found it a hugh problem to find a gear with a decent friction shifting mech. But then if I were a modern racer, I'd probably use any advantage available. As it is, I want good, simple, durable, field repairable, and beautiful frames and equipment. These qualities are lost on the 'plastic' compact frames and gear marketed to the wannabe-like-Lance club riders. I have riding friends here who are buying $3-4,000USD manufactured machines, totally overlooking the custom crafted option that would not make them one second slower over a 100 miles, not to mention the Saturday Breakfast Ride. We're preachin' to the choir here. How do we counter the ingrained notions and media hype, and stop the madness? I ride my gorgeous Rambouillet and keep up just fine with the carbon and non-ferrous crowd. My slowness is dictated by my weight, not the bike's. But the only queries I get about the lugs and steel are: Isn't that heavy, and How old is it, and Cool retro, etc. Conclusion: There are good advances being made, some will endure. Most are for the benefit of the manufacurer and the racer only. For us regular joe riders, very few make any improvement on our riding, and fewer still enhance the experience with feel and beauty.So hang in there, e-richie, Brian, Chris, Curt, Doug, et al. We love you and promote your work to all that will listen. And my next frame will be one of yours.
Ron Gurth Licking Lugs in Snowy Carmel, IN
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