It couldn't be done AND accommodate a front derailleur - which was the original goal of Boost-148. But yes, I agree the super-short chainstay craze never could have happened en masse without a wider hub spacing. I don't think super-short chainstays were/are a benefit for the "vast majority of riders" but happy to agree/disagree there.
I disagree re. the correct answer on hub spacing though. Once every major bicycle company, and really even every medium bicycle company except two (Devinci & Pivot) went to 148x12 that should have been the answer. It makes sense to have one standard and the vast, vast, majority of bike sales backed up 148x12.
Jan. 10, 2022, 10:29 a.m. - Andrew Major
It couldn't be done AND accommodate a front derailleur - which was the original goal of Boost-148. But yes, I agree the super-short chainstay craze never could have happened en masse without a wider hub spacing. I don't think super-short chainstays were/are a benefit for the "vast majority of riders" but happy to agree/disagree there. I disagree re. the correct answer on hub spacing though. Once every major bicycle company, and really even every medium bicycle company except two (Devinci & Pivot) went to 148x12 that should have been the answer. It makes sense to have one standard and the vast, vast, majority of bike sales backed up 148x12.