A lot of bike design ideas seem good on paper. Like boost. Wider flange spacing will make a stronger wheel. But stronger than already strong enough? For so many years we were sold it’s stiffer, it’s lighter, it’s got a greater range, it’s stronger. Stiffer than something that already doesn’t flex? Usable range? Lighter but less robust and that stem that won’t hold because it’s too skeletal? Now we are told we want compliant parts. I have 2.5 of tire travel, 150mm of fork travel and I’m supposed to want and expensive fucking bar that flexes what? 3 mm? Bullshit. I want a super short chainstay and seat tube angle that places my saddle under my nut sack? Oh my Chameleon has a slack seat tube angle because it’s over forked with a 150 36 and even worse I’m running 29er wheels with 27.5 drop outs. That bike used to climb well until I learned it was basically un-rideable in that configuration so now I walk everything. Oh even worse I’ve set the drop outs at max length. Oh horrors.
Not all improvements are pure marketing hype. I do like not having a front derailleur. Chainrings designed to drop chains so you can shift in hindsight seem dumb. Whereas chainrings designed to prevent that are brilliant. Dropper posts aren’t really necessary but who the hell wants to ride without one now. Not me.
Jan. 10, 2022, 11:54 a.m. - Andy Eunson
A lot of bike design ideas seem good on paper. Like boost. Wider flange spacing will make a stronger wheel. But stronger than already strong enough? For so many years we were sold it’s stiffer, it’s lighter, it’s got a greater range, it’s stronger. Stiffer than something that already doesn’t flex? Usable range? Lighter but less robust and that stem that won’t hold because it’s too skeletal? Now we are told we want compliant parts. I have 2.5 of tire travel, 150mm of fork travel and I’m supposed to want and expensive fucking bar that flexes what? 3 mm? Bullshit. I want a super short chainstay and seat tube angle that places my saddle under my nut sack? Oh my Chameleon has a slack seat tube angle because it’s over forked with a 150 36 and even worse I’m running 29er wheels with 27.5 drop outs. That bike used to climb well until I learned it was basically un-rideable in that configuration so now I walk everything. Oh even worse I’ve set the drop outs at max length. Oh horrors. Not all improvements are pure marketing hype. I do like not having a front derailleur. Chainrings designed to drop chains so you can shift in hindsight seem dumb. Whereas chainrings designed to prevent that are brilliant. Dropper posts aren’t really necessary but who the hell wants to ride without one now. Not me.