My first road bike was in 1974 - Caloi Racer. Since then almost all changes I have witnessed have been incremental, allowing you to upgrade components on your current frame. The big ones I can remember are: Clipless pedals from Look in the mid 80's, shifters on the brake levers in the early 90's, head units allowing HR and Power display in the late 90's and cheaper power meters in the mid 2010's. The changes requiring pretty much a complete upgrade to your bike (new frame and kit) were: Electronic shifting, disc brakes, wide rims/tires and integrated cables. Happy to hear you mention the degradation of the roads.....I always thought it was just me getting older and not able to tolerate the roads anymore.😊 Just bought an AS2 Pro, in my saddle bag now.
I am in strong agreement with all your points. The availability, cost and quality of the Chinese wheels cannot be overstated. I just picked-up a set a 9Velo wheels on a Black Friday special for just over $800. If you gave me an unlimited budget to by any carbon wheels, I still would have chosen these wheels. Game changing.
This is what I feel about modern bikes too…. I start on steel in the 80’s, awesome. Then, I hated the aluminium bikes in the 90’s, then I skips a decade and a bit. I eventually got back on the bike, then realised I still hated aluminium. 2020, I got my first carbon bike…. Game changer. Today, I have semi aero, light weight carbon bike with electronic shifting and on wide aero wheels and 30mm tyres. At age 54, these are the best years of my cycling life. I’m so glad your the first person I’ve seen give a positive take on modern bikes like this. Especially without all the marketing and scientific BS. Thank you. Hope people realise new tech can benefit us too
Doing a good job for the summary. I would add the bottom bracket. Going from 3 to 1 has created a new market dimension. Also rim to disc brakes was non existant few years ago and they are much better for me going down the hills in Spain.
I do love a disk brake! So good on those long descents (not here in the uk) + the wet braking performance. Really they are what has let the wider tyre revolution happen aren’t they
Hello, I would like to know if any innovation, besides Chinese wheels, has lowered prices, for what is a passion and hobby, but should not require taking out loans (for, say, buying a new bike). Sean from Italy
Hi Sean, good question! That’s a tough one. I think as a whole my answer is unfortunately no. Nothing I can think of directly. Things that come to mind are because the industry is struggling you can pick up group sets for a more reasonable price. Other than that the bike industry has been terrible at accommodating the entry level/ low end of the market. This really frustrates me as it creates a bigger, more expensive barrier to get into the sport. Meaning in the long run they will have less and less customers to buy their high end stuff. It’s a self punishing methodology. If I think of anything I will post it on here for you.
@cyclingunboxed thank you for answering my question. I know how thrilling, but also hard, it can be to run a channel and put videos together. You have a new subscriber. Sean
A waxed chain is not a new innovation. I first learned about the process in the mid eighties and I believe it was done for some time before that. 28mm tires have been around a long time too.
Its true. It’s not. I have heard some stories that some ww2 tanks did it to some of their chains because of the harsh conditions but I can’t find anything on Google to verify this. Was a word of mouth thing. I think the chains and the tyre have just become wide spread (in a good way) because of vast amount of data which came out in the 2010s
As a teenager in Poland I got my first steel bike frame from my neighbour, who was 6 years older than me. Also he taught me how to adjust and lubricate chain etc. (the grease mixed with graphite), And the brake was concealed inside of rear hub ; )
@@cyclingunboxed Similar, if cyclist wants to brakes just presses, the pedal in reverses direction, and mechanism stops rotation inside of the hub. We use to called it "Kontra"
I do love both of those! Strangely integrated cockpits more. I just love the way they look. And for most people. It’s a one time set up and you won’t have to change call anything for a very long time (I guess unless your headset bearings are susceptible to water ingress)
Wider, more comfortable, tyres actually brought me back to cycling. Riding 23mm tyres at 120 psi killed all the joy.
I’m glad it has got you back into the sport! Those old school widths were horrible weren’t they.
Yep, you nailed it. The only thing is the trade-off between larger tires and weight.
It’s true! It does get heavier. I’m more than happy to have that comfort over a few grams though as most are right.
My first road bike was in 1974 - Caloi Racer. Since then almost all changes I have witnessed have been incremental, allowing you to upgrade components on your current frame. The big ones I can remember are: Clipless pedals from Look in the mid 80's, shifters on the brake levers in the early 90's, head units allowing HR and Power display in the late 90's and cheaper power meters in the mid 2010's. The changes requiring pretty much a complete upgrade to your bike (new frame and kit) were: Electronic shifting, disc brakes, wide rims/tires and integrated cables.
Happy to hear you mention the degradation of the roads.....I always thought it was just me getting older and not able to tolerate the roads anymore.😊
Just bought an AS2 Pro, in my saddle bag now.
I am in strong agreement with all your points. The availability, cost and quality of the Chinese wheels cannot be overstated. I just picked-up a set a 9Velo wheels on a Black Friday special for just over $800. If you gave me an unlimited budget to by any carbon wheels, I still would have chosen these wheels. Game changing.
9Velo wheels are great, such a better value than equivalent price Rovals!
This is what I feel about modern bikes too…. I start on steel in the 80’s, awesome. Then, I hated the aluminium bikes in the 90’s, then I skips a decade and a bit. I eventually got back on the bike, then realised I still hated aluminium. 2020, I got my first carbon bike…. Game changer. Today, I have semi aero, light weight carbon bike with electronic shifting and on wide aero wheels and 30mm tyres. At age 54, these are the best years of my cycling life.
I’m so glad your the first person I’ve seen give a positive take on modern bikes like this. Especially without all the marketing and scientific BS. Thank you. Hope people realise new tech can benefit us too
Nice tips !😊❤
“Nearly 30 in two months…” laughs in 50s tones
Doing a good job for the summary. I would add the bottom bracket. Going from 3 to 1 has created a new market dimension. Also rim to disc brakes was non existant few years ago and they are much better for me going down the hills in Spain.
I do love a disk brake! So good on those long descents (not here in the uk) + the wet braking performance.
Really they are what has let the wider tyre revolution happen aren’t they
Funny: chains are clean while the frame is muddy because we wax the chain. Should we wax the frame too? 😂
😂 maybe we should!
Yasssss super Nice ❤
Hello, I would like to know if any innovation, besides Chinese wheels, has lowered prices, for what is a passion and hobby, but should not require taking out loans (for, say, buying a new bike). Sean from Italy
Hi Sean, good question!
That’s a tough one.
I think as a whole my answer is unfortunately no. Nothing I can think of directly.
Things that come to mind are because the industry is struggling you can pick up group sets for a more reasonable price.
Other than that the bike industry has been terrible at accommodating the entry level/ low end of the market. This really frustrates me as it creates a bigger, more expensive barrier to get into the sport. Meaning in the long run they will have less and less customers to buy their high end stuff. It’s a self punishing methodology.
If I think of anything I will post it on here for you.
@cyclingunboxed thank you for answering my question. I know how thrilling, but also hard, it can be to run a channel and put videos together. You have a new subscriber. Sean
Rule of 105 only applies to rim brakes. Tested by Aerocoach and Swiss Side independently.
Tubeless x Tubless ✓
agreed almost 100%😂
A waxed chain is not a new innovation. I first learned about the process in the mid eighties and I believe it was done for some time before that. 28mm tires have been around a long time too.
Its true. It’s not. I have heard some stories that some ww2 tanks did it to some of their chains because of the harsh conditions but I can’t find anything on Google to verify this. Was a word of mouth thing.
I think the chains and the tyre have just become wide spread (in a good way) because of vast amount of data which came out in the 2010s
As a teenager in Poland I got my first steel bike frame from my neighbour, who was 6 years older than me. Also he taught me how to adjust and lubricate chain etc. (the grease mixed with graphite), And the brake was concealed inside of rear hub ; )
Did the brake work like a drum brake does?
@cyclingunboxed COASTER HUB (PEDAL BRAKE HUB) you can find more information on the parktool website
@@cyclingunboxed Similar, if cyclist wants to brakes just presses, the pedal in reverses direction, and mechanism stops rotation inside of the hub. We use to called it "Kontra"
Can't stand those ones that live in the past... move on... 🤣
I recommend balancing your wheels
I only know one chap who likes to do it. Where do you feel the benefits the most?
I would also add wireless electric derailleurs and integrated cockpits.
I do love both of those! Strangely integrated cockpits more. I just love the way they look. And for most people. It’s a one time set up and you won’t have to change call anything for a very long time (I guess unless your headset bearings are susceptible to water ingress)
@@cyclingunboxed Exactly
Love tubless. Personally hate tubs.