Bike Innovations you don't need

[Colin_P]

And why not have a water bottle with a light on it.

If you build it, they will come.

I'm on the lookout for a minature Christmas tree (with lights) for my bike if anyone knows where to get one.....

 

[Cycleops]

For leisure cyclists Di2 has got to be The biggest con perpetrated by so called cycling innovators as a whole and Shimano in particular.

 

[Colin_P]

As for innovations.

10 or 11 speed rear ends and first dumping triples for 'compacts' and then dumping compacts for a single cog up front. The masterstroke is whilst cost cutting and making things worse, less gear choice and more fragile, component makers have conned the bike buying public into thinking the opposite.

 

[mjr]

I'm on the lookout for a minature Christmas tree (with lights) for my bike if anyone knows where to get one.....

I think Copenhagen Tiger had some last year, if you've a branch near you still. Other than that, look in the local bucket shops like QD.

 

[Smokin Joe]

For leisure cyclists Di2 has got to be The biggest con perpetrated by so called cycling innovators as a whole and Shimano in particular.

It isn't a con, it's a choice.

 

[Cycleops]

Perhaps the wrong word but still an innovation you certainly don’t need.

 

[Banjo]

My water bottles have an added lights feature when I pee it back out it doesn't matter if I haven't seen a car all night at least two will illuminate me in the headlights full stream.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Perhaps the wrong word but still an innovation you certainly don’t need.

You could apply that to any product development both in and out of cycling. Electronic is faster and easier to use, so it's a case of you pays your money...

 

[Slick]

You could apply that to any product development both in and out of cycling. Electronic is faster and easier to use, so it's a case of you pays your money...

How much faster and easier can it be? Not being obtuse, never even seen it let alone try it.

 

[Cycleops]

You could apply that to any product development both in and out of cycling. Electronic is faster and easier to use, so it's a case of you pays your money...

Like diesel cars perhaps?

 

[jay clock]

How much faster and easier can it be? Not being obtuse, never even seen it let alone try it.

Not much but my Di2 requires a hell of a lot less effort than my 105* (at the end of a long ride the 105 has knackered my hands). And in 4 years of Di2 the only problem was when I accidentally trapped/cut a cable under my tribar mount.

I would def go for Di2 on a decent bike, and I think it helps resale too.

*105 much worse than manual Ultegra

 

[Slick]

Not much but my Di2 requires a hell of a lot less effort than my 105* (at the end of a long ride the 105 has knackered my hands). And in 4 years of Di2 the only problem was when I accidentally trapped/cut a cable under my tribar mount.

I would def go for Di2 on a decent bike, and I think it helps resale too.

*105 much worse than manual Ultegra

Fair enough. Have you issues with your hands? I struggle a bit to get my head round the whole concept as even on a long ride my fingers and hands are about the only thing that isn't aching. Different strokes though.

 

[jay clock]

As for innovations.

10 or 11 speed rear ends and first dumping triples for 'compacts' and then dumping compacts for a single cog up front. The masterstroke is whilst cost cutting and making things worse, less gear choice and more fragile, component makers have conned the bike buying public into thinking the opposite.

I tend to agree about 10/11 speed. 9 was fine. A bit like Windows XP which they insisted on changing. As for compact versus triple, I am a crap climber and chunky but much happier with a compact.

 

[jay clock]

Fair enough. Have you issues with your hands? I struggle a bit to get my head round the whole concept as even on a long ride my fingers and hands are about the only thing that isn't aching. Different strokes though.

not particularly but the 105 has a very stiff lever movement of a few cm. As I say, noticeably harder than Ultegra.. The Di2 is effortless.

 

[Smokin Joe]

How much faster and easier can it be? Not being obtuse, never even seen it let alone try it.

I've never used it either. But many cyclists, including an increasing number on Cycle Chat do and report positively so they must feel it gives an advantage. It won't be everyone's cup of tea, but that applies to anything you could name.