Greatest cycling invention of the last 25 years?

[Fastpedaller]

Hollowtech 2 of course is the greatest invention. Everybody should get it fitted if they have not already.

I don't have a hammer and chisel, so I'll stick with square taper

 

[blackrat]

• Carbon bikes
• Factory wheels
• Tubeless
• Cycle clothing - I wouldn't pick one particular item but would place quality bibs at the top of my clothing list
• Clipless pedals
• Oval chain rings
• Garmin Varia
• di2 - wireless shifting
• Disc brakes
• GPS units
• Cycle luggage - the many alternatives to the traditional saddle bag

 

[Dogtrousers]

The greatest invention or advancement was just over 25 years ago, but sadly doomed to history by the UCI.

View attachment 801712

I was thinking about this recently. If the UCI hadn't banned it would we be seeing fugly monstrosities like this all over the place now? I really hope not.

I'm kind of with the UCI on this one

 

[Dogtrousers]

There's a patent dated 1880 (or there abouts)

Was that before the safety bicycle?

Just in case you thought riding an Ordinary wasn't dangerous enough ...

Edit. It was 1895. So hopefully for use on safety bicycles

Source: https://www.wheelies.co.uk/buying-guide/shoes-spd-explained

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Was that before the safety bicycle?

Just in case you thought riding an Ordinary wasn't dangerous enough ...

Edit. It was 1895. So hopefully for use on safety bicycles
View attachment 801720
Source: https://www.wheelies.co.uk/buying-guide/shoes-spd-explained

Like your cycling shoes

 

[Vapin' Joe]

I was thinking about this recently. If the UCI hadn't banned it would we be seeing fugly monstrosities like this all over the place now? I really hope not.

I'm kind of with the UCI on this one

One man's ugly duckling is another's beauty queen. I think it looks great.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Lights that emit enough light to see by.

Indeed: the combination of LED lights and hub dynamos is one of the best things that happened to transport cycling.

Oh, and Marathon Plus tyres. They may go round like a flywheel, but being consistently punctual on a bike is fantastic.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I

Now if I want to do something to my bike I just have to post on Cyclechat and I can get pages and and pages of conflicting opinions and random arguments.

No you don't.

 

[chriswoody]

As a lot of posts have pointed out above, a lot of this stuff is hardly new. I feel though, that there has been a lot of advancement and refinement in these ideas in recent years which has made bikes so much more capable and pleasurable to ride.

For me personally, these are the technologies that have really enhanced my enjoyment and capabilities on the bike:

1. 1x Drivetrains
2. Tubeless tires
3. Hydraulic disc brakes
4. SRAM double tap brifters. (Far Superior to Shimano STI in my opinion)
5. The rise of so many really good luggage options that don't really on racks, not just for touring, but general daily bike use.
6. Thru Axles.
7. High quality flat pedals and shoes.
8. Decent GPS units.

I think that about covers it. I know they won't be popular choices on here, but for me, they have truly been gamechangers and enabled me to enjoy many thousands of kilometres of adventures.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Like your cycling shoes

They were recommended by @Accy cyclist