Greatest cycling invention of the last 25 years?

[Andy in Germany]

Not actually part of a bike (and I'm not sure how old they are) but these are a truly brilliant invention. I carry one all the time at work, and I use it several times an hour. It's not only convenient, it allows a lot of torque and control.

 

[blackrat]

Tubeless is the most overrated invention imo - especially for road bikes.

I got rid of mine and added tubes to the tyres. Tubeless is just another one of those supposed benefits (like disc brakes on bikes) which really don't stand up to the realities of riding and maintenance. Of course, if everyone used Gatorskins, tube replacement on the road becomes a chore of the past.

 

[blackrat]

I'd like to propose bling bar end plugs - Hope:

View attachment 802190

Mirrors might be great, but no way is mere safety and visibility more important than style. We have blue and gold stoker and pilot to match the two tone paint job on the tandem.

Even more excitingly, self extracting crank bolt covers can be had from Middleburn. Again, we have matching gold and blue for pilot and stoker.

View attachment 802191

This is where the true invention is in cycling in the last 25 years!

Also, no need for mirrors: What you need is a rear facing stoker who calls out when vehicles are approaching from behind and also they will not have to spend the entire 4 months (is it?) riding the peninsula staring at your back.

Tandem bicycles with the stoker (rear rider) facing backward
offer a unique, conversational riding experience, often featuring independent pedaling and improved, comfortable seating for the rear rider.
Key Aspects of Rear-Facing Tandems:

• Communication & View: Because the stoker faces backward, they have a "rear-view" perspective, which can feel less constricting than staring at the captain's back, but requires trusting the captain completely.
• Comfort & Design: These bikes often utilize recumbent or upright chair-like seating for the stoker, providing superior comfort and allowing them to take in the scenery without needing to look around the front rider.
• Performance: While sometimes heavier or more complex in design (e.g., needing unique drivetrains), these tandems are often used for leisurely touring or specialized, inclusive riding.

And there you have it, no need to thank me.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I like the security of being able to whip out a spare tube fix puncture and away you go.

Don't really think the comparison with cars is valid. Car tyres are great big thick things and less likely to puncture - worse case scenario you call green flag or whoever.

Personally I just use M+ tyres. I've forgotten how to use a puncture repair kit; the only reason I can change tubes is that it's part of my job.

THe comparison with cars is completely valid. The fact car tyres are less likely to puncture is irrelevant.

I'm not sure if they're the same: a car tyre can be much bigger, thicker, and heavier because the car has more power to push it along the road, so it really should be more puncture resistant.

That's not to say I'm "against" tubeless: more that my current setup works perfectly well for me, and I just don't really understand what the advantages of tubeless are, compared to the drawbacks.

 

[Profpointy]

Got evidence of this?

People do get offended at some odd things but bike inner tubes(or not) would be a stretch.

Maybe not as much as the "h" word but some people do seem inordinately emotional about their opinions on disc brakes and tubeless tyres in particular. Oh, and not having clipless pedals.

Fair enough liking or not liking any of these but there does seem a religious element for some

 

[EckyH]

Not actually part of a bike (and I'm not sure how old they are) but these are a truly brilliant invention.

A similar one is in my work shop at least since 1991- with a bit-holder on one arm and a 10mm nut and an 8mm nut on. The only problem at the moment: I don't know where it is hiding.🤷‍♂️

E.

 

[Andy in Germany]

A similar one is in my work shop at least since 1991- with a bit-holder on one arm and a 10mm nut and an 8mm nut on. The only problem at the moment: I don't know where it is hiding.🤷‍♂️

E.

Yes, I also have a "nut" version with an 8,9,and 10mm nut; the 10mm is on an extension bar 'borrowed' from a socket set which makes it even more useful, not least because it can be carried in the long thin "ruler" pocket of my work trousers.

 

[Sharky]

Also, no need for mirrors: What you need is a rear facing stoker who calls out when vehicles are approaching from behind and also they will not have to spend the entire 4 months (is it?) riding the peninsula staring at your back.

Tandem bicycles with the stoker (rear rider) facing backward
offer a unique, conversational riding experience, often featuring independent pedaling and improved, comfortable seating for the rear rider.
Key Aspects of Rear-Facing Tandems:

• Communication & View: Because the stoker faces backward, they have a "rear-view" perspective, which can feel less constricting than staring at the captain's back, but requires trusting the captain completely.
• Comfort & Design: These bikes often utilize recumbent or upright chair-like seating for the stoker, providing superior comfort and allowing them to take in the scenery without needing to look around the front rider.
• Performance: While sometimes heavier or more complex in design (e.g., needing unique drivetrains), these tandems are often used for leisurely touring or specialized, inclusive riding.

And there you have it, no need to thank me.

Not quite whatever you describe, but this was a "thing" a while back. Supposedly more aero.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Not quite whatever you describe, but this was a "thing" a while back. Supposedly more aero.

View attachment 802341

Add wet weather and it's an instant bidet for the front rider.

 

[Mike Ayling]

Not quite whatever you describe, but this was a "thing" a while back. Supposedly more aero.

View attachment 802341

Wonder what tyre pressure they were running?

 

[tyred]

Performance enhancing drugs are so much better than they used to be

 

[PaulSB]

Maybe not as much as the "h" word but some people do seem inordinately emotional about their opinions on disc brakes and tubeless tyres in particular. Oh, and not having clipless pedals.

Fair enough liking or not liking any of these but there does seem a religious element for some

I very much agree with you on this, I have the feeling it applies to many other things as well. I understand why but find it odd.

Three people I know have ridden tubeless and gone back to tubes, in one instance because the initial setup was almost certainly wrong and the rider had little interest in learning how to "manage," for want of a word, tubeless.

I've ridden tubeless for +/- 10 years. We had initial difficulty in getting a setup that suited me and there is a learning curve for daily use, none of it time consuming. The main problem I had with the initial setup was finding quality valves.

On a day to day basis if one uses a screw on track pump connector it's advisable to tighten the valve nut against the rim and give the valve core a nip once a week. With a screw on connector both have the potential to unscrew when removing the connector. I check this before every ride as part of my pre-ride routine when I check tyre pressures.

I wouldn't go back. One tyre when replaced had seven sealed "punctures." I've had one complete failure when I rode over a broken beer bottle, wrecked the tyre with a 2cm gash in the sidewall. It was pouring with rain and very messy. Could/would a tube + boot have fixed this? Impossible to say. I walked the three miles home. It is the second time in my cycling life, +/- 58 years, I've failed to complete a ride. The other was when I had a free hub failure and was rescued by the sportive support vehicle.

I can plug a tubeless tyre faster than I can change a tube.

I still ride with both a free hub and on tubeless.

 

[Drago]

Three people I know have ridden tubeless and gone back to tubes

Make that four.

Having givennthem a go I discovered the benefits for a 126kg rider were pretty much nil. Im not against them, and for more conventionally proportioned riders theres deffo a benefit.

However, I found I needed pressures so high it pretty much negated the main point of bothering in the first place.

As, at the time, id suffered only one visit in 11 years from the P fairy anyway the secondary benefit was also of no rwal appeal, certainly not worth it for that reason alone.

That being the case, when the rear tyre wore out I went back to a conventional set up and noticed little difference.

 

[PaulSB]

Make that four.

Having givennthem a go I discovered the benefits for a 126kg rider were pretty much nil. Im not against them, and for more conventionally proportioned riders theres deffo a benefit.

However, I found I needed pressures so high it pretty much negated the main point of bothering in the first place.

As, at the time, id suffered only one visit in 11 years from the P fairy anyway the secondary benefit was also of no rwal appeal, certainly not worth it for that reason alone.

That being the case, when the rear tyre wore out I went back to a conventional set up and noticed little difference.

Absolutely. I rarely used to get punctures with tubes, I once went five years without one, so this isn't the prime benefit for me. The reduced tyre pressure and consequent comfort benefit is very significant for me but then I'm 47kg lighter.

When I rode tubes I would be at 100+ psi. On tubeless for road riding I'm 60 rear, 55 front and on gravel 55 rear, 50 front. I could probably go lower still but I still have a hangover regarding pressures from my tubed days.

I mentioned seven sealed punctures in one tyre. This was on a gravel tyre that lasted two seasons. We only ride gravel March to October and probably only once a fortnight so the mileage means tyres last.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Have we had power meters yet?

Runs and hides