Next big things that never lived up to the hype, failed, or disappeared without a trace... What do you remember??

[Alex321]

That's good, on both fronts.

They've cracked down (a bit) on it now at EE, but the number of folk I spoke to (usually elderly) who'd been sold full gigabit broadband when their internet usage was negligible was absolutely shocking.

I will probably go for their 100Mb offering when full fibre becomes available. I really can't see us needing more than that in the foreseeable future.

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

Hi-Fi separates.
(Okay you can still buy them, but it is very much a niche)

 

[Punkawallah]

I also am sure that Coffee - Bags were a thing at one point too.

AFAIK they still are. Seem to remember them on sale at Morrisons.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Short shorts. They won European footballer of the year twice. Where are they now?

 

[Mo1959]

Short shorts. They won European footballer of the year twice. Where are they now?

Not sure why they even wear shorts now. They are so long that with their socks pulled up to the knees as well there's barely any leg actually showing. They would be as well to wear leggings.

 

[matticus]

Short shorts. They won European footballer of the year twice. Where are they now?

Declan Rice is working on this:

 

[Alex321]

They said from the start that we would be keeping the number. The transfer happens tomorrow now.

And yes, I check that site regularly. Though TBH, 60Mb/sec is plenty for us, and we usually get a bit more than that now.

Transfer happened overnight. All connected OK this morning, and phone is still on the same number (I phoned my mobile from it to check), but now plugged in to the adapeter potrt on router rather than direct to wall.

 

[No Ta Doctor]

Declan Rice is working on this:

View attachment 815823

Those aren't short shorts, they're thicc thighs

There was a point where people started speculating that which leg was pulled up gave secret information about the free kick or corner he was about to take

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Short shorts. They won European footballer of the year twice. Where are they now?

Hmmm, yes, short shorts, always cute... Albeit on the right person, of course.

Not sure why they even wear shorts now. They are so long that with their socks pulled up to the knees as well there's barely any leg actually showing. They would be as well to wear leggings.

I see kids, especially during the colder months wearing (usually black) leggings under their shorts.

Ok, so it's obviously a heat thing, but they all have these black 'Bertie Basset' legs now! 😆

 

[Ming the Merciless]

black 'Bertie Basset' legs now! 😆

 

[AndyRM]

The leggings guys should listen to big Sean Dyche...

 

[sevenfourate]

One of the crew I ride with turned up a few weeks ago; and was trying out the very latest Brand New tech: an Oval chainring. To maximise power during the stroke……

I told him I’d already tried it too.
‘What; recently’ he asked ? “No; in about 1988/89 I answered 😗 **There's probably been at least one other version / re-invention in that time-too……

And I’m old enough to remember many Bicycle Tech inventions come around more that once……🙄

 

[No Ta Doctor]

One of the crew I ride with turned up a few weeks ago; and was trying out the very latest Brand New tech: an Oval chainring. To maximise power during the stroke……

I told him I’d already tried it too.
‘What; recently’ he asked ? “No; in about 1988/89 I answered 😗 **There's probably been at least one other version / re-invention in that time-too……

And I’m old enough to remember many Bicycle Tech inventions come around more that once……🙄

Didn't the late eighties version work in exactly the opposite way to the 2010s version? Like they were 90 degrees offset?

 

[Elybazza61]

One of the crew I ride with turned up a few weeks ago; and was trying out the very latest Brand New tech: an Oval chainring. To maximise power during the stroke……

I told him I’d already tried it too.
‘What; recently’ he asked ? “No; in about 1988/89 I answered 😗 **There's probably been at least one other version / re-invention in that time-too……

And I’m old enough to remember many Bicycle Tech inventions come around more that once……🙄

Didn't the late eighties version work in exactly the opposite way to the 2010s version? Like they were 90 degrees offset?

Shimano Biopace.

This explains the differences;

"The oval chainring of the late 80's was from Shimano and termed, "Biopace." These fell out of favor due to having the large diameter in the wrong position. This Wikipedia article essentially presents the crux of the Biopace story in the first three paragraphs.

There is now a resurgence of oval chainrings designed differently than Biopace. They are marketed toward mountain and gravel bike riders. Absolute Black and Wolftooth are two leading manufacturers of oval chainrings and both claim abundant research behind their offerings. Their oval (aka: elliptical) chainrings "have the smaller effective chainring diameter coincide with the cranks being at the top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC), thus making the crank easier for the rider to turn through bottom dead center for constant chain tension. By having the chainring at its peak effective diameter with the cranks level, where the rider has maximum leverage over the crank during the power stroke, these designs are supposed to make better use of the rider's power output." (Quoted from Wikipedia).

 

[sevenfourate]

Shimano Biopace.

This explains the differences;

"The oval chainring of the late 80's was from Shimano and termed, "Biopace." These fell out of favor due to having the large diameter in the wrong position. This Wikipedia article essentially presents the crux of the Biopace story in the first three paragraphs.

There is now a resurgence of oval chainrings designed differently than Biopace. They are marketed toward mountain and gravel bike riders. Absolute Black and Wolftooth are two leading manufacturers of oval chainrings and both claim abundant research behind their offerings. Their oval (aka: elliptical) chainrings "have the smaller effective chainring diameter coincide with the cranks being at the top dead center (TDC) and bottom dead center (BDC), thus making the crank easier for the rider to turn through bottom dead center for constant chain tension. By having the chainring at its peak effective diameter with the cranks level, where the rider has maximum leverage over the crank during the power stroke, these designs are supposed to make better use of the rider's power output." (Quoted from Wikipedia).

That’s really interesting - thanks for that 😁

But doesn’t change the fact the cycle industry goes around in circles (Pardon the pun) and alot of Tech goes out of fashion; and at some point then gets re-invented as the next messiah. It’s all basic stuff on a bike in the scale of things. And there’s only so many ways you can do it…..

Ref his chainring (Which was on a Gravel bike - and we had no long discussion about) - My friend thought something other than a round chainring was revolutionary. And being a Tech nerd: that he was a Pioneer 😉 My thoughts being - yet again: live long enough and you’ll have possibly seen it before in one guise or another……

**One quick example being a Paratroopers bike from the 2nd World War (One of 5 of this type in the UK I believe) my Boss owns and lives in my Office. Bike is clearly 85 (?) years old. And I’m not sure these were touted as Gravel tyres for exploring / daring to venture off the hallowed Tarmacadam 🤣 Size, profile and tread looks mighty familiar to modern fashionistas though I bet…….