What old cycling technology etc would you like to see return?

[GuyBoden]

None, new technology means improvement on the old.

Clearly, not always true.

 

[avecReynolds531]

That Suntour had been rewarded for their fair business practices and brilliant products... and didn't go bust:

'In 1975, SunTour introduced the Cyclone derailleur, which was a lighter, polished version of the SunTour V. SunTour's policy was to add a markup to production cost to set a "fair" price. They did not charge what the traffic would bear. In 1975, a Cyclone cost $16.00, a Campagnolo Nuovo Record or a Huret Jubilee cost $40.00 and a Shimano Crane cost $20.00. The Nuovo Record and Crane both weighed about 200 grams and the Jubilee weighed 140 grams. The Cyclone weighed 175 grams and it shifted best.

The result of SunTour's pricing policy was that their top derailleurs were specified for medium-priced bicycles, while their competitor's top derailleurs were found on top-of-the-line bicycles. With 20-20 hindsight, SunTour should have charged more for their top lines and invested more on research and development. SunTour never had more than twenty people working on research and development and this was simply not enough to design and develop and test new products for the 1980s marketplace.'*

*Courtesy of Frank J. Berto - 'Sunset for Suntour'

 

[fossyant]

Downtube shifters. Much more elegant and hardly difficult to use.

Seconded. Got Indexed downtube shifters on both road bikes, excellent.

 

[fossyant]

For true downtube friction shifters, only the rachet type seem to be the longest lasting, Suntour power shifter or Simplex Retrofriction seem to be good, the other makes seem to wear and don't hold in place over 50+ years.

Indexed downtube shifters are modern, different and slightly more complex.

My Dura Ace DT indexed shifters are 30 years old.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

9 speed in better groupsets - it is the sweet spot between "not close enough gears" and "too fussy and expensive".

Triple chainsets.

I run 9 speed xtr triple on my recumbent. Admittedly it isn’t available as new these days.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

The longer frame pumps and their connectors brazed onto frames.

I have a pump peg and frame fit pump on my recumbent.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Seconded. Got Indexed downtube shifters on both road bikes, excellent.

I have bar end shifters but run both front and rear on friction for 9 speed rear.

 

[Blue Hills]

I have a pump peg and frame fit pump on my recumbent.

my recent Ridgeback Expedition came with a long pump and pegs as well - but I prefer my Topeak Morphs.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

I’d like to see the utility roadster return to the mainstream in the UK.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

my recent Ridgeback Expedition came with a long pump and pegs as well - but I prefer my Topeak Morphs.

Because?

 

[PeteXXX]

A kickstand so I don't have to find a kerb or hedge to lean my bike against when I stop for a Jimmy riddle.

 

[Blue Hills]

Because?

Personally find them easier to use - I like the mini track-pump design - no chance of weak-armed cack-handed me tearing a valve. Just personal.
(I'd also worry about a frame mounted pump being nicked from a parked tourer - and a bit big to carry around - not a problem on a dayride bike of course)

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Personally find them easier to use - I like the mini track-pump design - no chance of weak-armed cack-handed me tearing a valve. Just personal.
(I'd also worry about a frame mounted pump being nicked from a parked tourer - and a bit big to carry around - not a problem on a dayride bike of course)

You can get frame fit with a flexible hose. Old school style.

 

[davidphilips]

Lugged frames, avecReynolds531, Even better than my choice of head badges for a nice looking bike.

 

[All uphill]

I have an 80s steel dawes racer with downtube shifters, I love them more than my 105 shifters on my new carbon bike. So easy to use and fine tune, plus it stops me changing gear everytime the terrain goes up or down by 0.001%

Bar end shifters for me, please!