Bikes are getting uglier

[lostintime]

Bike with sloping TT's can be of real benefit. It can allow for riding higher bars. But of course, pros have no use for this feature, so the frame makers just made the head tubes shorter for them. So now we have riders riding tiny frames with extended seat tubes or extra long seat posts.

It's all emulation .... monkey see, monkey copy..... monkey tweaks the first monkey's idea. . . . and on and on. It's been going on since the beginning of time.

Take any given year, ask a manufacturer why they are making the frame they are selling, and they'll tell you the same answer any and every year ....... "we think this is the best frame". Weather it's steel, Ti , or carbon...... sloping or level ..... they've all said it.

 

[Black Dog]

So compact frames are all the rage today. This is because... they're stiffer? Fewer sizes so lower costs? Or...

They are not stiffer. They are not lighter (heavier if you include the seatpost). They do not lower the centre of gravity. They do not cure haemorrhoids. They do not solve conflict in the middle east. They are/were different looking and that allows the marketeers to make up a lot of lies about them.

 

[krebs303]

 

[titan_90]

At least it has C-Record on it.
But, that's still not enough to improve the look of the bike.

 

[Anonymous]

Someone at UCI HQ was tearing his hair out after he saw this...

at least its not boring old triangles..

 

[marathon marke]

And to mention that I saw my first ever recumbent (and rider) in Norway last week...and I don't want to generalize or offend but damn if he didn't look just like every other recumbent rider I have ever seen in the states...

Beard, SPD sandals, highly visible reflective accessories all included

You forgot to mention the "spare (balloon) tire".

 

[usedtobefast]

Someone at UCI HQ was tearing his hair out after he saw this...

at least its not boring old triangles..

not to mention it looks faster than hell. i do love the TT bikes.

 

[BroDeal]

Speed bumps, train tracks, cobbles, and any other road variation could cause serious problems with that rig. Use of a helmet big enough for Rick Moranis would seem to be a good idea.

 

[ergmonkey]

any one know about this bike? Ok I know it's a TT bike but it's that front wheel and how low the handlebars are. did anyone actually race this?

Sorry not to post a link, but I will see if I can dig it up. I remeber reading an internet article about this bike a few years back. It was intended for a Giro d'Italia prologue--can't remember which rider--but I don't believe that it was actually raced. I think it was actually banned at the last minute.

Anyway, what I remember more concretely is that the super-low handlebars and frame geometry essentially put the rider in a very aerodynamic egg-like position, while the bulbous front wheel was supposed to shield the rider's spinning legs so that the typical "dirty air" phenomenon around spinning legs and pedals could be largely avoided.

 

[Wallace]

Kind of funny how a thread about how ugly new bikes are has turned into a thread about how ugly time trial bikes were in the 80's.

My road bike is a Ridley Helium: a compact carbon fiber frame made in China in three sizes. It's the best bike I've ever had in thirty years of racing and serious riding, and I've owned Italian and custom American steel bikes, and titanium frames. Yes, the Helium has an integrated seat post and a bb shell almost as big as a coffee can, and is a lovely carbon fiber gray.

But yeah--the new Special Ed is a monstrosity.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

What do you think of the new Van Dessel WTF?

I think the frame design is a total rip off from Inglis/Retrotec, but helluva lot more versatile. This curvy twin top tube thing is growing on me, plus you can set it up geared or single, even belt drive.

 

[usedtobefast]

What do you think of the new Van Dessel WTF?

I think the frame design is a total rip off from Inglis/Retrotec, but helluva lot more versatile. This curvy twin top tube thing is growing on me, plus you can set it up geared or single, even belt drive.

i think power transfer should be good with that design and it should be relatively smooth too. i think it will be a fast,stable bike. iMO.
i would like to try a road version with some nice wheels.

 

[usedtobefast]

Speed bumps, train tracks, cobbles, and any other road variation could cause serious problems with that rig. Use of a helmet big enough for Rick Moranis would seem to be a good idea.

yeah, you could catch an edge on the bottom real easy. practical,no?
on smooth a track, different story maybe? it looks a pursuit bike.

 

[purpletezza]

Bendy tubes and white bar tape.

Hey all, I think we are missing the point of the discussion here. It is easy to understand the crazy shapes that a TT bike can be made into as it is all about going fast, ie function over fashion.

Back to the real world of the Saturday cafe racer and you all know there are some damn ugly and boring bikes out there. For example TREK=Boring. You drive a toyota, you buy a Trek. Snore. You drive an Alfa Romeo you ride a Pinarello. Why are Pinarello frames so bendy? So they look different to a Giant. Trek's Radio Shack livery? Spew. Giant = get the job done. Snore.

It's all about market differentiation. ie marketing, ie selling bikes. Personally When I look for a new bike or frame I look for a timeless design. Straight tubes. Paint colour is red, black or white. That never goes out of fashion. There is a reason that flouro colours are no longer seen in the peloton, it was so 1980's. And orange? So 2001. White bar tape? So 2010.

2 cases in point:
1. I have a Red Steel frame, black graphics, built up a few years ago with Ultegra and hand bhuilt wheels. Comments from the field "Nice bike". Hey I feel good. ie classic design.
2. I race on a Red Specialized E5 S-Works. Red Paint, white brand graphics only. Mavic ES wheels. Always get asked if I am on a new bike. Yeah it was new in 2005! It may be old, but it looks new. ie classic design.

So next time you look for a new bike think about how good you will feel when someone rides up and says to you "nice bike". Bendy tubes and white tape.... will they = "nice bike" next year? Depends on the latest marketing speel.

Ride safe. G.

 

[Anonymous]

What do you think of the new Van Dessel WTF?

I think the frame design is a total rip off from Inglis/Retrotec, but helluva lot more versatile. This curvy twin top tube thing is growing on me, plus you can set it up geared or single, even belt drive.

Black Sheep are doing a similar type of swept top tube design now as well.

 

[usedtobefast]

Freida, my 'Fred' bike.

 

[BroDeal]

Freida, my 'Fred' bike.

Wow. Those are some seriously old school bar ends. They make my stubby ones look quite inadequate. They need to be pointed straight up for the true fred look.

 

[Michele]

Surprised no one posted this "famous" De Rosa.

 

[Anonymous]

Surprised no one posted this "famous" De Rosa.

[]

How on earth could I have forgotten that one?

I have always had a soft spot for De Rosa's but that one really had me questioning the faith.

 

[oronet commander]

Surprised no one posted this "famous" De Rosa.

I had posted her ill-begotten child...

 

[bobs nob]

Surprised no one posted this "famous" De Rosa.

Looks like they left it in the oven too long.

 

[bobs nob]

How about this paint scheme?

I am sure someone likes it. I don't. But the frame itself is not as extreme as some of what has been posted.

 

[usedtobefast]

Wow. Those are some seriously old school bar ends. They make my stubby ones look quite inadequate. They need to be pointed straight up for the true fred look.

i'll have to do that

 

[Big GMaC]

Wow. Those are some seriously old school bar ends. They make my stubby ones look quite inadequate. They need to be pointed straight up for the true fred look.

What qualifies a bike as a 'Fred' Bike?

 

[BroDeal]

How about this paint scheme?

I am sure someone likes it. I don't. But the frame itself is not as extreme as some of what has been posted.

Keep your pimp hand strong, bro. Keep your pimp hand strong.

It looks like something that Paolo Bettini would ride. His gold shoes and gold helmet would match perfectly. Throw in a one or two or ten gold chains, maybe a wide brimmed hat with a giant feather, and he would be set