what do you think is the greatest bike invention ever
jay12
Posts: 6,306
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infact no, the first bike was the 'boneshaker' which had the same sized wheels, but u straddled it and moved it by sort of running. Then the pennyfathing which needed a big wheel due to no chain invented, and then with the advancement of metalurgy (god knows how u spell it) we could manufacture a chain lightweight enough and strong enough which meant we could then have chain driven bikes.
So i think the chain is the most important invention0 -
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what even is that? something to do with cycling padded shorts?0
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The freewheel by Shimano.0
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you wouldnt need a freewheel without a chain/wheels :P0
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The flex-stem.0
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Simple - Moulton bicycles. Took the basic design concept, and improved it vastly. Nothing else compares.0
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gazza_d1 wrote:Nothing else compares.
Probably a good thing ;-)0 -
benneally wrote:what even is that? something to do with cycling padded shorts?
Aye. It's the padding itself.
Although, I'm a roadie that's accidentally strayed into forum wilderness. Curse the Bikeradar front page and my own impetuosity! I will now slink back to tarmacadam civilisation, hoping that the wild beasts do not notice my gaudy lycra acamouflage...- - - - - - - - - -
On Strava.{/url}0 -
Pneumatic tyres.0
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Boneshaker had direct drive like the penny farthing. It was the original Draisienne that was a running bike.benneally wrote:infact no, the first bike was the 'boneshaker' which had the same sized wheels, but u straddled it and moved it by sort of running. Then the pennyfathing which needed a big wheel due to no chain invented, and then with the advancement of metalurgy (god knows how u spell it) we could manufacture a chain lightweight enough and strong enough which meant we could then have chain driven bikes.
So i think the chain is the most important invention
Boneshaker added pedals/cranks so I'd say they were the greatest addition to the bicycle.You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.0 -
suspension forks/shocks. Makes me wonder how i ever rode a rigid bike.Bikes are OK, I guess... :-)
2008 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Comp.
2013 Trek 1.2
1982 Holdsworth Elan.0 -
Brakes. That way you can fo fast as you know you can stop if you need too!AUT PAX AUT BELLUM
My Kayaking Blog http://naefearjustbeer.wordpress.com/0 -
racing.0
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RED ALERTDesWeller wrote:benneally wrote:what even is that? something to do with cycling padded shorts?
Aye. It's the padding itself.
Although, I'm a roadie that's accidentally strayed into forum wilderness. Curse the Bikeradar front page and my own impetuosity! I will now slink back to tarmacadam civilisation, hoping that the wild beasts do not notice my gaudy lycra acamouflage...
we've been invaded!!!0 -
It's got to be stuff that isn't just integral to bikes... Like, there were mountain bikes before there were suspension forks, so I'm going to say suspension- it's ace. I know it's fashionable to ride rigids or say "You don't need suspension" but I'm old enough to remember what it was really like back then! Bring on the forks!Uncompromising extremist0
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if its not too inflamatory i was going to suggest the best thing invented was/is rear supension that works.0
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Surely pneumatic tyres.?
Imagine a full suss with hydraulic brakes and the best saddle in the world but going down a hill on solid steel or hard rubber rims? omg!
2nd has to be a washing machine. Imagine having to wash all your cycling gear by hand after each ride - I'd just buy a car!0 -
sheepsteeth wrote:if its not too inflamatory i was going to suggest the best thing invented was/is rear supension that works.
How very dare you!0 -
no but this time i mean it, seriously!!
my other suggestion was going to be more travel every year!0 -
Down the years I think we have seen some very marked advances in bike technology - obviously the first sus fork, but I think the Zocchi Bomber paved the way for the big forks and moved us from just race forks.
Also mass use of aluminium.0 -
Best bike invention ever was ME.
Without me, I'd enjoy biking much less.0 -
I've got ME, it's a bloody pain lol
Without me, I would enjoy mine more ;-)0 -
you got me, babe, du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du du you got me babe etc etc
(cher comment - sort of)
Anyway, I'm sure you haven't got me, I'm right here. I think you'll find what you have is YOU.0 -
Overall, I think the greatest and most unexpected invention, is the suspension fork. Especially the air suspension fork. Back in the early 80's when I was a nipper riding my first ever nasty steel MTB, any kind of suspension at all was a complete fantasy, even to the wealthy and riding elite.
High quality forks, with their beautifully designed and developed engineering are taken for granted by us all today, but back in their early days, it was genius to produce them at all.
KK.0 -
Nothing genius about forks though by the time they came to bicycles. Motorcycles had them for years so it was surely just a natural progression rather than a revolution.You only need two tools: WD40 and Duck Tape.
If it doesn't move and should, use the WD40.
If it shouldn't move and does, use the tape.0
