Is there a frame that ushered in the modern era of cycling?

[BdaGhisallo]

Originally Posted by saab2000

Who came up with this first? Honest question.

Was it Peugeot? Vitus? Look? TVT? Or were they all versions of the same thing?

Details varied but they weren’t all that different it appeared.

Anyway, those lugged French carbon frames beat Colnago by several years and were winning at the highest level. Colnago was more visible in the 1990s, without question. But French Caron fiber bikes were on the market and successful for several years prior.

IIRC.

For me those are the beginning but “modern” geometry and design probably began around the era of Eddy Merckx.

Other design techniques and changes are newer. And certainly may be better as we understand human physiology and science better as to how it intersects with cycling.

I'm not sure. There certainly were a few skinny tubed and glued carbon frames that emerged from French manufacturers around the same time, and also from Alan from Italy. The Peugeot and Z teams definitely used the Peugeot carbone frame but didn't have so much success or a top level rider so, perhaps, that frame didn't get the same recognition as the TVT which was ridden to multiple TdF wins under the labels of other bike manufacturers.

As for geometry, the late 60s do seem to be the point when 'modern' geometry arrived with chainstays being shortened and fork rakes being reduced in combination with slightly steeper HTAs.

It's an interesting discussion, for sure.

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by BdaGhisallo

I'm not sure. There certainly were a few skinny tubed and glued carbon frames that emerged from French manufacturers around the same time, and also from Alan from Italy. The Peugeot and Z teams definitely used the Peugeot carbone frame but didn't have so much success or a top level rider so, perhaps, that frame didn't get the same recognition as the TVT which was ridden to multiple TdF wins under the labels of other bike manufacturers.

As for geometry, the late 60s do seem to be the point when 'modern' geometry arrived with chainstays being shortened and fork rakes being reduced in combination with slightly steeper HTAs.

It's an interesting discussion, for sure.

The French companies all used alloy lugs, really just replacing aluminum tubes with carbon. The C-40 was the first all carbon bike to win races.

[fignon's barber]

For me, the modern era of bikes started when the rear spacing went from 126mm to 130mm.

[El Chaba]

Originally Posted by BdaGhisallo

I'm not sure. There certainly were a few skinny tubed and glued carbon frames that emerged from French manufacturers around the same time, and also from Alan from Italy. The Peugeot and Z teams definitely used the Peugeot carbone frame but didn't have so much success or a top level rider so, perhaps, that frame didn't get the same recognition as the TVT which was ridden to multiple TdF wins under the labels of other bike manufacturers.

As for geometry, the late 60s do seem to be the point when 'modern' geometry arrived with chainstays being shortened and fork rakes being reduced in combination with slightly steeper HTAs.

It's an interesting discussion, for sure.

WRT carbon fiber frames…
Well, in the 70s there was the Exxon Graftek, but it was relatively unknown outside of the US. It was effectively used by the Stetina brothers and some others but failed to catch on for various reasons ( nickname- Graflex).
Peugeot was the first to mount a top level campaign on a carbon model, the PY10 FC. It was based on the Vitus aluminum models and was re-engineered by Peugeot. They did ride COMPLETELY differently from a 979. The idea that they did not have the visibility of top riders on these bikes is not correct. They had Millar in the climber’s jersey on multiple occasions and Pascal Simon who was very likely to win the Tour on one until he crashed and broke his collar bone ( and was never the same emotionally).
Soon after the Peugeot, Vitus started making various models with carbon tubes substituted for the aluminum. At the same time, Alan introduced the Carbonio with substituted carbon tubes like the Vitus. The TVT followed a year later and while still a skinny tubes bike, it caught on as it was designed as a carbon tubed bike from the outset.
Carbon fiber cooled a bit and the special “light frames” were titanium( in ones and twos) or aluminum. When the Italians developed an interest in high quality, light aluminum tubes, THAT was the coffin nail for the steel bike in pro racing. That dominance lasted about five years before the C40, and the C40 inspired all kinds of imitators.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by weisan

Except that picture isn't a C40..Looks like a MasterOlympic
If 'modern' means carbon(not sure I agree with this)..Calfee, Trek OCLV, even Kestrel. Way before Ernesto started copying US made carbon frames.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by texbike

It definitely wouldn't fit 28s on modern-width rims but I'd think the C40 qualifies.

The C40 is tight with 25mm tires.

[C40_guy]

Originally Posted by Peter P.

"Modern" is a moving target because of the frame of reference of the cyclist.

Exactly.

For a long time, for me, modern meant:

- cassette rather than freewheel
- click shifting rather than friction
- clipless pedals

Maybe now modern includes some or all:

- electronic shifting
- disc brakes
- 1x gearing
- carbon or similar frame material (not steel/aluminum/Ti/bamboo...)
- ugly/awkward looking (just kidding, mostly. Not)

[morrisond]

I would say the first modern frames were the Storck 0.9 and 1.0 and Scott CR1.

They were the first to really take advantage of Carbon and really started the Weightweenie craze.