When CX was like steel : Real

[KonaSS]

It is all good. I am glad that everyone has individual tastes and likes different things. It just that when it comes to cross, disc brakes are true performance enhancement. I have lived and raced in both eras, and if you told me I had to race on a crappy old canti brake bike, I just might quit the sport. My dedicated 1x carbon disc bike is light, simple, easy to clean and maintain and makes me a better rider.

And I don't know if you have been watching cross the last 10 years, but I would say we have had some pretty epic pro racing. I just don't see how disc brakes changed anything. I think it is false nostalgia.

I sometimes wonder if my viewpoints on equipment is because I was a mountain biker first. Large generalization here, but when something shows to be a performance advantage, mtbers tend to adopt much more quickly. I can't remember anyone pining for V-brakes or Canti brakes. No one longs for the days of overinflated tube type tires. And sure it took a few generations to sort out suspension, but overall, very quickly adopted. And the market continues to look further refinement. And sure the racing has changed over time, but I would say the equipment has allowed for better, more exciting racing, not worse.

[Gummee]

I don't miss the buildup of grass/mud mixture between the brakes and stays, but I do miss the lighter weight

M

[geordanh]

Great point. Overall less equipment traditionalism in mtb than road. Battles are fought on different grounds (see wade simmons vs remi&yoann).

The racing right now is so good. Koppenbergcross this morning was awesome racing. What is there to complain about really.

[benb]

2 out of my 3 bikes still have rim brakes even though I've had a hydraulic disc bike at all times for 20+ years now.

Both of the rim brake bikes are showing signs of one pad wearing more than the other. I fiddled with the bike that came with Cantis and now has V-brakes within the last 48 hours to try and balance stuff out.. it seemed to help but introduced some squealing.

My other bike has Ultegra standard rim brakes and for some reason the rear brake on that bike has also worn one pad more than the other... which has been really uncommon for that style of brake for me.

So yah, I like the look of these old bikes but a lot of those brakes were or still are a PITA. My disc brake bike is more of a chore and takes longer when I have to bleed it but then it stays absolutely perfect for a loooong time, longer than pads last on the rim brake bikes.

[EB]

I thought Angry setup a single thread for all the disc vs rim arguments?

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by EB

I thought Angry setup a single thread for all the disc vs rim arguments?

We are not arguing here. We are appreciating beautiful, functional machines of a bygone era.

[KonaSS]

But Angry, they are not that functional. I think you have mentioned that you are not a racer. If you would have raced in some of the horrible conditions for CX that you posted, I think you would change your stance on this.

Clogged up stays and forks, horrible braking, chains falling off. Bikes are much more functional today.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by KonaSS

But Angry, they are not that functional. I think you have mentioned that you are not a racer. If you would have raced in some of the horrible conditions for CX that you posted, I think you would change your stance on this.

Clogged up stays and forks, horrible braking, chains falling off. Bikes are much more functional today.

I can't argue with that!

I have thought about this a bit honestly. I just finished "Ford vs Ferrari" which is partly framing my nostalgia, since I am a gear head at heart.

Is racing more exciting when you are at the limit of your equipment? When there is a legit chance you will not finish the race? Or is it more exciting when you are pretty sure your reliable machine will carry you to the finish line, so it's your legs and lungs that get to prove the point?

I suppose from a pure racing standpoint, it is certainly preferable to have a machine that will 100% stand up to the terrain and survive the whole race...

but, just like those old cars, there may be that romantic notion that the better mechanic, the better engineer will help win the day, along with a healthy dose of luck and added rider/driver skill to finesse the machine along.

I've ridden a Di2 bike for example, and it's near impossible to f-up the front shifting under power. A rider needed a different skillsket to quickshift the front on a suntour setup.

I suppose as long as everyone in the field is on (more or less) equivalent gear, the racing should be fair.

Just thinking out loud though. I fully accept that technology marches forward, not back, especially at the racing level.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

I fully accept that technology marches forward, not back, especially at the racing level.

The marriage of sport and technology yields strange, and almost, surreal bedfellows. No matter what the component, or (purported) improvement or advantage, when it permeates the field (as in, everyone now has it…) it falls back on the athlete. Bicycles don’t pedal themselves.

ps

arrange disorder

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by e-RICHIE

Bicycles don’t pedal themselves.

The powers that be are working on that one too

[AngryScientist]

I had a good stroll on this one tonight.

Just lovely.

[e-RICHIE]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

The powers that be are working on that one too

actually, they aren’t.

the playing field has never been anything but even.

ps

arrange disorder

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by KonaSS

Clogged up stays and forks, horrible braking, chains falling off. Bikes are much more functional today.

Where's the fun in everything working perfectly in all conditions?

M

[nmrt]

My only issue was that carbon bikes are HANDBUILT! Actually, they are more laborious to build by hand than a steel bike by hand.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Thank you!

No one should get upset about what I post here. It's all a big joke and just having some friday conversation here.

Listen, right now I am wearing an mechanical watch. This morning I went to get coffee in my manual transmission RWD car. Later I will ride my steel bike with friction shifting, rim brakes and tubes in the tires.

I live in a 110 year old house and I'm prepping my steam boiler and wood fireplace for the winter ahead this weekend.

The market has clearly and loudly spoken and I'm fully aware my preferences are well outside the current demand, and i'm 100% OK with that. Turns out the big joke is on me!

If I want to start a thread on a Friday in praise of a simpler time in CX racing when IMO the bikes looked better and the racing was more interesting when braking was more of a question than a feature, that's what I'll do.

[zennmotion]

This thread needs some video for context! CFRA!