What makes a bike "modern"?

[nooneline]

The weird thing about a designation like "modern" is that it seems to change over time.

[marciero]

Originally Posted by benb

....

Funny I don't see references to "Crit race bikes" vs "Grand Tour race bikes" nearly as often these days.

Remember "stage race geometry"?

[bikeridah]

Maybe anchor it to when mass production started.

[m4rk540]

Modern is about the feel of power transfer. You've got a stiff crank with outboard bearings and carbon wheels, that's modern.

[93KgBike]

Modern, historically speaking in 'the West', starts in the late 13th century.

Bicycles are, therefor, 'late-modern', or contemporary.

What makes a bicycle contemporary, unfortunately, is an electric-motor. :-(

[tctyres]

Originally Posted by 93KgBike

Modern, historically speaking in 'the West', starts in the late 13th century.

Bicycles are, therefor, 'late-modern', or contemporary.
...

[gibbo]

Modern bike trends are Aero, integrated cockpit, hidden internal cables, PF BB, Wide tubeless tyres and rims, sloping TT and disk breaks. These are all trends and IMO they are not actually improvements.

Of all the modern trends I have mentioned I don't actually think a single one improves the bike. I prefer a non aero frame as I think it handles better and rides smoother. Hidden cables are a pain to work on and I like to see the cables anyway. PF BB are just rubbish, they creak and wear out and can not compare to a high quality threaded BB (CK). I think tubular tyres / rims are still the best performing compared to tubeless. Disk breaks vs Rim for a road bike....????? I have NEVER had a hard time slowing down with rim breaks, no need to fix something that is not broken and just add more weight and complexity.

Just my thoughts....

[robertbb]

Originally Posted by nooneline

The weird thing about a designation like "modern" is that it seems to change over time.

The entire premise of the word "modern" is that things changes over time.

Why is that weird, it's exactly as it should be.

[fogrider]

Originally Posted by scottcw2

I see various reference to "modern" bikes with no explanation as if the term is universally understood.

Is it frame material? Oversize tubing? Clipless?

What are the benefits of a modern bike compared to a lugged steel frame with a Campy 10 group?

any bike that is not allowed in l'Erocia is modern...to put another way, if it rides good and everything works, it's modern. In recent years, the tech on bikes have improved, everything is lighter, stronger, works better. I still have a couple of steel bikes in my rotation, but a carbon frame and aero carbon wheels are crazy light and stiff if feels like every once of power is transformed into speed. So, there is modern and there will always be more modern.

[Hilltopperny]

Modern to me would be 44mm or tapered headtube, larger chainstays, 12spd, disc brakes, wireless e-shifting and larger diameter wheels and tires. Not that these are a necessity, but this seems to be where the market it these days. Aero is also being marketed pretty hard.

Personally I don't mind the 44mm headtubes, larger diameter chainstays, wheels and tires, but I am a 220lb rider. Although prior to these innovations I still loved riding my bikes these "modern" changes have improved my riding experience as compared to most of my older bikes.

Sent from my LGL423DL using Tapatalk

[Clancy]

Confused about this conversation.

Has the word MODERN been used regularly to describe bicycles? I haven’t seen nor used it.

I think you guys are making all this up.

I’m more concerned... what makes a bicycle a Hipster bike?

Cool chart

[nooneline]

Originally Posted by robertbb

The entire premise of the word "modern" is that things changes over time.

Why is that weird, it's exactly as it should be.

[bambam]

In terms of road bikes I think
rear spacing 130mm or greater i.e. 8 speed and up.

everything else up in the air

[thwart]

Originally Posted by benb

Tire width can't really be used cause if you follow the history of bikes tires have done this:


Wide -> Narrow -> Wide -> Narrow

They've done it numerous times. All the original "Grand Tour" race bikes would resemble modern gravel bikes.

True enough. The Peugeot PX-10 I owned for awhile would fit 32's... with fenders.

European roads in the '60's and 70's and year-round training... yep, gravel bike.

[commonguy001]

My current road bike is a 2014 Vamoots with Enve finishing kit, 11 speed Ultegra/DA mix, rim brakes, etc.
Was told by a buddy that I'm riding analog in a digital world... whatever that means. He's now on a disc Domane and loves it. Local shops have them on end of year clearance and I can get a SL 6 for 3k if I wanted to move to more tire and clearance. the ISO stuff sounds interesting as well so I may go check one out.

I'll probably just end up replacing my chain which is what I really need right now.