Originally Posted by ridelugs
using this line of reasoning, internal headsets make bikes look cleaner, and so do internal hubs, disc wheels, and jack drives. i like to look at well made stuff. the only reason it should hide is if its plastic and ugly and has those horrible splines for that worthless shimano bb tool.
Everyone has their own aesthetic when it comes to what looks classic or cool on a bike. I'm into a lot of old school technology, in fact, I have ridden nothing more than 6 rear cogs on my bikes up until this year. I've never had anything but downtube shifters and only recently over the last couple years have I migrated to index shifting.
The thing is, as a fan of road bikes and all the iterations of new frames, materials, and evolutionary changes to components, I am encouraged rather than discouraged overall.
And yes, ridelugs, gasp
my reasoning about a clean bottom bracket extends out to internal headsets, disc wheels or hidden drivetrains...absolutely! I think retro is good, but modern - when executed well shows more promise. The alternative is retrogrouch cynicism, and that ain't pretty.