Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
Actually, I'd say a better way to put it is that there have been numerous (not "hundreds") of incremental improvements.
However, today's bicycles -- even mid-range models -- are probably very close to their optimal configurations. There is a finite limit to improvements in aerodynamics, stiffness and weight that can be achieved.
Meanwhile, manufacturers are already reduced to bragging about saving seconds rather than minutes on a 40k TT.
People say this for years and years but improvements keep coming - aero frames and aero wheels at reasonable prices knock more than a few seconds off 40K TTs. Take a look at recent Velo tests. Electronic shifting, 11 speeds, CF frames and components as well as other parts could get bikes down to 12 lbs or so if UCI allowed it, etc. all are continous improvments