Originally Posted by
Bacciagalupe
If diamond-frame bikes really weren't working well, I expect recumbent designs would be much more popular.
UCI regs are also irrelevant to most cyclists. The average Joe who buys is blissfully oblivious of the UCI.
I mildly disagree on both points.
As far as the second point, I think you underestimate the effect the UCI rules has on the offerings. The average Joe may not care, but he certainly won't buy it if it isn't offered.
What sells has a lot that is determined by marketing, not what is really the best option for most people.
DF bikes work well for some people and not so well for other people. I don't think DF are ever going away (nor do I think they should), but there are a lot of people who would be better served by a recumbent, but have no idea what one is, etc. (Not the mention the catch-22 about recumbent prices: not as popular => high prices. High prices => not as popular.)