Originally Posted by smashndash

Makes you really wonder. In the old days, they had steel frames, skinny seatposts, sprung saddles, box section rims and tubular tires.

We then made stiff frames, stiff seatposts, stiff saddles, stiff deep section rims and clincher tires that need to be pumped up to prevent pinch flats.

Did nobody notice the erosion of compliance over time? Or was that just considered secondary to weight and “performance”?

I ask this as someone new to biking who has a very uncomfortable bike. I think it’s funny how much extra engineering has to go in to match those old bikes in terms of comfort.