No Lycra
12-01-23 | 02:37 PM
#2
Does he say anything about Lycra? I skimmed through some of the video and looked at the chapter labels; nothing about Lycra in the parts that I looked at.
I was a bit embarrassed for him in his discussion of "standards." He apparently doesn't know about the period when bikes came in a variety of threading standards (British, French, Italian, Swiss, Whitworth), front and rear over-locknut dimensions, bottom bracket widths, etc.
Speaking of Lycra:
Grant Petersen once conducted an interview with Maynard Hershon, a longtime writer, particularly about bicycles and motorcycles, and one of Grant's mentors, in which he asked what Hershon considered the most important innovation in the world of bicycles in recent decades. Hershon immediately replied, "Lycra shorts."
Grant said, "You must not have tried a pair of Kucharik wool shorts. They're wonderful."
Some backing-and-forthing ensued, ending with:
Grant: "You really need to try the Kucharik shorts. I'll send you a pair."
Maynard: "I love you, Grant. Please don't send me any wool shorts."
I was a bit embarrassed for him in his discussion of "standards." He apparently doesn't know about the period when bikes came in a variety of threading standards (British, French, Italian, Swiss, Whitworth), front and rear over-locknut dimensions, bottom bracket widths, etc.
Speaking of Lycra:
Grant Petersen once conducted an interview with Maynard Hershon, a longtime writer, particularly about bicycles and motorcycles, and one of Grant's mentors, in which he asked what Hershon considered the most important innovation in the world of bicycles in recent decades. Hershon immediately replied, "Lycra shorts."
Grant said, "You must not have tried a pair of Kucharik wool shorts. They're wonderful."
Some backing-and-forthing ensued, ending with:
Grant: "You really need to try the Kucharik shorts. I'll send you a pair."
Maynard: "I love you, Grant. Please don't send me any wool shorts."
12-01-23 | 04:34 PM
#3
The Wheezing Geezer
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,851
Likes: 1,950
From: Española, NM
Bikes: 1976 Fredo Speciale, Rivendell Clem Smith Jr., Libertas mixte, Raleigh Super Record mixte
No, he doesn't mention Lycra, either as something to miss, or as something to NOT miss.
As for standards, national standards were replaced (or absorbed by) international standards. The point is that there ARE standards, but they are often not followed by manufacturers today, and so will likely present problems down the road.
As for standards, national standards were replaced (or absorbed by) international standards. The point is that there ARE standards, but they are often not followed by manufacturers today, and so will likely present problems down the road.
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Beneath the valley of the underbikers.
Beneath the valley of the underbikers.
12-01-23 | 05:27 PM
#4
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,427
Likes: 7,918
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
I have a pair of wool shorts. I only wear them for Eroica and Cino type events - as the kids say, it's "cosplay." They're not really bad, but washing them is a pain in the butt compared to lycra with synthetic chamois. They tend to sag by the end of a long ride. I switched to lycra over 4 decades ago and never looked back.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-01-23 | 06:59 PM
#6
Senior Member
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From: Southern California
Bikes: 1981 Univega Super Special, '80s Custom Chris Pauley, 1972 Fuji 'The Finest'
I've watched this video before, and while it's true that he's not a fanatic like us here and does get a few things incorrect, it's generally on point.
I do wonder who was the first marketer to start disemminating the annoying white lie about disc brakes allowing larger tires where rim brakes cannot. It has proven to be extremely persuasive/pervasive in the cycling community.
I do wonder who was the first marketer to start disemminating the annoying white lie about disc brakes allowing larger tires where rim brakes cannot. It has proven to be extremely persuasive/pervasive in the cycling community.
12-01-23 | 07:00 PM
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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"One of the reasons rim brakes are disappearing is because tires are getting too fat for them. Why are tires getting too fat? Because frames are becoming too stiff. It's a vicious circle. With steel, there was enough comfort in the frame itself that you didn't need balloon tires." 
12-01-23 | 07:09 PM
#8
Senior Member
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Posts: 12,852
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From: NW Burbs, Chicago
Given that clear and unassailable logic, why has the sport has completely abandoned these so called comfortable frames from days of yore. As prices for vintage examples of bicycles continue to drop yet top tier mechanical watches, cameras and audiophile equipment prices are still climbing also needs explanation if these vintage bicycles products are so superior.
12-01-23 | 07:10 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,964
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From: Southern California
Bikes: 1981 Univega Super Special, '80s Custom Chris Pauley, 1972 Fuji 'The Finest'
Sorry, Atlas Shrugged , could you clarify, are you saying that the fact that vintage mechanical watches, film cameras, and audiophile equipment continue to climb in price as proof of their objective quality versus modern stuff? And that since the price of vintage bikes are dropping they aren't matching the same quality as modern bikes?
If so...come now, you're losing your touch, I've seen you troll much better before.
If so...come now, you're losing your touch, I've seen you troll much better before.
12-01-23 | 07:14 PM
#10
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
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Sorry, Atlas Shrugged , could you clarify, are you saying that the fact that vintage mechanical watches, film cameras, and audiophile equipment continue to climb in price as proof of their objective quality versus modern stuff? And that since the price of vintage bikes are dropping they aren't matching the same quality as modern bikes?
If so...come now, you're losing your touch, I've seen you troll much better before.
If so...come now, you're losing your touch, I've seen you troll much better before.
Get out there have some fun and enjoy the weekend!
Last edited by Atlas Shrugged; 12-01-23 at 07:20 PM.
12-01-23 | 07:30 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,852
Likes: 5,373
From: NW Burbs, Chicago
I have a pair of wool shorts. I only wear them for Eroica and Cino type events - as the kids say, it's "cosplay." They're not really bad, but washing them is a pain in the butt compared to lycra with synthetic chamois. They tend to sag by the end of a long ride. I switched to lycra over 4 decades ago and never looked back.
12-01-23 | 07:36 PM
#13
Bike Butcher of Portland
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 12,427
Likes: 7,918
From: Portland, OR
Bikes: It's complicated.
I have a pair of Ibex wool knickers, they were my go-to winter shorts, but I wear lycra underneath. They're falling apart. Meanwhile, the Plumline knickers I have from when I was a sales rep in the 80's are still working quite well. They're made of Cordura lycra, tough stuff.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
12-01-23 | 07:45 PM
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 12,852
Likes: 5,373
From: NW Burbs, Chicago
12-01-23 | 08:22 PM
#15
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,046
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From: Point Reyes Station, California
Bikes: Indeed!
I have a pair of Ibex wool knickers, they were my go-to winter shorts, but I wear lycra underneath. They're falling apart. Meanwhile, the Plumline knickers I have from when I was a sales rep in the 80's are still working quite well. They're made of Cordura lycra, tough stuff.
On a related note a letter to the editor of the Santa Cruz Sentinel, back in the days when we wore black wool shorts, black wool arm warmers, and black wool leg warmers, asked "who are these people riding around town in black pajamas?"
Brent
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"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
"I have a tendency to meander sometimes." B.G.
12-02-23 | 04:55 AM
#16
Strong Walker
Joined: May 2007
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From: Black Forest, Germany
Bikes: too many
"One of the reasons rim brakes are disappearing is because tires are getting too fat for them. Why are tires getting too fat? Because frames are becoming too stiff. It's a vicious circle. With steel, there was enough comfort in the frame itself that you didn't need balloon tires."
12-02-23 | 07:53 AM
#17
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
A whole lot to agree with in that video. 
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
12-02-23 | 09:36 AM
#18
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: NorCal
It was supposed to be a joke.
Clearly, I should have known better.
Wet and sorta nasty here in NorCal this AM. Looks like the market run today will be on the low pressure fat tire Fantom CX. With denim over the lycra JIC
Clearly, I should have known better.
Wet and sorta nasty here in NorCal this AM. Looks like the market run today will be on the low pressure fat tire Fantom CX. With denim over the lycra JIC
