PeteHski

I agree about the mess of front cables on early brifters (I never liked those side exit brifter cables on late 90s setups), but that has all now practically disappeared on modern road bikes. My brake hoses are semi-integrated (a good compromise for maintenance/adjustment) and there are no shift cables with SRAM AXS. The front end is typically very clean on modern road bikes.

My 2019 mtb with mechanical SRAM X01 is however a cluster-f*** of cables at the front! My next mtb is definitely going to be e-shift for this reason alone, both rear mech and dropper.

I simply don't have a problem with the look of modern drivetrains, or classic ones either for that matter. But I wouldn't mix and match them. To me they both look fine on their respective bikes. Perhaps a chunky looking modern drivetrain would look a bit over-powering on a delicate steel-framed bike, while a retro-classic shiny mechanical drivetrain, complete with period DT shifters would look ridiculous on a modern carbon aero-frame. But I do like this modern-retro styled bike from OPEN:-

Wildwood

absolutely, why not? - depending on one’s aesthetic!
Il cognoscenti in some circles, so to speak.

yaw

Looks like someone's first year mechanical engineering project

79pmooney

I watched video footage of American Sepp Kuss changing out his battery on the fly in the Giro d'Italia last month. He should have listened to you. Coulda got seriously hurt doing that on that fast descent.

yaw

I once changed a shift cable on a fast descent, only for il capaci

Wildwood

All those 40 years of crankset advances for this? Evolution or devolution? Obvious or blind.
Fugly exists as fugly deceives itself. And always will.

PeteHski

Is this supposedly fugly then?

rsbob 

Looks pretty standard issue these days. The problem is probably that it is not shiny metal, which I prefer.

LesterOfPuppets

I dunno. Seems OK to me. I don't think they make that one anymore though.

genejockey 

The cranks are bilaterally symmetrical around a like drawn through the crank spindle and the BB spindle, just like most cranks. If you want to see asymmetrical cranks, let me suggest the Dura Ace AX/EX cranks:

SoSmellyAir

I love silver or grey chain rings because they hide wear better, but I am concerned whether those spindly crank arms can handle it when I put my head down and dial up my watts into the very low three digits.

Wildwood

The original comment was that a silver crank w drilled rings was - something to the effect of - a freshman machinist' hobby project.
The black modern single ring crank represents 40 years of potential advancement for aluminum design/machining.
Full stop.

We get bulk for minimal improvement in stiffness, which is more likely possible because of improved bottom brackets (over square taper). And weight reduction with single ring, resulting in very large cassettes. I must concede that modern stress analysis & design capability makes modern al cranksets more suited for all the sprinters who dial up 1000watts at every town line sprint and away from stops.

Also, not a aluminum alloy expert - so maybe modern Al alloys are stronger, lighter, etc.

But who cares - the Road Forum should consider any aluminum crank obsolete, when CF is where it's at today.

Fugly is a matter of personal opinion. Are these fugly? Or any? Or all? What do you see?

black is not just new.

genejockey 

Indeed.

Wildwood

But mine are fuglier, imho
never mounted, either.

I think the 'category' for me keeping them is politely called (by retrogrouches) Wallhanger.
Rare and unique!

genejockey 

No argument from me.

EDIT: It's like somebody beat on Campy Deltas with The Ugly Stick.

daviddavieboy

I have no doubt those cranks could handle anything you or I could give them.

SoSmellyAir

I know, I was joking, i.e., low (and I meant it) 3 digits in watts.

bikinbobs

I may be a Retrogrouch because I have an overwhelmingly strong preference for the following components, which are mostly disappearing from Bike Shops.

• Frames & forks made from lugged or welded up seamless Steel, Titanium or Aluminum tubing.
• Aluminum clincher wheel sets w/ 36 spokes each.
• Larger width road tires
• fully exposed brake & shift cables.
• Rim brakes.
• Mechanical derailleurs.
• Quill pedals.
• Zefal nylon toe Cups.
• Frame mounted pumps.
• Frame mounted water bottle cages.
• Bar & seat bags.
• Bells.
• Bar end mirrors.
• Padded bike shorts.
• Fingerless gloves.
• Old tee shirts.
• Comfy sneakers

SoSmellyAir

I think old tee shirts have finished their disappearance. I have not seen them sold in bike shops or even regular apparel retailers, other than thrift stores.

Garthr

I don't see any difference as far as ride-ability between any form of bike parts, regardless of the "time" period they are associated with/as. So no one has any claim over anyone else as what is "best".

Enjoying what you DO ride .....isn't that the point ?!

That nonsense of "whose is better" reminds of third grade ..... "my peanut butter and jelly sandwich is better than yours because I used Skippy !" Hahhaha .... really ? Then someone comes out with peanut butter and jelly combined in one jar and says theirs is best. Then someone comes out and calls their PB "natural" and says it'even better and if you don't eat ours you're a retro-peanut-butter. Yeah whatever ..... just enjoy your sandwich ..... sheesh. Nobody really cares what brand or type of PB you're eating.

mstateglfr 

How is this a 'modern retrostyled bike'?
There is nothing retro in style that I see.

It's a carbon frame and fork with 1x drivetrain using a carbon crank and and hydraulic disc brakes. Oh, and it uses a seatmast and top clamp.

Maybe I am missing something?
To be clear, I really love the lines of this bike.

PeteHski

It's really just the smaller diameter tubing than you would typically find on a modern carbon bike, especially an aero frame. I think there is some info on their website about the inspiration for its overall "look". It's similar to what Specialized were aiming at with their Aethos, but OPEN have used smaller diameter tube profiles. Both are really a counter point to modern aero-frames. Just a vague nostalgic nod to the days of small diameter round tubes and full length seat stays, non-integrated bars etc.

rsbob 

If you have to ask, you have your answer.

Acknowledgement is one of the first steps to recovery.

Atlas Shrugged

For the first time in 45 years of being active in sport cycling I am not planning in upgrading to the latest generation of 12 speed equipment so sadly I assume retrogrouch is now applicable.

PeteHski

But if you were in the market for a new bike, would you deliberately NOT go 12-speed like a true retro-grouch?