Best Cycle Based Inventions

funnights74

While browsing some sites in the last few days and stumbled across this thought provoking little item. All of these things that we take for granted now, like Sti,wasn't it so enraging when the gears would slip, especially going up a lung bursting climb!! and power links, Carbon fibre!! Thank you Nasa Lol. Hurray for engineering progress.;)


http://cyclinginfo.co.uk/blog/cycling/top-10-modern-cycling-inventions/

Beasty

To me, nothing beats the wheel - it must be the best cycling related invention ... ever!

tomasrojo

The spoked wheel is a great refinement. Such an incredibly elegant, strong and light design. Ok, not as aerodynamic as some other types of wheel, but remarkable invention nonetheless. And it's been around quite a while.

Still, this list is for modern inventions, so I should think of something not from the 19th century.

The LED light? I think I could still live with mostly 70s technology as a utility cyclist. But LED lights are streets ahead of what was available before in terms of low power-draw and reliability, and they're incredibly bright now too. No need for carrying spare bulbs anymore either.

sy

Beasty wrote: »

To me, nothing beats the wheel - it must be the best cycling related invention ... ever!

Agree but in conjunction with Mr Dunlops pneumatic tire.

Raam

Not strictly related to cycling, but I'm a big fan of sat nav.

kenmc

Beasty wrote: »

To me, nothing beats the wheel - it must be the best cycling related invention ... ever!

Without question, the greatest invention in the history of mankind is beer. Oh, I grant you that the wheel was also a fine invention, but the wheel does not go nearly as well with pizza.*

Jawgap

I'd also throw in for your consideration:-

- Scotchlite and Scotchbrite (esp at this time of year)
- Chamois cream
- Gel inserts

C3PO

Rear derailleur?

High Nellie

They are all great but, in all fairness, the modern helmet must be the best. How many of ye would have got a potentially damaging bang on the head without one??

Jawgap

High Nellie wrote: »

They are all great but, in all fairness, the modern helmet must be the best. How many of ye would have got a potentially damaging bang on the head without one??

.........and we're off:)

Beasty

High Nellie wrote: »

They are all great but, in all fairness, the modern helmet must be the best. How many of ye would have got a potentially damaging bang on the head without one??

Not without wheels, you wouldn't...

Bunnyhopper

Jawgap wrote: »

.........and we're off:)

And it's only Wednesday

I'd agree about the wheel, and I'd offer ball bearings as another one for the list. True, they've been around for a long time but the first patents were for use on bicycles, so I suppose you might say they were perfected for the bicycle.

Doctor Bob

Taking a broad interpretation of 'cycle based inventions', how about something like these?

Bicimáquinas at Maya Pedal, Guatemala.

They're inventions based on bicycle principles (and parts), but used for fundamentally different purposes... (As Beasty says, without wheels, the helmet point is moot, but without food and water the wheels point is moot too! )

(I met this guy over the summer who told me about the project- he volunteered there for a while.)

07Lapierre

Beasty wrote: »

To me, nothing beats the wheel - it must be the best cycling related invention ... ever!

2nd best invention?.. BRAKES!

07Lapierre

High Nellie wrote: »

They are all great but, in all fairness, the modern helmet must be the best. How many of ye would have got a potentially damaging bang on the head without one??

TBH in all the years i've been cycling, I've never actually hit my head. I've damaged by Shoulder, Elbows, Hips, Knees, Hands/fingers, but my helmet is still intact.

I hope this post doesn't Jinx me for my cycle home! :eek:

Jabel

What did the Romans ever do for us..?


er... Roads!

Jawgap

Jabel wrote: »

What did the Romans ever do for us..?


er... Roads!

Helmets:-

Jawgap

Or if you like......