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I don't think you understand cycling. Gear preference in cycling isn't the same as wanting to change the rules of track and field or gymnastics. The Olympics a

I don't think you understand cycling. Gear preference in cycling isn't the same as wanting to change the rules of track and field or gymnastics. The Olympics are a one-off that happens infrequently, but still draws from the same set of world-class riders as the rest of the racing season (a season that happens ever year, and contains far more important events). There's zero chance what you suggest will ever take root.

InitialLastName 2y ago
Not just that, but a lot of the money in cycling comes from bicycle (+bike component) manufacturers in the form of sponsorship and endorsements. Outside of a NASCAR-like pseudo-standardization, going to a standardized bike from one manufacturer for the highest-visibility events would throw that money out the window (and cause conflicts where the biggest riders are riding bikes from a different manufacturer than the one that funds the rest of their activities).
- LeifCarrotson 2y ago
  I understand that's the way it is, and I understand the power/money systems are set up in a way that no one realistically has the ability to make the change happen, but that's not intrinsic to the sport, it's just something that's grown up organically around it.
  - freejazz 2y ago
    Tell us what is intrinsic to the sport, as you apparently seem to know.
  - ubermonkey 2y ago
    Again, it does not appear you understand cycling.
Scoundreller 2y ago
> There's zero chance what you suggest will ever take root. I’ve always wanted to represent my country in the olympics, and maybe one day I will on a standard Olympics bicycle!
burningChrome 2y ago
>> Gear preference in cycling isn't the same as wanting to change the rules of track and field or gymnastics. Anectdotal evidence to support this. Specialized had pretty high end helemets for cyclists, but for some reason, the Italian riders would also complain about them. They finally got some of the Tour riders together to try and figure out what they could to do solve this issue. To me, it was pretty funny. They complained that the straps that came down on both sides would lay on their face and cause tan lines. I'm not kidding, this was a major issue and Specialized changed the straps so they were embedded in a way that hung off the riders face so it wouldn't cause tan lines. You had to show people how cool it was, it was such a minor thing, but to these guys, it was a big enough problem they actually solved and then put into their high end helmets.
- yuppiepuppie 2y ago
  Not sure when this story took place but now you have riders who WANT the tan lines.
  - ubermonkey 2y ago
    It's pretty easy to find pix of 80s-era racers (e.g., LeMonde) who sported pretty intense glove tans -- pale hands, but with a circle tan on the back and tan fingers. Sharp lines on the upper arm and thigh from jerseys and shorts are still common, too, but I see less of all of this now than I did back then. I ride a lot, and I barely have them, because sunscreen exists and I don't want cancer.
- ubermonkey 2y ago
  Helmet fit is also super tied to brand. I have tried and tried to find something that fits my head better than a Specialized helmet, but I haven't been able to do it. I mean, nothing against Specialized, but variety would be nice, and the model that works best for me from them is expensive. Some brands fit, but not comfortably. Some brands (POC, for example), just don't fit my head at all.

InitialLastName 2y ago

Not just that, but a lot of the money in cycling comes from bicycle (+bike component) manufacturers in the form of sponsorship and endorsements. Outside of a NASCAR-like pseudo-standardization, going to a standardized bike from one manufacturer for the highest-visibility events would throw that money out the window (and cause conflicts where the biggest riders are riding bikes from a different manufacturer than the one that funds the rest of their activities).

LeifCarrotson 2y ago
I understand that's the way it is, and I understand the power/money systems are set up in a way that no one realistically has the ability to make the change happen, but that's not intrinsic to the sport, it's just something that's grown up organically around it.
- freejazz 2y ago
  Tell us what is intrinsic to the sport, as you apparently seem to know.
- ubermonkey 2y ago
  Again, it does not appear you understand cycling.

Scoundreller 2y ago

> There's zero chance what you suggest will ever take root. I’ve always wanted to represent my country in the olympics, and maybe one day I will on a standard Olympics bicycle!

burningChrome 2y ago

>> Gear preference in cycling isn't the same as wanting to change the rules of track and field or gymnastics. Anectdotal evidence to support this. Specialized had pretty high end helemets for cyclists, but for some reason, the Italian riders would also complain about them. They finally got some of the Tour riders together to try and figure out what they could to do solve this issue. To me, it was pretty funny. They complained that the straps that came down on both sides would lay on their face and cause tan lines. I'm not kidding, this was a major issue and Specialized changed the straps so they were embedded in a way that hung off the riders face so it wouldn't cause tan lines. You had to show people how cool it was, it was such a minor thing, but to these guys, it was a big enough problem they actually solved and then put into their high end helmets.

yuppiepuppie 2y ago
Not sure when this story took place but now you have riders who WANT the tan lines.
- ubermonkey 2y ago
  It's pretty easy to find pix of 80s-era racers (e.g., LeMonde) who sported pretty intense glove tans -- pale hands, but with a circle tan on the back and tan fingers. Sharp lines on the upper arm and thigh from jerseys and shorts are still common, too, but I see less of all of this now than I did back then. I ride a lot, and I barely have them, because sunscreen exists and I don't want cancer.
ubermonkey 2y ago
Helmet fit is also super tied to brand. I have tried and tried to find something that fits my head better than a Specialized helmet, but I haven't been able to do it. I mean, nothing against Specialized, but variety would be nice, and the model that works best for me from them is expensive. Some brands fit, but not comfortably. Some brands (POC, for example), just don't fit my head at all.