Bicycle anthropology

07-23-2004, 08:30 AM

In the late nineteenth century a few adventurers
(See: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] ) decided to
document Native* American culture before it became extinct and in the process
invented anthropology. In that spirit can any of the more uh experienced
participants of this newsgroup name the year(s) when the following changes
occurred for typical (not high end) bikes? Add any items I have missed.

road bikes:

non-aero to aero brakes
indexed shifting
downtube to stem shifters (or vv)
bar end shifters
brake shifters i.e. sti
5 to 6 to 7 to 8 to 9 speed rear cluster
3 speed front
single pivot to double pivot caliper brakes
clip to clipless pedals
low spoke count wheels
steel to aluminum

mountain bikes:

front suspension

*Off topic. Does Native American grate on you ears? Native in all of its
variations refers to birth so anyone born in America is a native American
but few are Native Americans. The Australians got it right with aboriginal.

--
Ed