Cycling UK Forum

I find it increasingly frustrating that whatever I buy (not only bike bits) seems to be the last one available. Well I know that's an exaggeration, but the manufacturers seem to be 'redesigning' or 'updating' everything at an alarming pace. Latest example, in May I bought a simple steel 1 1/8 threadless Tange headset with balls, and want another for a second bike.... Not available any more! It's either buy an alloy one or a steel one with cartridge bearings, or a VERY poor quality budget unbranded one. 7 speed cassettes, not available if you want a close ratio, 8 speed seem to be going that way. Maybe I'm a boring old F**t, but I don't want an 11T smallest sprocket either, because the chain runs better on a 13. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't view 11 speed with a tiny thin chain as an improvement. I suppose I'll not be able to buy alloy bars soon?

the only certainty is change...

cheers

well in future when u buy some thing that wears out buy one more or a few?

http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/7-speed/7-speed/
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/8-speed/8-speed/

I must agree with mercalia.....I have enough unfashionable transmission components salted away to "see me out"....also a couple of inch threadless headsets.....

Brucey wrote:the only certainty is change...

cheers

Not quite.
The only certainty is uncertainty

reohn2 wrote:

Brucey wrote:the only certainty is change...

cheers

Not quite.
The only certainty is uncertainty

careful now, every time you say anything, something changes....

cheers

Brucey wrote:

reohn2 wrote:

Brucey wrote:the only certainty is change...

cheers

Not quite.
The only certainty is uncertainty

careful now, every time you say anything, something changes....

cheers

Do you want one word or three?

531colin wrote:http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/7-speed/7-speed/
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/8-speed/8-speed/

I must agree with mercalia.....I have enough unfashionable transmission components salted away to "see me out"....also a couple of inch threadless headsets.....

Yes, but I'm starting to worry about my tendency to do this.

MartinC wrote:

531colin wrote:http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/7-speed/7-speed/
http://www.rosebikes.co.uk/products/bike-parts/cassettes/8-speed/8-speed/

I must agree with mercalia.....I have enough unfashionable transmission components salted away to "see me out"....also a couple of inch threadless headsets.....

Yes, but I'm starting to worry about my tendency to do this.

Its an age thing. Theres nothing you can do, its downhill from here..........

fastpedaller
It's consumer craze,remember when you were a kid,some kid on the street always had the newest thing it was much better,if at all,but it was the newest.
Spool forward a few decades,some of those kids didn't grow up,only they've infected others in the process,now the marketing men are in control and they know if they can build in obsolescence Mr consumer(willing or unwillingly)will have to buy the 'next best thing'(whatever it may be).
Some of us are crafty beggers and can make obsolescence obsolete if not for ever,for long enough.

MartinC wrote:Yes, but I'm starting to worry about my tendency to do this.

Don't,it's what marketing men want you to do.
2x10 is less than 3x8,marketing men would have you believe otherwise but the numbers don't lie

Or stocking up on Voyager Hypers?

Its an age thing. Theres nothing you can do, its downhill from here..........

Yes but you can always complain, that's also an age thing and sometimes works! What I fail to understand is why there is this race to make things cheaper and cheaper but at lower and lower quality until eventually you are left only with rubbish, I don't understand the business model here. There are people, and I'm one of them, who want better quality and are prepared to pay for it - why can this not be better accommodated in this 'new business world'. Also coming with this is the concept of loyalty, surely a returning customer is always the best customer? They continue to to bring back their business and will through word-of-mouth bring new business.

Change is OK, it's the way the world works but change for change sake is bad business and certainly not progress. Rant over!

beardy wrote:Or stocking up on Voyager Hypers?

You betcha!
Can any man turn down such beautiful tyres at PX's prices

All now quietly waiting in a darkened place.... ....who knows they may mature with age

fastpedallern wrote: Maybe I'm a boring old F**t, but I don't want an 11T smallest sprocket either, because the chain runs better on a 13. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't view 11 speed with a tiny thin chain as an improvement. I suppose I'll not be able to buy alloy bars soon?

While I can see that the 11t sprocket has it's place in a racing set up, there seems little rationale in this size for most other cycling pursuits.
I use MTB cassettes to give me the low gears I want for steep climbs but the 11t seems pretty well obligatory whereas I'd be happier with 14t.
I can overcome the problem to some extent by purchasing an 11-28 cassette and using cannibalized parts, dispense with the 11t and 12t using a 12t 1st sprocket and putting a 32 t at the back of the 28. I'd really like to be able to buy a 14-34 but such a combination doesn't seem to be available.