Forget quick-release skewer, the mechanical derailleur, carbon frames, or disc wheels. Never mind clipless pedals or brake-mounted shifters. Scratch those deep-section road wheels, lightweight helmets, or miracle fabrics.
The most important innovation in Cycling had nothing to do with those incremental advances, but rather with the invention of Cycling-Specific eyewear. To begin with, they allowed the Cyclist the privilege of being able to see where they were going, and avoided the indignity of having the eyes tear up on a descent. After all, no one needs to look like they’re crying because the speeds are too high. They also protect the eyes, saving them for important things like the admiration of the opposite sex.
Most importantly, however, they look cool as hell. And, as Paul Fournel rightly pointed out in Need for the Bike, to look good is already to go fast. To go fast, you need to look fast.
Oakley is widely considered to be the pioneer of cycling-specific eyewear, but others were doing Merckx’s work in that avenue at about the same time. While Greg LeMond and Phil Anderson were leading the arms race for the American eyewear specialist, another of my childhood favorites, Charly Mottet, was also busy sporting some prototype Rudy Projects and setting an early high water mark in the art of Looking Fantastic.
Once Cyclists sorted out that shades make you cool (we’re not as clever as rock stars), the late Eighties and early Nineties saw an explosion of rad eyewear in the peloton. Here are some standouts from the period.
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I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
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I want to see more of that "saddle"
I always roll Rule #36 compliant. However, I've given up on Oakleys. While I've had a couple of pairs and liked them quite a bit, they have gotten entirely too spendy, especially considering that every swinging dick in town wears them. Even my LBS, who stocks them, admits they are overpriced.
Right now my regular set are Tifosi, which I get a small discount on through my club, but even without that I could get two pair of them (with 3 lens sets each, mind you) and still have dough left over for a bagful of gels or whatever. Plus I really like them, and at the price I don't have to freak out about how to handle them like I would if they were $120+. (I wear Ray-bans when on foot, which I'm mindful to keep good care of.)
Sorry, Oakley, but for me, your time has passed.
@BaltoSteve
No, it's a straight block. The only person who uses a derailleur on a "single speed" is Jens. And that's just for when he burns through each subsequent 11t. But even then, his 10th cog is his escape gear - douze.
@frank
Recently determined how to build a Campy 11-20 (10s) true straight block. News on this operation to follow later on.
As long as overly fashionable Assos and knockoffs keep off of riders faces, I am happy
@Weldertron
As do I. what is the purpose of the "high chair" he is riding with?
https://twitter.com/brianparker1710/status/363349865243222017/photo/1
file://localhost/Users/brianparkerMacBook%20HD/Desktop/BQrgxv-CIAEwP6f.jpg-large.jpeg
Once you have the cool shades, the universal question is: Over or under the helmet straps?
@bikezen
Still working up to Rule 37 then?