I was sorry to read that the Raleigh bicycle plant in Canada is shutting its doors after 75 years of operation here.
https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/01/14/raleigh_to_stop_making_bikes_in_canada.html
**broken link removed**
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh_Bicycle_Company
I received from my parents a Raleigh bicycle in 1955 and it was a beauty. It had 3 gears (low, medium, and high). There was no derailleur (the gearbox was part of the rear wheel hub). Changing gears did not require the chain to jump from one sprocket to another. The chain never fell off. The gear ratios were spaced apart to cover any type of terrain and accommodate all speeds.
What happened? Manufacturers are now making bikes with 24 or more gears. They are marketing this as a desirable feature in their products (the more the better). Who wants to fiddle with multiple gear levers when navigating through traffic and dodging cars?
Any thoughts on this?
https://www.thestar.com/business/2013/01/14/raleigh_to_stop_making_bikes_in_canada.html
**broken link removed**
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raleigh_Bicycle_Company
I received from my parents a Raleigh bicycle in 1955 and it was a beauty. It had 3 gears (low, medium, and high). There was no derailleur (the gearbox was part of the rear wheel hub). Changing gears did not require the chain to jump from one sprocket to another. The chain never fell off. The gear ratios were spaced apart to cover any type of terrain and accommodate all speeds.
What happened? Manufacturers are now making bikes with 24 or more gears. They are marketing this as a desirable feature in their products (the more the better). Who wants to fiddle with multiple gear levers when navigating through traffic and dodging cars?
Any thoughts on this?