on the other hand there’s bikes, which are basically unchanged and simple enough that most people can figure out how to do all the regular maintenance with some youtube videos and a couple hours.
Have you encountered modern shifters? They’re fairly involved.
Electronic shifting, hydraulic brakes, liberal use of sealed cartridge bearings, carbon fiber parts requiring strict torque specs…these are definitely different than 70’s friction shift ten-speed bikes.
You’re thinking of high performance sports bicycles.
When bicycles are just basic transport to get around town, where reliability and easy maintenance are a priority, they are very much like they were in the 70’s.
i have never seen those on a bicycle actually used in real life, it’s either regular-ass derailleur or it’s hub gears, both of which are pretty darn simple on the level you’re going to interact with them (no one disassembles internal hubs and they don’t really break)
on the other hand there’s bikes, which are basically unchanged and simple enough that most people can figure out how to do all the regular maintenance with some youtube videos and a couple hours.
Have you encountered modern shifters? They’re fairly involved.
Electronic shifting, hydraulic brakes, liberal use of sealed cartridge bearings, carbon fiber parts requiring strict torque specs…these are definitely different than 70’s friction shift ten-speed bikes.
You’re thinking of high performance sports bicycles.
When bicycles are just basic transport to get around town, where reliability and easy maintenance are a priority, they are very much like they were in the 70’s.
i have never seen those on a bicycle actually used in real life, it’s either regular-ass derailleur or it’s hub gears, both of which are pretty darn simple on the level you’re going to interact with them (no one disassembles internal hubs and they don’t really break)