Do we need to raise standards?

Originally posted by 2547 Originally posted by Chris 249 One thing that strikes me is that the cycling manufacturers build kit to unofficial standards that makes everything much easier and more fun in many ways - if you replace a derailleur it just goes into a threaded hole the same size as the old one You must be kidding; so does your 11 speed Shimano work with Campagnolo 9 speed shifters ... or 10 speed SRAM? Bikes are riddled with incompatibility ... don't even get me started on BB90, BB30, BBright when we had perfectly good English threaded BBs for years ... Bikes are a nightmare and as time goes on there become more and more difficult for the hole mechanic ... bikes are going the way of cars ...

I'd say no. I have a fair bit of experienced fettling bikes boats and widsurfers, and always on a tight budget. Some components are boat/class specific (to a greater or lesser extent, e.g. an Enterprise mast won't fit a Merlin Rocket and sails are always class specific) but a ratchet block will work in several different roles (main and kite sheets on my Spice for example) and may well be the same component used as a Topper mainsheet block. The problems can arise when you get to Single Manufacturer One Designs (SMODs) RS boats being a prime example and the Laser being the ultimate. However, even there there is a degree of flexibility (well perhaps not the Laser) to change blocks and fittings but you can't use a different sailmaker or mast if you want to race. It is often cheaper to buy a complete bike especially if you can live with last year's model, having recently bought a new bike for my son at less than half RRP I have first hand experience. This doesn't really happen with boats though.

Edited by Sam.Spoons - 17 Jan 17 at 9:31am