Bikes are faster now, we all know that intuitively. The result of the constant arms race to squeeze every last watt out of the UCI regulations means we’re constantly treated to “The fastest Roubaix ever” year on year.
Yes, the riders also have better coaching, better strength and conditioning, and better diets too, but there’s no denying that the hyperfixation on wattage at an industrial scale has left us with bikes nowadays that are markedly more speedy than what you’d see in the Colnago archives from decades past.
