There could be pharmacological reasons for old records still standing.AW84 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 02, 2019 7:37 pmIf we're talking speed, we reached peak bike a long time ago, and a whole smattering of world records and near-records that still stand dating back to the 1980s back it up. Are shifters and deraillers and gearing and comfort better? Absolutely. But everything we've been fed about aero frames and wheels and handlebars and hidden cables since, perhaps the 1990s, if not the 80s, have been hollow claims.
As for aero claims, my own data from dozens of rides tells me I am significantly faster on higher speed rides on my aero bike than my more classic bike - both 1-2 years old and sporting otherwise similar new components.