Starting Line: 1971-1990

Welcome friends to years 1971-1990 of Starting Line.

1973: Oil embargo results in increased popularity in the bicycle.

1974: Mass produced titanium frame and fork is introduced by Teledyne Corporation.

1974: Eddy Merckx wins 3 of the most popular bike races.

1975: First carbon tubed, metal lugged frame bike is produced by the Exxon Graftec Corporation.

1977: Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Craig Mitchell, and Otis Guy designs prototype of the mountain bicycle.

1978: Specialized introduces the first foldable clincher tire called "The Turbo."

1981: First Specialized Stumpjumper mountain bike introduced.

1984: First Women's Tour de France takes its place in cycling history.

1985: Shimano introduces SIS (Shimano Index System), which popularized index shifting as we know it today.

1986: Greg Lemond wins the Tour de France, becoming the first American to clinch this title. He also pioneered many aspects of cycling.

1989: Greg Lemond wins his second Tour de France title against opponent, Laurent Fignon. Greg clinches the title by a mere 5 second lead.....still the smallest victory margin to date.

1990: Greg Lemond wins his third Tour de France title. He becomes the first professional cyclist to earn a $1,000,000.00 contract.

1990: Suspension forks and off-road clipless pedals become widely available.

1990: Shimano introduces STI (Shimano Total Integration), a combination shifter brake lever which is still used today.

1971-1990: Return to Starting Line Home