1994: The Year Grant Petersen Started RBW

http://www.rivbike.com/company_history

I don't know exactly where Rivendell Bicycle Works (RBW) belongs in the Zodiac, but it clearly belongs. Despite not having made much profit, or much of a stink about it, Grant Petersen has been one of the most influencial figures in the U.S. bicycle culture of the early 21st century, although it's too soon to gauge how far his influence will be carried into the bicycle industry.

He is a bit of a wingnut, but the things he was talking about ten years ago have all become vital elements of the mainstream bicycle community: long (or standard, if you prefer) reach brakes, fenders, upright riding positions, baskets, regular old pedals, 650b... Of course, these are all practical things that may have (re)appeared regardless of GP's promotion. It's often hard to tell the difference between prediction and influence, or between insight and zeitgeist, or something. Anyway, a nod to the man in the itchy sweater.

NOTE: This was first posted in 2008, but it's even more true today than it was then. 

1991: ???

In the running:

• Swobo Founded by Tim Parr
• ...

1989: The Year of Greg Lemond

Of course, Greg Lemond won the Tour de France in 1986, and that was the first time an American had won the TDF, but the 1989 victory was a watershead moment for several reasons:

1. Lemond was returning to cycling that year after having been horribly injured in a hunting accident--no one thought he would amount to much. Also, GL was SI's "Sportsman of the Year."
2. It was the last time that the final stage of the TDF was a time trial. Too much nail-biting, not enough Chanpange, I suppose. Nevertheless, how many of us were glued to ABC's pathetic tour coverage watching the seconds tick away as GL pushed a 55/12 down the Champs-Elysées?
3. This was the event that confirmed the practical efficacy of aero-bars, firmly establishing a place for the science of aerodynamics in the cycling world, for better or worse.

Other significant events:

In 1989 the product manager at Bianchi was Bill Horner, who is much better known for Felt Bicycles than this, but he began working on a bike labeled "Project 7" that year. It had 700c wheels, flat bars, thumb shifters, mountain bike brake levers and brakes (cantilevers) and a triple crank. Bill really believed in his work and pushed this Project 7 into production by 1990 under the name "Volpe." (Don Cook, The Big Wheel Mountain Bike Story, Dirt Rag #130)

1980: The Year Keith Bontrager Made a Mountain Bike

His frames from the late 1980s and early 1990s are aces, if you can find one. He has been a seminal contributor to innovations over the last 30 years, though I believe less so after selling his company to Trek.

1979: The Year Charlie Cunningham Made His First Mountain Bike

www.bicyclepaintings.com

I saw a Cunningham at Point Reyes Cyclery in 1986. Man I wish I'd bought it. A terrific interview with CC is in Rivendell Reader #27 (and reproduced here).

CC's first mountain bike was also his first aluminum bike. It weighed 23 lbs. and had many features common today, but hithertofore unknown: short(ish) wheelbase, steep angles, sloped top tube, hand-made brakes, wider sealed bearing hubs, seatpost quick release, machined magnesium stem, titanium chainguard, toe clips, and custom curved drop handlebars.

http://www.cunninghambikes.com/innovation/bicycles/bicycles_3.html

1887: The Year of The Pneumatic Tire

Dunlop