Does anyone still use the term "ten-speed" for bikes?

[bcla]

I'm hearing a radio ad where someone is using bicycles vs tricycles as an analogy about performance. However, he uses the term "ten-speeds" which I'm thinking is way outdated. I remember the term as a kid in the 70s and 80s, but when I finally got into bikes my first serious bike had a 6-speed freewheel and later I had 7/8-speed freewheels on road mountain bikes for 7 to 24 speeds. And I don't remember anyone really referring to "ten speeds" for decades, even in casual conversation as a generic term for a thin-tire road bike.

If you mentioned that to someone in their 20s, would they even know what that means?

 

[low-key]

I guess I do, but haven't mentioned a bike since the 70,s, lol , Im gonna see what my sister says, her and her husband go bike riding all the time

 

[ndelaware]

Lol, I don't know if you can find a "10 speed" bike any more. I have a road bike and a hybrid bike. One is 15 speeds and the other is 27 speeds.

I think what was known as a 10 speed is now known as a road bike.

 

[John VN]

I'm hearing a radio ad where someone is using bicycles vs tricycles as an analogy about performance. However, he uses the term "ten-speeds" which I'm thinking is way outdated. I remember the term as a kid in the 70s and 80s, but when I finally got into bikes my first serious bike had a 6-speed freewheel and later I had 7/8-speed freewheels on road mountain bikes for 7 to 24 speeds. And I don't remember anyone really referring to "ten speeds" for decades, even in casual conversation as a generic term for a thin-tire road bike.

If you mentioned that to someone in their 20s, would they even know what that means?

Mentioning 10 speeds typically refers to the number of sprockets on the cassette (instead of freewheel). Road bikes are now being equipped with 11 and 12 sprockets. I had a shorter ride of 65 miles this morning on my 2018 Specialized Roubaix Expert 11 speed cassette bike.

 

[bcla]

Mentioning 10 speeds typically refers to the number of sprockets on the cassette (instead of freewheel). Road bikes are now being equipped with 11 and 12 sprockets. I had a shorter ride of 65 miles this morning on my 2018 Specialized Roubaix Expert 11 speed cassette bike.

I get that there are big freehub cassettes these days, but the context seems to be more of what I remember in my childhood when a double chainring and 5-speed freewheel were considered state of the art. Saying “10-speed” seems antiquated. Certainly in my bike riding days we’d say road/racing/touring bike

What’s worse is that they guy using the term talks about the winner of the Tour de France going against a kid in a “10-speed”.

 

[tvguy]

Not sure my kids have ever ridden a bike with a derailleur on it or hand grip breaks (they're 28 and 32). They've always had good old fashioned one speed bikes with coaster brakes. We sent them off to college with $80 Huffy bikes. What we used to call "paper boy" bikes, which may be just as outdated a term as "10 speed".

 

[bcla]

Not sure my kids have ever ridden a bike with a derailleur on it or hand grip breaks (they're 28 and 32). They've always had good old fashioned one speed bikes with coaster brakes. We sent them off to college with $80 Huffy bikes. What we used to call "paper boy" bikes, which may be just as outdated a term as "10 speed".

I thought hipsters these days go for single speed “fixies”. Not necessarily track bikes, but single speed without a freewheel, so one can’t coast. Legally they have to have a brake, and most are on the front because front brakes work better. I was able to brake with just the front by leaning back. Others might flip over the handlebars or lose control if they haven’t figured out the technique.

But “ten speed” as a phrase is just so anachronistic. In the commercial the guy says it to sound cool, but he just sounds old.

 

[L&Lfan]

I don’t really talk about bicycles these days, but if I did I’d just say bike.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think it's absolutely anachronistic for anyone who actually rides a bike now, but if you haven't actually put your tush on a saddle in 40 years, it probably sticks in your mind as a synonym for "fast bike".
I think if the commercial was targeted to retirees, the term would serve its purpose.

BTW, I've got a mint Columbia 10-speed road bike (with gumwalls!) hanging in my garage. I bought it in college, back when it was "Morning in America", LOL. DD asked me to save it for when she's big enough for the frame; she likes vintage.

 

[RangerPooh]

Nope. We just refer to them as bikes. As a kid (back inthe late 80s early 90s) that was the coolest thing, but primarily because it meant to graduated from the cheaper bikes.