The first big change in racing bikes was quick release wheels and then index gears, aluminium road bike frames, Shimano STI gears. The big change was with carbon bike frames made by Cadex a part of the Giant bicycle company, clipless pedals first made by look, Mavic wheels then disc brakes and Shimano electronic di2 gears and the latest is
tubeless technology in the tyres and 25c and 28c wide tyres. So in short road bikes have got much lighter and the new gears work much better. Shimano have many levels of gears:
budget level starts with Shimano Claris, then Shimano Sora, Shimano Tiagra, Shimano 105. Shimano Ultegra and top Shimano Dura Ace. Their rival being the Sram gear system. 8.9.10.11 and now 12speed sprockets.

Here at Kenny For Bikes we started to sell women’s road bikes when Giant introduced LIV Women’s specific bikes & accessories designed and built by women with shorter cross-bar and women’s specific saddle and handlebars.
Giant were the first to make a full specific women’s road bike and led the way in women’s design. Now LIV is a completely separate section of giant solely designing
women’s road bikes and are a world leader in women’s bikes and women’s cycle accessories