28. The technological conservatism of bicycle manufacturers is a reflection of the kinds of demand they are trying
to meet. The only cyclists seriously interested in innovation and willing to pay for it are bicycle racers. Therefore,
innovation in bicycle technology is limited by what authorities will accept as standard for purposes of
competition in bicycle races.
Which of the following is an assumption made in drawing the conclusion above?
(A) The market for cheap, traditional bicycles cannot expand unless the market for high-performance
competition bicycles expands.
(B) High-performance bicycles are likely to be improved more as a result of technological innovations
developed in small workshops than as a result of technological innovations developed in major
manufacturing concerns.
(C) Bicycle racers do not generate a strong demand for innovations that fall outside what is officially
recognized as standard for purposes of competition.(KEY)
(D) The technological conservatism of bicycle manufacturers results primarily from their desire to
manufacture a product that can be sold without being altered to suit different national markets.
(E) The authorities who set standards for high-performance bicycle racing do not keep informed about
innovative bicycle design.