Bike Technology

[Sol]

Electronic shifting has gotten better and more efficient over the years and at the ToC, Sram revealed its wireless prototype groupset.
There was also that project several years back where Parlee collaborated with Prius to make a bike that shifted using brainwaves.

Seeing this Look KG-196 (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=157976) with a mavic mektronic groupset got me thinking, what do you all think bike technology is going? Or where do you want to see it go?
I s'pose the question isn't limited to groupsets but possibly new tech or unexplored areas of cycling.

[joosttx]

Google glass technology for bike computers.

[bcgav]

Wireless, automatic shifting like Bioshift (http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/10/bioshifts-automated-shifting.html), and for joost ReconJet (http://www.reconinstruments.com/) for a smart HUD for navigation, pacing, etc. The price of quality power meters will continue to drop.

Personal fitness sensors like the LEO Fitness Intelligence (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/leo-fitness-intelligence) band.

All of the above communicating & integrated with each other.

[FlashUNC]

I'd settle for tubular glue that doesn't get you all goofy when you apply it indoors.

[oldpotatoe]

Electronic shifting has gotten better and more efficient over the years and at the ToC, Sram revealed its wireless prototype groupset.
There was also that project several years back where Parlee collaborated with Prius to make a bike that shifted using brainwaves.

Seeing this Look KG-196 (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=157976) with a mavic mektronic groupset got me thinking, what do you all think bike technology is going? Or where do you want to see it go?
I s'pose the question isn't limited to groupsets but possibly new tech or unexplored areas of cycling.

There really hasn't been a true 'innovation' since clipless pedals, lever mounted shifting, era.

The weak link in bikes, mostly those in the dirt that fall over, is the rear der. I surprised it is still hanging out in the beeze.

Electronic shifting is 'electro-mechanical'..chain, pulleys, cogs, chainrings, just using trons nstead of cables. XTR Di2 is approaching a 'smart' system with no front der shifter.

[oldpotatoe]

I'd settle for tubular glue that doesn't get you all goofy when you apply it indoors.

That's part of the fun..'Take a trip without leavin' the farm'.

[dekindy]

[QUOTE=oldpotatoe;1687769]There really hasn't been a true 'innovation' since clipless pedals, lever mounted shifting, era.

The weak link in bikes, mostly those in the dirt that fall over, is the rear der. I surprised it is still hanging out in the beeze.

QUOTE]

Why doesn't somebody equip road bikes with rear internal hubs? It is not like they aren't already available. My LBS built up a Co-Motion tandem with a Sturmey-Archer hub. Could not find a link but it was this past Summer.

[oldpotatoe]

[QUOTE=oldpotatoe;1687769]There really hasn't been a true 'innovation' since clipless pedals, lever mounted shifting, era.

The weak link in bikes, mostly those in the dirt that fall over, is the rear der. I surprised it is still hanging out in the beeze.

QUOTE]

Why doesn't somebody equip road bikes with rear internal hubs? It is not like they aren't already available. My LBS built up a Co-Motion tandem with a Sturmey-Archer hub. Could not find a link but it was this past Summer.

Heavy mostly. Some(Rohloff) also very expensive, complicated, no field service available.

[dekindy]

[QUOTE=dekindy;1687776]

Heavy mostly. Some(Rohloff) also very expensive, complicated, no field service available.

Might have been a Rohloff. Will try to find link. Does heavy matter that much for a tandem since everything needs to be sturdier than a single bike?

[oldpotatoe]

[QUOTE=oldpotatoe;1687778]

Might have been a Rohloff. Will try to find link. Does heavy matter that much for a tandem since everything needs to be sturdier than a single bike?

Saying why internal rear hubs are not mainstream in 'half' bikes. Tandems are like helocopters.

[jr59]

[QUOTE=dekindy;1687776]

Heavy mostly. Some(Rohloff) also very expensive, complicated, no field service available.

VERY heavy. Also the gearing steps take a while to get use to. I have a Rohloff that is just sitting that I did not care for.

Rohloff would require 2 servos to shift, it's just gets more complicated.

[ceolwulf]

Planetary gears are also not very efficient compared to a chain drive so adding one into a chain drive system requires a pretty compelling reason.

Belt drives are great but varying the ratio is very difficult. There's a good reason chains are still the drive system of choice - well over 90% efficiency. But yes there's got to be a better way to make a dérailleur especially if you don't need to shift it with a cable.

[Jgrooms]

No interest in another device requiring plugging in.

[eippo1]

I predict that since frames have reached the pinnacle of stiffness while being vertically compliant, it's now the components turn...

[MattTuck]

Incremental improvements no longer seem that interesting to me.

If they can get a power meter down to $150, that would interest me.


If I could choose, I'd like to see a safety system with situational awareness. Detects when cars are actually coming near you, and either uses a strobe to alert the driver or a sound or something.

In terms of my ability to go for a bike ride and enjoy it, I really can't think of anything that I need.

I guess white bar tape that stays white. Or maybe Eddy Merckx in a bottle, some super energy/fitness drink that allows you to up your power output by 200 watts. Get the scientists working on THAT ;)

[choke]

In regards to the RD issue, there is an internal gearbox option. It requires a dedicated frame and is not inexpensive though.

http://nahbs2013.ciocctoo.com/nahbs9.jpg

http://nahbs2013.ciocctoo.com/nahbs10.jpg