Bicycle Development

[HertzvanRental]

I was sitting here musing, (the OH calls it dribbling) and wondered what the next cycle development will be. They can't get much lighter and with 11 speed cassettes, already electrically operated, at close to their practical limit, what do you think is the next "big thing"?

 

[bpsmith]

1x 12 speed.

 

[HertzvanRental]

1x 12 speed.

Do you think that there will be any real benefit from this?

 

[byegad]

To the manufacturers, certainly.

 

[HertzvanRental]

To the manufacturers, certainly.

I take your point. So, do you think we are approaching an era where developments are, effectively, cosmetic, similar to the way that golf clubs have developed, or can you see an area that will be really radical?

 

[CopperCyclist]

Automatic gearing system. Tell the bike the cadence you want, let the electric gears do the thinking for you.

That said, as our developments tend to come directly from the professionals, I doubt this something they would want and so perhaps not!

 

[Citius]

Developments tend not to come from the pros these days - like disks, for example. That is something the industry is pushing on everyone else.

The main issue is - from a racing perspective, has anything actually changed? In as much as it is still theoretically possible to win a race today on a bike built in the 1960s, then the answer is probably no.

 

[byegad]

No, development has been stifled by the UCI for the best part of a century. Given that disc brakes are safer than rim brakes in the wet and have been around for decades it amazed me how long the Roadie Pro's have been made to wait before using them. Downhillers and HPV users have had them for ages.

 

[Citius]

No, development has been stifled by the UCI for the best part of a century. Given that disc brakes are safer than rim brakes in the wet and have been around for decades it amazed me how long the Roadie Pro's have been made to wait before using them. Downhillers and HPV users have had them for ages.

Because better brakes are one of the least important considerations in road racing, that's why. The pros aren't actually that bothered. You only have to look at cyclocross uptake to see how critical disk brakes are (ie not very).

 

[HertzvanRental]

No, development has been stifled by the UCI for the best part of a century. Given that disc brakes are safer than rim brakes in the wet and have been around for decades it amazed me how long the Roadie Pro's have been made to wait before using them. Downhillers and HPV users have had them for ages.

Are road racers not allowed disc-brakes? I didn't know that!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Because better brakes are one of the least important considerations in road racing, that's why. The pros aren't actually that bothered. You only have to look at cyclocross uptake to see how critical disk brakes are (ie not very).

Once disks are allowed in road racing I bet take up will be almost an instant 100%. Calipers will quickly be consigned to the dustbin.

Hard to see the next step after that, but many things we take for granted now came out of the blue when they were introduced, clipless pedals to name one.

 

[HertzvanRental]

Once disks are allowed in road racing I bet take up will be almost an instant 100%. Calipers will quickly be consigned to the dustbin.

Hard to see the next step after that, but many things we take for granted now came out of the blue when they were introduced, clipless pedals to name one.

What is the problem with discs in racing?

 

[Vapin' Joe]

What is the problem with discs in racing?

There isn't one.

The UCI are becoming more progressive, but they have a history of "If it was good enough for Eddy Merckx, it ought to be good enough for you lot".

 

[Pale Rider]

What is the problem with discs in racing?

Unequal braking in the peloton.

If some had discs and some did not - particularly in the wet - it would be a guaranteed pile up.

Any change must be done by everyone at the same time, which would take some organising even if you wanted to do it.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Automatic gearing system. Tell the bike the cadence you want, let the electric gears do the thinking for you.

That said, as our developments tend to come directly from the professionals, I doubt this something they would want and so perhaps not!

It's already available: http://www.fallbrooktech.com/cycling/harmony