Where will bike design/technology be in 20/30 years time

[classic33]

I've never driven an automatic car, so I don't speak from experience, but ...

Surely a one-size-fits-all automatic transmissions for bikes would fail because, unlike cars, the engines are all different and have different optimum revs (cadence). So one person might find the bike under-geared and another might find it over-geared. So you'd need an adjustment - let's call it a gear lever.

As to why automatic transmissions have failed in the past, the Deal Drive was very heavy, complex and expensive. I don't know the actual commercial reasons for its failure but I'm guessing that weight cost and possibly production problems were involved.

The Deal Drive was one of many automatic gearing systems over the years.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The Deal Drive was one of many automatic gearing systems over the years.

But the only one, I think (happy to be corrected) to have got anywhere near mass production.

 

[classic33]

http://gizmodo.com/tag/priority-continuum-bicycle-review
&
https://www.prioritybicycles.com/products/thecontinuum
&
http://evolvethebike.com/

As for Shimano, well
http://bike.shimano.com/content/sac...upgrade-for-ebikes-with-shimano-steps-an.html
"Reinvents" their 2006 system
https://www.cnet.com/uk/news/feeling-shiftless-try-shimanos-automatic-bike-transmission/

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'd heard of the Nuvinci CVT but didn't realise it came with an automatic gear selection. How do they get around the issue of mismatched "engines"? Or do they just expect you to like it or lump it?

 

[Alan O]

I'd heard of the Nuvinci CVT but didn't realise it came with an automatic gear selection. How do they get around the issue of mismatched "engines"? Or do they just expect you to like it or lump it?

It doesn't look like it's automatic to me - "When you turn the shifter...", says the reviewer.

 

[Dogtrousers]

The autobike pairs a nuvinci hub with some electronic gubbins and servos powered by a dynohub.
http://newatlas.com/autobike-shifts-gears/29135/
But as not everyone wants the same cadence so it gives you three ranges to choose from.

Call me a luddite but that seems like a massive amount of complexity for a three speed bike with auto fine tuning.

But I've never experienced one so shouldn't really pass comment.

 

[classic33]

I'd heard of the Nuvinci CVT but didn't realise it came with an automatic gear selection. How do they get around the issue of mismatched "engines"? Or do they just expect you to like it or lump it?

From what I know, and read, you were expected to like it or lump it.

The newer version was supposed to have ironed out that problem. Uncertain how though.

 

[Ian H]

Cycle helmets might have been developed which demonstrably work, although lack of progress over the last thirty years doesn't bode well.

But you'd still have to work out a way of making people fall off often enough to make them actually useful.

 

[Alan O]

But you'd still have to work out a way of making people fall off often enough to make them actually useful.

Having to operate everything on the bike through a mobile phone app will see to that

 

[jefmcg]

Having to operate everything on the bike through a mobile phone app will see to that

But how to make sure they land on their head?

 

[Alan O]

But how to make sure they land on their head?

SPD cleats with neodymium magnets?

 

[Smokin Joe]

I've never driven an automatic car, so I don't speak from experience, but ...

Surely a one-size-fits-all automatic transmissions for bikes would fail because, unlike cars, the engines are all different and have different optimum revs (cadence). So one person might find the bike under-geared and another might find it over-geared. So you'd need an adjustment - let's call it a gear lever.

An automatic gear system on a bike would need to be user programmable, something very easy to achieve. Using either a given cadence range for the rider to be in at all times or maybe linked to a power meter, the range which could be personalised.

As already said, however much we oldies scoff at new technology the young will embrace it - just as we did with all the advances that came our way - and it will eventually become the norm.

 

[Dogtrousers]

As already said, however much we oldies scoff at new technology the young will embrace it - just as we did with all the advances that came our way - and it will eventually become the norm.

I do try to be open minded about such things, really I do. But every time I open my mouth or write anything, rather than the considered words of a visionary all that ever comes out is "Bah! what rubbish! It'll never catch on! We never had anything like that in my day!"

It's most perplexing.

 

[Heisenberg71]

As already said, however much we oldies scoff at new technology the young will embrace it - just as we did with all the advances that came our way - and it will eventually become the norm.

Get that man a beer.
Finally someone gets it.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

As already said, however much we oldies scoff at new technology the young will embrace it - just as we did with all the advances that came our way - and it will eventually become the norm.

What I'm afraid of is that the new technology for electric-assist will become more common, and future cyclists will be more numerous, but also more overweight. If that's "new technology", I think I'll just become a grumpy oldie. At least I'll be a fit and healthy grumpy oldie.