As you are reading this, I am nearing the end of an epic 1140km charity bicycle ride over six days throughout western NSW. That gives me a lot of time to think. I started thinking about some of the past technology developments in bicycles and where the future will take us.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is not unusual for serious social riders (does that sound like an oxymoron) to spend $15,000 on a new bike, and with one million new cycles bought each year in Australia alone, manufacturers have a huge incentive to innovate and entice keen riders.
The first area we are seeing innovation in is electronics on a bike.
The old days of a cable mechanically connecting a shifter to a device to shift gears are long gone. Newer models now come with electronic shifting to allow quicker gear changes, a reduction in chain wear and flexibility in the location of the shifter. It also reduces fatigue on the hands. In addition to electronic shifting, wireless dropper posts are coming to the mountain bike scene to allow the seat height to be adjusted, electronically, as required on a ride. Suspension control systems are also being controlled electronically, so, for example, suspension can be locked out for a big climb and then unlocked when the ride demands. Electronics may even extend as far as brakes and imagine a set of 'keys' using your smartphone to disable the electronics on your bike. Charging batteries on wireless electronic shifters is a bit of a pain - which is why you will soon see self-charging shifters.
Imagine having body measurements taken and then a saddle that was designed for your specific bottom shape!
A perennial problem of mine growing up was ... punctures. Tubeless tyres have been commonplace on mountain bikes but ever since the international rim and tyre standards were updated in 2019 to make tubeless systems reliable and easy to install, more road bikes are running tubeless tyres. When used with sealant, the likelihood of a flat is reduced significantly, plus the added advantage of the ability to run at slightly lower pressures. This results in a better ride and less rolling resistance. That is using current technology but NASA has been working with the 'SMART Tire Company' to create tyres based on the same technology used on the tyres of the Rover space mission. They will use a new compound called NiTinol+ to create a tyre with the elasticity of rubber and the strength of titanium. The tyre retains its shape without any need for pressurised air.
Having a somewhat sore bottom after many long days in the saddle, I can hardly wait for the 3D printed saddle to become a reality. Initially, 3D printers were being used to speed up the development process but the biggest impact of 3D printing in the bicycle industry will be the ability to completely customise the saddle to the user. Imagine having body measurements taken and then a saddle that was designed for your specific bottom shape!
Lastly, for today, I can't ignore the time of day that cyclists are normally on their bike. Early morning.
Lights are now available that not only light the way and alert drivers that you are on the road, they also have a built-in camera, radar; buzzer and a separate display screen. As vehicles approach, the radar alerts you on the display screen that they are approaching. If they come too close, the buzzer makes a sound that will alert all and sundry and if the worst happens and a collision occurs, the footage is uploaded to the cloud so it can be safely inspected later.
Tell me what technology you would like to see on a bike at ask@techtalk.digital
- Mathew Dickerson is a technologist, futurist and host of the Tech Talk podcast.
