I am likely just uninformed, I do not have a biking background and don't know any of the UCI or ITU rules about bikes. I do not have an engineering or technical background. I am just wondering why certain tech advances have not been used on bikes.
1) Drive by wire - manufacturers spend a significant amount of time trying to minimize weight - yet still use a basic lever system to move the deraileur (sic?). Is there something against using an electronic impulse to move the deraileur? I think that given a much lighter wire could be used and the potential higher accuracy of derailleurs could have huge benefits in terms of both aerodynamics and weight.
2) Continuously Variable transmission - this is something that the automotive industry has had in place for over twenty years. It hasn't been in mass production until recently because of uneven shifts - I think that uneven shifts for a car would be smooth relative to what I have on my bikes. Not sure how it works but I think that Audi's version is a set of chains that continuously adjusts the ratio to achieve maximum efficiency. I am not sure how this could be applied but I think it is an interesting idea that could revolutionize gearing.
3) Run Flats - stronger sidewalls that will allow you to ride a certain distance with limited air pressure and wouldn't be as unstable right aftergoing flat (i.e. get to a safe place to change the tire and be able to maintain control easier). Not sure if this would work on such a small tire (or would be worth the weight gain).
4) A locking pin for PC's: One of the major things holding me back from investing in PC's is that I only have one real bike (and one commuter piece of crap) and I am not very good at the mechanical stuff (i.e. changing cranks). An ability to lock PC's to behave like normal cranks with a pin or something like that would make non-tech mopes like me more interested. I don't want to have to race on PC's and also don't want to be taking my bike to the LBS (who isn't that great and I don't have easy access to any others because of the hours I work) every other week.
My 0.02
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"which is like watching one of your buddies announce that he's quitting booze and cigarettes, switching to a Vegan diet and training for triathalons ... but he's going to keep snorting heroin." Bill Simmons, ESPN
1) Drive by wire - manufacturers spend a significant amount of time trying to minimize weight - yet still use a basic lever system to move the deraileur (sic?). Is there something against using an electronic impulse to move the deraileur? I think that given a much lighter wire could be used and the potential higher accuracy of derailleurs could have huge benefits in terms of both aerodynamics and weight.
2) Continuously Variable transmission - this is something that the automotive industry has had in place for over twenty years. It hasn't been in mass production until recently because of uneven shifts - I think that uneven shifts for a car would be smooth relative to what I have on my bikes. Not sure how it works but I think that Audi's version is a set of chains that continuously adjusts the ratio to achieve maximum efficiency. I am not sure how this could be applied but I think it is an interesting idea that could revolutionize gearing.
3) Run Flats - stronger sidewalls that will allow you to ride a certain distance with limited air pressure and wouldn't be as unstable right aftergoing flat (i.e. get to a safe place to change the tire and be able to maintain control easier). Not sure if this would work on such a small tire (or would be worth the weight gain).
4) A locking pin for PC's: One of the major things holding me back from investing in PC's is that I only have one real bike (and one commuter piece of crap) and I am not very good at the mechanical stuff (i.e. changing cranks). An ability to lock PC's to behave like normal cranks with a pin or something like that would make non-tech mopes like me more interested. I don't want to have to race on PC's and also don't want to be taking my bike to the LBS (who isn't that great and I don't have easy access to any others because of the hours I work) every other week.
My 0.02
____________________________________________
"which is like watching one of your buddies announce that he's quitting booze and cigarettes, switching to a Vegan diet and training for triathalons ... but he's going to keep snorting heroin." Bill Simmons, ESPN