Coming soon:
Oversize bottom bracket standard, to allow practical sized bearing use on modern spindles. The Shimano external cups are a stop-gap measure, and will be gone in a couple of years. BB’s will have strain-gauges built in for power measurement.
Power measurement will be an integral part of drivetrains, with attendant increase in the need for people to explain to riders what those numbers actually signify. Online coaching continues as a growth industry.
Complete drivetrains from companies other than Shimano and Campy. Look for offerings from Taiwan and France in the next couple of years. Electronic shifting will return, again - maybe they will get it right this time.
Disc brakes.
Tubeless Road tires. On pro wheels this year, expect to see them in stores in a year or so.
Carbon wheels will continue to come down in price, but not as much as everyone here seems to think - carbon is expensive to make well, lots of hand labor. Whatever wheels you do buy, you will have to chuck them when the disc brake - specific shift levers and super lo-pro disc rims come out.
Custom made cycling shoes will be a growing niche. At near $300 pr. for off the peg models, custom begins to make sense economically.
Bike manufacturing will continue it’s movement towards mainland China and India. China will be even worse than Taiwan in it’s respect for intellectual property rights, and as a result, you will be able to buy cheap knockoffs of whatever was cool six months ago at Supergo today for 1/2 the price. New product development will suffer for a while, until record unemployment and recession under the Jeb Bush presidency creates a climate conducive to domestic US manufacturing (under Chinese ownership.) Anodizing Inc., and Kinesis start to do business like it’s the 80’s all over again.
As the Euro becomes the international currency of record, the exchange value of the dollar plummets, and Chinese dollar investments begin to look like an international financial albatross. Hoping to save their investment portfolios, the Government of China, in association with KFC/Pepsico sponsors the “Bass-Pro Quadrathalon” series, which combines competitive bass fishing with Triathlon. The genetically enhanced lovechild of Jennifer Anniston and Brad Pitt (with small pieces of Kenyan DNA added) Wins the initial event, and becomes an international superstar. He is said to be dating Demi Moore (now in her 90’s, but looking just fine with yet another new set of breasts.) Daily emergency airlifts of fishing reels and Cervelo P36c knockoffs commence.
Trout, unlimited initially endorses the new event, but changes attitude 180 degrees when hordes of purple shirted newbies invade the ponds.
After initial reservation, the governing body of triathlon in the USA grudgingly agrees to sanction the new sport. Dan Empfield sues. Tinley comes out of retirement and endorses neon-colored fishing poles.
Frank introduces the POWER REEL TM. It is guaranteed to increase bait-casting efficiency by 40%, or your money back (provided you purchase the product on the first new moon of a leap year, use it, and it alone, to the exclusion of all other known fishing products, and are willing to renounce all others as false prophets of Bass-ology.)
Andy Coggan and Kraig Willet research and publish a dissertation on bait-casting technology, morphology, and efficacy. Their results seem to refute the claims of the POWER REEL TM, but also cast a strong shadow of doubt on the semi-mystic ramblings of someone who claims to have uncovered the ancient secrets of some long ago fisherman known only as Anquetiel. Soon after publication of the study, mail bombs are delivered to Coggan and Willet, and are attributed to a shady organization known only as “PERFECTION.” Rip Van Winkle goes into hiding.
Riding the incredible popularity of the new craze, Tom Demerly is elected to a Michigan State Congressional seat.
Mr. Tibbs actually manages to get laid.
Yikes - this is what happens when you pick up the computer a day after doing a 24 hour Mtn. bike race…
MH