I was sitting through a slide show about HPVs when the presenter says “sometimes designs are rather dangerous” and up pops a slide with our recumbent on it while in action at the European championships.
How did you keep from busting out laughing in the middle of the presentation?
I was more embarrassed than anything else.
Gerard.
Since Shimano has patented a reportedly very cool bb-based power measurement device, I predict automatic shifting where you can set power and cadence ranges that you want to remain in. The system will change gears to keep you in the sweet spot.
20 speeds will eventually give way to continuously variable transmission, combined with power and cadence management.
As others have mentioned, electronics is probably the next wave. Power measurement built into gruppos; GPS and two-way radio in gruppo-integrated computers (like FlightDeck). Sports watches will report lactate on the fly.
People will never learn that the only changes to your bike that make you any faster have to do with aerodynamics. They will buy all of the above stuff instead.
Hey Tibbs, these guys are more aero than your bishop. (yeah old pictures, but I had it bookmarked)
http://www.wisil.recumbents.com/wisil/racing2002/hpva_champs/ihpva_champs_2002_pictures.htm
I don’t think the auto changer will take off in performance bikes, but will in recreational bike. The changing will be too slow and unpredictable for cutting edge performance. I think continued weight improvement, and ride comfort and performance will be the next move.
Tony
I agree that riding a recumbent is embarrassing.
**I’d be a lot more excited to hear about a real time, just in time ordering process that is Six Sigma compliant than I would the latest Ultegra Ten Speed. **
The world must be coming to an end: I agree with this whole-heartedly. I think the company that decides to spend a little less effort on the next super-advanced-techno-geewhiz feature and spends a lot more effort on simple logistics is going to be real popular in the industry.
Tom, this would be a positive development but I think it is wishful thinking. Personally, I see more and more delays in the future. Production is going to continue moving to China and less developed countries. There production has to be scheduled with subcontractors and there are distance barriers to overcome.
Eventually shops will have to preseason order everything they want for the year. Delays from slow leaky boats, such as those from FSA/Visiontech and Felt, will be the rule rather than the exception. And even companies with domestic North American production, such as Cervelo, will continue to go lean on inventories so there is little chance of timely fill-in orders.