Just been reading a bit about the supposed future of mountainbiking in the mbr editorial, about the world of electronic gears and magnetic damping. I was wondering if i'm the only one who dislikes the idea of electronic components? In part because i'd be sceptical of the reliability due to battery limitations etc but perhaps mostly because i enjoy working out how things work and the mechanics behind it all then ''fixing'' it 😀
Give it 10 years and i'll be laughing my luddite ways no doubt
I like the idea of magnetic suspension. It's really very simple indeed. What's interesting about the idea for mtbs though is that with suitable sensors a computer could detect what kind of riding you are doing and adjust appropriately. Out of the saddle pedalling? Firm that right up. Sat down spinning? Analyse your pedal stroke and counteract bob. Out of the saddle going fast with pedals level? Make it supple.. until your wheels leave the ground then it can firm it right up for when you land. Loads of possibilities for an absolutely awesome ride!
a bloke overtook me on a electric bike thing the over day....... 😳
Really ton? you know there legally limited to 15mph in this country dont you? 😆
This might make me seem a bit like a nazi concerned with some concept of racial purity, but...
I dont like the idea of electronics on bikes either; the minute you absolutely REQUIRE an external power source to simply ride a bike it is, kind of, no longer a bicycle, its a powered two wheeler.
Electronic Dura-Ace is getting good reviews, but I dont really buy Shimano's explaination; If its advantage is that it needs less work than mechanical systems, and saves the rider energy, why not go the whole hog and fit energy-collecting dynamos in the hub that feed back power on climbs etc?.
Its just a bigger application of the same principle.
molgrips - i do see the logic of it. I just don't think it'll do that much of a better job at solving pedal bob and climbing issues than a person looking ahead and wisely using a remote lock out.
Sensors are feasible to a point but i don't think they would be much better than the blow off valves that already exist, especially as the biking industry doesnt have the money to invest in the development of car-like suspension units.
theres also a possible weight penalty for batteries, chips, sensors and magnets, altho this would only decrease over time.
and besides, what if you're up snowdon and the millenium bug mk2 strikes?! what then?!
altho ton's just proved that electric bikes are faster and therefore superior 😕
I dont like the idea of electronics on bikes either; the minute you absolutely REQUIRE an external power source to simply ride a bike it is, kind of, no longer a bicycle, its a powered two wheeler.
Oh here come the luddites. Don't be daft. Firstly, it'd still work without the batteries; secondly you wouldn't have to buy one; lastly why not just walk everywhere barefoot for the ultimate pure real actual real true experience?! Does your bike have gears? Brakes? A chain? Pneumatic tyres? Is it made of wood? If so, then don't knock technology 🙂 If the batteries are not the method of propulsion then it's not a powered cycle is it?
Jeremy - you can't adjust your damping 20 times a second as you shift your body weight about. As for weight penalty - absolutely, but there's also a weight penalty for 7" travel frames, 2.3" tyres, wide rims, disc brakes, 36mm stanchions etc etc and we ride those. Or at least many of us do.
I for one would love to try it. In fact I might invent it, that'll show you all who's boss when you ride it and are blown away! 😉