Canyon released its latest concept to the world today, and we for one, were not expecting anything like it! Right now, it is purely a concept – albeit a rideable one – and it’s designed as a project so the designers can test out ideas about where road bike design could go in the future
Anyone from a mountain bike background may scoff at the travel – its a mere 15mm front and rear, but this is an idea based on road use. The technology behind the system is where the interest lies. The odd acronym stands for Magnetic Rheological Suspension Concept.
The two large – neon yellow edged – barrels are actually a bearing of sorts. However, they dont rotate on spheres or rollers – they rotate on a fluid of sorts, run through with microfine metallic powder. Depending on the electricity sent through the MR bearings, their rotation and speed of movement can be altered. This frame is in fact, an active chassis.
Controlling the electricity is an internal computer system. The electronics are capable of changing the bearings’ movement many thousands of times a second, allowing the frame to react in practically real terms to road inputs. You will be able to ‘lock out’ the system from bar-mounted controls, but the computer will be able to override this given a large enough impact – an electronic blow off valve if you like.
In addition to the computer-controlled bearings, the bike will carry a sim card, and can record distances covered, as well as maintenance intervals for a variety of components. 2000km ridden? Time to check your rubber, sir. It will also be able to alert loved ones to accidents and much more besides.
We have become used to background electronics adding safety, comfort and peace of mind to driving. Does this new concept from Canyon give us a taste of what might be coming to cycling? And while the MRSC is a road-going prototype for now, this could open up a whole level of performance to bikes designed for rougher terrain.
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The Flexstem of this century. You’ll try it but change it after a couple of rides for something that works. Then buy one again 15 years later because you forgot what a disaster it was.
The Flexstem of this century. You’ll try it but change it after a couple of rides for something that works. Then buy one again 15 years later because you forgot what a disaster it was.