With gas prices going up, the number of bicycle commuters has followed suit. More and more people are switching to the "two-wheelers" sitting in their garage and leaving the four wheeled gas guzzlers stationary. Though bicycles are just now seeing more use in the United States, technical advances for these bikes has been continuing even with the abcense of a huge commuter crowd. We will review some of the top high-tech bicycle equipment and accessories available on today's market.
#10 Air Free Tubeless Tires
Air free in a sense. These tires are made out of dense polyurethane foam that traps millions of microscopic air cells – so they DO have some air in them, but do not require the pain of filling them up all the time. The longevity of these tires is similar, if not better, than it's tubed counterparts – about 3000 to 6000 miles. Everything, including resistance, rider feel, weight capabilities, mimics that of a tube tire, without the hassle. Run over what you will, these tires will hold up. The website claims that the only thing you might hvae to do should you run over sharp, point objects, would be to pull out the intruder with a pair of pliers. To me, that sounds a lot better than having to take the wheel off, separate wheel and tire, remove tube, replace tube etc. Pricing on these is reasonable, an average being about $55 each. However, with the low maintainence and ease of replacing these tires (an installation tool sold by Airfree tires makes this a snap) I would be standing in line to purchase them.
#9 Garmin Edge 605 GPS Bike Computer
Ever been on a bike in the middle of nowhere and wondered where in the world you were? Well, now you can know anytime, anywhere. The Garmin Edge 605 GPS bike computer will be the one telling you. Not only will it tell you, but by buying additional memory, you can save maps, expand mapping software, and it will even water you on your ride. Ok, maybe not that last bit. The bicycle computer shows six different cycling data fields, including speed, distance, time functions, calories burned and altitude gained. It also has a virtual race partner program, where you can compete against your favorite computer hero, and race against previous courses, attempting to beat set times on previous runs. Price $399
#8 Trikke Bikes
According to the Trikke website, "Trikke three-wheeled cambering vehicles are human powered machines that utilize Trikke Tech's patented 3CV technology to allow a rider to propel a chainless, pedal-less device forward without ever touching foot to ground." To me, it looks like a tricycle on steroids, some alien creation from outer space that I will never set foot on. However, Trikke claims that anyone can learn to ride this bike. I don't see me on it, but something that can go 18mph without the use of a motor, I'd be game to try. Trikke comes in 5 sizes and ranges from $79 (for the kids model) up to $599 for what they claim is their best model. They also have a cambering vehicle for snow, called the Skii. You won't find me one one anytime soon, but they sure are high-tech!
#7: Automated Parking for Bicycles
Kasai Station in Tokyo, Japan (a train station) has come up with a brilliant idea for the masses of bicycle riders that use it's trains everyday. An automated bike parking garage. Train passengers ride up to the station, place their bike on a platform, punch a few numbers and then, it's gone. Parked safely away in an underground parking garage that can safely store up to 9400 bicycles at one time. The retrieve of the bike takes approximately 23 seconds. Handy for those in a rush. One might think something of this nature would be expensive, but it is not. The cost is 100 yen (about $.90 in US Terms) for single use parking, or 1800 yen ( a little over $16 US) for a monthly pass. And before you ask, yes there are facilities such as this one for cars in major cities around Japan.
#6: Dynamic Bicycles Shaft Driven Bicycle
A chainless bicycle? Who would have ever thought? However, Dyanic Bicicles of Holliston, Massacusetts has engineered a bicycle that is consistent at being 94% efficient (it's Chain-Sprocket-Derailleur cousins vary depending on maintainence from 73%-94%.) Dynamic bikes use a shaft drive that works by pushing power through two beval gears that then transfer power from the crank to the rear wheel. The Shimano Nexus internal gear hub is the motherboard for resistance on the bike. The gearing is independent of pedaling, so shifting while coasting down a hill is no problem for these shaft driven machines. The bicicles come in a 7-speed (comprable to an 18 gear derailleur bike) and an 8-speed (comprable to a 21 gear bike) and also come with less maintainence than traditional bikes require. The price for one of these bad boys? New bikes run from $649-$809.
#5 Folding Bicycle Technology
Foldingcyclist.com (the authority on folding bikes on the internet) gives credit to an American as the first inventor of a true folding icycle. They tout that "One of the first credibly documented inventions of a folding bike is by an American, Michael B. Ryan in his U.S. patent filing dated Dec 26, 1893 and issued on April 17, 1894 as patent number 518,330." Folding bike technology has a come a long way from the "folding bike" days of 1894. Today, Dahon is the world's largest manufacturer of folding bicycles. There is even a Brompton (folding bike co.) world championship for folding bicycles today. The technology is huge, and companies like Dahon have committed themselves to improving the bikes by 15% every year. On folding bikes, just about everything folds or telescopes that has the ability to move in more than one dimension. Amtrak has not allowed these bikes as carry on luggage. These are also great bikes for "green" gifts. Prices range from $200 to over $2000 for a full size collapsible bicycle.
#4 The Nulla Bike
Nulla is one word meaning "nothing" in the Italian language. And this is about what this bike is made of: nothing. The spokeless wheels and minimalist design combined with no chain to propel the bike make it look like something out of a futuristic movie. Bradford Waugh named Nulla for it's appearance, which give it a "minimal visual weight." This bike looks like I could pick it up with my pinky. No word on the nitty gritty technical details, price or structual soundness, but for high-tech toys, this is sitting at the top of the list as "must have taken a lot of engineering and technical thought."
#3 Cannondales Slice
Full carbon. Have you ever seen carbon? It's sheets that are thin, and one might wonder how it would ever hold a person up. However, it is very light and surprisingly, very strong when layered with more carbon fiber. Well, if anyone has figured it out how to make it hold up, Cannondale has with the new Slice bicycle. Cannondale touts the Slice as "The fastest road machine we've ever built." Not only does the 3:1 Aspect ratio cut down on drag, the new "speed shadow" seat tube design hides the rear tire, also reducing drag. The dual position seat allows not only road racers, but triathletes and TT specialists to adjust to their preference. Even the rims on this bad boy are carbon. Depending on the model, prices range from a little over $2000 to $5500.
#2 Powerarms Cranksets
The lightest thing you will probably ever rely on to get your blood pumping. At 440g, Powerarms has once again placed itself as the leader in carbon fiber cranksets for racing. They teamed up with THM-Carbones to bring a brand spanking new product to the market: Powerarms SL. The new main axle is aluminum, and other features include: a stiff 2-piece, outboard bearing design, BB30 oversize axle standard, English-threaded outboard bearing cups (6806 bearing size), 110mm compact standard BCD (also available in 130mm Shimano standard), 152mm q-factor, and172.5mm arm length (also available in 170 and 175.) You will be flying down the road, weighing pounds less than your competitors. You'll also still might be choking on the price at $1500 a set. A good deal if you want to pay to play!
#1 Shimano's Dura-Ace 7970 Di2: Shifting For the Win.
According to Shimano (and you thought they were just fishing people!) electrically actuated shifting significantly eliminates issues associated with cable friction. This really equates to: less friction = less energy wasted on going faster. The Dura-Ace 7970 is electronic. It includes a FlightDeck computer (SC-7900) featuring heart rate, altitude, grade, cadence, estimated caloric consumption, gear position, and battery life all directly downloadable data via a wireless connection. All the things you thought you wouldn't have, unless you were in a Boeing 767. Well, now it's here. The front derailleur is the motherboard of all, the small CPU contained within makes adjustments as you shift, ensuring that it goes without a hitch, and is smooth. The CPU's are powered by a 7.4v rechargable Lithium battery capable of 1000km of use. You don't want to know price (and I can not give you one) since Shimano is not making this available until January of 2009.