Where’s my wireless shifting?

And other bike technology we’ve been waiting years for?
Come on, chains on bikes? Cogs? They were using chains in Ancient Egypt. Alistair just realized road bikes have 20 speeds. We agree that’s still slow progress. Where’s our infinite-gearing, internal-shifting rear hubs?
Bicycle Technology We Should Have By Now:

Single belt drive
Wireless electronic shifting control
Only one shifter, on right side of bars, integrated in tops and hoods like Shimano’s current Flight Deck computer control, i.e. two buttons
No wait, since the gearing would be infinite, buttons incorrectly assume fixed, finite positions. Shifting would be a slider control—no, an iPod-like control wheel to increase/decrease gearing
That internal, infinite hub of course makes most of this possible
Oh that’d be funny if racers started hacking into competitor’s shifting systems
Hmm, while we’re at it, how about magnetic braking or something, too. Magnetic drive train?

Add your own gripe and/or wish in the comments.

Posted

April 24, 2005

Blog

Jeff Werner

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Sports

Comments

4 Responses to “Where’s my wireless shifting?”

Joakim Næss Lea

April 25, 2005

Why stop at the bikes own properties. Let’s integrate the internet so that we can also work while we ride around downtown exercising.
A technology-boost in the bikeindustry surely would give us another platform to live our lifes from.
Add some Wi-Fi, lcd, brains, and pooff! People would hop on the new hype and do their work while biking.
IP-telephone and bluetooth headset? Yes.
E-mail and newsfeeds automatically read out loud? Sure.
And of course, the rainproof cover comes in various colors for every personality.

Reply
Dave

April 25, 2005

What about two wheele drive bikes? Despite the extra friction involved there may be a use with mountain bikes.
Also, how about changing bikes pivot point further back, in essence the bike bends down the middle. I cannot see it improving anything like turning radius, but it sure would look cool.

Reply
Jonathan Aquino

April 28, 2005

Jeff – There’s another Victoria cyclist-blogger I’ve found: Dave Noisy – http://cycling.thenoisies.com/ Thought you’d be interested, as you share the interest in cycling.

Reply
Malcolm

May 2, 2005

I actually saw a driveshaft mounted on a sweet bike the other day. I couldn’t find a good photo on the net so check this out.
http://www.buyinnovations.com/images/html_editor/closeup_cross3.jpg

Reply

Where’s my wireless shifting?

Comments

4 Responses to “Where’s my wireless shifting?”

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