Many people have been watching the technological advances coming to cars this year, with electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids finally becoming a reality. But there are plenty of high-tech changes coming to bicycles too. While the aluminum frame is staying the same, MIT, Cannondale, Sanyo and others are working to change just about everything else.
Very little has changed about the bike since its introduction in the nineteenth century. Until about the middle of last year, special features included full suspension, hydraulic disc brakes and carbon fiber. Now riders have a new range of options to make their riding experiences more enjoyable. Here is a review of some of this technology and why every bike enthusiast should now about it.
All of these innovations are part of a broader trend toward bikes becoming a more practical option for commuters. In the years to come, bikes will have even smarter suspension systems that take the guesswork out of tuning, and streamlined electric motors that can make riding bicycles enjoyable (and not too strenuous) for the average person.