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U-turn on bike industry innovations

28/08/2015
Product developments in the bike industry have traditionally focused on saving weight, but now the focus of innovation is changing, according to organisers of the Eurobike trade show.

Road bikes that weigh around, or even under, six kilograms without any sacrifices on stiffness or functionality are no longer a rarity.

Organiser said: “These developments have led to the absurd situation where professional cyclists have to add lead weights to their bikes to meet the UCI, cycling’s governing body, minimum weight regulation for competition road bikes – the 6.8 kg rule.”

They added that because weight is no longer an issue, 2016 is going to see more technological innovations than we have witnessed for many years. “The most obvious development is disc brakes, which many believe could supersede standard rim brakes in a few years,” they said.

Larger-volume tyres are also gaining traction and many bike frames and forks will have clearance for 28 mm tyres, because road cyclists are “no longer opposed to comfort. There is now hardly any difference in rolling resistance between thin and wide road bike tyres, and yet wider tyres are significantly more comfortable.”

Eurobike is under way in Friedrichshafen, Germany (August 26 to 29).

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