Bike riding technology has evolved over the years to create the modern day bicycle and all of the riding gear that goes with it. While the original concept of a frame with two wheels hasn’t changed, just about everything else has. Technology has given us sturdy frames, strong wheels, and gears that let bikes go faster and faster. Some of these changes have improved bike performance, while others have made bikes stronger. Still other changes have made it possible to ride more safely. Here are some of the top changes in bike riding technology and a look at how far that technology has come.
The use of Aerospace Materials
Some of the first bicycles were made out of wood, but today’s frames are often created from carbon. This material is lightweight and very strong. It also helps to dampen vibrations, so you won’t feel as many of the bumps while riding. Many cheaper bikes have frames made from an alloy, but if you have the money, definitely go for carbon.
Better Lighting
When the sun went down, bike riders used to either have to head home or risk riding in the dark. The second option was always dangerous, especially once automobiles were introduced. However, today, companies like POC have created impressive lighting options that allow bikers to stay on the road at all times. By using their new light flex technology to improve safety for road cyclists, POC has built an innovative new bicycle light that is flexible, lightweight, and can even be washed. It’s basically a type of light up material that is printed and then added to clothing, bags, bike helmets, and other items worn by the cyclist.
Braking
There are a couple of different options when it comes to brakes. Traditionally, cables went from the handles to the brakes, activating them and forcing the wheels to stop. Today, hydraulics have mostly replaced many of these brake cable systems since they avoid many of the issues that came with cables. Disc brakes are also available, although they’re heavier. They do, however, provide better stopping and don’t wear the wheel as much as hydraulics.
Traffic Awareness Devices
One of the biggest issues cyclists face on a regular basis is driving in traffic. Drivers don’t always pay attention to cyclists, and some cities do not have biking lanes. Thanks to new traffic awareness devices, however, bikers can be safe even when the drivers around them are not paying attention. Some of these devices attach to the bike and add lights to notify other drivers that there’s a bicycle in front of them. Others actually have Radar devices built in that will detect when another vehicle gets close and alert the biker. A small display mounted on the handlebar tells the biker how far ahead of traffic they are. In the future, devices may connect wirelessly with a biker’s helmet to audibly alert them to traffic.
Helmets
While we may not have helmets with traffic alerts yet, the helmets we do have are markedly different thanks to changes in technology. The materials are sturdier, the helmets are shaped to fit the head better, and they offer more protection than ever before.
Changes in Clothing
Of course, cycle clothing has changed over the years, too. Today, material that is resistant to tears and rips is often used in jackets, pants, and other items made especially for cyclists. This can help protect your skin when you take a fall, especially if you go skidding across the asphalt or land on gravel. Many items are also made to absorb moisture to keep you dry or to direct air around your body to keep you cool. Some even have vents that can be opened during warm weather and closed when it gets colder.
Another piece of bike gear that has changed is the cycling shoe. While some riders don’t want to spend the money on these shoes and the cleats that actually attach them to the bike’s pedal, those who have, now realize just how much easier they make riding. Bike shoes can reduce the amount of effort you have to put into pedaling by 20 percent, which is great for long-distance riders.
Bags
Riding with a bag can be a precarious task, but today’s biker bags are designed to be lightweight and to hold up to crashes without spilling open or ripping in half. This means you can get much more done on your bike than ever before, plus you can pack more when you decide to ride long distance.
Always Changing, Always Improving
It’s easy to see that cycling technology has been changed over the years, but it’s not done. As with all industries, technology is still moving forward, and the bicycles of the future are sure to look and work differently than what we’re using today. Who knows, the cyclists of the future may be riding hover bikes that don’t even touch the ground.
