When will bikes have data integrated?

GGBiker

I dream of a time when bikes come with full data collection/display inbuilt.

Wouldn't you love it if bikes came with GPS, cadence sensor, speed sensor and power all neatly inbuilt rather than as a collection of after market geegaws crudely clamped or rubber banded all over the bike? Maybe a display unit integrated into a broad stem to maintain aerodynamics? Or data projected onto the road in front of you or displayed in your visial field by glasses?

I'm sure it's the future given how data hungry many cyclists are, but when do you think this will start appearing? Obviously Trek have made the first step with integrated Ant+ sensors in their frames but there's so much more to come.

Also, is there a good reason why power meters are so damn expensive? Is the cost mainly to cover R&D? I find it hard to believe that the actual mechanical and electronic parts cost much, perhaps I'm wrong?

ShutUpLegs

Mebees never because you don't actually need any of that to performance ride.

JackPozzi

Like this? http://www.factorbikes.com/astonmartin/ ... tions.html

declan1

Aston Martin One-77 road bike:



EDIT -- DAMN NINJA!!!

GGBiker

That's exactly what I'm talking about! Lets face it, a significant number of cyclists are data junkies, this will surely filter down. Obviously you would want the electronics to be removable in case of failure or upgrade.

Love the option of a medical grade ECG monitor on that bike, perfect for the MAMIL to watch his own myocardial infarction in real time, how sublimely post modern. They should really integrate a cardiac defibrillator into that to deliver the required shock and perhaps an adrenaline loaded needle below the saddle to auto inject at the appropriate moment!

bikeleasingco

I guess that there was a plan to have all of this integrated into mobile phone apps that you could attach to your bike in some way.

Unforunately, mobiles are becoming bigger and bigger so maybe scrub that plan:)

The gubbins for making everything work could probably all go into a box the same size as a Di2 battery case near to the bottom bracket.

rolf_f

declan1 wrote:

Aston Martin One-77 road bike:

Though not like that as then you get stuck within the confines of that display. The head unit really is better removeable for easier updating and replacement when a better device comes along. You want it to come off anyway so you can upload data (I guess that we'll never want to be completely reliant on wireless for this).

I'm sure this is already part of the Di2 built in obsolesence plan. There's no reason already why the battery box couldn't include the circuitry to record all the gear related info and transmit it to the headset; as well as all the stuff we currently get on our GPS units, Di2 could easily record all your gear shifts so a cadence sensor wouldn't be necessary anyway. The reason it isn't available right now is that Shimano have to trickle it slowly so maximise the repeat number of groupset repurchases. Cynical I know but I'd be genuinely flabbergasted if that wasn't the truth!

bernithebiker

How about a totally clean cockpit, and a Head Up Display in your helmet visor?

Gizmodo

bernithebiker wrote:

How about a totally clean cockpit, and a Head Up Display in your helmet visor?

Something based on Google Glasses perhaps?

Pituophis

Can't be good for you, it's made her hair curl on that side :shock:

markos1963

declan1 wrote:

Aston Martin One-77 road bike:



EDIT -- DAMN NINJA!!!

I have been one of the lucky ones from our club to be invited to the place where these are made. The stuff they can do is amazing and in fact the problem is they can give too much information for the rider. Their new power cranks(which was the reason we were there to evaluate what a club rider might want from them) should knock their competitors into the ditch.

donkykong

Has anyone ever said ?

"i can't go out on the bike today because my computer is broken"

simon_masterson

donkykong wrote:

Has anyone ever said ?

"i can't go out on the bike today because my computer is broken"

Exactly; it wouldn't stop me buying, but I can't help but have that reservation about electronic shifting as well. As with anything wireless (and computerised), I have to wonder if it will start going wrong, and not shifting (not such an easy fix as a new cable!), or going haywire and shifting all over the place, etc. Which could be entertaining.

I daresay that this kind of thing will happen with bikes, though. I can't imagine it being the norm; the pace of technology dictates the 'need' for upgrades, and for the rest of us it's a matter of choosing what we can afford and what we actually need. I imagine that some top-level bikes will before too long have displays like that Aston, but obsolescence doesn't matter so much at that tier; the buyers will probably just buy new bikes ever few months.

What I'm really hoping for however (in cars too) is voice control. The fun I could have with a megaphone on a hot day when everyone has their windows down...

smoggysteve

One of the reasons I love cycling is its me and the bike. No tech pushing me forward or preventing me making mistakes. Its raw and primal. I also ride motor bikes and in recent years they are beginning to be dumbed down like cars all in the name of safety and it in a small way dilutes the thrill. I have a good gauge on my performance on a bike; If I feel less knackered getting up a hill that the previous time I climbed it, I'm getting better!

buckmulligan

This is an interesting subject. I agree that too much data isn't necessarily a good thing, I just have a basic Cateye Strada to keep an eye on speed, time and distance (I'm still amazed how accurate it is given the tens of thousands of revolutions it must register on an average ride).

Integrating one of these into a stem should be pretty easy since they're extremely small, wireless and the batteries last forever. The problem is, you'd need to integrate it at manufacturing stage, I certainly wouldn't want to hack my stem apart!

dmclite-3.0

Just ride the wheels matey. You and the bike, bollocks to this intergrated stuff. Too far for me.

Gizmodo

I like the 3T Garmin Integrated stem, it's just the price I don't like.

rolf_f

Gizmodo wrote:

I like the 3T Garmin Integrated stem, it's just the price I don't like.

Plus the fact that you need a new front piece each time you change your GPS unit. I don't find that arrangement very attractive anyway. It's sleek but ugly. A GPS mounted on your stem is a bit of an ugly thing attached to your bike. That stem makes the bike itself ugly!

Camus

There's too much profit to be had in the aftermarket computer / standalone device market for integration to happen. Also what happens if the device fails or if its mounted in the stem you crash and break it? A lot of hassle to replace. Plus the companies would need to agree to work together and make compromises which would probably impact on their revenue.

VTech

This is a simple fix. I am happy to design a carbon holder and see where it goes. You will be surprised at how accessible this process has become recently.
The design of the Aston Martin setup is not so complicated in its shape, that is, if you took the front section as being separate to the bar section. I know it wouldn't be as pleasing as the Aston but it wouldn't cost you £3k+ either.