It’s 2 a.m., and I’ve spent the better part of five hours dicing my way through cycling forums, manufacturer’s websites, blogs, and retail websites. Why?
I’m considering purchasing a new bike. It’s a daunting task, given that if all goes as planned, I will be starting medical school in a year and will have absolutely zero money for approximately ten years following that. Actually, I’ll be massively indebted, so technically I will have less than no money. Basically, the bike that I plan purchase this week will be the bike I own for the rest of the foreseeable future, which is to say 15-20 years.
Additionally, the amount I plan to spend on a bike will exceed the lump sum I received several weeks ago after selling my 1999 Volkswagon Passat. Perspective.
I work at a bike shop, and am entitled to hefty discounts on cycling gear. Which is great. The caveat, of course, is that no returns are accepted, ever, and I don’t have the opportunity to test-ride the bike I plan to purchase.
Presumably I’m an expert on fitting and selling bicycles, so I shouldn’t have a problem choosing, say, the correct size of bike based on the dimensions of the frame. Problem is, I’m no expert. I know enough to be dangerous, as they say.
The real doozy is the dizzying pace at which bike technology is changing. As little as three years ago, bikes were much more standardized. Take the bottom bracket (the mechanism which houses the bearings–where the pedals connect to the bike). For years there were two bottom bracket standards: English and Italian. Then someone figured out that with a bigger bottom bracket, frames could be built stiffer (for faster acceleration). Now, there are eight different standards for road bikes alone. It’s like HD-DVD vs. Blue Ray, times four. The issues being 1) incompatibility and 2) less precise fittings, leading to creaking bottom brackets. Would it be better to wait until the industry decides on a new “standard”? Sure, but time is a luxury I really don’t have.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Within the next 5-7 years, I predict the following features to become near-standard on the majority of road bikes:
- 11-speed drivetrains. Campagnolo has already released 11-speed derailleur systems, and Shimano is set to release a model in 2011. Current bikes have 10 speeds. 11 speeds require narrower chains and chainrings, and are not compatible with 10 speed systems.
- 23-mm rims. For years, road wheels have been manufactured 19mm wide at the braking surfaces. However, several companies have discovered that wider rims actually lower rolling resistance, improve handling, allow lower tire pressures for a more comfortable ride, and have a slight aerodynamic advantage. Again, already commercially available.
- Disc brakes. Cars, motorcycles, and mountain bikes all use disk brakes, and whether traditionalists like it or not, these will soon be standard on road bikes as well. Moving the braking surface from the rim to a braking disc reduces wear on the rims, allows for non-vertical rim sidewall profiles, and increases stopping power when wet. Several companies have already released disc-brake road bikes.
- Electronic Shifting. Both Campagnolo and Shimano have released electronic derailleur systems. Powered by rechargeable batteries, they are nearly as light as traditional cable-actuated setups.
Next time, I’m just going to choose a color I like. Ignorance truly is bliss.
passthestuffs 