8 Innovations In Bike Design In Time for Summer Cycling
It’s cycling season. And there’s no better way to keep your distance and get some exercise than taking your bike out on the open road – or mountain or woods. Before you do, it’s worth taking a look at how smart design is propelling the industry forward. Consider these latest innovations in bike design when you go out for a spin.
ADVENTURE BIKES
What It Means:
Rides ready for all types of terrain — from paved road to rugged gravel
Pros:
Versatility
Cons:
True cycling fanatics never really want to own just one bike
Who It’s Ideal For:
Minimalist urbanites with limited storage space
Example:
Litespeed Gravel
From $5,550, litespeed.com
Versatility is the name of the game with this jack-of-all-trades titanium stunner. The nimble frame’s geometry helps it maneuver like a road bike, but shock- and vibration-dampening tech means it’s ready to tackle mountain bike trails, too. Planning a bikepacking trip? Rack, fender, and top tube storage mounts are ready to carry your stuff.
ONE-BY DRIVETRAINS
What It Means:
A single-ring chainset that eliminates front shifting
Pros:
Simpler gear shifting and a lighter bike
Cons:
Bigger jumps between gears
Who It’s Ideal For:
Casual riders intimidated by complicated gear setups
Example:
Giant TCX Advanced SX
$2,600, giant-bicycles.com
Based on a cyclocross model but beefed up for longer rides on rougher roads, this 9.26-kilogram adventure bike features a frame and fork made of Giant’s advanced-grade composite. Its SRAM Apex 1×11-speed drivetrain is simple to operate but suited to a range of inclines.
AERO DESIGNS
What It Means:
Bikes with frames and features designed to reduce drag
Pros:
Boosts speed, stands out with a distinctive, elongated shape
Cons:
Heavier, and requires similarly streamlined clothing to really see benefits
Who It’s Ideal For:
Racers obsessed with reducing resistance by any means possible
Example:
Cervélo R5 Disc
$11,220, cervelo.com
Cervélo’s engineers managed to shave 44 grams o of their previous generation R5 and stiffen the bike’s frame to deliver this latest model, now a bona de racing machine. A D-shaped seatpost builds upon the next-level aerodynamics of the bike’s frame while also upping the comfort factor.
TUBELESS TIRES
What It Means:
Tire setups that don’t require an inner tube
Pros:
Liquid sealants flow out to patch small holes on the y and prevent pinch flats
Cons:
They add weight and can be tricky to fix in the event of a more extreme puncture
Who It’s Ideal For:
Recreational cyclists looking to cut down on flats
Example:
Cannondale Synapse Disc 105 SE
$2,000, cannondale.com
Ready for the roads less travelled, this 22-gear bike strikes a balance between performance and comfort. Its alloy frame has soft angles to keep riders relaxed over long treks, while SAVE — Synapse Active Vibration Elimination — technology stabilizes the bike in bumpy conditions. WTB STP i10 TCS rims are tubeless ready.
DISC BRAKES
What It Means:
Braking force is applied near the centre of the wheel rather than to the rim
Pros:
Powerful, perform well even when wet, and improve wheel durability
Cons:
Heavier than rim brakes, and hydraulic disc system repairs can be quite complex
Who It’s Ideal For:
All-weather warriors who don’t mind messy maintenance
Example:
Kindhuman Kampionne Disc
$9,865, kindhuman.cc
With a tapered downtube and wide bracing fork, this carbon-fibre bike’s aerodynamic frame makes it easy to zip through the air. But no matter what speeds you reach, Shimano E-Thru-axle disc brakes promise you’ll never lose stopping power — even when rain starts pouring or mud starts flying.
AERO GRAVEL GRINDERS
What It Means:
Aero tubing for speed, thicker wheels for control on gravel roads
Pros:
Convenience: No dropper post mishaps, no need for shock services, no cracked carbon frame, no tube changes required
Cons:
There’s no official network for gravel trails mapped out (but that could because for exploration)
Who It’s Ideal For:
Adventure-seeking mountaineers looking to beat their own record
Example:
Exploro 3T Bike
USD$3,599, 3t.bike
BMW teamed up with Italian cycling specialists 3T to develop the Exploro, the world’s first full-aero gravel bike, an all-roader with an aerodynamic carbon frame, the lightest carbon aero cranks on the market and up to 54mm tires for better control at high speeds.
E-BIKES
What It Means:
Tech-enhanced, battery-powered bikes that reduce your carbon footprint
Pros:
Compact, low maintenance, great for commuting
Cons:
Short battery life and long charging time
Who It’s Ideal For:
Design-minded, eco-friendly cyclists looking to minimize maintenance
Example:
Coleen x Aston Martin DB4 E-Bike
From €4,990, coleen-france.com
French e-bike maker Coleen joins forces with Aston Martin for the DB4, merging modern technology with traditional design. With a hydraulic brake system that outlasts traditional brakes, belt drive that’s easier to maintain than chain drive and a killer display, this is the city cyclist’s transport option of choice.
FOLDING BIKES
What It Means:
Compact road bikes with foldable frames for easier storage
Pros:
Bikes you can bring on the subway and fit under your desk
Cons:
Some have small wheels and frames
Who It’s Ideal For:
Urban commuters running out of space
Example:
Tuck Bike
Price TBA, tuckbike.com
Launching in September 2020 on Kickstarter, the Tuck Bike is the brainchild of British engineer Alex Animashaun, who has spent the last three years developing a cycle-friendly solution to the urban commute. Most foldable bikes have a smaller frame and wheels, but the Tuck Bike is a full-size bike that folds down to the size of a weekender bag. But the real lifesaver is the bike’s first-ever folding wheels system: carbon fiber spoked wheel and airless foam tires that collapse easily into three pieces and never need pumping.
