Businessweek
Bikes Are Quickly Getting as Smart as Phones
The Giant Quick-E+ is a bike where computers do everything you want them to do—but don’t remove the joy of cycling.
The Quick-E+, a gadget on two wheels.
Source: Giant Bicycle
Today’s high-end bikes are increasingly designed as complete systems: Computers run the power meters, turn on the lights, and even shift gears. But the race to adopt each innovation as fast as possible doesn’t always produce a tidy package for consumers.
“Right now on a high-end bike, there are probably four to five batteries you have to charge,” says Chris Yu, director of integrated technologies at Specialized Bicycle Components. “A lot of them have a connected app experience. If done poorly, it’s bad for the rider.”