Bicycle spy photographs are type of like pictures of Bigfoot typically. It appears like one thing may be there, however the photograph is blurry and darkish making you query what you’re actually seeing. However with some enhancing in Lightroom, typically extra element involves mild.
This photograph was despatched to us by a reader (thanks Ben!) who states, “I used to be out using within the Forest of Dean [during the] weekend with my mates, and noticed a man using with some strange-ass brakes. I couldn’t see cables operating as much as the bar. I attempted to get a fast photograph, however this was all I may handle.”
Replace Under
Is that this a wi-fi mountain bike disc brake?
As a result of angle of the {photograph}, there’s no manner of claiming for positive, however Ben claims that he couldn’t see any hoses or wires from the brake to the bar. It’s attainable the bike was operating inside cables on the bar via the stem, however then we’d anticipate to see the entrance brake hose exit from the underside of the crown.
That’s a fairly large gadget mounted across the space of the entrance brake, which signifies it’s greater than only a brake caliper.
If it’s not a wi-fi brake system, what’s it?
From the photograph, it seems that there’s a mild on the gadget indicating that it has some type of electronics inside. Outdoors of a wi-fi brake system, this might be a couple of issues: like an ABS brake system or an information acquisition system monitoring the efficiency of the brake. Each of those gadgets would nonetheless want a brake hose to the lever, so until the hose is simply hidden by the angle of the photograph, it nonetheless appears attainable that it is some type of wi-fi system.
Might it occur?
We’ve heard rumors over the previous few years that counsel wi-fi brakes aren’t fully out of the query. Whereas our emotions on the matter are combined, what we’re seeing on this photograph leads us to consider they’re nonetheless a methods off. Right here’s why:
The gadget is massive and would require not simply electronics and a pump, but additionally a battery, all of which add weight. Contemplating the brakes are all the time on the furthest finish of the unsprung mass, that further weight may negatively have an effect on suspension efficiency as nicely. It additionally looks like it’s placing some critically vital gear in a extremely weak spot.
Why Although?
Say this can be a wi-fi MTB disc brake system – why would anybody need that? We will already hear the chants of a ‘resolution looking for an issue,’ however there could also be some actual advantages to a wi-fi brake system. With out the necessity for a steady hydraulic system from the lever to the caliper, brake levers would not must be hydraulic themselves. As an alternative, you can merely have an digital button on the lever or an identical brake lever form that actuated a button. This looks like it may gain advantage the adaptive bike neighborhood for riders who can’t use a standard brake lever.
When it comes to ebike use, if there have been small wires resulting in the system that may eradicate the necessity for batteries on the brake calipers which ought to make the system lighter. That will additionally open the potential for integration of ABS methods as nicely.
There’s additionally the aesthetics of getting a cable or hose-free setup on the handlebar. At present, it looks like that may be a tradeoff between a way more cluttered space by the caliper, however it could imply the absence of cables and hoses with out having to route something via the headset.
Because of Ben for the tip!
Replace: It’s wi-fi!
That didn’t take lengthy: because of the tip by Frederic within the feedback, we see that this can be a wi-fi brake system. The video from GMBN above was simply launched 10 hours in the past, and options the work of Blake Samson!
