Travelling halfway around the world to report on the latest cycling products can be a surreal experience. Combine jet lag and a language barrier with a massive amount of genuinely strange gadgets, and you have a recipe for real life that feels like a dream. Here are a few more strange sightings from the 2014 Taipei Cycle Show.
We were curious about the 'pleasure' portion of this seatpost, but unfortunately there wasn't anyone around to demonstrate.
26" wheels aren't dead, they've just been reincarnated into this abomination of a mountain bike. The Haibike Xduro Nduro Pro uses a 36 volt Bosch motor for electric assistance, just in case those transfer stages are a little too long. Fanny pack spare battery holder not included.
Without a doubt the largest presta valve we've ever seen was on display at the both of a company whose specialty was just that - manufacturing valves for tubes.
Who hasn't been on a ride and thought, "If only I could mount an expensive electronic tablet to my handlebars? That would solve everything."
Details were scarce about this Ford Raptor fat bike, apparently created as part of a partnership between Dahon and the auto manufacturer.
Hmm, just what kind of leather are they using for their bar tape?
Trade shows are tiring.
On the other hand. Who knows hat kind if animal protection/cruelty laws they have half way around the world?...
Firstly they are power-assist, not throttled. This means that they will only 'drive' you whilst you are pedalling, and they don't have a throttle. They can also be ridden with the assistance turned off, just like a normal bike. This is not a Stealth.
We've had every type of customer interested in them; from younger riders with heart problems, through to playboy townies and older folk looking to extend their riding lifetime.
All have the same in common: they are going further on their bikes than they would do normally, and having a whale of a time whilst doing it.
It's also worth noting that they use a lower spec. model as hire bikes in Morzine; itself a proving ground for all things two-wheeled.
They're not for everyone, (myself included) but they are doing a huge amount to get people out on bikes; which can't be a bad thing.
You can go on thundering about how politically incorrect I may be, but honestly, I don't want to see people, who think that particular bike is a good idea, fumbling around on trails that require that amount of suspension travel. I just really don't.
It's harder to say than it is to assemble.
Therein, I believe, lies what you consider prejudice against (specifically) e-bikes like this one. If you put an electric motor on a simple hardtail or a trekking bike, that's fine. It doesn't change things much. Fire roads will never get too crowded. Put it on a 7 inch quasi-enduro machine and you might find that people who previously couldn't bother, now go 'shuttling' some gem of a trail high up in the mountains, one for which you had to sweat like crazy to reach it.
I know I'll never be fit, experienced or brave enough to conquer the most epic rock climbing routes, the kind that make it into posters for outdoor clothing companies, however much I'd love to (and trust me, I would). That doesn't mean I'd endorse making a lift to the summit because it would make it accessible to me.