00:00 Innovation has been in overdrive since the world returned to a level of normality, and
00:05 some of the bikes which were released in 2023 gave an indication as to what's to come.
00:10 So we've pulled together what we believe are the road bike tech trends that will define
00:15 2024.
00:18 We're expecting there to be more than any other type of bike in 2024.
00:25 That being lightweight road bikes.
00:28 In fact, not just lightweight, but super lightweight.
00:32 It's not been a secret that road bikes of late have become a bit heavier, with the addition
00:36 of disc brakes and electronic group sets.
00:39 But it now appears as though brands have started to address the problem, and are now releasing
00:44 bikes which total that of their previously mechanically geared rim brake ancestors.
00:48 Sure, these bikes will come at great expense, but it's nice to see that riders do have
00:53 the ability to enjoy the benefits of the latest tech without it weighing them down.
00:59 After the release of the specialised S-Works Tarmac, the Giant Defy, the Factorio 2 VAM
01:04 and Orbea Orca this year, it's been made very clear what the ambition of the industry
01:09 really is.
01:10 So, over the next 12 months, expect to hear a lot about how much lighter bikes have become.
01:16 All we hope is that those weight savings will be felt on bikes costing four figures, not
01:20 five.
01:26 What do the Giant Defy, Factorio 2 VAM and Orbea Orca all have in common?
01:31 That's right, super thin top tubes.
01:35 Much like my last point, there is a common theme.
01:38 That being the desire to save weight, and it appears as though multiple brands are heading
01:42 down the same route.
01:44 That being to strip it out of the top tube.
01:47 Clearly, it's been decided that the top tube is a low-stress enough area that it can
01:51 be afforded to reduce the size of the tubing, as well as the thickness of the tube walls.
01:57 For example, on the latest version of the Trek Madone, you can quite easily push the
02:01 carbon fibre inwards and it will visibly flex.
02:05 Of course, we would never recommend anybody do this, but it certainly shows just how thin
02:09 tube walls really are in this area of the bike.
02:13 Much like the widespread adoption of drop seat stays, we think it's clear that an
02:17 increasing number of brands will start manipulating top tubes in more and more creative ways.
02:27 Custom painted bikes are on the rage, and the amount of frame painters available to
02:31 commission has never been higher.
02:34 As the World Tour has been doing for years with one-off paint jobs for their most decorated
02:38 riders, it's now easier than ever for us to do the same for ourselves.
02:42 Up until now, the process has been easier for the brands as they can obtain RTP frames
02:47 - also known as ready-to-paint frames - from their own factories.
02:52 What this means is that the frame is shipped from the factory completely bare, or in some
02:57 cases with a very thin layer of lacquer on the surface.
03:01 Then the frame painters can start painting straight away, rather than having to sand
03:05 back all the layers of paint before they can start adding colour.
03:08 What used to be the reserve of manufacturers can now be obtained by us all, but currently
03:13 only a small selection of brands offer RTP frames to consumers, most notably Specialized.
03:19 It released the S-Works SL8 in an RTP option, which also, coincidentally, was the lightest
03:25 frame option you could buy since it didn't have any paint on it.
03:28 This meant that people either had the choice of creating a super lightweight build, or
03:33 sending it straight to the painters and saving on the cost of labour to have it all sanded
03:37 back.
03:38 We imagine it's also safe Specialized a step in the manufacturing process, which would
03:43 mean the profit margin for that bike will be higher.
03:46 It's for all these reasons that we expect RTP frames to become much more common over
03:51 the coming year.
03:52 It's a win for bike manufacturers, the consumers, and also the frame painters.
04:01 Integrated cockpits have been around for a while now, and finally, it seems as though
04:05 some brands are catching on and have developed ways for these sculpted pieces of carbon to
04:11 be a lot more usable for the mass market.
04:13 Perhaps it was down to complaints from industry staff, pro teams, or bike shop mechanics,
04:19 but the routing from shifters through the bars, stem, and head tube has now, in some
04:25 cases, reached a point where it does actually make a lot more sense.
04:29 For example, on this Trek handlebar, the design allows for the brake hose to run externally,
04:34 tucked inside a little channel, and then be held in place with a composite cover before
04:39 diverting the hoses back towards the head tube and neatly tucking into the frame.
04:44 It's design like this which shows that all-in-one carbon cockpits don't need to be overly
04:49 complicated and still allows for riders to obtain that hoseless look without all of the
04:54 associated faff.
04:55 We would not be surprised if similar setups start emerging as a way to occupy the middle
04:59 ground between costs, practicality, aesthetics, and performance.
05:09 As we tick into another year, once again, we are predicting that 1x drivetrains will
05:14 be on the up.
05:16 So far, we've always been left waiting for the big swell of widespread adoption, but
05:20 it seems as though it's only the SRAM-sponsored WorldTour teams that seem to be engaging with
05:24 the tech.
05:25 However, that being said, as we get into 2024, there's every chance that SRAM could launch
05:31 something big in this space.
05:33 And as the classified hub gearing tech gets ever better, there's every chance that we're
05:38 on the verge of all throwing our front derailleurs in the bin.
05:41 So we'll continue to hold our breath and predict that 2024 will be the year that more
05:46 and more people decide to make the shift.
05:48 Perhaps if Jumbo-Visma take more stage wins at the Tour on a 1x setup, then that could
05:54 be the first domino to fall.
06:01 One of the more popular bike launches of the year was the Canyon Endurace.
06:05 It landed to a round of high praise and intrigue.
06:08 There was one new feature which seemed to capture the bulk of the attention, and that
06:12 was the addition of internal frame storage.
06:15 This isn't anything new, as plenty of other bikes in both the road and gravel category
06:20 have adopted the functionality, but seeing yet another high profile model take it on
06:24 is a clear sign that other brands will follow suit.
06:28 The convenience of internal frame storage is undeniable, and anything which enables
06:32 you to carry a little less gear in your pockets is only a good thing.
06:36 Plus, taking a more cynical view, it creates an opportunity for the bike brands to try
06:41 and sell you more tools.
06:43 Whatever your take on the matter, we think internal frame storage is good for riders.
06:48 It means you can carry more, have less in your pockets, and in our eyes, that makes
06:52 for a more enjoyable ride.
06:58 The Hope Lotus track bike turned heads when it was first launched in 2019.
07:03 Now nearly five years after its initial release, Lotus has released the 136, a geared, electric
07:09 version of the bike.
07:10 While we're not suggesting that this will be the race bike of 2024, we think the design
07:15 language it encapsulates could be.
07:18 We would not be surprised if some brands now start to experiment with super wide seat stays
07:22 as a way to improve aerodynamic performance and reduce rear end turbulence.
07:27 Arguably, the design of the Lotus 136 is wasted on an e-bike, as the electric assistance will
07:33 cut out before the sleek aerodynamic shapes start to have an impact on the top end speeds.
07:39 But as a concept and potential inspiration, there's every possibility that other brands
07:44 could start to borrow elements of this alien-looking machine.
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