The recent thread about Ometa span off into a discussion about the cycling technology that happy mutants lust after, so how about it? Which examples of the most fuel efficient mode of transport ever created make wearing lycra embarrassing for you*?
Much as I love all manner of cycling tech, I’m all about the tubing and the recent breakthroughs in stainless make bikes that can have a wonderful aesthetic, reminiscent of planes of the early jet era. This example from English Cycles is notable because it’s the first fillet - brazed stainless bike I’ve seen - usually they’re TiG welded. But with advanced in the silver brazing alloys, it is now possible to build fillets in silver - but only at low temperatures, which is difficult but also helps prevent distortion.
I’m not keen on the emaciated seatstays, but overall an incredible example of what can be done at the cutting edge of traditional framebuilding.
Another cool bit of kit is this Kickstarter project, [Lumineer] (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/anirao/lumineer-bike-light) - solving the problem of where to put your lights in an increasingly cluttered cockpit (or allowing a minimalist approach), by building them into an otherwise pretty conventional-looking stem. They seem very well designed and it’s an elegant solution - if they do a version for hub dynamo (or generator for the USians) then I’d be all over this.
*On first read, this imagery might seem androcentric, but I invite the reader to consider the likely result of female arousal in a speedsuit.