The world of cycling innovation is a treasure trove of brilliant ideas, some of which never see the light of day. And SRAM, a cycling giant, has a basement full of these untold stories. But here's where it gets fascinating: some of their most daring experiments, though failures, are engineering marvels that push the boundaries of what's possible.
Imagine a cycling world where gear indication is a fierce battleground. SRAM, in its early days, was all about twist shifters, avoiding triggers. But they took on the challenge of creating the ultimate gear indicator, even crafting a floating dial that seemed like a Christmas cracker present. And their quest didn't stop there; they ventured into the world of e-bikes and trekking bikes, creating the Sparc e-bike hub and the DualDrive hub, among other innovations.
But the real controversy lies in their more ambitious projects. Picture this: a brake rotor with a power meter, a voice-activated gear-shifting helmet, and a self-charging derailleur. These ideas, though intriguing, faced practical challenges. The brake power meter, for instance, was a development tool, not a commercial product. And the voice-activated helmet? Well, it recognized 'peanut butter' and 'jelly' for shifting, but it was more of a fun experiment than a serious innovation.
And this is where the story gets personal. Kevin Wesling, SRAM's Advanced Development Director, has a deep affection for these creations, both successful and not. He shares how every engineer in his team has a box of old ideas, broken prototypes, and forgotten projects. And sometimes, these relics find new life, proving that innovation is a journey with many twists and turns.
Among SRAM's triumphs are the eTap, DoubleTap, and Flight Attendant systems. But the Universal Derailleur Hanger (UDH) stands out as a humble hero. Wesling believes it's an innovation that saved cyclists countless hours, and the engineer behind it deserves a special place in cycling history.
So, what's the takeaway? Innovation is a risky business, and sometimes, failure is the best teacher. SRAM's willingness to experiment and learn from mistakes has led to groundbreaking successes. And for cycling enthusiasts, this basement of brilliant failures is a captivating reminder that progress often comes with a few bumps along the way. What do you think? Are these engineering failures fascinating or just quirky experiments? Share your thoughts in the comments!
