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Artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to transform traditional mountain biking, with robotic bikes like the hopping one setting the stage for this future. Embrace it, it's not a matter of dread but anticipation.

Advanced bike technology is progressively augmenting the mountain biking experience, with innovations like Shimano's Autoshift, SRAM's Eagle Powertrain with Auto Shift, and Magura's Bosch eBike ABS making trails more manageable. Yet, the recent appearance of a robot bike performing trials...

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Electronic components, such as motors and GPS systems, have been enhancing mountain biking...
Electronic components, such as motors and GPS systems, have been enhancing mountain biking experiences for years, automating gear shifts and ensuring safe returns. Brands like Shimano, SRAM, and Magura have been introducing innovations like Autoshift and ABS. Last week, a robot bike performing trials caught everyone's attention, raising questions about the future of mountain biking. Some might find this vision dystopian, but fearing machine intervention in mountain biking is futile considering how advanced technology has already integrated into biking and its rapid pace of development.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are poised to transform traditional mountain biking, with robotic bikes like the hopping one setting the stage for this future. Embrace it, it's not a matter of dread but anticipation.

Is the concept of integrating digital Danny MacAskill into your bike – or even your body – that laughable?

Mountain biking enthusiasts have been relying on motors and GPS systems for quite some time now, to help them conquer the hills and reach home safely. We've got Shimano's Autoshift, SRAM's Eagle Powertrain with Auto Shift, and even Bosch eBike ABS to help us navigate those tricky root-filled paths. But last week, we got a glimpse of what the future holds - that robot bike doing trials, and it left us wondering. If machines are already aiding our legs, brains, and fingers, when can we expect them to help us ride technical trails too?

If the thought of machine intervention in mountain biking fills you with Black Mirror-style dread, think again. The reality is that we're far behind the curve when it comes to AI and tech advances in our sport. recently, Mick Kirkman's opinion piece about augmented wattage riding caused quite a stir. Remember the outcry when early e-bikes were first introduced? Many thought it encouraged cheating and wasn't true mountain biking.

The Tallboy was a game-changer, one of the first 29ers to ride well, marking a turning point in mountain bike development. But let's take a trip down memory lane to the days before the internet – regular writer Paul Burwell once said that suspension was pointless because we had two feet of travel in our arms. Back then, the original ‘mountain bike’ riders in California were breeding Italian thoroughbreds with local beach cruisers to create their Clunkers, paving the way for the evolution of our beloved sport.

These advancements have allowed us to traverse off-road without breaking a sweat or endangering ourselves. So while you're free to draw your line in the dirt and say 'that's far enough for me', it's not going to slow progress.

What's exciting is that the basics we need to create rider-assist tech are already present in cutting-edge bikes. Here's a possible scenario: RockShox Flight Attendant already uses an array of accelerometers to create a 3D ride map that controls the compression behavior of suspension. Now imagine if it linked up with rebound too, and at the same time as it unleashed an undamped deep stroke return, the motor gave a sudden trials bike-style power blip. Your bike would launch into the air like everyone's favorite ginger, and Flight Attendant would truly earn its name.

There's also plenty of potential for drone technology to merge with mountain biking. Camera-based terrain avoidance could prevent you from running into trees, while steering dampers linked to gimbal gyroscopes could provide sophisticated stability beyond Canyon's elastic KIS reins. Imagine a Waze-style system that gives you live updates on trail hazards, or a system that recommends tracks suited to your preferred riding style.

And it doesn't stop there – AI is already being used to analyze your riding habits, making recommendations for suspension maintenance, battery recharge, or tire pressure adjustments. Why not let it suggest new trails or coaching sessions that match your skill level? Some GPS ride apps can even be synced with your personal training plan, and e-bikes can be set to deliver a consistent rider power output, making it possible to automate your science-based workouts while riding in the woods.

The cycle industry is facing a slump, having hit a 25-year low in the UK, so the thought of a suite of new features available on subscription sounds like a dream come true for bike brands. It's important to note that BMW recently discontinued its heated seat subscription model, just a year after launching it, so there's always a risk of jumping on the latest tech trends without fully considering their long-term viability.

So while the thought of a robot jumping onto a table might make you do a double-take, we're actually much further down the mechanical assistance rabbit hole than you might realize. Embrace the future, or keep nursing your sketchy handling, skinny-tyred rigid-forked bike – it's all up to you!

  1. The recent discussion about augmented wattage riding, as presented in Mick Kirkman's opinion piece, has sparked debates, similar to the skepticism faced when e-bikes were first introduced.
  2. As we move forward with advancements in technology, it's not far-fetched to envision a future where ride-assist tech features like RockShox's Flight Attendant are also linked with drone technology, providing riders with advanced stability, real-time trail navigation, and maintenance tips on the go.

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