Electronic Suspension!

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Hi guys,

We received our first bike in yesterday with 'EI' (Electronic Suspension)
I know the bike doesn't have a motor on it.
But for all the like minded people on here I thoughy you may like to read.

In conjunction with RockShox, Lapierre Bikes launches a new suspension system Tuesday dubbed E.I Shock.

The automatic system manages the compression and lock out settings of the rear shock with a system of sensors that monitor bump forces.

The system consists of a stem-mounted head unit, accelerometers at the top and bottom of the fork, cadence sensors in the bottom bracket and a small electronic motor that makes the adjustments to the shock based on the system’s feedback.

The system has been in development for the last five years, in combination with RockShox who make the hardware, and Trelock – the lock manufacturer – who make the software.

More info here - Ei Shock | Cycles Lapierre
First look review here -Lapierre + RockShox Launch Auto-adjust E.I. Shock Suspension - BikeRadar

Cool video here - Lapierre - EI Shock technology - YouTube

This system is truly astonishing! Also very very clever, and shows how the bike trade is moving forward with designs like these. This system could be applied to an electric bike in the near future. After all it is designed by Haibike, so maybe we could see an option for it next year..

Regards

Martin

 

[103Alex1]

Great concept and fine whilst it works but thing is, rather like Di2 shifting it's just another electronic device to go wrong and involve you in expensive specialist repairs.

The more sophisticated cars become with plug-in diagnostics and the like, and keys which don't work if you accidentally drop them in water, the more I want an old pick-up that can be fixed mechanically with some spare bits of metal and a few washers when things go wrong ... and with keys I can wrap a leash round and hit the surf without fear of aquapacs failing or having to bury them in bushes and leave markers hoping I can remember where I put them when I get back.

Since suspension is something that fits best with off-roading (you lock it out on 'civilized routes') it's even more of a problem if it malfunctions when you're off on a remote trail somewhere. Reliability is key with things like this - be interesting to see how the system holds up over time.

 

[Old_Dave]

Ain't technology great... stuff we didn't even know we needed

Todays song, 'Ride your pony.. Get on your pony and ride'

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Great concept and fine whilst it works but thing is, rather like Di2 shifting it's just another electronic device to go wrong and involve you in expensive specialist repairs.

The more sophisticated cars become with plug-in diagnostics and the like, and keys which don't work if you accidentally drop them in water, the more I want an old pick-up that can be fixed mechanically with some spare bits of metal and a few washers when things go wrong ... and with keys I can wrap a leash round and hit the surf without fear of aquapacs failing or having to bury them in bushes and leave markers hoping I can remember where I put them when I get back.

Since suspension is something that fits best with off-roading (you lock it out on 'civilized routes') it's even more of a problem if it malfunctions when you're off on a remote trail somewhere. Reliability is key with things like this - be interesting to see how the system holds up over time.

Hi Alex,

You are right in some sense that it could go wrong, this is the first thing that springs to mind when applying any electric to a outdoor device.

That said I think this is the only realistic way of moving forward in the cycle trade. As it has proved in the car industry. You can have a car that parks itself these days all using clever electronics and sensors.

My view when comparing to things like Di2 gearing; is that electronic gearing doest do any thing more than cables already did, where as this suspension kit actually does something that hasn't been done before.

As for it going wrong, the first thing I thought was if the battery runs out it and you were running it locked out you would be stuffed. But they have thought of all angles, so if the battery runs out or there is a fault it reverts back to a normal shock..

They have been testing this equipment for the last 5 years to make sure it is right before releasing to the public.

Regards

Martin

 

[GaRRy]

Active/semi active suspension systems are starting to get quite common on cars these days so I guess it was bound to happen.

BMW have recently introduced the first system for motorbikes so I guess push bikes were bound to follow

BMW Semi-Active Suspension DDC | Ash On Bikes

For a push bike does feel a bit like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

 

[103Alex1]

It looks like a very clever addition to a top-end bike. Automatic rear suspension lockout on climbs will make a huge difference to people riding full-sus bikes. I like the waterproofing tests too and RockShox gear is very good quality so it has a lot of plusses. I'd imagine the main demand will come from racing types though, and expect a £5k+ price tag on an eBike fitted with this. Time will tell !

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

It looks like a very clever addition to a top-end bike. Automatic rear suspension lockout on climbs will make a huge difference to people riding full-sus bikes. I like the waterproofing tests too and RockShox gear is very good quality so it has a lot of plusses. I'd imagine the main demand will come from racing types though, and expect a £5k+ price tag on an eBike fitted with this. Time will tell !

It also adjusts compression whilst riding, say you hit a log with the front wheel, within 0.01 seconds the rear shock is adjusted to suit!

As current we offer the EI set up with lapierre bikes the cost for it is roughly £300 on top of the bike. It also gives you the option to change the front forks if you ever wanted to. The rear shock has to be retained as this is where all the clever stuff happens

If some one is spending 2-3K on a bike £300 is a realistic upgrade out the box.

Martin

 

[flecc]

I can see the attraction as I can with all the previous refined additions to bicycles like suspension, hydraulic brakes, wide range gear systems and the NuVinci CVT, but there is something special about the sheer simplicity of the traditional bike. It would be as sad to see it's passing as it would be for everyone to stop walking and only use mobility vehicles and Segways to get about.

K.I.S.S still makes sense.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

It looks like a very clever addition to a top-end bike. Automatic rear suspension lockout on climbs will make a huge difference to people riding full-sus bikes.

Much better to have an electric motor on your wheel than the suspension, then you don't need any lock-out for the hills. just open the throttle and up you go, which is much more civilised. I have lock-out on mine and I've never found a use for it yet, and I bet you won't be using yours either..

I love all this new technology. I think I'd rather have auto-gear-changing than auto-suspension, but I don't see it on bikes anymore. There was a Shimano system on the Ferrari bike and an0ther one that I can't remember. What happened to it?

 

[flecc]

Shimano still make the Auto gear change 3 speed hub system, but few bike makers have adopted it. They also planned an 8 speed hub gear version, but I don't know if anyone ever used it.

There was also talk of their automating their Ultegra electronically operated derailleur system, but I've seen no announcement of it being marketed.

 

[Martin@e-bikeshop]

Shimano still make the Auto gear change 3 speed hub system, but few bike makers have adopted it. They also planned an 8 speed hub gear version, but I don't know if anyone ever used it.

There was also talk of their automating their Ultegra electronically operated derailleur system, but I've seen no announcement of it being marketed.

Flecc, I think when your referring to the electronic ultegra stuff, you mean Di2?
This stuff has been on the market a while and is popular with high end roadies.

Martin

 

[103Alex1]

Flecc, I think when your referring to the electronic ultegra stuff, you mean Di2?
This stuff has been on the market a while and is popular with high end roadies.

Martin

Yup, since Ultegra Di2 came out a while ago, bikes with the regular Ultegra have dropped about £700 in price. Funny to think how fast some things lose their commercial value when "superseded" by the latest mod con.

Interesting thing is though, I read an article on one of the Colnago bikes with Di2 and it pretty much concluded you couldn't convert it back to a regular shifting system owing to the way they'd built it in. So if the system is overtaken and becomes an electronic relic, you're no longer left with a timeless classic for a mad-keen collector to pop the latest Dura-Ace groupset on (like you could on the pre-Di2 bikes) - you're pretty much stuck with it..

I'll have the 2011 model with regular shifting please. Ta ever so.

 

[flecc]

Flecc, I think when your referring to the electronic ultegra stuff, you mean Di2?
This stuff has been on the market a while and is popular with high end roadies.

Martin

Yes indeed. I'm surprised that Shimano hasn't introduced a downmarket version, perhaps with automated change, after the manner of their automatic changing hub gear system. There are many mainstream non-sporting cyclists who prefer derailleurs through only ever having used them, and I'm sure some would like automation.