Switching to servos and batteries is like moving from an automatic transmission to F1 paddle shifters, says one engineer Wired talked to. "Mindblowing—you just touch the button and it shifts," says Tour de France vet Frankie Andreau. And all in all the set is actually lighter than Shimano's current top-of-the-line components, which is a must before pros are even going to go near it. No price yet, but it's pro gear. Big bucks—well over the $2,600 you'd drop on next year's conventional Dura-Ace group. It was on a few riders' bikes at this year's Tour, and it will become available to the public in January of '09 More at: [Wired] Thanks, Joe!

From a technical point of view, the Trailcart is like a hybrid mountain bike and four wheeler. It's got permanent four-wheel-drive and is powered by roughly 290Nm of torque. In terms of conquering rockey terrain, it has 400mm of axle displacement. TreeHugger adds that it has a "double-action mechanical hydraulic braking system" and a Shimano Nexus 8 shifter coopted from the cycling world. The developers are trying to keep the weight at 50kg or less, in order to be transportable on automobile bike racks.

At the moment Trailcart is getting some serious investment from some heavy hitters, including Land Rover, and speaking of Land Rover, the little four-wheeler is involved in testing at Land Rover's "obstacle park" in Wülfrath, Germany. I really really want to try one of these out. There's no word on how much exertion is required to get that thing really moving, but if it takes any kind of physical strain at all, chances are it'll never make it to America. [Trailcart via TreeHugger]

The design evokes new rave couture, with its iconic smiley face and the strobe effect, bringing kitsch glamour to the cycling experience. The minimalist components are attached to the spokes of the wheel, emitting a fixed image of a smiley face using LED lights. This effect is achieved through inbuilt microchips that are able to calculate the speed of the wheel in such a way that the smiley face remains stationary while the wheel spins.

Never mind its lame-ass looks, it gets good mileage on a charge—if you're commuting round-trip distance is 62 miles or less, you're in luck, because this unsightly cycle can go that far. It says here that you can even attach a solar charger to the thing, probably making it even more obnoxious-looking but more practical at the same time. Drop 15 bucks for the plans, go to a junkyard and get some parts, and you're in business. [Atomic Zombie, via Gizmo Watch]

The bikes were hooked up to generators that supplied direct current energy to a converter which, in turn, fed couple of small SiCortex supercomputers with alternating current. At the time, the computers were running a program that simulates a fusion reaction. According to the findings, a traditional supercomputer would have required 10x as much electricity to perform the same calculations. In the end, the team did its part to promote alternative sources of energy —let's just hope, for the cycling team's sake, that the focus at MIT stays on nuclear fusion as this alternative energy source, and not the legs of its top athletes. [XConomy and Gizmag]

The front and rear signal indicators each run on two AA batteries, but we're thinking it's too bad those batteries can't be charged up with a generator from your bicycle's wheel. Anyway, sure, simple forward and rear-facing lights might do the trick, anything that increases visibility couldn't hurt, and if Bicygnals save your life, they might prove themselves well worth their $83 price. [Bicygnals , via The Uber Review and Sci Fi Tech]

There's a custom-designed lens system for optimal beam quality and seven top-grade LED lights. Its three modes include a low power-consuming emergency mode, which gives you up to two weeks' light using just 0.25W. Using its strongest battery, it will last all night for a month. But is that worth $1,185? Depends how safe you want to be. [Lupine via Book of Joe]

Let's get this straight: In its stock form, this is not exactly a racing bike—its top speed using just its nickel hydride batteries powering its 750-watt electric motor is only 20 mph, and it weighs about the same as an anvil, a hefty 58 pounds without your butt gracing its seat. But it's efficient, working like a hybrid car with its flywheel that charges up the battery when you apply the bike's brakes. We're also hearing you can hop up the thing with some aftermarket modifications, goosing its top speed up to 46 mph. No word on how long the batteries will last at that hasty clip.

Now the bad news: You'll drop $7,500 for the Electrobike Pi, and extra batteries, each good for 200 charge cycles, are $750. To be available at Design Within Reach studios in the United States, there will be just 500 of these electric bikes sold. Could be the first batch of many. Sure beats a Segway. [LA Times, via Born Rich]

The Cy.Fi speaker is about the size of a deck of cards and mounts on your handlebars. It spreads its stereo sound to let to the left and right, and makes it so you don't have to wear earphones that might obscure important noises of impending danger. Get more speakers, and one iPod can broadcast its signal to everyone in your riding group.

The company says the Cy.Fi's transmission is 100% lossless, sent from your iPod tucked safely away in your pocket. You can also control volume and skip tracks right from the speaker. Available sometime in 2008, it'll cost you $149. [Cy.Fi]

When you're settling in for the night, plug in all your devices to its electrical outlet that resembles a car's cigarette lighter, and you can also hook stuff up to its USB port. At the same time, if it's a sunny or windy day, the trailer is still generating energy to charge up its battery. Made of recyclable materials, let's hope this contraption is light enough so that it won't be too much of a burden on its rider.

Navitas bicycle trailer/generator concept [Bicycle Design]

This project has gone beyond some vaporware CAD drawing—he's actually built a great-looking prototype, riding this bike around and impressing everyone in sight. Although Kaufmann never reveals the exact weight of his wooden bike, he extols the virtues of using wood for a configuration such as this:

"Did you know that wood is up to 10 times stiffer than fibreglass and nearly 6 times stiffer than a kevlar/epoxy composite? Using wood and epoxy industry created some of the world's best multi-hulled sailboats, sprint kayaks and rowing shells. lightweights. Quicker in acceleration. Easier in manoeuvring. More convenient to carry. Straightforward to maintain and visually divine. A swan among ducks. So why not also using this material for a bike?"

Designer's Page [GP Designpartners, via Treehugger]

And take a look at that seat—it's like a trunk. So, an automatic transmission ... trunk? What characteristic of an automobile will bicycles take on next? Cup holders? – Charlie White

Product Preview - Trek unveils new family of comfort bikes [Bike Gallery, via Treehugger]

Well, almost. It's a bit different because it's based on an invention by Leonardo da Vinci, a continuously variable planetary (CVP) drive called the NuVinci CVP. What the heck is that? You still have to shift gears, but the response is instant, and there's no clanging or clicking involved whatsoever. That bike pictured above isn't cheap; you'll pay around $3,000 for one. Jump to see a video showing how the CVP drive works.

The CVP drive will be available as a kit for other brands of bicycles later this year. – Charlie White

Product Page [Ellsworth Bicycles, via OhGizmo]

It only adds 2.5 lb. to your pack, and folds into a 16-inch bundle that might just fit nicely into a backpack. This might sound like quite a bit of weight, but it could be worth its $199 price if it could mean the difference between spending a night in the invigorating wilderness or staying cooped up at home. – Charlie White

Product Page [LuxuryLite Gear, via Cool Tools]

Shimano is licensing the technology to bike makers such as Trek, Giant and Raleigh; pricing wasn't announced yet. – Charlie White

Shimano aims for an easy urban ride [Slash Gear]

When rain hits, a few strokes of a pump inflates it, and it sticks up like a turgid schlong, keeping that telltale skidmark of water and mud off your back for the duration of the storm. Neat trick. – Charlie White

Product Page [Topeak, via Coolest Gadgets]

We were completely sold on this idea until we discovered that the complete system with bike and stroller together costs 2587, or a jaw-gaping $3318.57. Ouch. – Charlie White

Product Page [trioBike A/S]

The lights point forward, back and to the side, and that's a good thing, too, because at night, the side is a bicycle's blind spot, proven to be the direction from which 75% of bike collisions occur. Stop at a traffic light and the things keep on flashing for five minutes. It's instant high visibility with no effort required.

Even though a good set of reflectors on your wheels and pedals might do the same thing as these blinkinlights, this $80 pair of pedals might give you somewhat higher visibility, perhaps saving your ass in a situation where some dolt is driving at night without his headlights on. And visibility, as we bloggers know, is a very good thing. – Charlie White

Product Page [Pedalite Ltd]

Now this is downright weird. The SidewaysBike's rider sits either sidesaddle or facing toward the front, manipulating controllers that steer the front and back wheels independently. It looks a lot more maneuverable than a conventional bicycle, but we're not sure if it's stable enough to ride alongside the road in traffic.

This strange bike was invented by Michael Killian, who also created the Sideways Scooter. There's no indication whether either will be commercially available anytime soon. – Charlie White

Demo Page [SidewaysBike]

But still, is this better than a wheel-generated light? Wouldn't this cause excessive drag? Combine the energy-storage idea with a drag-free design and then we'll talk. – Charlie White

A Double Whammy - The Wind Powered Bike Light [treehugger]

If you're a cyclist, you probably realize how much you rely on your hearing to keep you safe in traffic, so you'll immediately recognize the value of Slipstreamz, cycling earwear that will position those iPod earbuds close enough to hear the music, but far enough away so you'll still be able to hear ambient sound.

Made of comfy-cozy molded foam and polyester composite, they attach to the straps on your helmet (you are wearing a helmet, aren't you?), and they have a little slot where you can easily secure your earbuds. An added benefit is their ability to keep your ears warm on those cold blustery days, something for which you might want to plan ahead, even though it's a half a year away. – Charlie White

Slipstreamz [iWorld, via The Gadgeteer]

Product Page

The MTB gloves come in three models for different weather situations: the Cold Snap is for those cold as a witch's teat days; the Heat Wave is for excessively hot days; and the Trail Pro is for those everyday good weather days. These "Shock-Tek" technology gloves can be had for $30-40, depending on size and model. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [MTB Cycling via ohGizmo!]

Purchase Online [Feelthewheel.com]

The A-Bike is the lightest folding bike in its class, weighing in at just 12 pounds. The bike is ultra-portable and with practice can be folded or unfolded in just 10 seconds. Despite the tiny wheels, the bike can achieve normal speeds without forcing you to pedal like a madman. The completely enclosed chain system means that your pants cuffs won't have the telltale grease marks of a bicycle commuter, also.

A-Bike [Yanko Design]

Tiny tiny tiny (you can t even see em) tubes of carbon fiber (ie: nanotubes) are mixed into the resin which bonds the carbon sheets together, and work to add strength to the resin much like using wire-mesh in concrete does.

All this feather-light high technology comes at a steep price, though, where the frame, fork and headset alone for this bike cost $3650.

PEZ-Clusive Test: BMC SLC01 [PezCycling News via Digg]

On a nice autumn day, I like to go walking outside with my sweatpants on, being cozy, and admiring the changing leaves color. Eventually I end up walking 5 miles and call it a day. But now, with this contraption, I can go sightseeing for hours upon hours as long as my dog has some form of energy in him. Dubbed "The Original Dog Powered Scooter", the device is a bar on the back of the scooter with a harness that the dog walks into. The dog then essentially pushes you to your destination, but allows the human to keep the steering and braking under control. It's about $500 for the whole package and you can get an accessory to add another dog. See? Man's best friend = Man's locomotion slave.

The Original Dog Powered Scooter [Treehugger]