Mr Stiffy
That is rather clever - but it needs to have whole bike designed around the concept, with the top tube as the reservoir and the rear suspension as the compression pump.
Rt1583
@Mr Stiffy - So, as the air tank is coming up to pressure, the suspension gets stiffer and stiffer. A relief valve could be installed so that once the desired max pressure is reached the suspension would then revert to its designed characteristics but until that point is reached, I would think it would be a progressively uncomfortable ride.
Slowburn
re; Mr Stiffy
It must be real nice to have the money to throw away a good bike because it does not have all the latest bells and whistles. for the rest of us an add on system is the best we can hope for. I do agree that a shock-absorber (Spring damper) compressor would be a nice touch.
Slowburn
re; Rt1583
Designing the pump to pump to a higher than maximum tank pressure and venting into the tank through a tiny hole would minimize the ride changing with tank pressure, and so would running hydraulic fluid through a motor at significantly lower pressure than the ride control valve contains.
ComedyBill
Interesting idea for single track / trail riding - like the adjustable seat posts you can buy. But realistically too expensive / complex / not essential for the most riders. Also I'm slightly worried by the connection of the air-line to the axel - one hit with a rock / tree stump and it's gone.
The people who'd really benefit from such a system are the people too stupid to realise they need to pump their tyres up and have the pressure automatically adjusted.
...I do love the bike tech articles - keep em coming!
Denis Klanac
It would be great if they designed one of the hubs to actually be the pump to pump up the reservoir while going down hills. In this case you would never have to recharge the tank as it would be constantly topped off.
AdamOdes
I can see this really catching on with the x-country racing crew if the device can be made light, compact and easy to use. In a race situation, tire-pressure is just about as important as tire type/tread in how one's bike performs in relation to the course conditions. The right combination of wheel set, tire and tire pressure can make or break how a bike rides. People are already easily spending $1000+ on wheel-sets alone so why not go "all out".
Nelson
I bet it ads ten pounds to the bike.
Slowburn
re; Nelson
1.5 pounds for the equipment .6 pounds for the liquid CO2 so 2.1 pounds minus the weight of the hubs already on the bike.
Having hard tires across firm terrain will pay for that penalty within a couple of miles.
tampa florida
Cool idea, i wonder how well those carbon seals keep pressure in the tire
i would love this on my motocross bikes as well, adjusting tire pressure for the terrain is very handy. Super soft in super soft beach sand and median for dirt