Things we need not invented yet

[David9694]

To contrast with cycling dead ends...

A simple on-board way to immobilise / make unrideable a bike, eg that locks-up the bottom bracket.
A robust lock (to secure the frame to fixed object) that doesn’t weight a tonne
An alternative to compressed air in tyres - no more Ps ever. (Those developed so far probably belong in the Dead Ends thread.)

[Mick F]

Maybe an inner tube impervious to air is what's required first.

Even if you never get a visit from the P fairy, your tyres will still deflate over time. My Mercian with 120psi in the rear tyre needs topping up every day or three. The higher the pressure, the faster the tyre looses pressure.

[speedsixdave]

Suspension with no drawbacks

[al_yrpal]

As for the lock, I fitted a Dutch Bike Lock https://www.dutchbikebits.com/axa-defender-wheel-lock to my electric bike, with this lock you can also plug in an additional cable to secure it to something immovable. British bike theives are probably unfamiliar with this type of lock and I believe it will be more secure. Its simple, you can lock the bike in seconds and you cant lose the key so easily.

As for that invention...a saddle that treats my bum kindly please. In 13 years of recent cycling I havent found one.

Al

[LittleGreyCat]

To contrast with cycling dead ends...

A simple on-board way to immobilise / make unrideable a bike, eg that locks-up the bottom bracket.
A robust lock (to secure the frame to fixed object) that doesn’t weight a tonne
An alternative to compressed air in tyres - no more Ps ever. (Those developed so far probably belong in the Dead Ends thread.)

Doesn't weigh a tonne?

Ummm....ahhh...errr......I've got it!
Blockchain!!!!!!!!

[NickJP]

To contrast with cycling dead ends...

A simple on-board way to immobilise / make unrideable a bike, eg that locks-up the bottom bracket.

Go to Amsterdam, and you will see most of the bikes have a "nurse" lock permanently attached to the frame at the seatstays for locking the rear wheel. Doesn't stop someone carrying the bike away, but they won't be able to ride off with it.

[horizon]

The bicycle's greatest need was for a lightweight motor: everything else was pretty cheap, easy to fix and reliable - it all worked. The motor has finally arrived in the form of the ebike. All the advantages of a bike remain: storable indoors, carryable on a train, easy to park, foldable, mobile in traffic, cheap to run, easy to operate, enabling of physical exercise and usable in the fresh air.

So why don't I get an ebike? Because I don't believe that first proposition - it didn't need one. But I do think that most people (albeit probably not cyclists) do believe it.

[andrew_s]

A simple on-board way to immobilise / make unrideable a bike, eg that locks-up the bottom bracket.

Steering locks were relatively common in the past. It's difficult to ride if the front wheel is at 40 deg to the back wheel and can't be turned.
IIRC, there was a rod in the down tube that poked forward into a hole in the steerer when the key was turned.

A more recent take on a steering lock is the N-lock - a lockable stem where if you take the key out the handlebars can be turned freely without turning the front wheel. I had one at one stage (the lock jammed up), and can testify that if you try to ride the bike without locking the steering, you're lucky to get further than a yard without falling off. Riding no hands may be easy enough once you've got moving, but setting off from stationary with your hands in your pockets isn't.
It would still be possible to steal the bike and ride off, but you'd need to have a suitable replacement stem and stack of spacers (see Hexlox to foil this approach).
I had it to save on the width of hallway occupied by bike handlebars, with security as an added benefit.

[andrew_s]

The bicycle's greatest need was for a lightweight motor: everything else was pretty cheap, easy to fix and reliable - it all worked. The motor has finally arrived in the form of the ebike.

It worked 100 years ago too. We've got superbikes and helmet laws now.
Those who like to chip their ebikes may like to consider the lessons of history.

[andrew_s]

I fitted a Dutch Bike Lock
Its simple, you can lock the bike in seconds and you cant lose the key so easily.

You just change the opportunities for losing the key.

Because the key is in the lock whilst you are riding, it can't be on your keyring with the house door key.
When you get somewhere, the key can often end up in a random pocket that didn't register in your brain because you were thinking of other things. OK, usually a thorough pocket search will find it, but there's also the possibility that it's (for example) been left on the pub bar because it was still in your hand when you ordered.

[CliveyT]

Sitting here staring at torrential rain (it's gone off scale @ the University weather station). An up-to the minute weather forecast?
(yes I know it was forecast for today- just need to know whether to set off for home or just head to the pub and wait).

failing that what about a rain (and wind) deflecting force field?

[andrew_s]

I use a rainfall radar app on my phone (NW Storm Radar)
An image every 5 minutes for the last couple of hours, up to 10-15 minutes ago.

You can make quite a good judgement of what rain is about and how fast it's moving.

[iandriver]

A splitable belt drive would interest me greatly, so you don't have to split the frame.

Edit on reflection, a maintenance free drive train.

[Sweep]

To contrast with cycling dead ends...

A simple on-board way to immobilise / make unrideable a bike, eg that locks-up the bottom bracket.

Go to Amsterdam, and you will see most of the bikes have a "nurse" lock permanently attached to the frame at the seatstays for locking the rear wheel. Doesn't stop someone carrying the bike away, but they won't be able to ride off with it.

Have been wondering whether to get one for the 26inch exped bike.
Just put off by figuring out which model I need and whether it will fit.
With a ton of luggage on top I thought it would be handy for pub/shop stops.
For anything longer term I'd use a D lock.
Not bothered about additional weight - that bike is ridden on tour way beyond kitchen sink levels.

[Sweep]

I fitted a Dutch Bike Lock
Its simple, you can lock the bike in seconds and you cant lose the key so easily.

You just change the opportunities for losing the key.

Because the key is in the lock whilst you are riding, it can't be on your keyring with the house door key.
When you get somewhere, the key can often end up in a random pocket that didn't register in your brain because you were thinking of other things. OK, usually a thorough pocket search will find it, but there's also the possibility that it's (for example) been left on the pub bar because it was still in your hand when you ordered.

ah just seen this.
(somewhere in the back of my addled brain I think I wondered about this).

Knowing me and my frantic pocket searching, you have just unsold me andrew.

Thank you.

Something else I don't have to buy.