Drive Cult being a new type blog, I'm still trying to hammer out which direction I really want to take it in. Obviously, I love cars, but I also have a broader interest in other types of transportation. Planes, boats, space travel, motorcycles, bikes, even urban public transportation logistics. All of these things interest me. I'm by no means a wealthy man, but the fact that my bicycle is the second most expensive thing I own next to my car should tell you something about me. So, I'm going to do a little experimenting with this post and see how it goes.
A bunch F1 engineers at BERU f1 systems, who supplies wiring harnesses and other electronics to F1 teams, have produced what they consider to be the most technically advanced road bike in the world. It's called the Factor 001 and it's incredibly cool. The starting price of $35,000 buys you a custom fitted carbon monocoque frame, carbon ceramic brakes, Shimano Dura Ace Di2 gruppo (which shifts via electronically controlled servo instead of the traditional tensioned cables), and eight spoke carbon wheels.
Another $8,000 gets you the integrated electronics package. This consists of a set of sensors that monitors everything from current speed to biometric data. All of this data can be accessed in real time via a handlebar mounted LCD touch screen.
BERU opted to ignore parameters set by international cycling governing bodies when designing the Factor 001. It's like the bicycle equivalent of an F1 car with active aerodynamics, turbos, and nitrous. I'm now adding this my things to buy list when I win the lottery.
-Jamie Wolfcale
