>>>>I wonder what it is like to ride one of these bikes.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2321942/The-British-engineer-really-HAS-reinvented-wheel-Loopwheels-abandons-spokes-springs.html
>>>
>>>
>>>I think that's a cool idea. If they can be made reasonably priced, you could tailor the suspension of a bike by using a different loopwheel spring.
>>>
>>>The article says they are made from carbon composite strips. I'd be a little leery of how well they'd hold up over time, but that may be a non-issue.
>>
>>The price issue would only apply to the lower end cycles. People now seem prepared to pay (to me) eye watering amounts for bicycles.
>>
>>I don't know does carbon fibre degrade over time.
>
>I know there were issues with carbon-fibre becoming brittle after long term exposure to sunlight, at least in the early days of carbon fibre use. That may be solved now.
>
>The prices for bikes - It astounds me to see people pay more money for a high-end bike than for a good used car.

When you grind up one side of a Cat1 or HC climb, then blast back down at 90 kmh the value proposition becomes a little clearer ;)