To be fair a bikecycle doesn’t need any of those things you named.
It doesn’t need those, true, but it also refuses to accommodate those. And that’s the problem: so-called futuristic design often goes hand-in-hand with bad design. Bad in the sense that things which used to be possible, and could be added with minimal effort, just aren’t there anymore. And it’s not like there are now zero people wanting panniers and racks.
There are bike designs which are extremely minimal, but they do so to focus on some overwhelming design goal. Performance is one such common goal. But here, what is the goal of this minimalism? A lack of rack standoffs is a net loss to the consumer. Having options would be a net gain, even if unused.
Needs can change, bikes get bought and sold, and ultimately a bike with a narrow focus and feature set just won’t be appealing for a mass market audience. It’s a strange marketing choice if the goal is to move product.
I suppose I’m now griping about futuristic design after all lol
The first one is like a mountainbike and is obviously not intended for commuting or shopping with. I have never seen a mountainbike with any cargo or storage capabilities since that would be stupid.
I don’t know what rack standoffs are.
I suspect the rack is designed the way it is because of the huge suspension travel of the back wheel.
And really who uses panniers? What do you use them for? They just seem like a pain to use when backpacks exist.
Sure both bikes could have more features and maybe they will, it’s a prototype. But do they really? The first one is a dirt/mountain bike and the second one is a commuter bike. Neither really needs extensive storage or bag capabilities. A water bottle holder would be nice but also not really needed.
It doesn’t need those, true, but it also refuses to accommodate those. And that’s the problem: so-called futuristic design often goes hand-in-hand with bad design. Bad in the sense that things which used to be possible, and could be added with minimal effort, just aren’t there anymore. And it’s not like there are now zero people wanting panniers and racks.
There are bike designs which are extremely minimal, but they do so to focus on some overwhelming design goal. Performance is one such common goal. But here, what is the goal of this minimalism? A lack of rack standoffs is a net loss to the consumer. Having options would be a net gain, even if unused.
Needs can change, bikes get bought and sold, and ultimately a bike with a narrow focus and feature set just won’t be appealing for a mass market audience. It’s a strange marketing choice if the goal is to move product.
I suppose I’m now griping about futuristic design after all lol
The first one is like a mountainbike and is obviously not intended for commuting or shopping with. I have never seen a mountainbike with any cargo or storage capabilities since that would be stupid.
I don’t know what rack standoffs are.
I suspect the rack is designed the way it is because of the huge suspension travel of the back wheel.
And really who uses panniers? What do you use them for? They just seem like a pain to use when backpacks exist.
Sure both bikes could have more features and maybe they will, it’s a prototype. But do they really? The first one is a dirt/mountain bike and the second one is a commuter bike. Neither really needs extensive storage or bag capabilities. A water bottle holder would be nice but also not really needed.