Chinese search engine Baidu to peddle SmartBike

China's Baidu is often compared to Google: it runs a dominant search engine and is tacking on related services at a brisk pace. Now the company is even following Google into the provision of odd bicycle-related projects. Baidu's DuBike is a lot easier to understand than Google's investment in cycle-powered monorail venture …

[Anonymous Coward]

Missing sensor

Toxic contaminants in air sensor is missing. I would not try to cycle in China without it. Not that you would cycle if you see the readout. Or live for that matter.

[Anonymous Coward]

I like to think of the bicycle world as one of the true examples of a standards utopia. Most bikes follow standards meaning everything can be replaced or upgraded. There are very few proprietary standards, even new developments like BB90 are always released as open standards.

The bike seems to be fairly standard, although changing the saddle (which is essential for some people) will mean losing functionality.

[Andy Christ]

Is the seat post spring loaded? Because while the front fork suspension appears to have ample travel, the rear stays look incredibly stiff, which would make for quite a harsh ride. Funny but the whole frame is so voluminous, at a glance one might assume it was designed to enclose batteries for electric assist, especially as the drive train appears to be single speed. Perhaps there is an IGH? — couldn't get the video to play.

Honestly though, this kind of super-connected bike isn't really for me. I don't need a slew of sensors and read outs to tell me how poorly I am doing.

[Anonymous Coward]

Locks

Hope it comes with a suitably advanced lock if its being sold in China