In 1993, an eccentric British cyclist named Graeme Obree set
the hour record on a bike he had made from his own garage using parts from a
washing machine. Apart from having two wheels and a set of pedals, it looked
like no other racing bike on the road. Alarmed at the possible ramifications
such an invention might have on traditional bicycle manufacturers, the Union
Cycliste Internationale soon banned it and set strict guidelines on acceptable
bicycle designs.
Union Cycliste
Internationale (UCI) is the world governing body for sports cycling
So today, if you examine the top racing bicycles in the Tour
de France or World Championships, there are many striking similarities: the
angles of the tubes, the ratio of the tube depth to tube diameter, and even the
setback of the saddle nose from the bottom bracket. Compare the average
UCI-sanctioned racing bike with a top-level Ironman triathlon bike and many
differences immediately become apparent: steeper angles, deeper tubes, and in
some cases, some form of beam suspension.
In such a comparison, it’s easy to tell just how advanced
sports technology can be when given the liberty to go balls to the wall. And
cycling is just one sport that directly benefits from technology. In nearly
every sport that has a certain dependence on equipment, technology is an
advantage that well-funded athletes benefit from.
In an attempt to standardize equipment specifications and
maintain a level playing field, sport-sanctioning bodies often impose certain
guidelines that manufacturers must adhere to. But when the business of sport
involves millions of dollars in revenue, and when success in professional
sports often leads to commercial sales, manufacturers are known to push the
envelope for that elusive yet lucrative win. Here are a few cutting-edge
examples of sports equipment that lead the way for the industry.
Running Shoes
People were skeptical when Boulder-based Company Newton
Running first unveiled its shoes in 2007. Billed as a shoe for "natural”
runners, the minimalist and lightweight construction of its shoes coupled with
unique forefoot lugs felt like nothing else in the market.
Then Aussie Craig Alexander won successive Ironman after
Ironman events wearing Newtons. The market quickly embraced these colorful
shoes. Its latest flagship model, the MV3, is an ultra-light racing flat at just
141g.
Newton Running,
manufacturer of performance running shoes
that support the most efficient running motion
At 184g, Under Armour’s SpeedForm Apollo may be a bit
heavier than the Newton MV3, but the added weight is forgivable once you put
them on and experience a new kind of comfort and fit. The brand, which is
famous for its sports and compression clothing, is taking a different approach
to running shoes—that is, from a garment perspective. The Apollo has a
completely seamless interior, from the one-piece heel cup to the ultrasonically
welded components, molding around your foot like a sock. The perforated upper
and moisture-wicking technology help your feet breathe.
If you're into trail running, check out The North Face Ultra
Guide, a low-to-the-ground, 8mm drop trail runner featuring TNF’s Cradle Guide
midsole technology that helps absorb impact and stabilize the foot.
Badminton
The RSL Evolution VR2, the world’s first customizable
badminton racquet, features a modular system of clip-on plates to change the
balance depending on the player’s preferences.
Badminton Racket-
RSL Evolution VR2
Carlton's flagship product, the Kinesis, is deal for
advanced players looking for control, speed, and manoeuvrability. Micro
Grommets improve shuttle feedback and control.
Power Meters
The advent of power meters has revolutionized the sport of
cycling and triathlon. Finally putting a solid, quantifiable metric to rider
output akin to pace for runners and swimmers, power meters are a must for any
serious cyclist for both training and racing.
With the help of qualified coaches, cyclists on power meters
always have the advantage over old school riders as they know exactly how much
effort to churn out in the course of a race.
