RRJ # 2

1/Reference:
Austen, I. (2009, Feb 13), Cycling enters the electronic age with a new gear- shifting system . The New York Times. Retrieved on Sept. 5, 2009 from http://www.nytimes.com/ 2009/02/14/ sports/cycling/14gears.html?_r=1&scp=9&sq=mechanical&st=cse

3\Summary:
The article discusses how the bicycle will be in the future and the changing of the bicycle from the manual to the electronic system by what we call the “Gear – Shifting System”. It also discusses some benefits of the electronic bicycle like the battery and the time limit of this battery. After that, the writer ends the fourth paragraph with three obvious advantages of the electronic bicycle in terms of the performance, reliability and the cost. There were two attempt to work on the electronic system; one of them was from a French company and the other was from Compagnolo . The new version of the electronic system “Shimano”,known as “Dura-Ace Di2 7970” was from three teams in California. In addition, Bob Staplenton, an experienced amateur cyclist, talked about a test of these electronic bicycles and the result will depend on this test. The cost of the electronic bicycle starts from $1,250 up to $ 40,000 and it will use only electronic parts made by Giant company. Finally, the article mentioned the main idea of the electronic bicycle's working.

4\Reaction:
In this article I find some interesting information about the “Gear-Shifting System”of the new bicycle If we want to discuss some advantages of this system, we will find it as a perfect system not just in the bicycle but in all the mechanical devises. The main idea of this new system is to convert the mechanical “movement”energy to electronic energy. As a result, the electronic energy could move the bicycle from one place to another place over a long distance. The interesting information surprising me here is the distance; scientists have been developing the performance of the battery until you can ride it to long distance up to 1,000 miles. In my opinion, if we use these bicycles in my country especially in Jaddah or the big cities, we can avoid the traffic problem, which is a huge problem in them. From the environmental side of this new invention we can produce a lot of devices depending on the electronic energy which will reduce the environmental problems like global warming and air pollution. On the other hand, the article disappointed me in terms of cost and the speed. I think the cost of the electronic bicycle is too expensive and people with average income can not buy this bicycle but in time I think scientists will find other components with lower prices. Finally, the article does not discus the speed of the electronic bicycle and what is the speed limit that you can ride it with safety position.