Making a smart bike dumb so it works again

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Dynamo vs Battery Bike Lights

  • Strong praise for hub dynamos for daily commuting: “just works,” no charging/forgetting, hard to steal, long-lived systems comparable to car lights.
  • Counterpoint: modern lithium batteries offer far more energy per weight/cost; a small pack can power lights for many hours. For casual riders, batteries may be more rational.
  • Pro‑dynamo arguments stress reliability and convenience over energy density: no removal/re‑mounting, no forgotten charging, fewer cheap lights breaking.
  • Debate on drag: typical modern hub dynamos draw a few watts; several claim speed loss is negligible versus other drags (clothing, poor chain maintenance). Some note low efficiency figures (≈50–60%) but still find real‑world impact small.

Smart vs Dumb Hardware & App Dependence

  • Broad hostility to “app for everything”: users want physical controls for core functions (bike lights, dishwashers, dryers, shredders, TVs).
  • Many see app‑ification as rent‑seeking: subscriptions, “value‑add services,” captive advertising, vendor lock‑in; data sales viewed as secondary but present.
  • VC funding is blamed for pushing recurring revenue models over traditional one‑time hardware sales.
  • Some suggest classic alternatives: sell hardware + optional support, instead of subscriptions and lock‑ins.

Connected Bikes, Startups, and Bricking

  • Multiple examples of e‑bike/“smart bike” systems becoming unusable: Copenhagen Wheel, certain Accell/Sparta bikes, VanMoof configuration/account issues.
  • Custom proprietary parts and app‑locked functions (lights, unlocking) make used/second‑hand ownership risky.
  • A few argue some VanMoof generations can be reset or unlocked without the app; early models appear more limited.

IoT Creep in Appliances and Vehicles

  • Complaints about hidden essential functionality behind apps (dishwashers, dryers, Bosch examples), touchscreens on simple devices, and persistent cloud prompts.
  • Concern that car features and telematics (including examples like 3G shutdown stranding Subaru modems) create future failure modes and geopolitical risks.
  • Fears of embedded connectivity (eSIMs, mesh systems like Sidewalk) bypassing user attempts to keep devices offline.

Repair, De‑Smarting, and Regulation

  • Some predict a future cottage industry for “de‑smarting” devices or pre‑dumbing new purchases, constrained by cost of labor and liability.
  • Suggestions include: mandatory offline functionality for essential operations, clear labeling for internet dependence, open or documented protocols, and interoperability for e‑bike batteries/motors.
  • Underlying theme: declining trust in manufacturers; “buyer beware” seen by some as insufficient without stronger consumer protections.