Taking a queue from the hybrid car designers, MIT has shown off what it views as the future of must-have bike accessories.  The concept, called the Copenhagen Wheel, is a set of intelligent components encased in the rear wheel; a battery, electric motor, bluetooth to communicate speeds to an iPhone, and various other tech.  As you slow down, the sensor detects the speed change, and uses the braking to charge up the battery.  As you speed up, the sensor detects this, and kicks in the motor to help you out …

Trek was either fed up with the number of dry cleaning bills sent to them from dress pants stained with grease, or decided to try and improve on an old idea for their two new commuter bikes.  The $930 single-speed District, and the $990, eight-speed Soho feature a quiet carbon-fiber composite belt in place of the greasy old chain.

Over at the Sturmey Archer blog, there is news of the highly anticipated 3 speed fixed gear hub.
The first batch of prototype Fixed Gear 3 speeds is finished. The new hub will be called the S3X. The hub will be made using a much stronger aluminum hubshell. Overall gear range will be 160%.

1st Gear -37.5%
2nd Gear – -25%
3rd Gear – Direct Drive
Gear step gear 1 to gear 2: 20%
Gear step gear two to gear 3: 33%

Looks like they are looking for your input as to how to implement the shifter …

Take a second to run and grab a rag.  You will more than likely need it after taking in these pictures.  According to the eBay post, this 50th Anniversary set of Campagnolo Super Record components group 7,613 of 15,000 ever produced in 1983.  More pictures, and a list of the kit’s components after the jump.

Wired Magazine got an exclusive first look at the Di2 electronic shifting system by Shimano.  The new system includes two brake/shift levers, two derailleurs whose springs have been replaced by servo-motors, a 7.4-volt lithium-ion battery pack, and the wiring harness that connects everything.  The best part of the system appears to be its weight.  The Di2 comes in at 67 grams lighter than the Dura-Ace 7800.  Another great feature seems to be its auto-tuning:
The derailleurs, whose job is to move the chain from gear to gear as you shift, talk …

Seven Tour de France riders are taking advantage of Campagnolo’s new 11-speed groupsets this year. Campagnolo claims that the three new groupsets, the Chorus, Record and Super Record offer higher performance,  are more precise, and have the obvious benefit of 11 speeds.
The seven riders on the new “Record 11″ groupset:

Alessandro Ballan – Lampre
Stin Devolder – Quick Step
Laurent Lefevre – Bouygues Telecom
Robbie McEwen – Silence-Lotto
Maxime Monfort – Cofidis
Oscar Pereiro – Caisse d’Epargne
Manuel Quinzato – Liquigas

They will be using a 53/39 crankset with 11-25 and 12-27 sprocket sets.

Shimano has unveiled their entire 2009 Dura-Ace product line.  We dig through the press release so you don’t have to.  Here is what you can look forward to:

New FC-7900 crankset with a hollow outer chainring is 20% stiffer for optimal power transfer while still saving 15 grams. Other changes include redesigned chainring teeth for better contact and power transfer. Improved bottom bracket seals further reduce contamination and friction.  Also new to the lineup is a compact crank option.
ST-7900 Dura-Ace Dual Control Levers offer a refined ergonomic shape while reducing the …