Everyone who has ever ridden a bike knows how heavy a bike can be, and this is a pain, especially when climbing up hills or mountains :(. Now the Swiss manufacturer BMC has designed a Carbon-NanoTube-based bike, which weighs less than a kilogram (about 2.2 pounds)!! In this year’s Tour de France, cyclists from the Phonak Team will use such bikes:).

BMC Pro Machine NanoTube-Bike (Courtesy: BMC)To create the frame, BMC used a composite technology developed by US sports equipment specialist Easton. The company's Enhanced Resin System embeds carbon fibre in a resin matrix that's reinforced with carbon nanotubes.
Carbon nanotubes are an array of carbon atoms arranged in a pattern of hexagons and pentagons (similar to the pattern found on soccer balls). These structures can be manufactured in tubular shapes one billionth of a meter in diameter, hence the name nanotube. These tubes are the strongest man-made fibers, 100s of times stronger than steel, yet lighter:):).
Soon we might see more applications of nanotubes in other areas of transportation. I am looking forward to the day when there will be a car with Carbon-NanoTube chassis, running on fuel-cells, and fully computerized. Surely I can then turn on my favorite music, close my eyes, and enjoy the ride?:D:D... the car can do the driving:).