When the anti-lock braking system first went into production in the late 1970s—for example, in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W116—many drivers didn’t trust the electronics. A computer was supposed to decide how hard to brake? For many, that was unimaginable. Today, ABS is mandatory, taken for granted, and has prevented countless accidents. The slow pace at which ABS is gaining ground on bicycles likely has to do with that skepticism.  The situation was similar with the Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Here, too, electronics suddenly began actively intervening in driving behavior. Critics spoke of a kind of paternalism imposed by software—yet today, ESP is considered one of the most important safety innovations of recent decades.  The same pattern repeated itself in aviation. Airbus was the first to consistently implement fly-by-wire—that is, electronic rather than mechanical controls. Pilots initially had major reservations, yet today virtually every modern commercial aircraft flies with this system.  Electronics also gradually gained acceptance in the automotive sector: Electric power steering replaced hydraulic systems, and motorcycles now use ride-by-wire, in which the throttle operates electronically rather than mechanically. Both were initially viewed with skepticism—today they are commonplace.  The same story in mountain biking  Similar discussions have arisen in the cycling world as well. When hydraulic disc brakes replaced traditional cable brakes, there were major concerns. Many riders preferred to rely on a simple cable system rather than one involving oil, seals, and bleed nipples.  Today, hydraulic disc brakes are taken for granted and are considered one of the greatest advancements in modern mountain bike technology. The shift from mechanical to hydraulic brakes revolutionized braking performance—even if it was initially met with skepticism.  The Next Step in Bicycles  Against this backdrop, the current buzz surrounding brake-by-wire seems almost familiar. Of course, a brake is a safety-critical component. But that is precisely why new systems are being developed with redundancies, safety protocols, and extensive testing. Incidentally, current disc brakes aren’t flawless either. And honestly: The idea of eliminating the classic brake line on a bicycle entirely is simply the logical next step. Anyone who has ever serviced a modern mountain bike knows the problem: internal routing. Cables and lines disappear into the frame, running through headsets, pulleys, and tiny ports. On paper and in the showroom, it looks tidy—in the workshop, it’s often a massive mess. On brand-new bikes, brake lines are kinked, scratched, and so tightly pinched that maintenance is out of the question.Fewer lines, fewer problems  When there are no more hydraulic lines to route, many of the typical workshop headaches disappear. Namely, less bleeding, no threading through frame tubes or other impossible spots. Ideally, this means less time in the workshop and lower maintenance costs.  Progress rarely comes without doubt  New technology almost always triggers certain reactions: skepticism, concern, sometimes even rejection. This was the case with ABS, with fly-by-wire, and with electronic rider assistance systems. And in mountain biking, too, the switch from cable-actuated to hydraulic brakes was initially viewed with skepticism. Brake-by-wire could fit right into this line, as a logical evolution of a bicycle that is becoming increasingly digital anyway.  And perhaps in a few years we’ll look back and wonder why we ever bothered with brake lines for so long.