Author: KineticShift

Pyle It On

Bluetooth-Heart-Rate-MonitoPyle Audio has introduced the Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor and Watch (PSBTHR70), which measures heart rate, average speed, distance traveled, number of steps taken, lap speeds and calorie consumption. This data can be wirelessly transmitted – by Bluetooth of course – to various third party apps on compatible Android and iOS devices. Supported apps include RunKeeper, MapMyRun and WahooFitness among others.

This watch, which is available in black, green, blue or pink for around $70, can display time in a 12 or 24 hour format and features optional hourly chimes and daily alarms, as well as a built-in calendar system. Continue reading Pyle It On

Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Sochi Goes for the Cold

Sochi

From The Verge: Freezing Sochi: how Russia turned a subtropical beach into a Winter Olympics wonderland
Sochi is not the most obvious place to host the Winter Olympics.

The Russian resort, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, is humid and subtropical. Temperatures average out at about 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, and 75 degrees in the summer. Palm trees line the streets, and it’s the only part of Russia warm enough to grow tea leaves. In other words, it’s a lovely spot if you’re planning a beach holiday — Stalin had his favorite summer house there — but it wouldn’t be most people’s first choice for a ski trip. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Top Storage

Stealth-Pocket-500Most cyclists have found that there is always more to carry than will fit in a bicycle jersey pocket and XLAB has found a way to provide just a bit more storage with its toptube bags for bikes with angled stems or with cables entering the toptube.

The Stealth Pocket 500 utilizes toptube bosses on many new bikes and provides storage while also improving the front-end aerodynamics. This new bag comes with 1mm insulated sides and stiffener insert, which ensures that the bag maintains its aero shape while it weighs just 2.7 ounces.

“Our previous line of toptube storage bags had two models with toptube mount capabilities that are ideal if riders mount a bag right up against the stem,” said Candice Turner, marketing director and COO of XLAB. “Lately, we noticed a trend of superbikes with angled, integrated stems along with midrange bikes with cables entering the toptube, but with new toptube bolts. A bag that has a vertical front blocks some of the air coming from the front end and creates a turbulent air pocket resulting in drag. We needed to create a rounded front, which would redirect the air cleanly over the bag and eradicate that air pocket.”

XLAB Stealth Pocket 500 Official Website

Kross’ing Guard

KROSS-M-WINTERIt is hard to get the barefoot running experience this time of the year. For one the temperatures are so cold you probably wouldn’t want to run barefoot and second running on snow and ice probably is never a good idea. The Kross M Winter shoe from Lizard Footwear lets runners get the feel of minimalist running in the winter.

This lightweight, flexible shoe still provides protection from the cold and features a Vibram IceTrek outsole to grip mud, rocks and wet terrain. The upper is made of Schoeller tight fabric or leather and ClimaSkin membrane that makes the shoe water resistant. The Primaloft padding also insulates the feet from cold, which is something we’ve had just about enough of this winter!

Lizard Kross M Winter Shoe Official Website

Unbundled Trainer Accessories

Kinetic-inRideIndoor trainer maker Kinetic announced a new pricing structure for its inRide Watt Meter and Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Strap. While previously sold together each is now available as two separately packaged products. While bundled together for $229, consumers can now purchases the inRide Watt Meter for $159, while the Kinetic Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Strap has a suggested retail of $70.

“We’re listening to cyclists,” explained David Simpson, Kinetic’s marekting manager. “Quite a few already have heart rate straps, offering the inRide pod separately saves them money and eliminates the redundancy of purchasing a second one. As for customers who only want a heart rate strap, ours is a great option that is compatible with inRide and over 50 different fitness Apps.”

Introduced in 2012 the Kinetic inRide is compatible with all Kinetic fluid trainers, while the inRide app offers five different data screens, allowing riders to focus on wattage or heart rate with features such as time-in-zone measurement, programmable rider data, calorie burn, and ride history. The Kinetic Bluetooth 4.0 Heart Rate Strap wirelessly pairs with the free Kinetic inRide App, as well as any of over 50 popular fitness Apps, including Strava and MapMyRide, to measure heart rate.

Kinetic Trainers Official Website

On the Go Book

S15HGammaTech has introduced the latest addition to its Durabook line of rugged mobile computers, the semi-rugged S15H notebook. This is designed to provide a more cost-effective solution that still meets Military 810G standards for drops, shock and spills. It also includes an optical disk-tray lock, double-protection smart battery circuitry and smart battery calibration. This notebook features an Intel Haswell CPU, 15.6-inch high definition LED display and two dual-channel DDR III SOMIMM slots. Since it could be used in places off the grid the S15H includes multiple security features such as TPM 1.2 technology, a Kensington Lock connector and administrator password/Boot password. Continue reading On the Go Book

The Baladeo Goes Retro

Baladeo-Le-Retro-KnifeThe Swiss Army Knife isn’t the only name in blades. The Baladeo Le Retro Knife evokes the knives that the company made in France in the early 1950s, and as the name suggests it has a true retro look but is far from light on features. It includes two blades, a saw, a can opener, a punch, a corkscrew, a piercing tool, and, of course, a bottle opener, along with a stainless steel body and true blonde horn handle. Thus it truly mixes form and function like a good knife should.

Baladeo Le Retro Knife Official Website

Board to Bike

BikeBoardsCyclists might be getting a little “bored” of riding on the trainer, but let’s face it winter isn’t going anywhere just yet. If you can’t beat it then board up. The BikeBoards, which were unveiled at the recent Outdoor Retailer Show Winter Market, basically transforms a mountain bike into more than a snow bike. It puts front ski on the tire and allows the bike to better navigate through the white stuff.

Designed to fit tires with widths between two and five inches it can be mounted in three positions based on the snow and conditions. It features a full steel edge with a sidecut and curved tips that provide float in deep snow, as well as grip and carving on harder snow and ice. All we can say is hop on board.

BikeBoards Official Website

LeMond Powers Up

LemondWith winter in full fear many cyclists are likely stuck on trainers. But LeMond is now offering an optional wireless power meter attachment for its LeMond Revolution stationary trainers. This add-on, which will retail for around $250, will help cyclists monitor their power a little more closely.

The WattBox, which can connect to a smartphone app and bike computer via ANT+, can calculate wattage based on the trainer’s wind resistance unit, and take into account air temperature, humidity and altitude. This can in turn provide an accurate reading based on the amount of air moved by the resistance unit’s fan.

“Now anyone with a LeMond Revolution trainer can effectively gauge their output,” said company founder Greg LeMond. “Research in cycling performance always brings us back to the most critical reading, which is wattage,” LeMond said. “Knowing this number and working with it opens the door to knowledge and improved riding. By creating the WattBox, we are putting the processor in the WattBox unit, which allows any software update in the future or a small hardware change.”

LeMond Official Website

Cycloc and Load

CyclocNeed a place to hang your hat? Well the Cycloc can’t help you there, but if you need a place to hang your bike you are in luck. This plastic looking bike rack is made from 100 percent recycled materials and can support traditional round tubes as well shaped tubes.

It mounts to the wall via three anchor points, and this rack is notable in that it includes a pass through on the top and bottom so it could be used with a lock. While the design might not fit ever décor it is available in a range of colors. Video after the jump

Made in America: Mountain Man Jersey

Mt.-Borah-JOMWith all the snow on the ground it might be a while before we make it to the mountains on a bike, but Mt. Borah has us itching to ride. The company’s February JOM (Jersey of the Month) pays homage to trail buildings around the globe. This micro polyester fabric jersey features a full-hidden zipper, club cut with three pocket back and tagless care content label.

It was made in Wisconsin, where we think they’re probably still digging out from the latest mountain of snow.

Mt. Borah: To the Trails JOM

Making Tracks

First-TracksIf hitting the slopes early means a lot to you then the First Tracks app for Android and iOS devices is something that should be on the phone. This isn’t just an alarm, it actually will wake you early if snow has fallen and there is fresh powder to enjoy. On the other hand if conditions remain unchanged then the alarm will go off at the normal time so you can get your beauty sleep.

First Tracks Official Website