KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

Primal Gives Back

This week cycling apparel maker Primal announced that it had donated more than a million dollars to the cycling community last year. The Denver, Colorado-based company said this is part of its ongoing commitment to the progression cycling and cause-related organizations. Through its dedication to sponsoring events and organizations that benefit people’s lives, Primal contributed more than $300,000 in cash and over $800,000 in product last year alone.

Primal has been a long standing supporter of organizations that include the League of American Bicyclists, Bike MS, NICA, IMBA, Tour de Cure, Bicycle Colorado, People for Bikes, US Military Endurance Sports, Rails to Trails, the Alliance for Biking and Walking and Trips for Kids, among many more.

“Giving back is a part of our culture here at Primal,” said Dave Edwards, founder and president of Primal, “and as we’ve grown we have been able to drastically increase our commitments and support of organizations that make a difference in the cycling community and around the world.”

A major part of Primal’s contributions come through the Primal Gives Back Program, which is open to all teams who participate in a charitable cycling event. For 2014 Primal has already announced several new and continuing sponsorships that will include partnerships with NICA, Bike MS, Tour de Cure, the National Bike Summit, Colorado Bicycle Summit, Sea Otter Classic and the Bicycle Leadership Conference.

Primal Community Official Website

Danish Cargo Bike Ready to Roll

While the Dutch are often associated with cargo bikes their cousins to the north know a thing or two about bicycles as well. Denmark’s Butchers & Bicycles has created the Mk1 cargo bike that can handle corners better than most. The bike is actually designed to “lean” in when making a turn, which is something that will no doubt turn heads as well.

The Mk1 features the designer’s proprietary Balance Point Tilting system along with a powder coated T6 aluminum frame, an infinitely-variable NuVinci N360 planetary hub transmission, an ABUS frame lock, Tektro hydraulic disc brakes on all three wheels, and Schwalbe puncture-proof 20- and 26-inch tires. The bike also utilizes an ABS cargo box, which has a front access door along with mounts for children car seats. It has a maximum load capacity of 100 kg (220.5 lb), so this thing can probably haul as much as the rider’s can handle. Continue reading Danish Cargo Bike Ready to Roll

Super Shoe

Just in time for the big game – and by that we mean the Super Bowl – Nike has released a special edition of its Nike Vapor Carbon 2014 Eliteb football cleat. It features a low profile and a combination of bladed and conical cleats that mean less weigh but better grip on the field. These offer dynamic Flywire that wraps the foot and provides superior – yet lightweight – support. Super indeed!

Nike Vapor Carbon 2014 Elite Super Bowl Edition Football Cleat Official Website

Hitting the Sauce

Rock Sauce is something you put on you not your foot, but the new topical lotion for isolated muscle pain and joint soreness just turned up the head. Rocktape has released a new super hot version that the company says is the most powerful – meaning hot – product on the market. The lotion features 20 percent Methyl Salicylate, 10 percent Menthol and .002 percent Capsaicin.

“To be clear, Rock Sauce isn’t for everyone,” the makers warn. “It will make your eyes water and muscles sing.”

After a long ride that might be music to our ears!

Rocktape Official Website

Roq Out

Hypercel is looking to let you rock out with the Roqout, a water-resistant and sandproof Bluetooth speaker. This mono speaker features a 50mm speaker drive and passive radiator and offers 4.5 hours of playback from the built-in 500mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery. This small package packs a big punch. Continue reading Roq Out

Wahoo Heads to the Sky

This month Wahoo Fitness announced that it is now the official supplier of Turbo Trainers to Team Sky, winners of the 2012 and 2013 Tour de France. Through this exclusive partnership Team Sky will be provided with KICKRs for use during the racing season and each rider will be provided with an individual KICKR for “at home” training sessions. Team Sky will use the KICKRs for pre-race warm up and post-race warm downs.

“Wahoo Fitness is a young and innovative company, who has produced a fantastic product in the KICKR which will meet our requirements both in racing and training,” said Tim Kerrison, Team Sky’s head of performance support. “Team Sky and Wahoo share a common approach when it comes to innovation and continuous improvement. We believe they have developed a market-leading product and we are excited about using the KICKR in the team and working with Wahoo to continue to develop and improve their products. We love the wheel-off design and the big fly-wheel which gives an excellent, smooth feel. The ability to precisely control the resistance, whilst retaining the smoothness, gives us the opportunity to do great quality and high intensity training efforts on the KICKR.”

“It is awesome that Team Sky chose us to work with as it further validates our rapid growth and shows the world that Wahoo Fitness has created the best trainer ever,” added Chip Hawkins, CEO of Wahoo Fitness. “This collaboration gives us the opportunity to develop future products while enhancing existing products in cooperation with an organization who understands the kind of training necessary to win. We look forward to a successful 2014 and Wahoo Fitness equipment quickly becoming synonymous with victory.”

The KICKR Power Trainer can connect to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ wireless technology, and offers full resistance during training sessions. While pedaling, users can increase or decrease resistance, structure interval workouts or even simulate real world bike courses all from their smartphone. Resistance adjustments are also instant, making it easy to replicate everything from a flat or rolling hill course, to the coast down a hill after a hard climb. The trainer also features a wheel off design and super flywheel, and the iPhone connected bike trainer is further engineered to provide a more ultra-realistic road feel, which is equivalent to the inertia of an actual rider on the road.

Wahoo Fitness Official Website

Donkey Does It

Cycling socks come in two varieties: there are the plain Jane socks that have no style and then there are the over-the-top patterns that could be considered a little too much. Donkey Label is offering something in between with its new Merino wool socks, which are constructed with high quality fabrics but in a flat-knit crew style.

These also feature a single stripe of color that runs along the heel, providing an eye-catching accent. In addition these are designed to control bacteria and prevent odor for repeated street and office wear.

Donkey Label Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show: Cold Weather Boot

At last week’s Outdoor Retailer Show Winter Market Kamik introduced a boot that will keep your feet dry even when fly fishing or trekking through wet terrain. The Cold Creek won’t keep you high and dry exactly, but the 17 inch height of the boot is high enough for fairly deep water.This American made boot is waterproof and features neoprene and rubber. So maybe with it you will be actually high and dry.

Kamik Official Website

Made in America: Uniformity

When the U.S. Olympic team headed to London it wore uniforms made in China, but not this time. Team USA will head to Sochi, Russia in just two weeks wearing uniforms designed by fashion icon Ralph Lauren that were made in the USA. The uniforms don’t come cheap, but can we really put a price on going for the gold?

We wish our U.S. Olympic team the best luck as they head to the games. May they have safe games as well.

[Via Bleacher Reporter: Team USA Unveils Opening Ceremony Uniforms Designed by Ralph Lauren]

PGA 2014 Merchandise Show: It’s In the Bag

Batman likely doesn’t have time for golfing – you know with all that crime fighting stuff he does. Alter ego Bruce Wayne probably does swing a bit, at least to keep up appearances. Either way OGIO has just the bag for billionaire crime-fighting playboys.

Introduced last week at the PGA 2014 Merchandise Show in Orlando the OGIO Gotham golf bag collection features both stand and cart bags, which combine a proprietary blend of fabrics and construction techniques that will make every golfer feel like a superhero.

The Gotham includes innovative speed zippers for easy access to balls and tees, and creatively placed internal storage compartments (something we suspect a crime fighter might appreciate). The Gotham collection also features OGIO’s four point-strap system for the ultimate in carrying comfort – because not everyone has the strength of a superhero.

OGIO Official Website

Louis Garneau Shares His Art

Former professional cyclist Louis Garneau has launched a successful bicycle apparel business and he apparently knows a thing or two about art. He creates paintings that he sells so that the proceeds can be donated to charities. In the past he raised more than $200,000 for the Quebec Museum, and that money was reportedly used to expand and renovate the building – one of the oldest in Old Quebec. Now he’s back to the brushes to benefit Team Rwanda. He’s producing around a dozen canvases and the money will be used to help support the Team Rwanda Cycling program.

Team Rwanda Cycling Official Website
Louis Garneau Official Website

Made in America: Tie One On

If you’re going to tie one on better to tie it on with the Khordz Hand Tied Mug, a multi-purpose line of drinkware. These customizable mugs are designed to replace single-use cups and are insulated with 25 feet of hand tied paracord, which is used as the sleeve and handle. It is suitable for a multitude of tasks; from use as a snare trap to hanging a hammock.

The 16 ounce food-grade, heat-resistant glass jar is designed to be easy to clean. The mugs are made in America, and the entire package is assembled here as well. The designers are looking to Indiegogo to snare some interest and mass produce the Khordz Hand Tied Mugs.

Khordz- Hand Tied Mugs Indiegogo Site

Weekend Reading List (01.25.2014): History Lesson, Flying Surf Boards, Sports DNA, Old Time Skiing

History Lesson

From BikeRadar: The History of Mountain Biking released this week
The History of Mountain Biking is a special edition publication that charts mountain biking’s rise from the dying embers of the 1960s hippie movement in California to the tech-driven super sport it is today. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (01.25.2014): History Lesson, Flying Surf Boards, Sports DNA, Old Time Skiing