KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

A Little Bit Gym

It has been a while since we heard from BitGym, a technology that can transform a typical cardio machine into an interactive experience. Now the company is looking to Kickstarter to offer ways of making workouts a bit more interesting.

The device works by using any monitor device – including tablet or mobile smartphone – that offers a front-facing camera. The software utilizes the built-in accelerometer that can sync with movement, so you can watch the screen but feel you’re a million miles away. Video after the jump

Swing Right With the Swingbyte

Golf has been around for a long time, and while the game has evolved over the years with new equipment the last decade has seen the game on the green really go high-tech. Among the newest advances are apps, and the Swingbyte is one that works with Android and iOS and features a simple device that attaches to any club including driver or putter. It is paired with a mobile device via Bluetooth and automatically records details on swings including club head speed, acceleration and club face angle.

With this users can analyze each swing and see what they were doing right and wrong.

Swingbyte Official Website

Signal Talenthouse Design Challenge

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Signal Snowboards has teamed up with the very creative community over at Talenthouse.com to come up with the most impressive snowboard design contest to date. We’re excited to see what people might come up!

Signal Talenthouse Design Contest Official Website

BULT in Camera

There is a serious debate whether a rugged camera should be mounted to a cycling and skating helmet. Some content that this could actually cause injury as the object could affect the way a wearer’s head hits the ground. C-Preme saw this concern and has addressed it with the fittingly named BULT, which offers a built-in 1,280×720 resolution video camera that can shoot at 30 frames per second with a 120-degree angle lens. It can even snap 5MP still photos.

The “Videohead Technology” is reportedly CPSC and ASTM certified and will be released later this year.

BULT Digital Helmets Official Website

Fast Footed

With Labor Day just around the corner we have to accept that winter isn’t too far off, but that doesn’t mean the riding has to end.45NRTH has introduced its new Fasterkatt she for winter cycling. While looking like a serious boot it is offers water resistance, moisture regulation, and comfort in the 25 to 45 degree range. These cycling shoes offer a waterproof membrane and rubberized textile shell that extends above the ankle, while a proprietary insole is built with arch support and uses heat-reflective aluminum with wool felt to keep feet warm.

The Fasterkatt is reportedly the first cycling shoe to utilize microglass outsole rubber technology to enhance surface traction while walking or running on slippery surfaces. The bottom of the shoe is even sealed to prevent moisture from coming in through the cleat slots. The shoes will get ready for cold weather riding beginning in October.

45NRTH Official Website

Shoes to Shelter

You can walk to the camp site, or you can decide that you’ve reached it when you are wearing the Walking Shelter shoes. Australian design collective Sibling has devised these new shoes that transform from shoes to a tent in just minutes.

In truth this is currently just a prototype and it is as much a shapeless bag as an actual tent, but does make us wonder about the possibilities of “wearing” our shelter when off hiking.

Sibling Walking Shelter Official Website

The King and I

When you’re a pro cyclists like Ted King of the Cannondale Pro Cycling team you can expect to get some personalized riding attire. Now Sugoi has come out with a very special “King of the Road” jersey. It features a New England-style plaid pattern, an image of a maple syrup bottle sticking out of the rear pocket and even King’s signature crown logo.

The jersey is made of Sugoi’s FinoTech fabric with a semi-relaxed cut and raglan sleeves. It has three elastic rear pockets. Partial proceeds from the sale of each jersey go to help support the Krempels Center, dedicated to improving the lives of people with brain injury in King’s native New Hampshire.

Sugoi King of the Road Signature Jersey

Board to Tent

We’re seeing a trend in fitness and outdoor equipment that can transform from item A into item B. Sometimes this doesn’t always make sense, but the Coreban BG Ultimate Adventure Tent might be a serious space saver for those who want to do some paddle boarding and not sleep on the cold hard ground.

Paddleboard maker Coreban has partnered with British adventurer Edward Michael “Bear” Grylls to create a board that can be used on the water all day and double as an air mattress at night. This is still very much in development and thus issues likely remain. We’d worry this would be a soggy bed, and is questionable whether sleeping on an air mattress might be an easier option. However, this dual purpose idea could be one worth exploring.

Coreban Official Website
[Via GizMag: Bear Grylls’ stand-up paddleboard tent turns board into air mattress]

Weekend Reading List (08.17.2013): Wall to Water, Electric Charged Up, miWay

Wall to Water

From Gear Junkie: Climbing Comp: A 50-ft Wall, Only Water Below to Catch Your Fall…
Last weekend in Park City, Utah, some of the best climbers in the world competed in an event unlike anything else in the sport.

The Psicobloc Masters Series was the first major deep-water soloing competition held in the U.S. Climbers competed head-to-head on identical routes up a 50-foot wall, no ropes or harnesses, just a massive swimming pool below to catch their fall. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.17.2013): Wall to Water, Electric Charged Up, miWay

Kickstarted: Atom Generator

An atomic generator is typically massive, but the Siva Cycle’s Atom isn’t. It actually is small enough to attach to bike’s rear hub where it can juice up mobile phones, cameras and GPS units via its USB port.

The Atom weighs just 300 grams, and is truly compact at just 7.5 inches tall, 3 inches wide, and 1.2 inches deep, including all component parts. Integrated into the body is a 1300mAh battery pack that the generator charges. The generator puts out 5V at up to 500mA, and has a charge rate that is the same as the USB output from most computers. From the battery it an return an iPhone from flat to a 75 percent charge

This project was born out of a Kickstarter project and now Siva Cycle is looking to start filling orders in November.

Siva Cycle Official Website

Run Me a River

If you enjoy whitewater chances are you know your feet are going to get wet. KEEN has addressed that issue with its new Class 6 sandal that features a PU upper that is designed to a 360dgree cage for the foot. Introduced earlier this month at the Outdoor Retailer Show this shoe is designed to allow water out, while the EVA footbed and bungee lace system ensure a solid fit and stability on wet surfaces.

KEEN Official Website

Semester in Class

The Semester is one classy looking bike and something that could be ridden to school or work. Currently the designers of the Semester Bicycle are looking to Kickstarter to get this thing rolling. The idea is to merge materials to create proprietary “Hextubes” that will make a unique design but provide strength and rigidity. Each tube is a structural stressed skin composite of bamboo and carbon fiber, that is covered with a durable glass/epoxy lamination.

The bamboo fibers run parallel along the length of the tube while the carbon fiber and FRP skins are laid at a 45 degree angle giving added rigidity while further protecting the bamboo. The rear triangle of the bike is made of powder coated steel. The idea is that no other bike will look like or ride like the Semester. Continue reading Semester in Class

Same Old SAEM Old

Taking a smartphone on the go can be a good idea given the apps that can track distance, heart rate and even GPS information. Protecting the smartphone in the right case is an smarter idea, and the Veho SAEM waterproof case seems clever indeed. It offers a patented “pinnagrip” technology to security house the handset, while the water resistant body still allows for full operation through the x-touch screen.

There is even a karabiner for outdoor and marine use while a handlebar mount is available for use with a bicycle. The case will be ready to protect your handset this fall.

Veho Official Website