KineticShift | Evolving Consumer

Go Pro at Night

There are plenty of bicycle lights that will get you home even when street lights are far and few between, but for those who hit the trails after dark something a little more powerful is required. For those times there is the new NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY, which might just be one of the brightest bike lights we’ve seen or even heard about.

It features 3600 lumens, produced from six high performing Cree LEDs. The system includes an LED headlamp, helmet mount, handlebar mount, docking station and of course Li-Ion battery. It can run for an hour and a half at full power, or be race ready with 450 lumens for up to 16 hours. Riding the trails with this could be like the difference of night and day.

NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY Official Website

Stand By You

There are plenty of bike cases that will ensure that your ride gets there, but it won’t get there in one piece. Bicycle cases require you to disassemble it, but now Thule has introduced a new line of Road Trip bike cases – including the Road Trip Elite (hard case featuring ABS, aluminum and rugged nylon) and Road Trip Pro (soft case featuring hyper durable nylon) – which also offer something truly unique.

At your destination the rails of the case pull out and transform into a classic work stand, making it easier to reassemble the bike, giving it a once over and getting you ready to do some riding.

Thule Official Website

Big Boy’s Wheel

Growing up isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Working, bills to pay, the constant thought of getting old and dying. Why not head back to childhood and take out the Big Wheel. Higher Roller USA has introduced an adult-sized Big Wheel that features a heavy duty steel frame and fork – no plastic injection molding with this one’s frame. The molded 14-inch rear wheels are very similar to the child size versions but the 26-inch front wheel features an aluminum alloy rim and rubber tire that will let the good times roll again!

High Roller Adult Size Big Wheel Official Website

Sleeping on Air

With a Klymit backpacking mattress under your sleeping bag you won’t have to endure the cold hard ground. In addition to the actual air that is in the inflatable mattress this new pattern, which was demo’d at last month’s Outdoor Retailer Show, will feature numerous “holes” that serve to reduce weight while still ensuring that you are properly elevated off the ground.

Klymit Official Website

Weekend Reading List (08.10.2013): Velo Repair, Social Run, Courting Technology, Solar Life Saver

Velo Repair

From Bicycle Retailer: RecoFit donating portion of Armcoolers sales to velodrome
RecoFit Compression Gear is donating $3 from the online sales of its Armcoolers sleeves to help with the completion of the Boulder Valley Velodrome in Erie, Colorado.

The outdoor wooden velodrome was due to open later this month. However it was heavily damaged by a wind storm on Saturday. Its opening has now been pushed back indefinitely. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.10.2013): Velo Repair, Social Run, Courting Technology, Solar Life Saver

Elevengear’s 11th

Every month our friends at Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle like to offer up an “Elevendeal” and this month it is the retro looking all-leather cycling gloves. These are supple, resilient gloves that look like they came straight out of the 1970s – and we do mean that in a good way. Made of goatskin and tanned to a natural warm buff these are breathable, and feature a lightly padded palm with 2cm of extended padding near the wrist. They’ll add comfort for the long rides as well as protection to the hands in case of a crash.

According to the makers these will even mold to your hand’s unique shape and develop character with each ride. The gloves are being offered at a special price of $25 through August 11 and after that will return to their regular $34 price.

Elevengear Original Equipment Leather Gloves Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show Recap: Belt Driven

To say there were a few surprises at least week’s Outdoor Retailer Show would be an understatement, notably as we expect the big bike news to occur at Eurobike or Interbike. But REI introduced the Novara, an affordable commuter bike that features the Gates Carbon Drive.

This bike offers a 3-speed hub as well as rear rack, fenders and a basket, but it is the grease-free belt drive that turned out head. It will be just $850 this fall.

Rei Official Website

The No-so Evil Empire

Roland Reagan dubbed the Soviet Union (rightly we think) the “Evil Empire,” and of course the Star Wars gave the idea of “empire” a bad name as well. But cycling shoe maker Giro sees the moniker a bit differently and has introduced the Empire MTB shoe, which features a camouflage color scheme.

The shoes are designed for off-road but do seem inspired by road shoes, and thus are according to the company a perfect match for fall riding, and could be great for gravel rides, cyclocross and commuting. Only 50 pairs of the these are being sold through Facebook page, but another 350 pairs will be offered to Giro athletes and at retail worldwide.

Don’t underestimate the power of Empire!

Giro Official Website

Jersey for Human Kind

Cycling can be an expensive pastime. Not only do bikes cost a pretty penny but the attire can be quite pricey. KindHuman looks to help ease the pain of looking good on a bike, and has introduced a new line of affordable cycling attire. The first piece is the limited edition Maccabi Jersey, which commemorates the Maccabi Games.

These are held every four years in Israel and are often called the Jewish Olympics. KindHuman mechanic Ayal Rahat finished second in the Games’ cycling road race four years ago and was expected to compete in the 2013 Maccabi Games Road Race last month. The Maccabi Aktive jersey will retail for $75 with a portion of the proceeds directly supporting Maccabi Canada athletes.

KindHuman Official Website

GoPro Goes With Added App Functionality

GoPro has introduced a new revised app that will boost the functionality of its Hero2 and Hero3 action cameras. These new tweaks will enable users to take full remote control of a camera’s functionality, and make it easier to take stills or start recording. The apps further allow the transfer of content wirelessly from a mobile handset or tablet and even share with social media. the new app is available for Android and iOS.

With this new app there is no reason to miss on the action. Video after the jump

Made in America: Wooly Jersey

Female cyclists can look forward to a new line of Merino wool cycling gear from Cedar Cycling. This American made line of attire is aimed at the high end of the market, and smartly tailored for women riders.

The company called in 12 females to determine what they liked and didn’t like about cycling clothing, and the result is something that is bound to please most cyclists. The standard jersey is made from their proven StandardWool, which is a blend of Merino wool and nylon. This results in a breathable, anti-microbial, abrasion resistant and shape retaining fit.

The jersey was designed in Oakland, California and sewn up in nearby San Leandro. It will be ready to ride later this summer. The company is now offering it for pre-sale.

Cedar Cycling Women’s Standard Jersey Official Website

Track it to You

We’ve seen some smart looking socks, but the Sensoria Fitness Smart Socks are downright brilliant. These were developed by Washington-based Heapsylon and feature electronic magnetic anklet that tracks activity and communicates data to external devices such as a smart phone. The app meanwhile works as a virtual coach, whilst the activity tracker analyzes where runners land on their feet, how they stride, and can even help them reach their goals while lessening injuries.

The makers of the socks are looking to get off and running through and Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign – which as of this week they’ve already met. Apparently a lot of people think Smart Socks are a “smart” idea. Video after the jump

Skate India Thanks to Levi’s

While there are groups that supply bicycles to those in need in Africa, and we’ve heard about various efforts to get skateboarding to those in Afghanistan, we heard about new efforts by Levi’s – the San Francisco clothing maker – to help build a skate park in Bangalore, India.

Levi’s looked to help make the Holy Stoked skate park, which is a collaborative effort that included local skaters, pros and even construction specialists from Germany, a reality and flew in the various experts and pro skaters. This also coincides with Levi’s launch of the First Global Skateboarding Collection. Video after the jump