Whether out hiking, camping, hunting or just spending a day in nature it isn’t a bad idea to have a good blade. This week we actually saw two!
First up is the L.L. Bean 100th Anniversary Swiss Army Knife, which likely is rugged enough to survive until the company’s bicentennial in 2112! It was made in partnership with Swiss Army Knife maker Wenger with reclaimed walnut wood that makes each model truly unique. In addition to the blade this knife offers a bottle opener, wire bender, nail file, nail cleaner, corkscrew, can opener, Philips screwdriver, mini-key ring and awl. Video after the jump
For years many shop mechanics have said to keep WD-40 away from the bikes. While WD-40 is good for solving a squeaky hinge or for helping loosen a rusty nut, the lubricant wasn’t really meant for a bicycle chain. But now WD-40 has announced the launch a new subsidiary business unit that is focused exclusively on cycling-specific maintenance products.
There are bike racks that are tough and then there is Tuf Racks. These are for those who seriously want to ensure that the bike will make it to the ride. The Tuf Rack Indestructible Car Bike Rack looks like it could live up to the name.
If you’re heading off into the wilds chances are you might not always want to eat with your hands, but don’t have space for a lot of utensils. The Baladeo Eco133 will solve that problem, as it folds up into a compact pocket knife-sized package but opens up into an individual knife and spork. This seems more ideal than eating with a bulky Swiss Army knife any day and allows for a semi-civilized attempt at eating.
Heart rate monitors are great for keeping track of heart rate (obviously), time and calories burned. Some have added GPS as an add-on function, but now Polar takes it a step further by offering fully integrated GPS within the device. The Polar RC3 GPS is aimed at runners and cyclists who want a light weight heart rate monitor.
Last year at Interbike we were able to try out some of Surly’s new snowbikes including the Pugsley and the Moonlander. These bikes of course don’t have to stay in the garage until the white stuff falls, and they work well in sand and mud as well.
You probably saw it during the Olympics: the brightly colored tape peaking out from underneath athlete’s uniforms. This tape has nothing to do with injury but rather is a legal way to enhance performance by increasing blood flow and helping to engage certain muscle groups during competition and recovery.
Adidas has introduced a variety of new shoes this year – and now two different trends have apparently merged. Adidas has made inroads in the minimalist shoe category and has been active with a variety of golf shoes. Now the Puremotion golf shoes deliver that lightweight and minimal feel for the fairway. These shoes are waterproof and flexible, and come with a 90 day comfort guarantee.
As summer draws to a close it means football season is around the corner and this year many players will be donning a very new helmet. For the 2012 season Riddell introduced its new 360, the latest in a long line of next generation football helmets.
We’ve seen a new trend this year with bicycle hub-attachments that power lights and more. Earlier this month we noted the 
Kids and bicycles go together about as well as anything. Childhood is when many future racers fall in love with bikes, but yet most kids are left with BMX or mountain bike style bikes these days. There are few road bikes – even of the old “10-speed” variety for the tween set.
The web is changing and evolving, but today there is the belief that 40 is indeed the new 30. Jonathan Keidan, CEO & co-founder InsideHook.com, tells how his new website can also give that InsideHook on staying fit, feeling young and living the life you’re meant to live. 
Summer doesn’t last forever. For cyclists that means you either follow those surfers around and look for that mythical endless summer or you accept the fact that you’re going to have to hit the trainer indoors. Or… you can tackle winter head on!