Author: Peter Suciu

Interbike 2010: You’ve Got the Whole World on Your Back

There is looking like a team player when riding, and then there is really showing your support. Or if you’re like us you just like flags a lot. That’s why we were seriously impressed by the cycling attire from World Jerseys. The company has a handsome line jerseys with international flags, so whether you’re a fond of a particular nation, or just happen to like the idea of being decked out in a flag, you can show your true colors – and many colors at that.

Each jersey is made of 100 percent polyester Euro-Mesh fabric to provide moisture wicking, whilst the lightweight material features an antimicrobial finish that resists odors and reduces germs. Now is your chance to fly the flag – such as the Spanish one pictured (in honor of Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of course).

World Jerseys

Interbike 2010: Zigo Leads the Way with 5-in1 Family Cycle

For years it has been a common sight to see parents running while pushing a special sports baby jogger stroller. For those who like to ride a bike the only option is to put young children in a trailer and tow the tots along. That doesn’t give the kids much to look at, and makes it hard for the parent to see their child, so that’s why we were impressed with Zigo’s new Leader, the first hybrid carrier bike system.

It integrates traditional bicycle technology with a front-positioned child carrier. And we it is worth noting that this is a five-in-one system. It can be converted quickly to be used as baby jogger, stroller, rear trailer or urban cycle. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Zigo Leads the Way with 5-in1 Family Cycle

Interbike 2010: Oh Danny Boy, Oh DannyShane

With apologies to the classic Irish tune, and to our friends at DannyShane: Oh Danny Boy, the bamboo, the bamboo is calling.

The eco-conscious cycling apparel company is doing something very unique with bamboo. While we heard about a bamboo water bottle previously, and even a bamboo bicycle, we never thought we’d ever have the chance to wear bamboo whilst riding. The whole grass skirt thing doesn’t seem ideal for use with a bike. But DannyShane will suit you up in the fast growing grass.

The has created a line of proprietary fabric blend materials that 44 to 50 percent bamboo white ash (BWA), the latest innovation in truly natural fibers. And according to reports the BWA should capture odor naturally, breathe easily and provide natural UV protection while still feeling soft. The fabric dries quickly too, as it provides the BWA into every weave of fabric, helping provide natural moisture-wicking capabilities. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Oh Danny Boy, Oh DannyShane

Interbike 2010: Motorex Goes Green With Bike Lubes and Cleaners

The words “green” and “largest crude oil refinery” aren’t usually things you’d think would be one in the same, but for Switzerland-based Motorex this is very much the case. The company has been in business for more than 90 years and has made efforts to develop and produced produces that minimize the impact on both man and the environment, and creates as little waste as possible.

It’s line of lubes and cleaning products are popular with many racing teams, including Team Trek World Racing, Team GT World Racing and Team BMC among others.

The current products include both a Dry Lube for dry/dusty conditions, which utilizes a unique wax/oil formula to penetrate into the pins and plates, is also compatibles with the Easy Clean Degreaser, allowing riders to lube up the chain right after degreasing. For wetter and muddier conditions, the Motorex Wet Lube features a synthetic formula that is waterproof, and provides a guard for the chain in those sticky conditions. The Easy Clean Chain/Parts Degreaser promises to live to its name, it is aggressive on grease and dirt yet safe on components and finishes. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Motorex Goes Green With Bike Lubes and Cleaners

Interbike 2010: Looking Mod and Stylish While Helping the Planet

Looking good and doing so while wearing recycled water bottles isn’t really a stretch, and you don’t even have to be Lady Gaga to pull it off. Modrobes makes it easy as the company is set to launch a new line of urban cycling apparel made from recycled water bottles.

Toronto designer Steven Sal Debus spent five years cycling in some truly lovely locales including Amsterdam, Zurich, Portland, Vancouver and New York. He hit upon the idea to create a “new school” of cycling attire, and came up with an idea to use a product that typically is used once and discarded. The result is a line of products that looks good, feels good and is also good for the planet. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Looking Mod and Stylish While Helping the Planet

Interbike 2010: Look Out, Kéo Power is Coming

There is an old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. That probably isn’t a concern however with Kéo Power, a new pedal from LOOK and Polar. This new technologically advanced cycling pedal is much more than the place where you foot goes.

The pedal actually measures an athlete’s power output, as well as left/right balance. You do the pumping, and sensors integrated with the pedal and crank accurately measure the results, sending the data directly to a Polar cycling computer on the bike’s handlebars.

The Kéo pedal is also the lightest clipless pedal in its class, made of injected carbon with a stainless steel 17-4PH axel. While we don’t think it will corrupt anyone, it will make training as absolutely effective as possible.

LOOK Official Website

Polar Official Website

Interbike 2010: Ready Steady, Rack ‘Em Up

Bikes are great when you’re riding them, the rest of the day these two-wheeled machines are just in the way. And that’s true whether you’re a hardcore racer or just a causal rider. Most of us don’t have a team trailer to store a bike either, and whether the ride is kept in the garage, basement or in an apartment it takes room.

This week at Interbike new start-up Steadyrack is showing its innovative solution that can allow for keeping the bike off the ground and getting some valuable floor space. The system was invented in Perth, Australia by cyclist and homebuilder David Steadman and inventor Ron Collicott in 2000, and the pair have been tweaking it over the years to come up with a thoroughly thought out product. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Ready Steady, Rack ‘Em Up

Interbike 2010: Rotor Cranks It Up

Rotor hopes to help riders get pumping with its new line of 3D Cranks, Q-Rings and other products this fall. At Interbike The company is also introducing several bottom brackets that can be used with standard cranks in any BB30 frame, as well as their own 3D cranks of course.

Among the interesting new products are the 3D Aero & Track cranks, specifically designed for time trial and track bikes. These feature a “closed spider” design, and are made with an ultra-light, yet aerodynamic reinforced structure. The idea is to provide increased overall stiffness compared to an open spider crank, so as to help riders keep it turning on the track or during a time trial. Continue reading Interbike 2010: Rotor Cranks It Up

Interbike 2010: Ridekick – More Than a Bike Trailer

While cycling no doubt is a great way to get to the store, it isn’t always the best way to get the stuff you buy back home again. There are plenty of options for trailers, which are great for hauling stuff, but when filled with stuff it can make the ride home seem like quite the haul!

At Interbike this week Ridekick introduced its new trailer system, which not only provides extra space to store stuff, but it also includes a power assist of up to 19mph (the legal limit is 20mph for bike trails). This batter powered device can help for short commutes and jaunts to the grocery store, running up to 15 miles on one charge. The hard shell casing provides weatherproof and lockable storage, and the trailer system is designed to make for stable turns. The Ridekick is designed to hitch and unhitch to a bike in seconds, and first-time installation can be accomplished in just about 10 minutes.

The Ridekick will be available at retail next spring.

Ridekick Official Website

Ubrain on the Brain and On Your Phone

Music can get you motivated, and it seems a few companies have music on the brain. Earlier this week we noted that Philips had introduced new technology into its line of Activa MP3 players that would respond to your level activity, and now there is an app that will send binaural beats to help enhance your focus, as well as your energy level. Digital Reality seems to have it on the brain too with Ubrain, the first digital tonic experience, which provides these binaural beats along with your favorite music tracks. The company has released an app for the iPhone and iPad, and will soon have versions for the Android, Samsung Bada, PC and iPod Touch.

The technology essentially allows users to select how they feel, and then determines the appropriate mood you’d like to have. This is accomplished through integrating preset music tone with your own music library. So whether you need to chill out or pick up the pace the Ubrain can do the thinking for you. Continue reading Ubrain on the Brain and On Your Phone

PlayStation Moves to Bowling Lanes

There is just something about bowling and video games. The Nintendo Wii’s success owes no small share of success to the Wii Sports bowling, and clearly other video game developers are taking note. Carve Games clearly was at the head of the class, as it is the first out of the gate to let player knock down the pins with its new Brunswick Pro Bowling, which shipped today for the PlayStation3. It will of course be fully compatible with the PlayStation Move motion controller.

The game allows players to compete in one of six bowling environments – smells not included fortunately – and each lane will have its own unique characteristics. There will be five different gameplay options, including exhibition, league play, tournament and spare challenge, as well as online functionality for players to join teams and compete in multiplayer matches. Who needs to go to the bowling alley anymore it seems if you have this one at whole.

While this one features accurate ball and pin physics for an accurate and fully realistic bowling simulation, there is also a kid-friendly bumper bowling option to prevent gutter balls – something that probably won’t be utilized just by the kids.

“Brunswick Pro Bowling brings to life all the fun and excitement of live action bowling by delivering a high-quality virtual experience that appeals to both casual and hardcore gamers,” said Betsi Gijanto, Executive Vice President, Crave Games.  “With the addition of the new motion controller technology, this game brings together bowlers, gamers and families of all ages.”

And since the game has the full licensing of Brunswick, you can expect to see the authentic shirts, shoes, balls and other equipment in the game. It’s the next best thing to go to the lanes, so get your bowling shirt out and get off the couch. It’s time to bowl.

Crave Games: Brunswick Pro Bowling

Philips Gets Activa at IFA

At this month’s IFA conference in Berlin Dutch consumer electronics maker Philips once again reaffirmed that it was going to remain dedicated to fitness, as it showcased its Activa portable music player. The device was unveiled earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but this month Philips offered a bit more information on this “much more than an MP3 player” device.

While the Philips Activia is going to go head to head with the iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano and iPod Touch, it has some features that the iPod simply can’t touch. The Activa will keep track of fitness progress and while there is some musical shuffling of sorts, it actually picks songs to provide vocal feedback and plays music to match the tempo of your workout. Continue reading Philips Gets Activa at IFA

Polar Introduces Active Monitor for Students

Monitoring progress is certainly a good way to stick with a fitness routine, and to that end Polar has introduced the Polar Active. This is designed for students of all ages, who want to improve their health and fitness. It measures the impact of daily activities, and can track just about every moment. With it users can monitor steps taken, calories burned and even time spent in various activity zones.

Students can use the Polar Active to measure and record their physical activity along, and the device can be used with PolarGoFit.com, an online service for teachers and students to monitor and track activity. The portal allows for easy documentation of activity data including daily and long-term progress as well as the ability to share reports with students, parents and school administrators. This can help encourage activity and motivate students to remain active for longer periods of time and maintain a healthy weight. Continue reading Polar Introduces Active Monitor for Students