Handlebars on bicycles can be rather generic but the BarBumps promise to provide a fit that is a bit more like a glove. It provides small “bumps” that fit against the traditional round bars to provide grip placements. This can relieve pressure on the hands and wrists and make for a more comfortable ride. Cyclist/designer Shawn Littrell is now looking to get a bump via a Kickstarter project. Video after the jump
Category: concept
Citi Bikes Ready to Roll
New York City is looking to roll out a new bike sharing plan, which could see 6,000 bicycles ready for rent from 330 racks in Manhattan below Central Park and in neighborhoods in and around downtown Brooklyn. According to reports more than 5,000 enthusiasts have signed up for the bike-share program, which costs $95 a year and entitles riders to an unlimited number of 45-minute rides.
The Citi Bike program is being operated by NYC Bike Share.
Concussion Analyzer
Tablets can do many things beyond playing Angry Birds and watching a movie. A team at the University of Notre Dame is developed a tablet-based test that can detect a concussion. Typically concussions, which should be treated as soon as possible, often are difficult to diagnose without a trip to the hospital.
This new software, which could certainly see use in sports, requires that the person recite a variety of words before they start playing and then again once there has been the potential of an injury occurring. The software works by analyzing the differences in how the words are said before-and-after, and looks for key indicators that could suggest a traumatic brain injury. These could include things such as distorted vowels, imprecise consonants even a hyper nasal sound. Unlike just asking an athlete if they are alright, this one can listen to how they say it. Video after the jump
Billboards to Bags
Toronto based Totem Bags is yet the latest company we’ve seen that has been strong in the upcycling movement, and this start up from Melissa Richardson is using truck tarps, promotional banners, seatbelts and bike tires and creating durable bags while keeping those materials out of a landfill.
The company has been on the move since 2009, and received is first big break when the National Ballet of Canada handed over a stockpile of promotional banners that could be repurposed into products for the gift shop. The company has expanded its clients to include the likes of Chevrolet,Audi, IMAX and the Toronto International Film Festival.
While she started working in her home, today each bag in the line is handmade at a manufacturing facility, but Richardson still puts her stamp of approval on each item. In this way Richardson’s success is just about in the bag.
Bamboo for the Masses
There have been numerous efforts to roll out a bicycle made of bamboo, but a new startup is looking to bring bamboo to the masses. Sunny Chuah has turned to Kickstarter to launch the Bamboo Bee, and produce low cost but durable bicycles.
Bamboo has numerous benefits, including the fact that it is sustainably produced, offers a natural dampening effect and is both strong and lightweight. Currently the Kickstarter campaign is focused on two models, the Revolution and Sunny. Could this Bee the future for bicycles? Video after the jump
Hybrid Bike
When we think hybrids we think of a bike that is a cross between something for the road and off-road, but Boo Bicycles had something very different in mind. The Aluboo, which was shown at the recent North American Handbuilt Bicycle Show (NAHBS) is an aluminum alloy and bamboo bicycle! The company has even launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring this thing out.
The rational for the choice of materials is that it provides the ride characteristics of bamboo at a much more attractive price. Boo yeah! Video after the jump
DIY Project Bike
The picture above is what it seems. Designer Jurden Kuipers has introduced a wood and plastic kit for building a bicycle cruiser. Given the looks of the parts this is surely just something that is art and we don’t expect the actual bike can be ridden, but it certainly looks nice.
It is also proof of concept that in the future it might be possible to print out a bike – or at least order a kit – and after the “some assembly required part” have a complete bike.
Natural Ride
We’ve seen a lot of wooden bicycles over the years, as well as bikes made of bamboo. Most have truly been impressive, but the concept bicycle from Yojiro Oshima, a student at Tokyo’s Musashino Art University, might be the most extraordinary wooden bike we’ve seen.
Whereas most wooden bikes are simple double diamond designs that evoke a traditional European touring bicycles, this one has a natural flow in its lines. With everything – including the wheels – made of wood except for the drive train, brakes and tires, it almost seems like something that could have been grown. The bike has an organic look through and through. While Pinocchio may have became a real boy from wood, this is in fact a real bike that just happens to be made of wood.
Musashino Art University Official Website
[Via BicycleDesign: Wooden bike by Yojiro Oshima]
Pocket Tool
There are plenty of multi-tools on the market but the MULTI is one could fit in a wallet. Made of high-strength aluminum (alloy 7075 T6) or grade 5 titanium this multi-tool offers 11 tools including an RFID (TSA approved) minimal plate wallet, flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, nest wrench, two-inch straight edge/ruler, bottle opener, twist top bottle opener, wing nut wrench, can tab-popper, smartphone tablet stand and box opener.
However to get the MULTI tool that fits in a wallet will require some investors to open their wallet and get over to the creator’s Kickstarter site. Video after the jump
Recumbent Concept 2
The Firefly is an apt name for the other recumbent design we came across recently. This one from Geospace Studio is similar to the City Speeder, but features three wheels to add stability. Its fabric LED-lit dome will also keep the rider protected from the elements and ensure he/she can be seen (possibly from space). Dare we call this one the night rider? Video after the jump
Recumbent Concept 1
Something is in the air, and while it isn’t quite spring we think it must be something as we’ve seen a few recumbent ideas of late. The first one that sprang up is the City Speeder, a recumbent bicycle that has commuting in mind. It features a streamline body that promises to make for a fast moving but comfortable ride. There is even room for a backpack, suitcase or a child seat.
Shifting Gears
When Shimano released the STI (Shimano Total Integration) shifters/brake levers for road bikes nearly 20 years ago it was a game changing moment. Why would anyone go back to the old school thumb shifters that Retroshift has created? Well, the answer is that cyclocross – the off-road racing that occurs in the fall and winter – can benefit from having shifters that can stand up to mud and abuse and keep shifting. Retroshift has introduced its new 9- and 10-speed shifters, which are compatible with Shimano style derailleurs.
The Retroshift shifters do have some advantages, mostly for those who race cyclocross but it is unlikely this type of shifter could ever edge out STI or other similar systems. However, these do have a look that suggests this is where shifters might have headed had STI not come along. Oh what might have been. Video after the jump
Print and Go
httpv://youtu.be/DIRyxzMWvkA
We knew 3D printing was going to change the world. We’ve seen 3D printed as a concept technology for shoes and even bike parts, but the gang at Signal Snowboards printed up a board. David Lee and the gang from Every Third Thursday used the latest in CAD drawing technology and a carbon-based powder to print up a board ready for the slopes.
ETT: The worlds first 3D printed snowboard