Koala Bottle isn’t trying to reinvent the water bottle – although a few companies have tired – but rather it could be seen as reinventing the water bottle cage for bicycles. One problem of the cages, no matter whether these are plastic, metal or even carbon fiber, is that the bottle can sometimes be difficult to remove. That’s not a good thing when heading down the road in traffic, and never a good thing on the mountain bike trail.
This system ditches the cage and instead utilizes a semi-circular magnet embedded in the cradle, along with a stainless steel ring on the bottle. Koala is selling the complete system for around $27 with a 21 ounce bottle, but it is also offering a pair of rings for $8, which means the existing bottles could be retrofitted as well – provided the rings fit. Video after the jump
CrankBrothers Egg Beaters are great off-road pedals, offering a minimal base and low weight. But without cycling shoes these are a nightmare to use. Not exactly friendly for shoes without the proper cleats. But now Pub Pedals is developing cleat covers that can transform the Egg Beaters into flat pedals – ideal for commuting or just heading to the store.
We’ve seen inflatable airbags to help protect skiers during an avalanche but now Dainese has devised an airbag system to help protect downhill ski racers in case of a crash. The company’s new D-AIR Ski Project could even be in place by the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics. This safety system features three integrated accelerometers and gyroscopes plus a GPS unit and an onboard microprocessor to detect any sudden movements.
What has been missing from most action camera videos are those great aerial shots – the kind we see in pro bicycle races and other sporting events. Of course most people don’t have a helicopter at their disposal but what about a UAV – because they’re not just for shooting at the bad guys anymore.
Why aren’t YOU in the picture? Most action cameras provide a “first-person view” as in the camera sees more or less what you see. What is missing is… YOU. But now Dutch film producer Thijs Vrij has created an action camera mount for GoPro and other cameras called the 3rd Person View.
One thing is clear about this bike, the frame! The German designed Clarity Bike does indeed evoke the thoughts of “clarity.” While obviously a concept bike, the folks at DesignAffairs could be on to something with this bike, which is constructed of Trivex, a transparent polymer commonly used for aircraft windscreens. If it keeps the wind and bugs out of soldier’s hair it must be good enough for a concept bike.
Multipurpose rooms – such as those at schools and recreational centers – have a hard time hiding the fact that one purpose is a basketball court. Even if the hoop and backboard can be moved you’re still essentially stuck with the lines on the floor. But now the ASB GlassFloor system could revolutionize this, as it offers lighted lines that are only there when you need it.
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As Homer Simpson might say, “mmmm, donuts.” But then we’d tell him that the Dust Donut isn’t meant to be eaten, even by a fictional cartoon character. Rather this is a way to help create a weatherproof seal for any DSLR lens.
We remember that childhood game of “Pickup Sticks” but the Fix It Sticks is something you might want to pick up and put in your pocket before a ride. This bicycle multi-tool was developed by Cat 3 racer Brian Davis, who is now trying to bring it to market via a Kickstarter project.
New York City’s Department of Transportation has adopted a plan that will transform more than 12,000 former parking meter poles into bike racks. This started as a test project in 2011 with just 200 former parking meter posts. Originally the city planned to remove the poles as it switched to electronic multi-meters, but this reduced the place for cyclists to chain the bikes.
We’ve seen a variety of hybrid ski/snowshoes and even some skis designed to fold for trekking in the backwoods. But now Austrian manufacturer Splitsticks has created a snowboard that is designed to tackle all terrain. It features a unique binding system that allows for hiking and climbing, along with a fixed heel ski mode for times when the going could get a little too tough. Making the transition from board to ski mode should be… a snap! With these you won’t need to “stick around.”
A bicycle lock is the first (and sometimes best) line of defense against having a bike stolen. No lock will deter every would-be bicycle thief, but a good lock and chain is necessary or those times when you need to leave a bike for “just a second.” The problem is that it often takes longer to lock up the bike than it might to say, drop a letter in the mail at the post office or pick up that takeout order. In those cases locking a bike can be annoying, but still so necessary.