There has been a notable trend in winter bicycle riding with several companies crafting fat tire “snow bikes” but another option is to get the right snow tires for winter riding. One solution is Bike Spikes, a unique solution that doesn’t even mean changing the normal tires but rather putting this series of flexible, studded plates – which are connected by a wire – over the tire. The details on this system aren’t entirely clear but we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for anyone riding with these! Video after the jump
Category: concept
Blaze of Glory
We first heard about Blaze back in June of 2011. This handlebar-mounted laser cast a virtual bike in front of you to provide a signal to cars that you were in their blind spot. The system was developed by University of Brighton student Emily Brooke in the U.K. That was the last we heard of it, until now. In the nearly a year and a half that has passed Brooke has launched a company, developed a working prototype and launched a Kickstarter project to fund the creation of the first batch. Video after the jump
Peak Designs Looks to Leash the Camera
Last year Peak Design introduced its Capture Camera Clip, which could attach to a belt and put the camera at the hip much like a cowboy’s holster. Now the company is quick on the draw with the Leash, a strap that both carries the camera and holds it as well. This was reportedly developed as a safety tether for the Capture – which we see as a good idea.
But then the company realized it could be even more versatile as it could offer several easily configured forms. It uses several anchors that can tie around any loop on a camera or piece of gear. It provides 60 inches of webbing that can adjust into a neck strap. This way it can be a sling, safety tether or even video stabilizer while on the go. There is also a smaller version that the company is developing called the Cuff. Both are now being developed via a Kickstarter project. Video after the jump
Earbud Mounts Bring Music to Brain Buckets
Riding a bicycle with earbuds isn’t a good idea as it can drown out all the noise around you, which can be a problem especially in traffic. But for those long rides when a little music can help motivate there are some solutions. The Bipo is a bicycle helmet mount that holds earbuds in place but more importantly delivers music to the wearer without blocking outside noise.
The developers have brought the Bipo concept to Kickstarter. The concept is a novel one, where the music from Apple earbuds – the company specifically was designed for Apple products but could probably work with other models – is set into the air vent. The idea is that the sound disperses and loses its directionality thus can be heard in the background, which should be perfect for riding where you want to hear the world as well as the music. Video after the jump
Misfit Not a (Mis)Shift
We like to call out products that offer no real fitness value as Kinetic(Mis)Shifts but the Misfit isn’t one of those, despite the rather misleading name. The Misfit is actually a wireless activity tracker that goes beyond what similar devices do. First off we were caught by how small this one is, but then were really impressed that the all-metal device appears like it could stand up to real activity, which could include cycling and swimming. To sync with an app all that is required is laying it on the phone. The company is currently engaged in an Indiegogo fund raising project and we think this is going to be one to watch. Video after the jump
Shoes are On
You put your shoes ON your feet but soon you might be putting On on your feet. Swiss startup shoe maker On has just introduced a new line of running shoes that feature absorbers that company refers to as “clouds.” These are small rubber circles that act as tread but also provide some bounce. These flex and even cave in to absorb shock when runners land on each stride. The company’s tag line “Probably the fastest in the world” is unique, but hopefully we’ll get to put a pair “on” in the near future and see if it is indeed like running on a cloud.
Snap Skateboard Goes Long
Earlier this year we heard about the SNAP Skateboard, the world’s first folding skateboard. Now the company has gone long by introducing a longboard version. The folding ability makes carrying a longboard – which can range from 38- to 44-inches – a little easier. It features four high-strength hinges that fasten to the deck and allow the board to folds to just 19-inches, so it can be stashed in a backpack or gym bag.
BMW’s Cool Runnings
While the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games won’t be another 15 months the US Bobsled Team can look forward to making their cool runnings in luxury style as they’ll be using BMW-made sleds. While there was much of an uproar about where some Olympic equipment used by the U.S. team at the recent summer games was made, in this case the BMW DesignworksUSA group is responsible for creating the bobsled.
In fact the USA Bobsled & Skeleton Federation called in BMW since the Americans haven’t won a gold medal in the sport since 1936, when the team won in the two-man event. Ironically that was when the games were held in the German town of Garmisch-Partenkirchen , located in Bavaria – the home of BMW no less! Perhaps the USBSF sees the irony as well.
No actual bobsled has been demonstrated yet, but reportedly the prototype features “lightweight materials, optimized aerodynamic and chassis dynamics to leverage the energy output of the two-man team, increasing overall sport performance.” Press release after the jump
Bicycle Gear Box
No one has gone out to reinvent the wheel that we know, but just about every other method of the bicycle drivetrain seems up for discussion. We’ve seen electronic shifting, belt drive and of course internal gearing. The latter isn’t exactly new but designers keep designing and innovators keep innovating. But the folks at Efneo have a new concept entirely, which puts the gears not in the rear wheel’s hub but rather in the front chainring.
The result is a three-speed internally geared system that could eventually be used with a belt drive. The result would be a clean looking bike with a 600 percent gear range and one that would be virtually maintenance free. We’re not sure if the bike shop mechanics will love it or hate it for those very reasons! Video after the jump
Every Third Thursday Hears the Call
httpv://youtu.be/tH6xYYoZ-JU
Life is more than just snowboarding, even for the guys at Signal Snowboards. There are video games to play and ‘tis the season of the biggest releases, with Activision’s Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 arriving in full force. So for this month’s Every Third Thursday the gang set to create a Black Ops 2 Bulletproof Snowboard.
Get With the Click
Don’t you hate it when your bike falls over? You can lean it against a tree or the curb but eventually it is going to fall over. Now if you ride with… say your wife/girlfriend/husband/boyfriend you could click together the bikes. That is the idea of the Bicyclick’s Clickstand and Click-Base, which is basically a ball and socket connector that you put in the end of any flat handlebar.
Obviously this is meant for the casual rider with a hybrid or comfort bike more than a serious roadie, but the idea isn’t a bad one. It can install quickly and allows two bikes with the Clickstand to stay upright, while the Clickstand clips into the Click-Base mounted on a wall, to ensure that the bike can’t be accidentally knocked over. While not for everyone, we think it could still click for some riders.
Billboards Become Surfboard Bags
They blend into the landscape and even if we notice them, many think they’re eyesores. We’re talking about billboards. But here is something most of us never think about: what happens to the materials after the ad campaign is over? What becomes of the billboard?
Alec Avedissian clearly wondered exactly that, because he and two fellow surfers, Ryan Judy and Sho Rust, got together and formed Rareform, a business venture that takes the vinyl material from old billboards and creats durable, water-proof, mildew proof surfboard cases. Given the number of billboards in his native Los Angeles it isn’t hard to see that Rareform could have an endless supply of material! Continue reading Billboards Become Surfboard Bags
Automatic Shifting Via an App
There are cycling apps that allow riders to track distance, speed, calories and much more, but now the UK-based Cambridge Consultants are looking to allow an app to do the shifting for you. In essence this app, when paired with electronic shifters such as Shimano’s Di2 will great an automatic transmission.
The data is reported transmitted by the sensors using low-power Bluetooth Smart and then processed by an algorithm on the handset. This does some quick math, determines the rider’s current pedaling speed to preferred cadence and then instructs the Di2 to shift according. Continue reading Automatic Shifting Via an App