We’re not sure if bicycle theft is a big problem in Taiwan but Cheng-Tsung Feng of the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology. As part of the Department of Industrial and Commercial Design he developed the Pedal Lock, which is exactly what it sounds like – a bicycle lock that is actually two flat platform pedals.
The designers claim that it takes about 13 seconds to install, which seems optimistic given that users have to remove the pedals from the cranks. The idea here is that the two pedals can essentially make a “boot” of sorts for the rear wheel, making it impossible to ride away. Continue reading Lock the Pedals
We’ve seen various automakers jumping on the bicycle bandwagon – Ferrari, Audi and Lamborghini to name a few – but the Porsche 911 caught our eyes. This isn’t actually a Porsche concept however, but rather is a dream coming from Dutch industrial designer Bastiaan Kok, who looked to create a bike that replicated the look of the famous Porsche automobile.
While the wearable HD video camera market already has many strong contenders Sony looks to enter the area with a camcorder that will reportedly feature Sony’s SteadyShot image stabilization technology.
We’ve seen a few examples where health clubs and gyms are getting some juice from people power. So as users hit the machines they can help power the lights and actually supply power back to the grid. But now Great Outdoor Gym Company in the U.K. has taken this concept to outdoor gyms. There are more than 250 open air exercise areas across the country, but a pilot project in Hull could be the first to create a high-tech outdoor gym.
We’ve seen a variety of helmet mounted lights, but now the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology’s Exertion Games Lab has taken helmet lights to the next level with the LumanHelm. The design team, which included Wouter Walmink, Alan Chatham and Floyd Mueller took a regular bicycle helmet and added some LEDs – but not just one or two.
Can’t afford Shimano’s Di2 for your road bike? Well there are alternatives – but the truth is most probably cost about the same. Or you could take the DIYer route and do it yourself. Computer engineer Nabil Tewolde has created an aftermarket DIY electronic shifting system, made from parts found mostly at the local hardware store, electronics shop and hobby shop.
Many cyclists probably would like a “cold one” after a long ride and we’re not talking about another sports drink.
Mention the word “Klingon” and the image of a Star Trek villain is likely to come to mind – and yes, we’re geeky enough to know that in the later series the Klingon were supposedly friends. Regardless, a bunch of clever designers are thinking of a different kind of “Klinggon” (with two g’s) – a injection molded cord catcher that can be used by athletes who want to hear some tunes while working out. 
Last year SRAM looked to make art out of bike parts and raise money for a good cause. This was of course the SRAM pART Project for World Bicycle Relief. The first project raised $140,000, which provided 5,000 bikes donated to riders in Africa. And it thankfully didn’t end with it. 
Summer is here and now is the time to get wet and wild. And Eliot Germanovsky of BoatsToGo talked with us about the new innovations in practical boats that can be folded, inflated and ready for the water. Best of all these boats are compact enough that they can be easily transported and stored when not in use. 
We’ve seen many interesting concept bikes, but the Donut folding bike from Arvind M truly is one that could be considered a space saver. Whether it is actually rideable we don’t know, but imagine the looks this would get! 
The heat is on, and rightfully so as June is here and that means summer – at least in the Northern Hemisphere. And Columbia Sportswear is talking about Omni-Freeze ZERO, the company’s new groundbreaking apparel technology, which is the culmination of a four-year development project.