If you have been watching the Tour de France, you may have noticed the three letters ‘BBB’ on the side of a few helmets worn by some of the racers. In the United States, the three letters BBB stands for the Better Business Bureau, but the BBB logo on the side of the riders’ helmets stands for something else. Based in the Netherlands, the company Bikeparts for Bikers by Bikers or BBB is a company who is sponsoring a number of top riders in the Tour including the brave King of the Mountains leader, Johnny Hoogerland who was involved in that horrific accident caused by a reckless French television support vehicle last Sunday. Continue reading Who or What is BBB?
Category: Cycling
Smart Phone Bike Sharing System
SoBi isn’t some up and coming New York City neighborhood (at least not yet). SoBi is actually a new program from New York City urban planner Ryan Rzepecki called Social Bicycles – or SoBi for short. It is a bike-sharing system that uses “smart” bikes rather than “smart” stations, so that each bike has an onboard GPS, cellular transmitter and electronic lock that allows people to find and unlock the bikes using their smartphones.
The idea here is that special docking stations and central places to herd bikes are not needed. There would thus be no home base for the fleets, and instead just “hub” areas where the bikes could be ridden. Take the bike out of the hub and pay a fee, return the bike later in the day to the hub area and you receive a credit. While still a concept, the idea is one that has promise. Riders would use smartphones to locate and reserve a bike, and would have 15 minutes to walk to that location, where they could unlock the bike from a built-in keypad. Bikes could be ridden, and even locked up for 15 minutes periods.
So in other words, it could be good for short errands, but wouldn’t be a commuting device – at least it wouldn’t be one riders could count on for commuting, at least not until a large fleet was developed. But it is an interesting first step towards bike sharing.
Interbike 2011: Think you know style?
Clothes they say make the man, but do clothes make the rider? We’ll find out in September as Interbike, the largest bicycle trade show in North America, is once again hosting the Interbike City Style Fashion Show. This is not a show of Lycra-clad racers, but a show of stylish, lifestyle types of clothing including many entries which can be worn on the bike as well as stroller around town to run errands.
Presented by Momentum Magazine, this year Interbike show attendees will get to enjoy two shows. On September 14 and 15, at 2 p.m., both shows will happen in the Urban Lounge which is in the Hall ‘G,‘ on the street level of the Sands Convention Center. Different from other fashion shows is how the catwalk is setup…instead of pouty looking models stomping down the runway, an indoor road loop is laid out so that the models can ride around in the clothing submissions and best display the cycling apparel and bikes in action – giving each attendee a front row seat.
Even though Interbike is an ‘industry only’ trade show, companies and fashion designers are invited to submit clothing and accessories for consideration. Represented clothing, accessories and bikes will include a variety of lifestyle categories including Work, Daytime Casual, Weekend Casual, To the Gym, Semi Formal and Formal. Companies and designers interested in potential inclusion should return the completed submission Interbike Fashion Showform and clearly labeled low-res product photo to Mia Kohout at mia@momentumplanet.com or via fax at (604) 669-9870. Product submissions are due on or before August 1, with accepted companies being notified of inclusion on August 8. Below you will find a link to the submission form.
Recall: Yakima FlipSide Bicycle Carriers
Yakima Products, Inc. of Beaverton, OR, in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act has recently announced the recall of their FlipSide rear bicycle racks that mount to the receiver hitch of vehicles. Apparently a small number of units shipped from April 2008 through June 2011 have malfunctioned while transporting bikes.
It seems that the pin that holds the rack upright might be slightly too short in the affected units and can not hold the loaded rack upright.
Only those racks with a red knob in the photo are being recalled. Yakima will send the owners of those racks a new, longer pin along with instructions on how to replace the current red pin. The fix is reported to only take 15 minutes.
Yakima recommends the removal of this product from your vehicle and the owner fill out the online registration form, or call 1-888-925-4621 to speak with customer service.
Along with the FlipSide being recalled, Yakima also recalled the FrontLoader roof rack bicycle mount earlier this year due to the mount becoming loose or actually ejecting the bike while driving.
Fitness Journal: Old Timer Looks to New Technology
Naturally, as I am cycling more, I see these fantastic new two wheeled machines on the roads and in the bike shops. Naturally, I try to justify buying one of these sleek new bikes. My angular racing frame probably seems a bit outdated compared to these new carbon frames and surely it is not as stiff as it was 24 years ago when I first raced it. I’ve wondered how much extra effort I have to put into my ride to overcome those 64 steel spokes whipping through the headwind like egg beaters. My SLX steel tubing flexing at the bottom bracket every time I lunge into a sprint across an intersection is costing me precious speed. But this isn’t an excuse, this is an opportunity; an opportunity to buy a new bike.
Being a fast rider is a numbers game. For just $12,000 I could sport the most sophisticated road machine out there. It is just enough to make me look as serious as I know I really am. If I calculate my wind resistance, rolling resistance, wheel drag and rotational Inertia I can determine how efficient I can be with just the right equipment. Of course, I still have conquer the other 95 percent of the equation — me. I still have to put in 150 miles a week of “worthwhile” riding.
What does that mean? In a word, sprints. And lots of sprints. That way, I can take advantage of the 0.4 percent overall efficiency gain realized by trading up to that new equipment. Of course, my old DeRosa is a beauty. Maybe I should keep it and just say I’ve gone “retro.”
A New Cassette Standard? Hopefully…
For almost twenty-five years, cycling has been a major part of my life. From building bikes to breaking bones; being that kid hanging out at the bike shop to managing one in college; and racing to the top of a mountain or riding to work, bikes are a part of who I am. As long as I can remember, there has always been issues when assembling bikes from parts… especially when it comes to mixing drive train parts.
Usually, Campy shifters would not be mixed with Shimano derailleurs or vice versa, but it was fairly common to try to use Shimano compatible wheels with Campy shifting as there is just a much wider and usually better selection of wheels. Companies such as Wheels Manufacturing of Colorado do an excellent job reworking Shimano cassettes to work with Campy shifting, but the system of combined parts is still a little finicky. Enter the picture, Kirk Pacenti and his proposal for a universal, ’open source’ cassette body. We are starting to see more standards in the cycling world when it comes to parts, so this is not an unachievable goal. Continue reading A New Cassette Standard? Hopefully…
Ride the Tour de France With Google Powered Training Bicycle
The Tour de France is well under way, and chances if you’re like us, you are watching it from your couch. Wouldn’t you like to get in a ride while watching it? Sure there are rollers and trainers, and then there is the Pro-Form Le Tour de France Indoor Cycle, which is the next best thing to a trip to France. And you won’t have to stop on the side of the road should nature call.
The Pro-Form Le Tour de France Indoor Cycle lets users choose and even create real-world routes using Google Maps. If that was all it did we’d still think this was pretty darn cool, but oh it does so much more. This is no ordinary spin bike, and it utilizes Pro-Form’s iFit Live technology to simulate the grade and position of climbing stages. As the grade of the route increases, the bike titles forward or backward up to 20 percent! This is of course based on satellite image of a chosen area. Continue reading Ride the Tour de France With Google Powered Training Bicycle
Cycling That Could Make You Think
No doubt everyone who has gone out on a long ride has probably thought I need to shift, but something happens and you just don’t move the fingers in time. Wouldn’t it be easier if you could think about shifting and actually shift gears?
Parlee Cycles have reportedly developed a carbon fiber concept bicycle that actually uses brainwaves to do the shifting. The PXP bicycle also requires a special helmet equipped with neurotransmitters that read a rider’s brainwaves, while a wireless receiver on the seat post can receive the signals. It could open up a whole new concept – we think therefore we shift.
[Via Dvice.com: Change your bike’s gear shift with your brainwaves]
Pearl Izumi Brings Baggy Shorts for Biking
We understand that not everyone wants to wear Lycra shorts when cycling. There are times when riders don’t want the skintight shorts, but still would like the padding of cycling shorts. There are also times when longer shorts can be good too.
There have been no shortage of knicker length cycling tights, but now Peral Izumi has introduced the Launch line of baggy knicker shots. There promise to offer a little style, just enough padding and yet won’t sag while riding.
The Pearl Izumi Launch Knicker feature 4-way stretch, with plenty of pockets, as well as a datable liner with MTB 3D chamois, and adjustable interior waistband. There are snap and Velcro front closure with zip fly. Best of all these feature a longer cut that is good for those cool days around down, or just for looking cool on the trail.
Solar Panels to Aid Pedal Power
There are numerous bicycle assist aids that can help a rider when the going gets to be a bit too much. But the problem is that most of those require a battery charge or use some of fuel to propel that motor. Now Terry Hope, a Canadian inventor who created the Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle (KPV), might have a solution.
Hope’s KPV was a one-of-a-kind solar-electric suitcase, and could reportedly fit in a suitcase. Now Hope has taken this innovative technology and used it to craft the Solar Cross ebike, which would be great for riding on a sunny day – not just because it is nice to ride a bike on a sunny day, but also because the rays from the sun will help power the bicycle.
His creation is powered by panels made of eight-inch polycarbonate sheeting, aluminum and 18 x 6 x 6 mono crystalline cells. Holes were further drilled in the aluminum to cut down on the weight. Each cell puts out 3.8 to 4 watts, providing a combined 8.7 volts of electricity.
All told it is enough to help make a long ride in the hot sun seem not so long.
(Video after the Jump) Continue reading Solar Panels to Aid Pedal Power
Ride 2 Recovery Heads to the Beach
A trip to the beach usually sounds like… well, a day at the beach. For 139 injured U.S. veterans and their supporters it will likely mean much more. These American heroes are heading to France, where they’ll get to bicycle in historic World War II sites as part of the first ever Ride 2 Recovery Normandy Challenge, presented by UnitedHealthcare.
“Our goal at Ride 2 Recovery is to provide our injured veterans with the opportunity to spend a week on a cycle, challenging themselves both physically and mentally,” said John Wordin, president of Ride 2 Recovery. “Having Air Compassion for Veterans and American Airlines provide transportation for them removes one more barrier as we are introduced to the famous battle and landing sites of our World War II heroes with local historians.”
The riders arrive at Paris Charles de Gaulle airport this week and are traveling to Caen, where their tour will begin. During the six-day, 240-mile ride, participants will cycle Normandy for a first-hand history lesson that will highlight the landing sites, battlefields and museums of D-Day. The group will be joined by five injured veterans from the French armed forces. The Ride 2 Recovery Normandy Challenge cyclists, including veterans using hand cycles, recumbents, tandems and traditional road bikes, will have overnight stops in Carentan, Cherbourg, St. Lo, Lisieux and Paris. In Lisieux, the Ride 2 Recovery cyclists will be at the finish line of the Tour de France Stage 6.
With this marking the beginning of our Fourth of July Holiday weekend we salute all our men and women in uniform and wish them a fantastic ride.
Follow the Ride 2 Recovery Normandy Challenge and look for daily updates at the Ride 2 Recovery Facebook page.
Hands on: StemCAPtain Thermometer
KISS…“Keep It Simple, Stupid!” This is the acronym for a principle to remind designers and engineers to avoid unnecessary complexity. Sometimes I feel that certain manufacturers miss this concept and make their products overly complicated. I was reminded of this recently while trying to program a cycling computer…I was so frustrated by the unclear layout and logic of programming that I nearly chucked it out the window. StemCAPtain has a product out there that reminds me all of the time of the ‘KISS’ concept. It is simple, yet provides information at a glance with not fuss once it is setup properly.
For the past couple of months, I has been using the thermometer version of the StemCAPtain on three different bikes. If you are not familiar with their products, we did an entry on the company back in March of all of the different versions of their products under that they offer. We received both the clock and thermometer versions to evaluate a few weeks later. I was most interested in the thermometer version since the none of my cycling computers have a thermometer feature. Continue reading Hands on: StemCAPtain Thermometer
Cannondale Offers New Brain Buckets
This year at its PressCamp Cannondale turned heads with its entry into the head protection market. The company has introduced its first line of helmets, which are big on features but light on weight.
There were four new models that will be offered and these feature Internal nylon chassis to keep the EPS foam together during impact, while offering larger vents for better cooling. The helmets include SI Alloy Reinforcement Bridges that are aluminum plates that span several vents under the shell in several locations to provide further exoskeleton reinforcement. The Dual Density EPS foam, with firmer sections on the outer parts of primary impact areas of the front and occipital lobes (rear sides) that use a cone-shaped texture facing into the softer main EPS.
And since cycling isn’t just for men (or at least men with short hair), the helmets offer ponytail friendly rear micro adjust occipital lobe retention mechanism with a soft, water- and odor-proof padding that’s made from the same material as Crocs; and a polycarbonate outer shell that’s fused with the EPS body to create a one-piece design. Continue reading Cannondale Offers New Brain Buckets