Category: Cycling

Cyclist Uses Twitter To Call for Help

Even after her crash Leigh Fazzina couldn’t stop “Tweeting”

Ready for the big cycling race? Have your check list ready for a safe race: tubes, check; water, check; helmet, check; gloves, check; first aid kit, check; mobile phone with Twitter account, what you say? The last item might seem like a stretch, because after all, who needs to make a call or send a Tweet while they’re in the middle of a race. But for Leigh Fazzina being able to send a Tweet to her Twitter follows may have just saved her life.

After getting lost in a 300-acre Connecticut woods last Tuesday during the downhill stage of a mini-triathlon, Fazzina crashed when her front wheel hit some roots. The 36-year old was bleeding, and unable to walk. Instead of panicking, she tried to use her mobile phone to call relatives, but as the calls failed, she resorted to using Twitter to reach out to 1,000+ “followers.” Continue reading Cyclist Uses Twitter To Call for Help

Apple Spins Patent for Cycling

Apple's diagram for its Smart Bike patent application currently in development.

Looking for a cycling computer? There’s an app for that. Apple recently filed with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office for various concepts of a newly-advanced Smart Bicycle System. Reportedly in development, the app will use the iPhone’s (or iPod iTouch) accelerometer and gyroscope to measure speed, distance, time, altitude, elevation, incline, decline, heart rate, temperature, weather, wind speed and other factors relevant to cycling. A few other add-ons such as a heart rate monitor strap and sensors to place on the wheel will likely be required to take full advantage of the app.

Other news outlets are reporting the iPhone and app that pro cyclists could adopt and even used to communicate while racing in a stage. Most teams already have cycling computers that read all the same settings and report back to the team’s manager in the team car. Garmin-Transitions Slipstream, for example, has Garmin as a sponsor and part of the GPS manufacturer’s commitment is in supply of cycle computers and other equipment. It is possible some teams will opt for the iPhone app, and certainly will be open to a sponsorship. Several new teams have been announced and it wouldn’t be all too surprising to see an Apple team form in the next year or so.

Whether the app is used by competitive cyclists, expect to see plenty of hipsters on track bikes with their iPhones mounted to the handlebars. We just hope they refrain from text and ride practices.

[via: Patently Apple and Huffington Post]

London Introduces High Tech Bicycles for Rent

The Barclays Cycle Hire Bicycle

Plan on visiting London any time soon and you might not have to hail a black taxi cab to get around; instead you might be able to rent – or “hire” as they say in the British capital – a bike instead. The city, which is also in the process of installing new bicycle friendly lanes, has introduced 6,000 new high tech bikes for people for to use.

As part of a system that went live last week, users can register online for a year’s membership or pay an access fee for the week or day – ranging from £45 for a year to £1 for a day. After accessing a bike the rental costs are a tad high too, with an hourly rate of £1, and if you keep the bike for more than 24 hours you’ll get hit with a £50 fee. That’s probably too hefty a cost for most commuters, and some have asked why regular riders wouldn’t prefer to buy their own bike. Jon Snow, a presenter for “Channel 4 News” and also presidents of the National Cyclists’ Organization further offered a first-hand opinion of the bikes for The Financial Times, noting that the bikes are a bit heavy, especially compared to his own titanium ride. Continue reading London Introduces High Tech Bicycles for Rent

Expresso is no Spin Training

The Expresso Bike mounts a video screen on the handlebars, like dangling a carrot.

Sometimes weather dictates an indoor workout, even when you’re longing for the outdoors. A video screen mounted to the handlebars with scenery doesn’t replace the outdoor feel. Expresso Upright Bike makes claims to “fuse exertainment with Web-based personalization features in a commercial-quality system! Eye-catching and fully-integrated design.” The bike has over 30 Basic-to-Extreme rated interactive tours such as rides along the California coast and the Peruvian mountains.

If you look at this bike, about the only thing that’s advanced beyond other stationary bikes and spin bikes is that the handlebars move to simulate turns and steering around a course or those curvy coastline roads. It also changes the resistance with the terrain on the road or course you’re riding. The video screen provides the scenery, but we’re not certain if it speeds up or slows down to match your speed as you ride. The screen is too small to offer any kind of immersive experience the company claims to provide. Continue reading Expresso is no Spin Training

Specialized Pumps You Up With SwitchHitter Head Technology

The Airtool Pro Floor Pump utilizes SwitchHitter Head Technology to automatically switch between Shrader and Presta valves

Unless you’re a hardcore bike geek, and even then, you might have to stop and think when it comes to Schrader and Presta valves on your bicycle tubes. Walk into a shop and ask for a tube and you’ll likely be asked, “Schrader or Presta,” as if you should automatically know what they’re talking about! If, like many the new rider, you respond, “I’m not sure,” you might hear, “well, European or American.” Of course that doesn’t help matters for most riders.

As a sidebar, the Schrader valve (also called the American valve) was invented by August Schrader in 1891, and it is used on virtually all automobiles – as well as many low-end bicycles – to this day. To confuse matters the French adopted the Presta valve (also called the French valve, or just as commonly “European” valve), which is now found on most high-end bicycles. Confused? Well, consider that Schrader is sometimes spelled “Shrader” by many manufacturers including some tire makers and it is enough to make your head spin. Continue reading Specialized Pumps You Up With SwitchHitter Head Technology

An App for Bike Repairs

Got a problem with your bike? Need to true your wheels? Flat tire? Having a problem with the rear derailleur? There’s an app for that. Last summer I had problems with the shifter/brake levers and the rear derailleur on my still new road bike. Luckily it was still within the warrantee period at my local shop, however the problems were difficult to diagnose. The ability to look up bicycle maintenance on my phone would have been a big help. 

Bike Repair, an iPhone app with the basics on keeping your bike running – all the way down to getting a proper fit from your helmet – may just save you a few trips to the bike shop. The app walks you through bike mechanics such as adjusting the height and angle of the front derailleur; cleaning and lubricating the chain; aligning the handlebars and adjusting the headset; and brake adjustments for cantilever, V-Brake and center mount brakes. If you find yourself on the side of the road, Bike Repair’s got you covered. Just be sure to take hand wipes. This app will get your fingers in the grease, and you’ll probably want to clean up before using your phone again.

The app is available from the Apple App Store.

Bike Repair Mobile Official Site

[Via PC World: Fix Your Bike on the Go With Bike Repair]

 

Tour de France: Specialized Did Dominate

While the last few days of this year’s Tour de France were pretty exciting to watch, one fact was missing from a lot of the commentary. Both over all winner Alberto Contador and second place finisher Andy Schleck rolled into Paris on Specialized bikes. This was the first-ever Maillot Jaune for California-based Specialized.

For a company with the name “Specialized,” it makes a range of products that aren’t limited just to the road bikes either. The company’s gear was used throughout the peleton, not only with both the Astana and Saxo Bank teams sponsored teams, but notably with many other riders using shoes, saddles and other Specialized accessories. Alessandro Petacchi also sported the new Prevail cycling helmet as he sprinted his way to winning this year’s Green Jersey.

“Winning the Tour is a dream for us that has taken 36 years to come true,” said Mike Sinyard, founder and owner of Specialized. “It’s a clear example of successfully following our founding principle to focus on the rider’s need for technologically advanced products that provide true performance benefits.”

With a one-two finish for the bikes we can’t but agree!

Specialized Official Site

Bike Worth Jumping Out of a Plane to Ride

The Montague Paratrooper Will Dive Into Action

You probably wouldn’t want to jump out an airplane with your Trek or Cannondale mountain bike, and that’s not a slight at either company. The truth is just that those companies make a very good product for hitting the trails, but it isn’t meant to take this kind of dive. Most commercial mountain bikes can survive a crash, but not to do the airborne soldier thing. That’s where Montague comes in. The company produces a range of high quality folding bikes, and in their off-road fleet is the Paratrooper.

This airborne warrior utilizes the CLIX system, which allows the bike to be folded up in under 20 seconds without the use of any tools. A flip of the quick release turns a full-sized off road machine into a compact package that is ready to travel. While actual folding time is reported to be about 20 seconds, we’d recommend you take your time, but we’re sure you probably have a minute or to spare to do it right. Continue reading Bike Worth Jumping Out of a Plane to Ride

London Opens Blue Bike Superhighways

If you’ve ever visited London you know that the Brits like to paint clear directions on their streets – as in “Look Right” for those who are about to cross the road. No doubt that is done because they drive on the opposite/wrong side of the street (depending on your perspective), and it probably wouldn’t be good to have the black taxicabs run down American tourists. But this summer London has introduced another type of painted marker – and this one is a lot more than just merely “look” plastered on the ground. London now has cycle superhighways, with the first two being opened this year, and to keep riders safe the routes are marked out in bright blue paint.

Continue reading London Opens Blue Bike Superhighways

Tour de France: The Clean Bottle

you’ve been watching the Tour de France, especially on the high mountain climbs, you’ve noticed a few colorful characters. There are guys in gorilla costumes, dudes with Viking helmets and of course plenty of yellow to celebrate the race leader. And then there is the giant water bottle, which if you followed the whole cycling season you might have seen previously. But in the latter case the guy (or just as likely girl) in the bottle suit isn’t just a super dedicated fan. This is rather a promotional stunt for The Clean Bottle, a company founded and run by David Mayer, a road and mountain biker.

As you might also have noticed in professional cycling, the serious riders don’t keep their water bottles and often toss them to the side of the road. Since most of us don’t have water bottles handed to us from our “team” car during our long rides, we tend to save a reuse the water bottles. The result is pretty much what Mayer discovered – the bottles get really nasty over time, and they’re darn hard to clean, especially if you enjoy sticky sweet sports drinks rather than just your average H20. Continue reading Tour de France: The Clean Bottle

Tour de France: Catching Up with HTC Columbia Out on the Road

We reported earlier this month that Team HTC Columbia had partnered with Google, and while the Tour de France is heading towards Paris you can still track the placement of riders in real time. Each rider with Team HTC Columbia is using the My Tracks program, and is carrying an HTC Legend device, so this allows for the location to be provided via GPS in real time.

You can also see the individual rider’s power, speed, cadence and heart rate data. About the only thing you can’t see is who is going to be the new lead out man for Mark Cavendish.

[Via ZDNet] 

Bike Lock Not Needed For Bendable Bike

Serious cyclists often talk about how rigid their bike frame is, and often times a bike that is too “flexy” is considered a bad thing. Likewise, the serious cyclist also knows that the best lock is not leaving he bike locked up. So it is interesting to consider a new design from Kevin Scott, 21, a De Montfort University graduate who has created a very revolutionary folding bicycle.

Scott’s design means a bike that is both rigid whilst riding, but can actually be folding to wrap around lampposts when you need to run into a shop or otherwise stop. Obviously this bike isn’t meant for racing, or probably even serious training, but as a commuter ride it’s a great Scott of an idea. The bike utilizes a ratchet system built into the frame, which allows it to wrap around a pole, something that can come in handy in cities that lack adequate bike racks. A locking mechanism is built into the frame as well, which means one less thing to carry.

The bendable bike is currently on display at the New Designers Show at the Business Design Centre in Islington in North London, where Scott hopes to attract investors. Given that more than 52 bikes are stolen daily in London, we hope Scott’s invention gets a backer.

[Via The Daily Mail: The incredible ‘bendy bicycle': British designer, 21, invents a bike you can FOLD around a lamp post]

World’s Most Expensive Bikes

The Aurumania Gold Bike will set you back a mere $25,000. We hope that includes grip tape and pedals!

With the Tour de France is full gear there has been no shortage of expensive bikes on TV and in the news. Think those pricey? Actually, those cycles are small change, at least compared to some of the truly expensive rides that can be hand. Forbes magazine offered a peak at some of “The World’s Most Expensive Bicycles,” complete with a slide-show.

Now in fairness, most of these bikes aren’t the type you’re likely to find at your local bike shop – and although some of the bikes are based on off-the-shelf frames, the bikes included are one-of-a-kind pieces of works, decked out in jewels and featuring exclusive paint jobs. Interestingly, many of these bikes are now in private collections, such as a Trek Madone 7-Diamond, which was decorated with 100 white diamonds in honor of Lance Armstrong’s record-breaking seventh Tour de France victory in 2005. That bike was auctioned for charity and sold for $75,000.

Other bikes included in the slide show feature gold leaf and special finishes. When you consider that most serious riders get pretty upset when they scratch the paint or nick a decal, imagine even thinking about risking these bikes on a road ride!

Forbes.com: The World’s Most Expensive Bikes