Chrome Industries’s Reflective Camo collection seems like a bright idea indeed. The company has delivered a number of camouflage bags, and the waterproof Victor compact utility belt is the latest in line to offer a camo pattern by day yet be fully reflective at night. The Victor can be worn across the chest or around the waste, and it features Chrome’s iconic quick-release seatbelt buckle that has an integrated bottle opener.
Category: Cycling
Bicycle Design Signs Off
We’ve enjoyed reading the BicycleDesign.net blog for years. It has been going strong, showcasing the latest in bicycle innovation, since 2005. However, this week James Thomas announced that he’ll be ending the postings on the popular blog.
However, he had this to say on Thursday:
For anyone interested in only the bike related posts on my new blog, I have created a Bikes and Active Transportation category. There won’t be nearly as much bike design content as you were used to here, but I do plan to post a bit of it (starting with coverage of NAHBS next month).
Seems you can’t keep a good blogger from blogging! We look forward to seeing what he has to say on his new blog at JCT Design.
Velo Press Rides In With Children’s Book
London-based writer and illustrator Rod Waters holds the Guinness World Record for cycling between Paris and London in just over 14 hours, and now he has released a cycle-themed children’s book. Aimed at children aged 4 to 8, Eric’s Big Day: A Bicycle Race Unlike Any Other, tells the story of a boy who helps wayward bike racers as he heads out on a ride.
The book is available now from VeloPress.
Eric’s Big Day: A Bicycle Race Unlike Any Other Official Website
Fly Away
Bar Fly once again lets cyclists put their Garmin computer out front. The Spoon can be integrated to most bar/stem combinations while a special version is designed specially with fi’zi:k R1 and R3 stems in mind.
[Via BikeRadar: Bar Fly releases two new Garmin computer mounts]
The Speed Play
If you commute by bike there is only so much stuff you can stuff in a bag. The Speed Up Bag could provide a bit more storage, but unlike other bags this one is mounted to the bike. Slovenian inventor Joze Petkovsek also claims that this is the most aerodynamic cycling bag around.
It is designed to mount on the handlebars and it provides less air resistance to the rider, less drag coefficient than standard bags and that all means higher cycling speeds. This bag is also waterproof so the contents inside can stay draw during the ride. The developers are looking to an Indiegogo campaign to get the Speed Up Bag up to speed and ready for launch. Continue reading The Speed Play
Giant Has You Covered
Giant is on a streak, or rather Giant has a Streak and a Rev, the two new helmets from the bicycle manufacturer for the 2014 season. Both models feature Giant’s ratchet dual Cinch+ system that makes for a snug fit, and each is available in three colors. The Rev will weigh in at 254grams while the Streak tips the scales at 300grams, and both will be ready to roll this summer.
Infinity Plus One
When we think of the concept of infinity we think of more or at least endless, but the Infinity bicycle saddle is actually about less – or maybe it is more because it is less? We’re really confused on this one, but designer Dr. Vincent Marcel basically reinvented the saddle by inverting it. So instead of a convex shape to sit on he created a concave shape that has the bones rest inside the cutout with support on the muscles.
We first spotted the Infinity last fall when Marcel launched his Kickstarter campaign. He ended up with 1,330 backers and surpassed his $25,000 goal and then some. In the end he raised $188,340 to make the Infinity a reality. Now that it is a success he seems ready to get in production.
We’ve seen other saddles that look to do more with less, so we’ll be watching to see where this Infinity concept goes next. It could be nowhere it could be to infinity… you know the rest.
Infinity Kickstarter Site
[Via BikeRumor: THE RADICAL INFINITY SADDLE – THE ANSWER FOR GOING THE DISTANCE?]
Full Kontact
Kontact has been made… for cyclists. The Kontact saddle works on the theory that providing a flat surface to sit on actually prevents the center of the seat from pushing up in between the “sit bones,” which in turn causes increased pressure. Kontact claims by providing a flat surface there is more contact area that reduces the pressure. The company is so sure of its results that it is offering a 30 day 100 percent refund policy on saddles.
Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time
Olympic Tech
From TechNewsWorld: Team USA in Sochi: High-Tech Gear Spurs High Hopes
While it takes years of training, determination and really good genes even to get a chance to compete in the Olympic Games, the difference between making the podium or not can come down to milliseconds in some events. At this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, new advances in fabrics, materials and designs are giving the athletes an edge as they go for the gold. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time
Retro High Tech Gloves
Retro and high tech are usually not things we associate together, but Veeka has managed to provide both in its new line of cycling gloves. These look downright old school and feature handwoven cotton with a classic Velcro closure, but these also offer a non-slip silicone texture that provides grip on the handbars or a mobile phone. The company has an entire line of stylish gloves that will look like a blast from the past, yet still be ready to roll with your 21st century ride.
Printed Flyer
3D printing continues to revolutionize the world, and the Flying Machine shows just what can it can do. This “printed flyer” is actually a full size bike that offers fully 3D printed titanium lugs. The Australian bike maker has utilized advances in EBM (Electron beam melting), which allows for thicker layers of material to printed and thus results in a quicker manufacturing time.
While this is still quite a ways from a fully 3D printed bike the Flying Machine could show that the sky is the limit.
Flying Machine Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Flying Machine’s 3D printed titanium frame]
A Nutter Multi-Tool
We’ve seen a lot of multi-tools for cyclists but Full Windsor is now offering a Nutter one – make that The Nutter Cycle Multi Tool. This system is all build around the handle, which accepts various bits and transforms it into a tool you won’t want to be without. It includes spanners, hex tools, spoke keys, torx bit and even bottom opener and all of it can be stashed in a handy and stylish leather-bound case.
Reflective Cross Wear
For last months cyclocross world championships last month apparel maker BioRacer introduced a new highly reflective cycling jersey. It utilizes a material dubbed “Pixel,” which will practically glow when hit by car headlights, ensuring that a rider can be seen. What is notable about this technology is that it makes the apparel look like a solid color in normal light, but when hit by a headlight or other bright illumination it glows! We hope to see more of this fabric in the coming months.
BioRacer Press Release: Reflective warm-up clothing WC Hoogerheide – Pixel fabric