Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Reinventing the Wheels

Introduced at the ISPO Munich show last month the AeYO looks to reinvent not so much the wheel, but perhaps the way wheels can be used. It is part bicycle, part skates and part scooter. While the feet are placed in in-line skates, it thus allows the legs to move freely and provide forward acceleration but at the same time the handle and front wheels keep the feet stable so there is little chance of falling.

While it again won’t reinvent the wheel it could create a new way to get rolling. Continue reading Reinventing the Wheels

Camo is the New Black

We’ve seen a wave of camouflage in cycling attire and even cycling saddles. Of course Chrome had introduced camo bags last year. Now the company is releasing its second edition bags that incorporate the Swedish M90 geometric camouflage designs – but these actually work to help riders be seen.

While it looks like the traditional camo that would blend into wooded terrain these bags feature a “camo rain” glass bead print that actually illuminates from 100 feet away when hit with light. There are three new models to choose from – all American made – including the slender Victor Reflective, the shoulder bag Citizen and the backpack styled Barrage. All are ready to have you covered during your commute.

Chrome Reflective Camo 2nd Issue Official Website

Hug On

The Hugbike from Italy looks to reinvent the tandem. This bike is designed to put a parent in the back and the child I the front – thus giving the youngster a better view. Yet it still provides the older (and arguably more experienced rider) a way to steer.

This concept is very similar to the BuddyBike, which is designed for parents of special needs children, and Hugbike has employed some autistic children through a program that teaches them a new skill.

Hugbike Official Website

Shark Attack

The Nalini Shark road shoe looks ready to strike this year. This shoe features a full carbon sole with both 3-hole Look and 2-hole SPD mounting options, and the Shark further offers a seamless microfiber upper, supportive heal cup, and micrometric closure system with Nalini’s “Fly” aluminum buckle, and two Velcro straps. The insole also offers a planter arch support along with breathable air-flow technology.

Nalini at Albabici

Camo Time

Camouflage was designed to help the wearer blend into the background. It was then used to disguise items and also help them stand out less. The new bike saddle from Astute probably won’t blend into the background – even if it is used with the recent camouflage cycling jerseys we’ve seen recently. The Camo Skylite VT is rather about style and this one certainly stands out.

The new saddle is now ready for U.S. distribution via Fairwheel Bikes. In addition to its striking colors it also features Astute’s SPAS (Shock Pad Absorber System) and carbon rides to provide a comfortable ride for those who truly go the distance.

Astute Official Website
Fairwheel Bikes Official Website

Head Above the Rest

Every cyclist knows that flat tires suck but carrying a pump can be a pain, which is why we like CO2 cartridges and an inflator. But even these can take up a bit of space in a jersey pocket or saddle bag. The Genuine Innovations Hammerhead weights just 26 grams and it works with most threaded cartridges so there is less to carry.

Genuine Innovations Hammerhead CO2 Tire Inflator Official Website

Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Sochi Goes for the Cold

From The Verge: Freezing Sochi: how Russia turned a subtropical beach into a Winter Olympics wonderland
Sochi is not the most obvious place to host the Winter Olympics.

The Russian resort, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea, is humid and subtropical. Temperatures average out at about 52 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, and 75 degrees in the summer. Palm trees line the streets, and it’s the only part of Russia warm enough to grow tea leaves. In other words, it’s a lovely spot if you’re planning a beach holiday — Stalin had his favorite summer house there — but it wouldn’t be most people’s first choice for a ski trip. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.08.2014): Sochi Goes for the Cold, Gold Prices, Bike Crowded Miami

Top Storage

Most cyclists have found that there is always more to carry than will fit in a bicycle jersey pocket and XLAB has found a way to provide just a bit more storage with its toptube bags for bikes with angled stems or with cables entering the toptube.

The Stealth Pocket 500 utilizes toptube bosses on many new bikes and provides storage while also improving the front-end aerodynamics. This new bag comes with 1mm insulated sides and stiffener insert, which ensures that the bag maintains its aero shape while it weighs just 2.7 ounces.

“Our previous line of toptube storage bags had two models with toptube mount capabilities that are ideal if riders mount a bag right up against the stem,” said Candice Turner, marketing director and COO of XLAB. “Lately, we noticed a trend of superbikes with angled, integrated stems along with midrange bikes with cables entering the toptube, but with new toptube bolts. A bag that has a vertical front blocks some of the air coming from the front end and creates a turbulent air pocket resulting in drag. We needed to create a rounded front, which would redirect the air cleanly over the bag and eradicate that air pocket.”

XLAB Stealth Pocket 500 Official Website

Unbundled Trainer Accessories

Indoor trainer maker Kinetic announced a new pricing structure for its inRide Watt Meter and Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Strap. While previously sold together each is now available as two separately packaged products. While bundled together for $229, consumers can now purchases the inRide Watt Meter for $159, while the Kinetic Bluetooth Smart Heart Rate Strap has a suggested retail of $70.

“We’re listening to cyclists,” explained David Simpson, Kinetic’s marekting manager. “Quite a few already have heart rate straps, offering the inRide pod separately saves them money and eliminates the redundancy of purchasing a second one. As for customers who only want a heart rate strap, ours is a great option that is compatible with inRide and over 50 different fitness Apps.”

Introduced in 2012 the Kinetic inRide is compatible with all Kinetic fluid trainers, while the inRide app offers five different data screens, allowing riders to focus on wattage or heart rate with features such as time-in-zone measurement, programmable rider data, calorie burn, and ride history. The Kinetic Bluetooth 4.0 Heart Rate Strap wirelessly pairs with the free Kinetic inRide App, as well as any of over 50 popular fitness Apps, including Strava and MapMyRide, to measure heart rate.

Kinetic Trainers Official Website

Board to Bike

Cyclists might be getting a little “bored” of riding on the trainer, but let’s face it winter isn’t going anywhere just yet. If you can’t beat it then board up. The BikeBoards, which were unveiled at the recent Outdoor Retailer Show Winter Market, basically transforms a mountain bike into more than a snow bike. It puts front ski on the tire and allows the bike to better navigate through the white stuff.

Designed to fit tires with widths between two and five inches it can be mounted in three positions based on the snow and conditions. It features a full steel edge with a sidecut and curved tips that provide float in deep snow, as well as grip and carving on harder snow and ice. All we can say is hop on board.

BikeBoards Official Website

LeMond Powers Up

With winter in full fear many cyclists are likely stuck on trainers. But LeMond is now offering an optional wireless power meter attachment for its LeMond Revolution stationary trainers. This add-on, which will retail for around $250, will help cyclists monitor their power a little more closely.

The WattBox, which can connect to a smartphone app and bike computer via ANT+, can calculate wattage based on the trainer’s wind resistance unit, and take into account air temperature, humidity and altitude. This can in turn provide an accurate reading based on the amount of air moved by the resistance unit’s fan.

“Now anyone with a LeMond Revolution trainer can effectively gauge their output,” said company founder Greg LeMond. “Research in cycling performance always brings us back to the most critical reading, which is wattage,” LeMond said. “Knowing this number and working with it opens the door to knowledge and improved riding. By creating the WattBox, we are putting the processor in the WattBox unit, which allows any software update in the future or a small hardware change.”

LeMond Official Website

Cycloc and Load

Need a place to hang your hat? Well the Cycloc can’t help you there, but if you need a place to hang your bike you are in luck. This plastic looking bike rack is made from 100 percent recycled materials and can support traditional round tubes as well shaped tubes.

It mounts to the wall via three anchor points, and this rack is notable in that it includes a pass through on the top and bottom so it could be used with a lock. While the design might not fit ever décor it is available in a range of colors. Video after the jump

Made in America: Mountain Man Jersey

With all the snow on the ground it might be a while before we make it to the mountains on a bike, but Mt. Borah has us itching to ride. The company’s February JOM (Jersey of the Month) pays homage to trail buildings around the globe. This micro polyester fabric jersey features a full-hidden zipper, club cut with three pocket back and tagless care content label.

It was made in Wisconsin, where we think they’re probably still digging out from the latest mountain of snow.

Mt. Borah: To the Trails JOM