Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Wheel Lock

If you ride your bike to work in the city and can’t bring it into a safe and secure place you need worry about the wheels, seat and other parts as much as you do about the whole bike. In other words locking the bike up, even with a secure lock, isn’t enough to ensure that the parts aren’t stripped off.

This is where Sphyke comes in. It offers a line of keyless combination locks for the wheels, seatpost, even steam cap and saddle. With this every part that can be easily stolen is quickly locked down, which can increase the chances of the bike being safe and ready for the ride home. It could give you extra piece of mind so you can get through the work day and you know… focus on work instead of running out to keep checking on the bike. Continue reading Wheel Lock

Giro Hits the Road With New Fall Apparel

Fall is in the air and that means you’re likely going to need another layer or two if you’re planning on putting in any miles on the bike. Giro has expanded its range for those looking to stay on the bike and warm at the same time. This includes new seasonal updates with tops, bottoms and even accessories.

Giro’s Fall 2013 collection is designed for cool as well as wet conditions and includes new ¾ Bib Undershorts that will have the knees covered; a Neo Rain Jacket the promises to the be the “ONE” with its proprietary Stowback pocket system; and the Softsheel Jacket that is made for fall and even winter riding. Details after the jump

If the Weather is Frightful Let it Glow!

Sure we report on all the latest lights that are available to help cyclists see their way in the dark, but a team in the UK is working on a glow-in-the-dark recreational path surface that glows in the dark. The Starpath is designed to absorb and store energy from the sun’s UV rays during the day and releases these at night, which allows the particles in the path to glow.

The concept could eventually be used throughout the city of Cambridge as an alternative to streetlights on foot and bike paths. What a “bright” idea! Video after the jump

To Infinity and Beyond – With a Bike Seat

When putting the long miles on a bike – whether on the road or off and whether going fast or slow – it can be a pain in the… well, you get the idea. The Infinity Seat, which was developed by Dr. Vincent Marcel of El Egundo, Calif. is reportedly the first bicycle saddle designed to minimize contact pressure and actually redistribute body weight for increased performance and comfort.

This seat weighs just 205 grams, and is thus lighter than most saddles on the market, while it also is designed to have no break-in period and should fit everyone.

We’ve seen many seats that look to provide more by going with less, and this certainly seems to be in line with Marcel’s thinking. He’s now taken his concept to Kickstarter where he hopes to get interest rolling.

Video after the jump

Kul Rex and Roll Bag

Nisnas Industries doesn’t make high tech bags for cyclists. They make stylish bags for those who might commute via a bicycle. This includes the new Kul Rex, Racing Stripe Edition bag, which looks quite chic yet speedy. This leather bag features a wood spin that makes it comfortable on the shoulder yet anything but awkward on the bike.

If the Kul Rex isn’t your thing you can hit the streets with the Kul Porter, a slimmed down bag that is ready when anything goes.

Nisnas Kul Bags Official Website

Bianchi Ready for Time Trial

Italian bike maker Bianchi has endured the test of time, and now is looking to bring time keeping to the wrist with a new line of watches. These Swiss-made watches are part of the new “Barcelona 1973” line, named for Felice Gimondi’s victory on a Bianchi bike at the UCI World Championships 30 years ago.

The line, which includes three different models, will be available from the bike maker beginning next month. These will each feature Bianchi’s famous celeste color. These won’t track heart rate, calories or distance but they’ll look stylish on and off the bike.

Bianchi Store Official Website

Weekend Reading List (10.26.2013): East Riding?, Facing Questions, Gotta Go!, Skate Innovation

Easy Riding?

From BikeRadar: Bordering cycle lanes with white lines will not keep cyclists safe, says charity The CTC has questioned elements of a coroner’s report which suggested London’s unbordered blue cycle lanes could be made safer if they were demarcated with white lines. The charity claim that most motorists won’t be aware of the legal differences anyway. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (10.26.2013): East Riding?, Facing Questions, Gotta Go!, Skate Innovation

Pretty Smart for a Fly… Wheel

Sometimes we can all use a little assistance and that’s where the FlyKly Smart Wheel comes in. It utilizes a motor that turns when you start pedaling and begins accelerating to your desired speed and stops when you need to stop.

This wheel is currently being developed via a Kickstarter project and in addition to providing some assist for riders, also can be remotedly locked and tracked if stolen. Pretty fly indeed! Video after the jump

See and Sense

The See Sense doesn’t just provide a light so you can be seen, this intelligent bike can determine the conditions around the rider and flash brighter and faster to improve visibility. Philip McAleese of Belfast has designed this sensible light and is now looking to Kickstarter to raise awareness and funds. That all makes sense to us! Video after the jump

Anyone’s Bike Lever

We’re happy to report that our friend Sue Knaup and One Street Components have launched the Kickstarter campaign for the Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody. These levers feature a system design that can be easily repaired by just about anyone.

The project is nearly the end of the line on Kickstarter and needs your help. Even a $1 minimum pledge can help get this project rolling so that people everywhere have access to easily repairable bicycle components! Video after the jump

Knog it Up

When it comes to bike lights there is bright and then there is Knog bright, and the Blinder 3 promise to be the model yet form the brand. The Kong Blinder 3 features an anodized aluminum face with two detachable silicone straps and a stainless steel clasp, which allow for tool-less mounting on handlebars measuring 22-28mm or 29-35mm. It produces 300 lumens of light abd weighs 105 grams, is waterproof and USB-rechargeable.

The Knog Bliner 3 headlights, which utilizes two high-intensity XB-D Cree LEDs that can shine with a 22 degree wide-angle beam, a 15 degree narrow beam or a dual 22/15 beam. It will turn an urban ride home into a night with bright lights, big city!

Knog Official Website

Wahoo Takes Strava Routes to Trainers

Winter is on the way and for those who will hit the stationary bikes soon that means riding in place, but now Wahoo Fitness will offer riders the chance to duplicate Strava segments on the KICKR stationary trainers. The Strava segments are section of real roads that riders can compete on via the Strava website and app along with a GPS device.

The app controls resistance on the KICKR to match the grade of the climbs and descents in each Strava segment. The KICKR is a rear-wheel-off trainer with a large flywheel to simulate real world riding conditions. Power is even measured at the rear hub.

There are nearly three million segments worldwide so that should really let riders mix it up this winter.

Wahoo Apps Official Website

Specialized Tri’s for Women

Taking on an alias lets you be someone different, and now there is a bike that provides that quick change as well. Specialized has launched a new line of bikes aimed at women who train and compete in triathlons. The Alias model is designed to allow riders to easily switch between a triathlon race position with aero bars and a traditional road position for training. This bike features geometry and components that allow for a quick position change.

A 35 millimeter setback seatpost works for the traditional road position, while swapping to a zero-offset post and installing aero bars preps the bike for a triathlon or time trial. The carbon frame features aero tube shaping to help cut through the wind.

The Alias will be available in three complete bike models. The Alias Pro Tri will retail for $6,000, the Comp Tri will retail for $3,300 and the Sport Tri will be $2,600.

Specialized Alias Official Website