Taking the mobile smartphone on the road shouldn’t result in a journey to the store afterward to buy a new handset should the weather turn. The Xventure Smartphone Handlebar Mount from Bracketron offers an ergonomic compartment that is universally designed for smartphones, GPS devices and MP3 players. It even offers a compartment for credit card, some cash or other small items. The Xventure mount is water resistant and yet will allow touchscreen access and control.
Category: Cycling
Strider Crosses the Redline
Balance bike maker Strider has offered up a special edition Redline Strider via a licensing deal with Seattle Bike Supply. This balance bike weighs 6.7 pounds, features adjustable seat and handlebars and fits children ages 18 months to five years old. It will come in red and blue models and include official logos and number plate. The bikes will be made available worldwide in early November through Striker Bike and Seattle Bike Supply distributors.
Evolution of the Bicycle as a Poster
Have you ever wondering how the bicycle evolved from those high-wheel designs to what we see today? The Pop Chart Lab poster “Evolution of the Bicycle” offers 75 intricately detailed illustrations that trace the evolutionary tree of the bicycle from 1780 to the present day. The 24×18-inch poster tells the story better than words ever could.
Evolution of the Bicycle Poster at Pop Chart Lab
Interbike Preview: Transition Time
Next week at the Interbike trade show in Las Vegas Oakley and Nike Max will introduce their respective lines of Transitions adaptive sunglasses that change depending on outdoor light. This can help enhance vision during outdoor sports and activities and these are color optimized while offering increased contrast to improve distance and depth perception, and even block 100 percent of UV rays.
Going Backwards?
With a free wheel you can pedal backwards and all you get is a ratchet sound. With a coaster brake pedaling backwards will stop you, and with a fixed gear pedaling backwards will stop you and could even have you go backwards. That is all fairly easy to follow.
biXe Italia had another idea, that would allow pedaling forward or backwards but where pedaling in either direction would still propel the rider forward. This isn’t so much about the bike but rather the gear system, which can take backward pedaling but still allow the chain and drivetrain to function as if the rider were pedaling normally. What’s the rational to this? According to the company this allows different muscle groups to be worked. Genius or confusing… you decide. Continue reading Going Backwards?
Mini Bike
There has been a trend in cycling to provide bigger wheels and tires, but the Rocker Mini BMX goes the other direction. At first glance this looks like it might be a bike for a tyke, but it is actually for those who want to rock out BMX style. It features 10-inch pneumatic tires, full size saddle, full size pedals and 28/12 gearing. Big things do come in small packages. Video after the jump
Interbike Preview: Proof of Life
At next week’s Interbike trade show LifeProof will demonstrate its latest iPhone 5 and Samsung Galaxy SIII and iPad Mini waterproof and shockproof cases. These allow users to have full control of the smartphone/tablet touchscreens while further providing a built-in scratch protector.
In addition the LifeProof Bike Mount allows those devices to go on the ride with you, while further ensuring quick removal with one hand via a quick release. We’ll be sure to check out LifeProof’s latest offerings at Interbike in Las Vegas.
Just Glow With It
There are many ways to make a bike stand out at night, but Pure Fix Glow Bikes cut right to the chase and offer up – as the name suggests – bikes that glow in the dark. These minimalist, fixed-gear road bikes offer an almost ghost-like white appearance in the day, but at night cast a glow that can’t be missed.
These are feature a paint that is solar-activated and needs just an hour in the sun for each hour at night, and after the lights go down these will offer a neon green glow.
Console Power
The Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy line of smartphones make good cycling computers, and now Bike2Power has introduced the new BikeConsole Power Plus Rechargeable Mount to protect the handsets. These provide a weatherproof and shock-protected all-in-one solution that also recharges a user’s smartphone while riding. It is sealed against rain, snow, dust, and dirt and can help provide protection from crashes as well.
It provides full phone functionality, and offers a 360 degree swivel design plus a battery backup so you’ll have the juice to go the distance.
Weekend Reading List (09.07.2013): Treasure Chest, Toilet Time, Football to Football
Treasure Chest
From BikeRadar: $50,000 Fairwheel Bikes travel case
Say you’re a wealthy Swiss cycling enthusiast who just bought an incredible custom Crumpton road bike – you would, of course, want to take it with you on business trips. When just such a customer approached Arizona retailer Fairwheel Bikes for a custom travel case, they developed one in carbon fibre. For $50,000. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (09.07.2013): Treasure Chest, Toilet Time, Football to Football
Shift for Good
One Street has announced that its Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody is ready to launch via a Kickstarter campaign beginning next month. The bicycle advocacy group has been working on simple to make, simple to use bike components for a while now and the shifters are shifting into high gear.
These feature a symmetrical design that works on both the right and left side, using only six parts and can be easily repaired. The Bike Shift Levers can be produced via primitive casting using scrap aluminum and are designed for people who depend on their bike, and is simple for those with weak or injured hands.
We’ll be sure to follow the efforts as the Bike Shift Lever heads to Kickstarter.
Toshiba Gets in Rugged Camera Game
Next week at the Interbike trade show we won’t just be seeing bicycles – in recent years more and more consumer electronics makers have been on the show floor with products such as action cameras. Last year Sony and JVC were both there, and we won’t be surprised if Toshiba makes an appearance.
The Japanese CE manufacturer unveiled its new Camileo X-Sports actioncam, which is unique in that it comes with a helmet. The Camileo X-Sports was debuted in Europe this week, not at Eurobike but rather at the IFA 2013 trade show. This means that Toshiba is still aiming at the electronics crowd first.
The device, which does look like a GoPro, offers something GoPro doesn’t – namely a built-in two-inch screen. This camera can shoot at 1080p Full HD at 60fps, and offers an ultra-wide lens. It can also shoot 12megapixel still images. Continue reading Toshiba Gets in Rugged Camera Game
Light Apparel
There have been various attempts to help add some lights to cyclists and runners who might head out at night, and now EroGear is introducing its Fos line of wearable LEDs. These can be programmed to shimmer, offer words and generally make riders a lot more visible.
The system consists of a Velcro-lined fabric patch that contains a super-bright LED grid that can be programmed wirelessly via Bluetooth from a mobile phone or other device.The device reportedly weighs less than a golf ball, but is bright enough that it can be seen even at distance, and can run for several hours on a charge.
The developers are currently looking to Kickstarter to get the light show on the road. Continue reading Light Apparel