Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Noomadic Ride

Throughout history nomadic people have had to travel and in essence carry everything they own, but today we live in houses and apartments and tend to require moving vans even for short relocations. This doesn’t mean that there aren’t times when being able to carry a bit more while on the go wouldn’t be helpful.

This is where the Noomad comes in. Unlike the concept S-Cargo Carrier that we saw this spring this one is actually ready to hit the road. The Spanish-made bike attachment from Polo De Innovacion Garaia is designed to transform a traditional two-wheeler into a stable, three-wheeled cycle that can haul everything from luggage to groceries and more. This one even features an integrated braking system that can attach quickly to the bike, so in addition to stability there is also full braking ability. While not a complete bike the Noomad is actually something that can transform most bicycles into something that can carry a whole more than just a wicker basket.

Noomad Bike Official Website

Camo Chrome

Bag maker Chrome continues to come up with innovative products. The company offered some upcycled bags made of vintage Warsaw Pact camo sleeping covers, and now it is keeping the camouflage theme going with its new reflective camo bags that reflect light from 100 feet away. The bags feature traditional camo, urban camo and even digital camo – and while these patterns are usually used to help the wearer/user blend in, these allow for the wear/user to stand out, especially at night.

These American made bags are available in three styles, but in limited quantities.

Chrome Reflective Camo Official Website

Smith at the Forefront

Smith Optics has expanded into the helmet market for spring 2014, and will bring out three models, including an all-mountain helmet called the Forefront. The entire line up will make its official debut at Interbike next month, but Smith has announced some key details.

The helmet will feature an innovative material called Koroyd, which reportedly has better impact absorption than EPS and also allows ventilation directly through the material via a “tubular core” construction. Continue reading Smith at the Forefront

Interbike 2013 Preview: Swift Looking Socks

American-made Swiftwick compression socks will be at next month’s Interbike trade show. The company will look to show off its SUSTAIN sock line, which is made from post-industrial recycled nylon. The SUSTAIN line, which runs $12 to $17, offers compression and moisture-wicking capabilities, without the use of chemicals. Continue reading Interbike 2013 Preview: Swift Looking Socks

Ride of the Jedi

The cooler weather is around the corner and Buffwear is there to help keep your neck and head warm with balaclavas and neckwarmers. And since you need to look cool while you ride the company offers a variety of styles and patterns, including a new Star Wars Buffs that feature iconic images from the movies. While not for everyone these might allow fans to let out their inner Sith or Jedi. These aren’t the bikes you are looking for.

Star Wars Buffs Official Website

Kinetic Keeps Rolling

Kinetic Trainers have helped us get through those long cold winters, and for 2014 the company has revamped the line – the first time since 2007. This included greater 29er compatibility, enhanced ergonomics and best of all lighter weight. The new line up even comes fully assembled so you can take these out of the box and get rolling.

The Kinetic Trainer also replaced the cantilever design of its flagship model, the Rock and Roll, with a design that centers the pivot point and rider weight over the elastomer stack, reducing rider-induced bounce and sag and allowing lower bolt tension to give a more active side-to-side motion. Continue reading Kinetic Keeps Rolling

Weekend Reading List (08.24.2013): Upcycled Roof, Kobe Goes Anti-G, Cycle Cross

Upcycled Roof

From Gear Junkie: Metrodome Stadium Roof Material Made Into Luggage at Duluth Pack
In 2010, after a major accumulation of heavy snow in a storm, the roof of the massive Metrodome stadium in Minneapolis collapsed. More than three acres of the roof material, a Teflon-coated fiberglass fabric, had to be replaced. The material was headed to the landfill. But two people associated with the team made a deal to purchase the material for future use. Unveiled this past week, Minnesota brand Duluth Pack will construct a limited run of bags from the old Metrodome roof. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.24.2013): Upcycled Roof, Kobe Goes Anti-G, Cycle Cross

The Perfect Companion

Doubling up on a bicycle isn’t something we’d recommend, but a number of products are there to make it a little easier and more importantly safer to take a friend along for the ride. The Companion Bike Seat is designed to provide a true second seat. It can attach to any bike that could support a rear rack, and is sturdy enough to support a rider up to 200 pounds.

Beneath the hinged seat is even a splash-proof and lockable storage box so you can take a person and something small on the ride.

Companion Bike Seat Official Website

Get You Zipp On

Zipp is offering up two new bottle cage designs, one made of aluminum and the other made of carbon fiber. The Alumina aluminum cage weighs 27 grams and has the same design as the SLSpeed cage. It has an anodized black finish and an MSRP of $35.

The SLSpeed carbon cage weighs 18 grams and is designed for side or direct bottle entry. The side entry is useful on smaller frames and those with tight frame angles. It has a gloss finish and an MSRP of $75.

Both cages will be available this month.

Zipp Official Website

PROTKT and Serve

Taking that iPhone on a ride is cool, especially as it can be used with a variety of apps, but you’ll want to make sure it survives the ride. This is where the Wahoo Fitness PROTKT comes in. This iPhone bike case is sleek and slim, yet weatherproof and shockproof – providing users a simple and secure solution to accessing their iPhone through rain, dirt, snow and of course – sweat.

It even comes bundled with the Wahoo Fitness App for cycling – transforming the handset into a powerful fitness tool – which you can combine with fitness sensors to wirelessly monitor all your crucial information. It can also be used with a neoprene hand band for use while walking, running or hiking.

Wahoo Fitness PROTKT Official Website

Interbike: The Real Recovery Ride

Next month at the Interbike trade show attendees will get a chance to take part in a new 25-mile ride that is about more than just testing next year’s bicycles. The Ride 2 Recovery/Interbike Honor Ride will start at Interbike’s new home, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center (MBCC), on Tuesday, September 17th, at 8:00 a.m. Veterans, troops and all attendees of the Interbike trade show are invited to ride to the OutDoor Demo site in Boulder City, NV.

This is one ride we hope not to miss.

Ride2Recovery Official Website

All(Ston) In

Helmets are designed to protect the wearer’s head, but often this means something that is hot, comfortable and doesn’t exactly let the wind blow through the hair. The Bern Allston Helmet might be the next best thing to riding without a helmet as it features 16 vents, and a removable liner system that truly offers airflow.

In addition to breathing this helmet weights just 13 ounces and is available in several fashionable colors – because we know for some that does matter.

Bern Allston Helmet Official Website

True Bicycle Grit

Reuben J. “Rooster” Cogburn is a fictional character who first appeared in the 1968 Charles Portis novel, True Grit. Cogburn Outdoors likely has nothing to do with that fictional character, but the company is a division of Quality Bicycle Products – the makers of Surly and Salsa fat-bikes.

The reason we thought of Rooster Cogburn is that this bike is something we’d almost expect to see him ride if he were around today and not merely a fictional character. This is a “hunter’s bike,” and offers a place to store a bow or rifle. The CB4 offers a rack, oversized tires and even a camouflage frame.

It is a bike that we think has some “true grit,” and we don’t mind saying so.

Cogburn Outdoors Official Website