Keep On Rolling

Women-Bike-ReportThe League of American Bicyclists released its first-of-its-kind report that shows that “women are on a roll” and highlights the power and potential of female cyclists. This report showcased the trend that is being seen across the country; namely that women are changing the face of bicycling, and bicycling is transforming the lives of women.

This report has complied more than 100 original and trusted sources of data and showcased the growth and potential of female riders in the United States. This included focusing on the “5 Cs” including comfort, convenience, consumer products, confidence and community.

According to the report 82 percent of American women have a positive view of bicyclists, while 60 percent of bicycle owners aged 17-28 are in fact women. Moreover, women accounted for 37 percent of the bicycle market in 2011, spending $2.3 billion.

While 89 percent of bike shop owners are male, 33 percent of shops are run by a husband/wife team, and 45 percent of local and state bicycle advocacy organization staff are female. However, the report also found that women are still underrepresented in leadership positions, including the boards of national industry and advocacy organizations — and their membership.

League of American Bicyclists Women Bike Resources Official Website

Baby Fat Bike

On-One-Baby-FattyYou’re never too young to ride a fat bike, and perhaps if more kids today took up cycling there wouldn’t be the childhood obesity problem we now face. UK-based On One has introduced just the thing in the Baby Fatty, which features a 12-inch frame built around 24×4-inch tires.

The Baby Fatty features the same CNC hubs, same 6061 T6 hand-welded frame, same SRAM X5 components as On-One’s adult Fatty, which was introduced earlier this year. The Fatty has been moving too, as the company noted more than 500 have already been sold, making it the company’s most popular off-road bike.

This Baby Fatty bike will be ready to roll out in November.

On One Bikes Official Website

Garmin Power

Garmin-VectorA number of companies are doing power meters but the new Garmin Vector might just power away from the competition. This pedal-based power meter delivers readings from each pod to a head unit (not included) via ANT+, and one notable advantage over other systems is that the pedals can be easily transfer from bike to bike.

The Garmin Vector won’t come cheap – it is available now in the United States for about $1,700. But for those who want to know how much power they generate this could be the system to beat. Official specs after the jump

Jeep Goes Xtreme With Performance Gear

jeepThis year at the Outdoor Summer Market, Chrysler will make its North American debut of its Jeep Xtreme Performance Collection. The JXP is a line of apparel and gear that Jeep says will push boundaries for activities including trail running and mountain biking.

The line contains over 170 apparel items, plus footwear. Beyond the Clouds holds the Jeep license and is manufacturing the line. There are few details ahead of the Outdoor Retailer show coming up. We will follow-up once more is announced.

Jeep Official Website

Enduro Challenge Coming to Interbike’s Outdoor Demo

InterbikeWe at KineticShift look forward to the OutDoor Demo Days during Interbike. It is our chance to test ride a variety of bikes on and off-road. This year the show organizers are looking for something a bit bigger with the Enduro Challenge to be held at Bootleg Canyon and presented by Innovative Timing Systems (ITS).

The all-new Enduro Challenge will consist of four stages covering both days of the OutDoor Demo. There will be two unique timed courses that riders can put their skills and the latest bikes to test on over the two days. Awards will be presented both days to the top three finishers for both men and women, with three grand prizes awarded on Tuesday afternoon to the combined two day winners. The overall winner is the rider (male and female) who accumulates the lowest combined time from the four timed sections. Participation in the event is free of charge to all attendees. Riders can take practice runs, but only one official time will count towards the prizes.

The Endure Challenge, will take place on both Monday and Tuesday, with winners to be crowned both day, and is open to all Interbike & OutDoor Demo attendees.

Interbike Official Website

Go Pro at Night

Niterider-Pro-3600There are plenty of bicycle lights that will get you home even when street lights are far and few between, but for those who hit the trails after dark something a little more powerful is required. For those times there is the new NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY, which might just be one of the brightest bike lights we’ve seen or even heard about.

It features 3600 lumens, produced from six high performing Cree LEDs. The system includes an LED headlamp, helmet mount, handlebar mount, docking station and of course Li-Ion battery. It can run for an hour and a half at full power, or be race ready with 450 lumens for up to 16 hours. Riding the trails with this could be like the difference of night and day.

NiteRider Pro 3600 DIY Official Website

Stand By You

Thule-Road-Trip-EliteThere are plenty of bike cases that will ensure that your ride gets there, but it won’t get there in one piece. Bicycle cases require you to disassemble it, but now Thule has introduced a new line of Road Trip bike cases – including the Road Trip Elite (hard case featuring ABS, aluminum and rugged nylon) and Road Trip Pro (soft case featuring hyper durable nylon) – which also offer something truly unique.

At your destination the rails of the case pull out and transform into a classic work stand, making it easier to reassemble the bike, giving it a once over and getting you ready to do some riding.

Thule Official Website

Big Boy’s Wheel

Big-WheelGrowing up isn’t all it is cracked up to be. Working, bills to pay, the constant thought of getting old and dying. Why not head back to childhood and take out the Big Wheel. Higher Roller USA has introduced an adult-sized Big Wheel that features a heavy duty steel frame and fork – no plastic injection molding with this one’s frame. The molded 14-inch rear wheels are very similar to the child size versions but the 26-inch front wheel features an aluminum alloy rim and rubber tire that will let the good times roll again!

High Roller Adult Size Big Wheel Official Website

Weekend Reading List (08.10.2013): Velo Repair, Social Run, Courting Technology, Solar Life Saver

Velo Repair

Boulder-Valley-Velodrome

From Bicycle Retailer: RecoFit donating portion of Armcoolers sales to velodrome
RecoFit Compression Gear is donating $3 from the online sales of its Armcoolers sleeves to help with the completion of the Boulder Valley Velodrome in Erie, Colorado.

The outdoor wooden velodrome was due to open later this month. However it was heavily damaged by a wind storm on Saturday. Its opening has now been pushed back indefinitely. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (08.10.2013): Velo Repair, Social Run, Courting Technology, Solar Life Saver

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Paper Boy Game

PaperboyWe like the idea of technology that combines video games and fitness, and we’ve heard about a few efforts that are under way, but the PaperDude VR has us scratching our heads. Yes, it is a game combined with a bicycle and it even utilizes virtual reality.

But it is sort of the like an old episode of The Simpsons where Bart plays a virtual yard work simulation after doing everything he could to get out of actual yard work. What’s the point in other words? Aren’t video games about saving the world or at least the princess, and with all due respect to those who wake up early to deliver the paper – is this really that compelling of an “adventure?”

So perhaps this isn’t really a full-blown Kinetic(Mis)Shift but we somehow think this technology could be used for so much more. Video after the jump

Elevengear’s 11th

Elevengear-Original-EquipmeEvery month our friends at Elevengear Cycling Lifestyle like to offer up an “Elevendeal” and this month it is the retro looking all-leather cycling gloves. These are supple, resilient gloves that look like they came straight out of the 1970s – and we do mean that in a good way. Made of goatskin and tanned to a natural warm buff these are breathable, and feature a lightly padded palm with 2cm of extended padding near the wrist. They’ll add comfort for the long rides as well as protection to the hands in case of a crash.

According to the makers these will even mold to your hand’s unique shape and develop character with each ride. The gloves are being offered at a special price of $25 through August 11 and after that will return to their regular $34 price.

Elevengear Original Equipment Leather Gloves Official Website

Outdoor Retailer Show Recap: Belt Driven

NovaraTo say there were a few surprises at least week’s Outdoor Retailer Show would be an understatement, notably as we expect the big bike news to occur at Eurobike or Interbike. But REI introduced the Novara, an affordable commuter bike that features the Gates Carbon Drive.

This bike offers a 3-speed hub as well as rear rack, fenders and a basket, but it is the grease-free belt drive that turned out head. It will be just $850 this fall.

Rei Official Website

The No-so Evil Empire

GIRO_EmpireMTB_1Roland Reagan dubbed the Soviet Union (rightly we think) the “Evil Empire,” and of course the Star Wars gave the idea of “empire” a bad name as well. But cycling shoe maker Giro sees the moniker a bit differently and has introduced the Empire MTB shoe, which features a camouflage color scheme.

The shoes are designed for off-road but do seem inspired by road shoes, and thus are according to the company a perfect match for fall riding, and could be great for gravel rides, cyclocross and commuting. Only 50 pairs of the these are being sold through Facebook page, but another 350 pairs will be offered to Giro athletes and at retail worldwide.

Don’t underestimate the power of Empire!

Giro Official Website