Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Viva Zappos in Vegas

Online retailer Zappos has signed on as a platinum title sponsor for the RTC Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello announced the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). This big ride will take place just following this year’s Interbike, and will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21.

This year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello Sponsored by Zappos.com will take cyclists on a more extensive route through Downtown Las Vegas, which has seen revitalization thinks in part to Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh’s efforts. Riders will even get to travel past the new Zappos’ HQ that is inside the city’s former city hall! Viva Las Vegas.

Viva Bike Vegas 2013 Gran Fondo Pinarello Official Website

Specialized Goes AWOL

AWOL means Absent Without Leave, but in the case of Specialized it means a bike that is ready for adventure. Part of the Adventure bikes, the Specialized AWOL features a rugged steel frame made of 725/520 chromoly. It also offers what Specialized calls a do anything body, one that can tackle the mean streets as a durable commuter bike and still head off road on the weekends.

While it can be set up as a road bike, it offers a slider dropout and split chain stays. What this means is that it can be quickly (and more importantly easily) converted to use as a single speed or even with belt drive. About the only thing that is AWOL with this bike might be the rider from work on a Friday afternoon.

Specialized Official Website

Alchemy Goods Expands Product Line

As we’ve reported recently more and more of those old bicycle tubes are being kept out of landfills and are being used in “upcycled” products thanks to the efforts of several companies. Earlier this month it was announced that that Trek and REI have partnered up with Alchemy Goods to form a national bike tube recycling network. Together the three hope to collect more than a million bike tubes by the end of 2014.

This network includes more than 600 Trek bicycle dealers and 1,800 retailers — REI stores and independent bike shops — and is represented in nearly every state. That should go a long way in finding uses for those tubes that typically get tossed after a flat tire.

[Via Environmental Leader: Trek, REI Join Bike Tube Recycling Network]

Fashionable Boot

There has been a serious movement in recent months to provide more fashion-forward attire for urban commuters, with shoes and even clothing that is as friendly for the office as on the bike. However, most of the apparel and shoes have been aimed at the male rider, leaving the female somewhat on the side of the road.

DZR Shoes did offer up a very fashionable pair of full length synthetic leather boots that included a flexible clipless pedal shank. However, for reasons we don’t understand only 50 were produced for the whole world, so getting a pair could be a challenge.

DZR Zurich Official Website

League Helps Riders and Drivers Get Educated

httpv://youtu.be/EK-EDKVWOLE

Education is something that can help make for safer roads, and this month the League of American Bicyclists has launched a new website that includes interactive features to help cyclists connect with local riding clubs, bicycle-friendly businesses, bike educators and other resources in their area.

The League also launched a series of 19 educational videos that are free for public use. These cover topics like bikes and gear, bike safety and other riding tips. Time to get educated.

The League of American Bicyclists Smart Cycling Videos

Weekend Reading List (07.20.2013): Head Studies, Board Builder, Kit or Gear?

Head Studies

From The Chronicle of Higher Education: A Brain Gone Bad
Researchers clear the fog of chronic head trauma

The first thing Patient 53 saw as he walked in was a red football helmet. A groan rattled through his vending-machine-sized frame. “The last thing I want to see,” he said, “is a football helmet..” Continue reading Weekend Reading List (07.20.2013): Head Studies, Board Builder, Kit or Gear?

Le Map de France

The Tour de France is in its final week, but Vive Le Tour until next year. Endurance Conspiracy artist Tony DeBoom has honored the 100th running of the longest race (bicycle or otherwise) in the world with a limited edition print. Each of these posters is signed by the artist and proceeds will be donated to the Bikes Belong Foundation.

Only 50 will be made, so get them while you – but we have to ask… why not 100?

Tour de France 100 Year Anniversary Poster

Printed Bicycle

There are new advances to print a bicycle, including those utilizing titanium. However, the Beautiful Bicycle is another kind of print entirely. It is on paper and you can’t actually ride these bikes, but this could make excellent art for your wall.

Designer Andy Scullion is looking to Kickstarter to provide these customizable prints of bicycles through the ages. The print is split into 32 sections, and could include stock photos or even the contributor’s own bike. Good idea, and a beauty at that. Video after the jump

Difference of Night and Day

Chrome’s new Bravo Night backpack gives new meaning to the concept of versatile. It features full 3M reflective panels that are visible up to 100 meters at night. During the day it looks like a sleek black bag, but when the sun goes down its reflective qualities allow riders to be seen.

The Bravo Night features a 1000 denier Cordura outer shell, with 1000 denier military grade trunck tarpaulin liner, and weatherproof urethane coated YKK zippers. It even offers an ergonomic shoulder-strap with EVA foam back panel so it will be comfortable for the commute to and from work, while the welded-waterproof main compartment will keep a laptop or tablet computer high and dry.

Chrome Bravo Night Official Website

Shimano Feeling Blue

While every rider in the Tour de France may want to be in yellow, the Shimano limited edition R320 cycling shoe may have some feeling the need to be in blue. In fact, a group of selected Tour de France riders, including Edvald Boasson Hagen, Simon Gerrans and Marcel Kittel have been spinning through France in these special blue shoes. These offer the same features and technologies as the high end racing shoe R320, including Custom-Fit and Dynalast but has a special blue design.

These limited edition shoes are not only made for professional riders, but are also available for consumers. Shimano produced a limited number of shoes which are exclusively available in United States, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Spain, Slovakia, Poland and Israel. Race to the shop to pick up a pair.

Shimano Press Release: Shimano launches a limited edition R320 shoe during Tour de France

Speed Beast

Graeme Obree – a.k.a. the Flying Scotsman – made famous for his efforts to set the one hour record on the track with a homemade bicycle that included parts from a washing machine, is now reportedly looking to break the human-powered land speed record. More than that this innovative cyclist hopes to break the 100 mph barrier at the same time, and he looks to do so with the Beastie.

This bicycle will put Obree in the prone position inside a Kevlar and fiberglass shell, which features a rounded front section. Obree will reportedly head to Nevada’s Battle Mountain to look to make his record attempting ride in September.

[Via Human Invent: Graeme Obree unveils the finished Beastie]

Toyota to Sell Road Bike with Car Tech

Toyota is making a limited edition bike under its Lexus brand that will use materials that the auto manufacturer uses for its Lexus LFA sports car model. Toyota will limit the road bike to 100 units, and reportedly sell it for 1 million yen, or about $10,000 USD. Shimano, a Japanese manufacturer of bike components and parts, will manufacture the Lexus bike line. Continue reading Toyota to Sell Road Bike with Car Tech

Softer Bike Path

Falling on a bicycle is something everyone does unfortunately. We try to avoid it, but whether as kids or adults it hurts. Now researchers at the Swedish Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) are looking to create a new form of asphalt that could help reduce bicycle slide-outs while also provide some added cushion should a rider fall.

While regular asphalt is mostly crushed stones and bitumen, a petroleum byproduct that acts as a binding agent, the researchers are reportedly looking to blend in a bit more recycled tire rubber to soften the mix. This might still be a painful landing, but it could soften the blow.

[Via DN.se: Cyklister får mjuk asphalt]