Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Café Ride

The French are known for fashion and this apparently includes cycling attire. Café du Cycliste isn’t about flashy race gear but something that evokes style. These include retro fabrics such as Merino wool and other performance fabrics that look as good as they feel.

The Suzanne jersey above was developed with a construction mix of mesh and superlight striped fabric that can keep riders cool and dry. This full zip jersey has the usual three back pockets and zipped key pocket, but it also offers reflective elements and would be good on the road or a ride down the Seine.

Café du Cycliste Official Website

Art Bag

We’ve seen some stylish messenger bags, including some that have utilized upcycled materials. Chrome is going another direction with its Artist Series, which incorporate iconic cycling images into the very fabric. These are highlighting the work of Chris Milliman, who has photographed all sorts of cycling.

The series will further celebrate painters, graphic designers, printers, and photographers who have left their mark on the sport. Each bag features a specific photo. And while a wearable piece of art, the bags will also offer what we expect in a Chrome bag! Continue reading Art Bag

Bar Fly Goes Off Road

We didn’t think “bar flies” tend to leave the bar, but in the case of the Bar Fly handlebar mount for cycling computers the company has looked to change things up. To date Bar Fly has been focused on computer mounts for the road, where the mount put the computer out in front of the bar so as to be better seen. This isn’t quite so ideal on mountain bikes, and now the company appears to be developing a MTB-specific Garmin mount – one that holds the computer securely to the handlebars while making it easy to see.

[Via BikeRumor: BAR FLY TEASES MTB MOUNT FOR GARMINS]

Weekend Reading List (06.15.2013): Saving Skin, Lance Who?, Recovery Ride

Saving Skin

From Runner’s World: 6 Skin Care Tips For Runners
Being outdoors is by far one of the best parts of running, but it doesn’t come without risk, especially when it comes to skin health. Taking a few simple steps to care for your skin is always important, but especially so during the long days of summer. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (06.15.2013): Saving Skin, Lance Who?, Recovery Ride

See That S-Car Go

If necessity is the mother of invention than Israeli designer Ofir Yadan might be the crazy uncle. He’s created a unique solution that transforms a typical mountain bike in cargo-carrier tricycle.

The S-cargo bike basically works by removing the front wheel of a bike and replacing it with a special hauler that resembles a golf bag cart. This provides greater stability but also allows for a variety of items to be transported. The only downside in the current design is that the rider loses the use of a front brake but that’s a small price to pay for the ability to turn a bike into an S-cargo carrier. Video after the jump

Shareable Brain Buckets

Using a bikesharing program is a great way to get around a city without needing to actually purchase and own a bicycle. The problem is that riding in city traffic or even on city bike lanes can be dangerous, especially without a helmet.

Students at MIT have looked to address this issue and back in 2011 debuted the first HelmetHub, which provides rentable helmets, which are offered where bikeshare bicycles are provided.

Now the idea of wearing a “shared” helmet might seem a little “icky” to us – but the system actually provides 36 helmets in three sizes and more importantly returned helmets are inspected and sanitized prior to being rented out again.

Not a bad solution to ensuring that your head is protected when you ride a bike.

Helmet Hub Official Website

Mist You

When out riding on a hot day sometimes a little spray from a lawn sprinkler is like a gift from the cycling gods. Now you don’t need to seek out such things, and even if you’re riding in the desert you can get some spray in the face.

This is the idea behind Q-FOG, a bike-mountable personal mister that is designed to keep riders cool. It developers – who are based in Israel and now something about hot weather – are currently looking for funding on Indiegogo. For those who ride in hot dry climates this can offer a refreshing blast right when you need it. Continue reading Mist You

Pump of Steel

This summer is being hyped up with all that “Man of Steel” stuff. Of course if you had Superman around to inflate your bicycle tires that would be pretty cool. However, since he’s only a comic book/movie character and is probably off battling some super villain you have your own pumping to do.

In that case the Serfas FMP-696 floor pump is the way to go. It isn’t from another planet and isn’t here to promote truth, justice and the American way, but instead it can get your tires pumped up and get you on your way.

This new Serfas pump features a rubber-coated stainless steel braided hose, CNC’d hose clamp and oversized pressured gauge – we call it “super sized.” The pump further offers an aluminum handle and plunger to keep the weight down, but don’t tell anyone because “Pump of Aluminum” doesn’t have the same ring to it as “Man of Steel.” That doesn’t mean that this pump can’t do some super things.

Just as Superman has his dual identity and can change into the persona (and clothing) of Clark Kent, this pump fits both Presta and Schrader. It has a maximum inflation capacity of 260 PSI, which few but Superman will need to get up to.

Serfas Official Website

Made in America: Wash and Go in Style

Our friends at Chamois Butt’r have been on a roll. In addition to the Her’ Chamois Butt’r, which the company recently introduced, it has looked to launched a premium cleanser for laundering of technical sportswear and delicate fabrics. The Eurostyle Sports Kit wash was developed for use across the entire spectrum of endurance sports and is purpose-built to address the specific needs of high-end technical fabrics such as those found in cycling, skiing, running or the yoga studio.

Despite its name it is actually produced in the United States, and is minimally scented and easily rinsed away. The Sports Kit Wash thus can prolong the life of garments helping to remove chlorine from bathing suits and yet is 100 percent wetsuit-safe. It is like washing in style – Eurostyle.

Chamois Butt’r Official Website

Cardboard Bike Goes to Production

A year ago Israeli engineer Izhar Gafni announced he had developed an easy to assemble, easy to recycle cardboard bike. Since that time we didn’t hear much, but now news is circulating that Cardboard Technologies is gearing up for production and has even released a few videos to show the progress.

It also looks like Gafni is getting ready to kickstart his efforts with a Kickstarter project. We’ll be watching this one closely. Video after the jump

Fixit Sticks Fixing to Go

We first heard about the Fixit Sticks back in January when company founder Brian Davix took his concept to Kickstarter. We’re happy to report that the campaign was a success – a big success earning more than double the original goal. Now the simple multi-tool is ready to ship. Five versions including a standard set, as well as sets for roadies and mountain bikers are now available for order. Video after the jump

Banana Bike

If you were a child of the 1970s or thereabouts you likely remember the “banana seat.” Now BananaHama is taking to Kickstarter to roll with its unique bike project. This Los Angeles area start up is looking to bring out a recumbent bike with a hammock like seat. The company promises that a ride on the bike is unlike any other, and we don’t doubt it. Video after the jump

Butt’r Her’ Up

Chamois Butt’r company has added a women-specific chamois cream. Her’ Chamois Butt’r was developed by a female sports medicine physician with input from top female riders. It acts as a gentle lubricant between skin and clothing, preventing the chafing and discomfort experienced during cycling or running. Her’ offers a pH-balance formulated to address the specific needs of women.

Her’ also features premium ingredients including aloe vera, green tea leaf extract, tea tree oil, shea butter and lavender oil, each present because of their naturally occurring beneficial properties. Useful to both prevent and treat already tender skin, Her’ also soothes and softens skin when applied.

Chamois Butt’r Official Website