Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Blast from the First World War Past

The bicycle played an important part in the First World War – as many nations used bikes to transport soldiers to the front. Just as now one problem was flat tires. With the 100^th anniversary of the start of the Great War this summer the Imperial War Museum in London and retailer On Your Bike have introduced a bike repair kit that is truly a blast from the past.

The new On Your Bike Repair Kit comes in a vintage styled tin, yet provides all the essentials a cyclists could need today. It includes Tyre Levers, Multi-Function Bike Tool, Rubber Solution, Bone Wrench, Metal Rasp, Patches and Instructions.

IWM Shop: Bicycle tool and puncture kit

Evo in the AM

Our friends at BikeRadar have gotten up early to check out the new Evo AM helmet from SixSixOne, which they reported is light yet well-fitting. It provides more coverage at the rear of the helmet to provide the wearer in a crash, yet still has plenty of vents to keep the head cool.

The helmet is made of Contigo foam, which also has greater shock-absorbing properties than EPS foam. It will be available in two versions including on with MIPS, a system aimed to reduce the chance of rotational injury in certain types of impacts.

[Via BikeRadar: SixSixOne Evo AM helmet – first look]

GPS Tracking Bike

Electric bikes offer some benefits beyond pedal assistance. The VANMOOF Electrified is an e-bike that also offers an integrated GPS anti-theft tracking system.

“”One of the features that had first turned me on to the VANMOOF Electrified was its GPS tracking ability,” said Adam Richmond, an Electrified early adopter, had three electric bicycles stolen from his home last month. “I used the app to track my bike, providing me with its exact location. Using this information, the West Palm Beach Police Department recovered my bike and returned it to me, unharmed, within hours of the theft.”

It is almost – just almost – enough to make you forgo the lock.

VANMOOF Official Website

Specialized Dishes Up CVNDSH

The world’s fastest cyclist has a new deal with Specialized and it is very clear that “green means go.” Specialized has released a new line of signature products with Mark Cavendish – aka the Manx Missile. The CVNDSH Collection includes bar tape, saddle, helmet and much more.

“The bottom line is that the pieces are just so, so good,” said Cavendish. “It isn’t just my name on a jersey because I’ll never do that. I believe in the equipment, I personally helped design them with the team and I believe in the ability they have to help a rider be the fastest they can be.” Continue reading Specialized Dishes Up CVNDSH

Strider Sizes Up

Strider is of course the balance bikes for the younger riders, but the company has expanded its line of 12-inch wheel balance bikes for those from 18 months to 5-years of age.

“The Strider 12 Classic model is a return to our roots … a super simple design featuring the core elements that make Strider the number one balance bike brand in the world, yet less expensive without some of our options of custom grips and saddles offered on our other models,” said Ryan McFarland, CEO of Strider Sports International. “The 12 Sport model offers every feature a child (or parent) could want with custom grips, padded saddle, handlebar pad, and quick release clamps (no-tool adjustment). It is the perfect balance of performance, options, and value. More than eight years of design evolution and manufacturing improvements all packaged into one model.

“The 12 Pro utilizes all the features of the Sport model, but in an all -aluminum design, making it the lightest Strider in the world,” McFarland added. “Fully featured and ultra light weight make this the top performing balance bike for the little superstar riders and racers.”

Strider Official Website

To Serve and PROTKT

Wahoo Fitness knows that many people might not be comfortable taking their expensive iPhone on a bike ride. Since an iOS app is a crucial part of the business strategy for Wahoo Fitness, the company has introduced the PROTKT iPhone 5 Bike Mount and Case, which provides weatherproof and shockproof protection.

It also offers secure and quick mounting to a handlebar, while providing full phone functionality. It can be paired with Wahoo’s Blue HR and Blue SC for real-time heart rate, speed and cadence data.

Wahoo Fitness Official Website

GI Go

When we think of a “G.I. Bike” we think of something American soldiers used in World War II, but the Gi Bike is something different. It is a full-sized, folding, electric bike designed for travel around town.

It folds up or down in just three seconds, and can run 40 miles on battery. It even offers smartphone integration with apps and maps, and designed to handle the mean streets with side lights that help riders be seen, while an anti-theft safety lock ensures the bike is there where you left it. This is Gi is ready to roll. Video after the jump

Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

Going Downhill

From Runner’s World:Three Tips for Running Downhill
Train on descents – without getting hurt – to build strength, boost coordination, and even have some fun. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.26.2014): Going Downhill, Bionic Olympics, Entrepreneurial Approach

Tee Time

Anytime is Tee Time with Kitsbow’s new Ride Tees, where are performance T-shirts made of blends of New Zealand Merino wool, polyester and spandex. Designed to be more causal and less fitted than cycling jerseys there are meant for the casual summer rides, and are available in five sizes and three colors, with varying material blends depending on the color. They include Kitsbow’s signature embroidered nylon shoulder panels for added abrasion and wear resistance and a stitched chest patch pocket.

Kitsbow Official Website

Smart Thinking

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that the human brain can notice symbols faster than it notices generic lights, and with this in mind a group from the school developed Brainy Bike Lights, which feature an LED “cyclists” symbol instead of just a row of bulbs.

In tests the team found that people were able to quickly identify that it was a bicycle and more importantly reacted more quickly to it. Those in the study reacted about 100 milliseconds faster, which for a car traveling at 30 mph could mean the distance of 1.34 meters. That could make a difference for those on the bike!

The lights are reportedly visible from a distance of 20 meters and provide a field of view of almost 180 degrees. The headlight version can run for about 50 hours while flashing, and the tail light can run for 200 hours. That should be plenty of time to get noticed.

Brainy Bike Lights Official Website

Garmin Back on the Edge

Garmin has remained on the cutting edge again. This month it unveiled its Garmin Edge 1000, which will carry over many of the training features from its Edge 819 but also add the navigation features of the Edge Touring. This new cycling computer features a 3-inch touchscreen display with full-color 240×400 resolution.

The new cycling computer will come loaded with maps and points of interest including parks and trails, and can provide riders with turn-by-turn directions. It can synced with ANT+ products including heart rate monitors, power meters and speed/cadence sensors. The Edge 1000 is even compatible with Shimano’s Di2 with D-Fly system to display the current gear on the screen. This unit can also be paired with a smartphone so riders can view incoming calls and even text messages.

Once again Garmin could very well give riders an edge in more ways than one!

Video after the jump

Adjustable Moxie

Moxie Cycling shows that it can adjust with its new Adjustable Cycle Skirt, which adjusts between 7 and 14 inches in length, features a hidden waistband pocket for carrying essentials, and — with its liner-free design — pairs with the rider’s favorite bike shorts.

Moxie Cycling Official Website

Shocking News

RockShox, the company that practically defines the mountain bike suspension fork, is turning things upside down. The company’s new RS-1 model features inverted legs and a full carbon chassis.

It is designed specifically for 29ers and features a totally integrated front end system that has been dubbed “Predictive Steering” as it combines the fork and wheel into one. By inverting the fork the damper legs can be more consistently bathed in oil, which means better lubrication and better small bump sensitivity along with more speed. About the only thing not to love about this concept is its high price! Continue reading Shocking News