Cycling | Evolving Consumer

Friendly States – For Cyclists

The League of American Bicyclists released its 2013 ranking of Bicycle Friendly States last week to coincide with the kickoff of National Bike Month.

Washington continues to lead the list as the No. 1 state, but Illinois and Arizona made it into the top 10 in 2013, and Delaware moved from the tenth spot to the fifth spot. Colorado moved from fourth to second on the list; Oregon moved from fifth to third.

“We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “But as the scores clearly highlight, there’s much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state.”

The top 10 bike friendly states are, in order from first to tenth: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois and Arizona.

Bicycle Friendly State 2013 State Rankings Official Website

Made in America: Bud’s Bike

While many companies offer up inspiring names for their bicycles, Paul Budnitz takes a more simple approach with names like Model No. 1 and No. 2. This isn’t to say that his bikes are super plain. In fact his lineup of handmade bikes, which are made in Vermont, are sleek, simple and minimalist yet solid enough for serious riding.

Budnitz offers up a variety of steel, aluminum and even titanium bikes that ride well and look good.

Budnitz Bicycles Official Website

Bern’ing Up

Want a cycle helmet that makes a statement? Look no further than the KAWS Limited-Edition bike helmet, which is being offered by the New Museum Store and Safe Street Funds to promote bicycle safety. Limited to just 500 helmets, these are produced by renowned artist KAWS for Bern Watts.

KAWS Limited-Edition Helmet at the New Museum Store

Black Beauty

We’ve seen bikes from Germany’s PG brand before, and the PG BlackBraid could be the German way to say “Black Beauty.” This ride features a full braided carbon fiber bike putting a new twist on the material. It is available as either an urban-commuter “Fixie” or as the road-ready “Touring.” It is available in any color you want, as long as its black. But really with a bike like this black will do.

PG Bikes Official Website

Bike Helmet Study Calls on Legislation

This week at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual week the importance of bicycle helmets, especially among the youths was addressed in a new study, that showed that there are fewer deaths among riders in states with mandatory helmet laws.

“This study highlights the importance of regulations in the promotion of safe exercise,” said lead author William P. Meehan III, MD, FAAP, director of the Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention and the Sports Concussion Clinic at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Meehan and his colleagues analyzed data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System on all U.S. bicyclists younger than 16 years of age who were severely injured or died between January 1999 and December 2009. They compared the injury and death rates in states with mandatory helmet laws to those without. Continue reading Bike Helmet Study Calls on Legislation

Strike Back

Why should the legs get all the fun during a bike ride? Let’s ask that another way – why should the legs do all the work on a bike ride? The truth is that the arms get a workout too, but now retired surgeon Lex Van Stekelenburg has devised a concept that will truly put the arms to work.

He had designed the 4StrikeBike, which in addition to the conventional leg-powered drivetrain, also calls on the rider to use his/her arms to help provide power. This is done by turning the handlebar like a second set of pedals and crank. The hand pedals can be locked into the highest position to provide a more stable stance to let the legs do the work as well – and this allows the arms to be used to provide that extra bit of power.

4StrikeBike Official Website

Rising Suunto

Smartwatch maker Suunto has introduced its new Ambt2 GPS watches. The Ambit2 S is designed for fitness buffs and offers functionality for cycling, running, swimming and training. The Ambit2 S can track pace, route navigation and track heart rate. The Ambit 2 is for those who take to wilds and it features fiberglass-reinforced case and offers info on altitude, vertical speed, barometric pressure and temperature – plus all the functions of the 2S.

Suunto Ambit GPS Watches Official Website

Pivot Point

Sandal maker Teva has entered the mountain bike shoe area with its new Pivot. At first glance these seem to be just another pair of casual shoes – but like many new shoes we’ve seen – there is more than meets the eye. These provide a recessed sole for cleats and the Pivot works with Shimano’s SPD as well as Crankbrothers pedal systems.

This makes the shoes ideal for commuting to work, while the Spider365 Rubber soles will grip all sorts of surfaces. The composite midsole plate makes it ideal for pedaling efficiency and walkability.

Teva Pivot Official Website

Fresh Stuff

Cycling attire looks good but after a ride or two it smells anything but. Repeated washing can help but at some point the miles just take their toll on even that favorite jersey. Part of the problem is that jerseys and shorts typically are as much plastic as natural materials and this makes removing that funky smell all the harder.

Perhaps Nikwax’s Basefresh can help. This is a detergent/conditioner that is designed for synthetic activewear, helping to deodorize while also inhibiting the build-up of body odors. It also accelerates drying and improves the cooling efficiency of base layers.

It is even designed to be used in conjunction with regular laundry detergents so it could help all the clothes smell a whole lot fresher.

Nikwax Official Website

Weekend Reading List (05.04.2013): Counterfeit Gear, Mulholland Falls, Back Pack Ban, Going Green

Counterfeit Gear

From BikeRadar: Fake bike kit costing industry millions a year
Ten websites selling fake cycling kit such as counterfeit frames and jerseys have been shut down by US authorities – but one specialist has warned that the issue of fake goods is growing and costing the industry millions in lost revenue. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (05.04.2013): Counterfeit Gear, Mulholland Falls, Back Pack Ban, Going Green

Strider Looks to Scoot

Strider Sports has developed a great way for kids to learn to ride a bike, and for this spring it introduced the Super 16 Scooter, built for ages six and up. It can even support riders up to 120 pounds so it is meant for bigger kids. The company even notes that it was created for “for those young riders who are ready to venture off trail or perform tricks and stunts that a heavier, more complicated pedal bike won’t allow.”

This model features padding on the handlebar in case of a crash and even a handbrake – meaning this is for kids who are almost ready to step to an actual BMX or mountain bike.

Strider Sports Official Website

Raleigh Gives Back

May is National Bike Month and Military Appreciation Month and in celebration of the two Raleigh Bicycles will be giving back to our nation’s service men and women through the Ride 2 Recovery (R2R) Give program. For every road bike sold now through May 27th, Raleigh will donate $50 to R2R to help rehabilitate and strengthen the daily lives of wounded veterans.

Kudos to Raleigh for supporting those who have given so much!

Raleigh Official Website
Ride 2 Recovery Official Website

History Repeated (On a Jersey)

It is often said that those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it. That probably isn’t what De Marchi had in mind, but those who do know some cycling history can wear it!

The company is introducing a line of historical jersey reproductions from cycling’s “golden age” and this limited edition series features attired based on what were originally manufactured by the Italian clothing brand, which has been designing and producing cycling wear since 1946. Reproductions of old team jerseys will feature two front pockets and these include the 1951 Wilier jersey worn by Antonio Bevilacqua and the 1949 Atala worn by Luison Bobet. The line will also include the 1967 Mainetti worn by Marino Basso, the 1969 SCIC worn by Vittorio Adorni, the 1972 baby blue Salvararni worn by Felice Gimondi, and the 1975 Filotex worn by Francesco Moser.

De Marchi products are distributed in the U.S. through Bicycle Technologies International.

Bicycle Technologies International Official Website