We like the fact that the Statement Bike Rack is made in America, and unlike many sleek and simple bike racks that are little more than a couple of pegs that users stick in the wall this one offers both real form and provides functionality. Designer Daniel Sculnick sees this as a type of art that can double as a place to hang a bike. He is now looking to Kickstarter to raise funds to finish making his statement. Video after the jump
Category: Cycling
Swiss Army Kit
The Swiss Army name has become kind of generic for anything that does multiple tasks, but only true Victorinox products live up to the true “Swiss Army” name. So when we heard that Victorinox was releasing a Swiss Army Bike Tool we were intrigued.
This is more than a multi-tool – and from the looks of it far better too. It consists of five main components in an impact-resistant plastic case, and includes an L-wrench, a set of plastic tire levers and a selection of commonly used bits along with a stainless steel adapter for mounting said bits on the L-wrench. In other words it offers a little “bit” of just what a cyclists might need and in a compact package.
Gran Fondo Riders Can Hit Interbike
Over the years we’ve heard many our cycling friends comment that they’d love to attend Interbike, which of course is a trade show and not generally open to the public. However, this September there might be a way for the public to partake in some of what Interbike has to offer.
Participants in this year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo, held in Las Vegas the day after Interbike closes, will be allowed in to the show for part of its final day.
“We view the Viva Bike Vegas event as the ultimate culmination of a week-long celebration of cycling,” said Pat Hus, Interbike’s managing director. “The RTC has done such a great job with this event and it has been growing nicely year after year for the last six years. The participation numbers are significant and now with the event taking place on the Saturday after the show, it just makes sense to invite this group to Interbike. The Gran Fondo customer is a passionate cycling enthusiast and exactly who we want in the halls.”
Frame Protector
No one likes to see a scratch on their mountain bike, but the sport sort of means taking risks. Over time bikes will get dings, scratches and nicks in the paint. Some consider this a rite of passage, a way to see that the bike was well used. A bike with lots of nicks could be considered a bike that someone really loved to ride.
But the All Mountain Style Frame Guard can help reduce the nicks on the downtube. It is made of semi-rigid PVC that is flexible enough to adhere to most frames, and can protect the frame. It applies easily, and can be removed with a heat gun or hair dryer. It is even available in clear so you won’t notice it but will know it is protecting the frame. Of course you could just consider the nicks to be character.
SRAM Turns It Up to 11
SRAM has officially unveiled the details of its new Red 22 11-speed hydraulic and mechanical group. BikeRadar.com reported this week that SRAM will add an 11-speed groupo to its bicycle component lineup, and this will include hydraulic brake options – which can even be retrofitted to existing 10-speed systems.
The new 11-speed groups will be “trim free” so that these can be used on the full width of the cassette on either chain ring without needing to adjust the front derailleur. The new Red 22 and Force 22 groupsets are available now.
[Via BikeRadar: SRAM Red 22 11-speed hydraulic, mechanical group]
Triple Protection
Those who partake in multiple sports know that the same equipment doesn’t always cross over, but the new Cébé Trilogy helmet might just live up to its name. This helmet doesn’t actually offer triple the protection, but it can provide protection for three sports. It was designed to meet European standards for mountain biking (CEN 1078), skiing (CEN 1077) and mountaineering (CEN 12492).
Since a winter helmet isn’t the same as a summer helmet, the Trilogy’s modular design allows it to adjust as the season’s chance. A visor can be added for summertime mountain cycling, while ear pads and vent plugs can be used when skiing or snowboarding, and with a few change outs be ready for anything in between.
Come Clean
When we heard about Donkey Label’s line of handmade soap we thought, “The first rule of fight club is that you don’t talk about fight club.” Of course we think that even when buying soap at the grocery store. Donkey Label’s soaps won’t get you in the fighting spirit, but these handmade soaps will help to remove grease and grime and are made of pure natural and organic ingredients – but not of the kind that Tyler used we hope.
These can cut through grease so these are ideal for riders or those who work on bikes. Imaginary friend not included.
Heart and Soleus
Soleus has long made running watches, but now the company is looking to get into the spin of things with a line of cycling monitors and watches. These include the new Soleus GPS Draft, a cycling computer that offers current/avg/max speed, auto-lap detection, calories burned calculator, chronograph, alarms, auto calendar, 30 ride file storage and EL backlight. This water-resistant monitor is Strava-compatible and will be ready to roll out later this month for just $99!
Bike In Café
We hate leaving our bikes even for a second to grab something to eat/drink. In Zurich cyclists don’t need to leave the bike or even dismount from it. They can head to the “Velokafi,” which is a drive-in for bicycles on the outdoor terrace of the Rathaus Café. Two wooden docking stations with tabletops are provided on the terrace along the Limmat River, and these feature a slot in the front for the bike’s wheel to fit thought and helps keep the bike steady. Cyclists who rode in were even treated to a complimentary cup of coffee.
Hex on Us
If weight is more important than ease than the Halo Hex Skewers might be just for you. These ultra light bicycle wheel skewers are made of straight chromoly so these are strong. What they aren’t is exactly easy to change should you have a flat – a 5mm hex bolt key is required. If carrying an extra tool – or just hoping you don’t get a flat – is worth saying a bit of weight than these are just the thing. They don’t look bad either.
Poc Man
Poc has introduced the new Crane helmet, which features a low eight and dent-resistant construction with two-density EPS liners. The stiffer outer line can deal with high energy impacts while the inside can provide added protection from lower energy hits.
Gran Fondo Goes New York
Gran Fondo means big ride in Italian, so it is fitting that this year the New York Five Boro Bike Tour is including a Gran Fondo as well. Riders can register for the Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Five Boro, which will take place in conjunction with the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, on May 5.
This promises to be a truly big ride as more than 30,000 riders will head through 40 miles through the Big Apple.
TD Five Boro Bike Tour Official Website
Gran Fondo Giro d’Italia Five Boro Official Website
German Chancellor to Open Eurobike
While it is unlikely that President Obama or even de facto health czar Michelle Obama would make a visit to the Interbike trade show, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will visit the opening day of this year’s international Eurobike trade show at the end of Augsut.
This move comes as cycling in German has seen economic growth. Merkel will reportedly open the show and then spend time getting to “know the latest trends and innovations from the biking world.”
Eurobike Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Angela Merkel to open Eurobike 2013]