Something is in the air, and while it isn’t quite spring we think it must be something as we’ve seen a few recumbent ideas of late. The first one that sprang up is the City Speeder, a recumbent bicycle that has commuting in mind. It features a streamline body that promises to make for a fast moving but comfortable ride. There is even room for a backpack, suitcase or a child seat.
Category: Cycling
Tube Top
Getting a flat is never fun, and while there are plenty of remedies, Kenda Tube Protectors might be another to consider. This tire liner is made of durable yet lightweight polyurethane that is meant to be inserted between the bike tire and the tubes, and thus provides an extra protective layer between road hazards and the inner tube. This can help protect from thorns, glass and other objects that could leave you walking home.
Unlike rubber this material is actually lighter, thus adding little extra weight to the bicycle and is reportedly 97 percent effective in preventing flats from road debris.
Made in America: Simple and Standard
Not everyone wants to go for a ride looking like they’re ready to race from Paris to Nice, Paris to Tours or Paris to wherever else. Nor do those weekend riders even want to flags, logos or other art. Sometimes simple is best. And that’s the idea behind the Twin Six new subdued Standard apparel line. What is standard about these jerseys is that these are made of Prime T6 fabric and offer UPF of 28+ to protect from the sun, while the Moisture Transport wicking technology will help keep riders drive.
These American made jerseys further feature full zips, three rear pockets and silicone waist grippers. These relaxed race fit jerseys are subtle in looks but very ride friendly.
Shiny Shoes
Chrome’s new Truk Pro don’t actually reflect light but for those who want to ride to work in stylish shoes and walk straight into the office these shine out in so many other ways. The SPD compatible shoe allows riders to clip in while on the bike but be able to walk around those hardwood floors that so many converted loft offices now have these days. The shoes are even available in black and grey and cost less than $100. And since these feature 1000 denier Cordura you don’t even need to shine them up for them to look so good.
Shifting Gears
When Shimano released the STI (Shimano Total Integration) shifters/brake levers for road bikes nearly 20 years ago it was a game changing moment. Why would anyone go back to the old school thumb shifters that Retroshift has created? Well, the answer is that cyclocross – the off-road racing that occurs in the fall and winter – can benefit from having shifters that can stand up to mud and abuse and keep shifting. Retroshift has introduced its new 9- and 10-speed shifters, which are compatible with Shimano style derailleurs.
The Retroshift shifters do have some advantages, mostly for those who race cyclocross but it is unlikely this type of shifter could ever edge out STI or other similar systems. However, these do have a look that suggests this is where shifters might have headed had STI not come along. Oh what might have been. Video after the jump
ANT Can Control
Even in non-electrical powered bicycles there are more and more electrical gizmos and gadgets, and these include GPS devices and cycle computers. The “controls” for gear shifters and brakes are positioned within finger’s reach, but typically the controls for those electrical devices are not.
German sports electronics maker o-synce looks to change that, and has introduced a control interface that can be positioned next to the grips making it easier for riders to switch views, toggle through information and take full control of their ANT+ enabled devices.
Sun Screen
Many cyclists know to pile on the actual sun screen before heading out for a ride, but the truth is that many jerseys don’t actually offer protection from the sun, meaning it is possible to get burned even under the shirt. Specialized new apparel line will however feature Deflect UV technology that has been integrated into the weave of the fabric, while still being breathable and chemical free. Best of all it won’t ever wear off.
The garments will have a minimum of UPF 30 and up to UPF 50 protection rating, and each garment is labeled with its exact rating.
Jeans Were Made for Cycling
We don’t normally think of jeans as being something purpose built for cycling, but the Levi 511 Commuter Jeans are designed to offer a slim fit that sits below the waist. These feature a higher back rise, reflective 3M Scotchlite tape on interior cuffs, and even U-Lock storage on the waistband. These further offer a double-layered seat and back pockets for those who looking to ride to work and don’t want to be decked out in weekend race garb.
Spike the Bike
Currently in development through a Kickstarter project the BikeSpike is being designed as a bicycle GPS that could also offer automatic crash reporting. This small gizmo features a GPS chipset with a built-in antenna, on-board accelerometer and a connection to a global cellular network.
This could allow users to pinpoint the exact location of a bicycle via the web or through a mobile smartphone, and aid law enforcement in recovering a stolen bike. It this way it could digitally lock a bicycle and notify owners if the bike has left its location, or even if it has just fallen or been disturbed. In the event of a crash or collision that is detected by the on-board accelerometer the BikeSpike could contact those on a pre-selected list so that help can be on its way. Video after the jump
Blazing the Tail
This compact bicycle light won’t exactly blaze up the trail ahead, but the Blaze does provide up to 80 lumens of red light so those behind you can’t miss you. It features a sealed SPT+ port for easy charging, and this light features user-selectable modes that allow for 12, 24 or 48 of flashing, along with 6, 12 or 24 hours of constant on. While not the most compact bike tail light we’ve seen this one will surely do the job better than most.
DORA Explores Helmet Design
Dora the Explorer would probably be inspired by Balazs Ficzer’s DORA helmet, which while still only a concept could be the future of helmets. It features front and rear LED lights as well as turn signals. The video below shows some other things that the DORA – the helmet not the cartoon girl – might be able to do. Video after the jump
Work Boot for More Than Work
The Chrome Industries 415 Urban Work Boot promises to be waterproof while offering a “sneaker-like” fit. It is really a work boot in the sense that John Travolta was really an “Urban Cowboy,” which is to say it could be used for work but is really meant to be an everyday shoe for flat pedal cycling, skateboarding and just heading to work in wet, slushy late winter/early spring weather. It is a hybrid of a shoe and boot and is ideal for those urban adventures.
Fuel Gage
While most cycling computers can track distance, trip time, speed and many can provide information on temperature, grade of the road and even calories, the new Sigma 12.12Topline bike computer can provide something else – namely how many gallons of gasoline a rider may have saved by riding a bike instead of driving a car. Obviously this is a feature commuters will use more than those who take a casual weekend ride, but it is still a great way to see how a bike ride can translate into real savings.