Detroit earned the moniker “The Motor City” because it was the car city in its heyday. Those times are in the past, but the days of “wheeled” innovation aren’t completely in the city’s rearview mirror. It might not be new car companies, but there is a serious bike movement in Detroit. New startup Shinola, a bicycle company based in the suburb of Waterford, is about to roll out a line of commuter bikes including the Runwell (above), a commuter bike that features disc brakes, Shimano Alfine 11 internally geared hub; and the Bixby, a three-speed that evokes the look of a classic European bike with just a hint of art deco influence.
Shinola’s founders said they’re proud to be in Detroit, and Detroit should be proud to have companies like coming back to town.
When we first saw the Moto Bicycles Wooden Urban Pedal we thought it might be a paddle not a pedal. But this wooden pedal from Germany is designed for urban riders (as the name clearly implies). The large platform provides plenty of surface area while the grip tape helps keep the feet where they need to be. Stylish and functional. 
In case you are still looking for a belated holiday gift for that commuter cyclist, the Mission Bicycle Company has these U-lock Holsters. These handmade holsters will have riders to be quick on the draw.
Bicyclists feel a lot of pressure while riding, especially in traffic. But that doesn’t mean that riders can feel the pressure in their tires. Not having the right pressure in the tires can result in flats, and many riders simply fail to forget to pay attention to their tires – at least until something goes wrong.
Bob Dylan went electric so why not Interbike? The organizers of the largest bicycle trade show in North America announced this month that it will host electric bike manufacturers and journalists at an event that will showcase pedal-assist bikes.
There is a real trend in providing cycling apparel that doesn’t feature logos and other artwork, and isn’t skin tight. This new line of apparel offers clothing for those who like to ride to work and don’t want to change when they get there.
Scottish trials cyclist Danny MacAskill knows how important a good tool is when working on a bike, so when he put his name on it you know you can trust it. Lezyne has introduced the MacAskill Signature Block Tool, which offers a CNC milled, I-Beam body design that is lightweight but durable. It offers long tool bits that ensure that this is the right tool for the job too.
GPS tracking service Strava has got the power, or rather gives the power analysis to premium users, which will include wattage and watts per kilogram.
English cycling jersey maker Morvelo has long covered the male riders, but for 2013 the company has introduced a full line of women’s jerseys. As with the men’s line up these are handmade in Europe of BioActive Polyester that features an antimicrobial agent infused directly into the fibers. This ensures that the agent won’t wear off or wash away. This will keep it out of the skin and out of the environment, but also keep the jersey from retaining that long ride smell, which would be very un-lady like!
While we never really understand the lyrics to the loopy late 1960s song “MacArthur Park” we have to wonder if any parody song (not that it needs any more parodies) to note a decision to introduce mountain bike trails into San Francisco’s McLaren Park.
We’ve seen a lot of bicycles lights and a quite a few bicycle horns. Now we’ve seen both in a single package as Tory Orzeck, an industrial designer from Portland, Ore. has created a device that fuses the two together. Fittingly he named his company FUSE, and has developed the Orp Smart Horn, a combination decibel bike horn and front beacon bike light.
Apple’s commercials once noted “there is an app for that” but let’s be honest there never was an app that could cut wood, open a bottle or loosen/tighten a screw. But now there is an iPhone case in the works that features an aircraft grade alloy multi-tool fitted inside a polycarbonate shell.