WTB packed several features into its new Volt saddle line of all-mountan saddles. The Volt saddle line was developed in collaboration with mountain bike pioneer Mark Slate, as well as WTBs team All Mountain Pro riders Mark Weir and Jason Moeschler. Continue reading WTB Rides Out with Volt Line of Saddles
Category: Cycling
Giant Looks to Get Bigger
How big will Giant become? If analyst predictions are to be believed the Giant in cycling could become a whole lot bigger. Giant Manufacturing Co. is the world’s largest maker of bicycles by sales, and according to Bloomberg News this week is looking at the expanding Chinese market.
While China has long had a bicycle culture, much of it has relied on low-end bicycles, but rising incomes and greater awareness about fitness are sell pricier models. This trend ironically comes just as automobiles gain popularity in the increasing upscale nation. Continue reading Giant Looks to Get Bigger
Ecoxpower Brings the Gear
We’ve seen a new trend this year with bicycle hub-attachments that power lights and more. Earlier this month we noted the BikeCharge Dynamo and now rugged outdoor and waterproof lifestyle product maker Ecoxgear by Grace Digital has introduced the Ecoxpower pedal powered headlight and smartphone charger.
This nifty gizmo attaches to most standard and oversized hubs, which is what the Dynamo and other devices do, but the Ecoxpower takes it a step further by providing handlebar mounted, water-resistant yet touch-screen compatible phone/GPS case. This solves the problem of worrying about that expensive device while riding home in the rain. Continue reading Ecoxpower Brings the Gear
REELS X WHEELS FILM FESTIVAL
If you happen to be in Minneapolis tomorrow (August 23) you might want to check out the REELS X WHEELS film festival, which will include four short films about bikes. This free event is being held at the Minneapolis’ Parkway Theater, is at 4814 Chicago Ave. South. Doors will open at 7pm.
There will also be an auction with proceeds benefiting Full Cycle, a nonprofit bike shop that provides free bicycles and work experience for homeless teens.
A New Bike Mirror
Most of us don’t have eyes in the back of our head, as a result while riding a bike we often turn to see what is coming at us from behind. This can be a problem because just as with a car, it isn’t advisable to take the eyes off the road.
There have been efforts to make helmet mirrors, but many actually get in the way and look a little silly. Now a pair Canadian inventors, Greg Maxwell and Richard Seck, have come up with a potentially game-changing design with the Isoteko mirror.
While it still leaves a bit to be desired with as far as how it looks, it does provide a better way for wearers to see what’s behind them. And when not in use can flip up. As the video shows it can be used on just about any helmet and is even designed to be repaired should that become necessary. Video after the jump
Yuba Boda Do
While we don’t think Fred Flintstone was much of a cyclist we know he appreciated pedal power and he’d like give this new cargo bike an approving “yabba dubba do,” which is fitting as it is Yuba’s Boda Boda. The bike is now available in two options including the step over apple green for taller riders and a step thru model for those shorter riders.
Both feature a rear rack that can be used to haul some stuff, while the bike even offers a carrying handle so it can be carried as well, making this an idea ride for urban dwellers. It also features a SRAM X-3 8-speed drivetrain so it can climb hills and deal with other rolling terrain.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Aqua-Xtracycle
httpv://youtu.be/D_K0xz5t_IY
There is the old saying “sink or swim,” but frankly the Aqua-Xtracycle is all wet. Seeing it in action sort of evokes a greener version of the jetskis from Waterworld. In the future if the world is covered by water we probably will let our bike sink and we’ll grab things like tomato plants or just bags of dirt since it seems to be worth more than gold in the post-apocalyptic wet lands.
Now the concept itself isn’t bad. You need to cross water, here is a way to do it. But this doesn’t really seem all that safe, or efficient. It is one of those novelty things that just is looking for a solution where a problem doesn’t really exist. During World War II there were systems designed for floating a Jeep as well – but they proved just as impractical. Our bigger concern is that if this isn’t used correctly it could result in a bike at the bottom of a lake – and we just hope it doesn’t take a rider with it.
This one just gives us a sinking feeling.
Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits
Pint Sized Road Bikes for Young Riders
Kids and bicycles go together about as well as anything. Childhood is when many future racers fall in love with bikes, but yet most kids are left with BMX or mountain bike style bikes these days. There are few road bikes – even of the old “10-speed” variety for the tween set.
But Culprit saw a need and introduced a line of road bikes in sizes meant for children. Josh Colp, the founder of Culprit, was asked why there weren’t actual race-worthy bike for kids so he set out to build some. The result is the Junior One and 650 Junior Two, which are made of double butted 7005-series alloy with smoothed out welds. The bikes almost look like carbon fiber – but we figure the kids need to prove they can take care of their bikes before moving up to the big leagues. Continue reading Pint Sized Road Bikes for Young Riders
Halo Belt Offers Wearable Lights
While we won’t be surprised if this shows up in dance clubs, the Halo Belt is actually a pretty novel concept. It is an LED light system that is wearable around the waist or across the chest. It works by providing illumination through a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) fiber optic that creates a bright glowing wearable light.
The Halo Belt can be worn by cyclists, runners or even just people who go out for a walk on dark streets. It runs on just two CR2024 batteries and offers up to 20 consecutive hours of run time. The company is currently engaged in a Kickstarter campaign but also already succeeded in raising eight times its goal.
Thus we should the belts in red, blue, yellow and green in the not too distance future.
Eurobike Preview: Armor Up for the Trial
For those who go to the extreme on the off-road trails, Leatt will have you covered. The company is set to introduce a new line of protective clothing for 2013, which it will be showing at Eurobike later this month.
This will a new soft body that feature the company’s exclusive BraceOn Strap system that keeps the brace secure without the need for body straps. The 3DF is designed with three-dimensional impact foam used at common contact points, including shoulder, elbows, chest, back and hips. The foam reportedly can stay soft while riding, but hardens upon impact to disperse the force of the crash. At the same time it utilizes a moisture-wicking fabric to ensure that riders don’t get bogged down with sweat. Continue reading Eurobike Preview: Armor Up for the Trial
FollowMe Bike Lets Kids Ride Connected Bike
There are a few specialized bikes that are designed to allow children to ride behind their parent’s bike – but these systems typically lack a true front wheel. This can actually make it harder for the child to keep balance and is reported at times to be somewhat disturbing for the child. Imagine how you’d feel riding without a front wheel.
The other issue is that the geometry can be affected depending on the size of the parent’s bike. And it also is impossible for the child to actually ride the tandem without mom or dad because again there is no front wheel! Continue reading FollowMe Bike Lets Kids Ride Connected Bike
Bike Advocacy Groups to Remain Separate But Will Work on Greater Collaboration
Last week the nation’s three largest bicycle advocacy groups, Alliance for Biking & Walking, Bikes Belong and the League of American Bicyclists announced that the three will not seek unification at this time. The three groups, which have worked over the past several months to unify as a single advocacy group, will instead operate independently, but in close collaboration. Continue reading Bike Advocacy Groups to Remain Separate But Will Work on Greater Collaboration
Velocomputer Rolls Out SmartSensor and App
If you have an iPhone or an Android device you already have a potentially excellent cycling computer, and thanks to GPS and any number of apps you can monitor speed, time and distance. What you can’t track is cadence, but Velocomputer has a new mobile app that will do the above but thanks to the SmartSensor 4 that can sync with the mobile handset via Bluetooth it can also track cadence and more. Continue reading Velocomputer Rolls Out SmartSensor and App