The old “cranks” at Crankbrothers know a thing or two about adjustable seat posts, and according to the company they have “learned that the main source of failure is an overcomplicated design.” They further noted that “Hydraulic posts are heavy and problematic, so we took a different route.”
That route has led to the kronolog, which was developed over a two-year process that included extensive design, development, prototyping, testing, redesigning and retesting. The company tells that this new post went through 10 design iterations, “and even more when you include incremental changes.” Through the process, the post was extensively tested both in the lab and on the trail. The kornolog promises to be infinitely adjustable and yet is designed to eliminate nearly all rotational-movement. Video after the jump
There is nothing like sitting around the campfire, having the stars overhead and the iPad on your lap. That doesn’t sound right, but as more and more people take the iPad to the great outdoors some companies have stepped up to make it a little easier to use.
This week The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada announced a voluntary recall of Bicycle Brake Cables for Road Bikes from W.L. Gore & Associates.
We’ve seen much innovation in the way to measure helmet impact, and this isn’t just to determine what effect the impact had on the wearer but now the helmet as well. The reasoning is that with each significant hit or impact the protective value of that helmet actually decreases. This in turn means that a helmet that protected on one impact might not protect as well the next time. The Brain Injury Association of Canada noted recently that the lifespan of helmet is often overlooked and that proper helmet care should be part of a regular routine to make sure that the helmet provides maximum protection.
While there has been an increased focus on the protection that helmets can provide to the wearer, engineers at the Frauenhofer Institute are also considering how a helmet can also help provide some power for personal electronics. The team has developed a flexible solar panel that is durable enough to be mounted on helmets, and can optimize Bluetooth in the process.
Baseball season is about to see opening day and this year the game, at least for youth players, will be a little different as runs for bats have chanted. The National Federation of State High School Associations has adopted a new standard for baseball bats.
Hydration packs are a great way to bring along some water. You can wear these on your back so as to be less encumbered. The downside is that the bladders can get nasty over time. You can’t really “clean” them as easily as a water bottle.
Last week Polar announced that it will be the “Official Heat Rate Technology Supplier” for U.S. Soccer through 2013, and this will include this year’s London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. Polar will supply devices for nine national teams including the Men’s and Women’s National Teams, the Under-23, Under-20 and Under-17 Men’s and Women’s respective teams as well as the U.S. National Paralympics Soccer Team.
Sporting goods maker Baden Sports is looking to shake things up this spring with the new line of Axe baseball and softball bats. The big change is in the new patented handle design that helps guide a player’s hand into the proper hitting position at contact.This reportedly means more power and more solid contact. While this year will see new changes for bats, the Axe line has been certified and approved for use at all levels of play in 2012 – from Little League to high school, the NCAA and even the pros.
Earlier today we noted exercises that can damage the back, so what about carrying a child? Toddlers often like the idea of hiking – at least in the beginning, but eventually they’ll need to be carried, and it seems most end up getting a piggyback ride as well. It is might be good for the rider, but it can be a pain in the neck and back.
Even if the conditions reduce visibility, the Oceana 7×50 binocular from Celestron will help aid what you can see as these are specially designed for marine and land based observations in all weather conditions. These feature nitrogen purging for waterproof and fogproof use, while rubber coating provides added protection and offers a firm grip. 
If you know the name Shimano you either know the company’s cycling components or its fishing lures, but now the company is shifting gears, and will introduce a new line of products for next year – cycling bags. Our friends at BikeRadar are reporting that the company’s debut in the luggage category will arrive in October, so it won’t be on most wearers’ backs until next season, but this should certainly shake up the market a bit.
There seems to be a magnetic connection this winter season when it comes to ski helmets and goggles – at least as a means to keep the ear protection attached to the head protection. While Anon has introduced its Magne-Tech lens technology, Casco has now developed the Magne-Link system, which also replaces the traditional wraparound headband.