Category: Equipment

Hands On: The StemCAPtain Keeps You On Time

Back in March we mentioned the StemCAPtain in an entry titled “TIME to Ride with StemCAPtain” and happily a few weeks later we had our very own to test. We were sent the thermometer version and the clock version of the StemCAPtain with both red and black bases. The thermometer version is still being tested, but here is our reaction to the clock version.

The clock version of the StemCAPtain is one of those products whose success is based on either working or not working – there is really no middle ground. It is a simple accessory that replaces your threadless headset stem cap with an aluminum base cap that acts as a holder for the clock, thermometer, compass or picture frame version that you choose. The faces of the clock and thermometer are available in both black and white so we received a black faced clock and a white faced thermometer. It is true that the functions that the StemCAPtain perform are redundant if you have a cycling computer with these features, but the Stem CAPtain performs them in a more stylish way and frankly simple way when compared to most computers. Also, as a bonus with the clock version, you can leave your wrist watch at home an have one less tan line! Continue reading Hands On: The StemCAPtain Keeps You On Time

Yurbuds for Your Ear

Going for a long run often means getting away from it all, but unless you’re in the middle of nowhere your run probably doesn’t get you away from everything. But Yurbuds could just take you away, even if you’re just on a treadmill.

These in-ear headphones were developed by athletes for athletes and officially launched this week with the new Ironman Series earphones. The earbuds were designed by company CEO and Ironman triathlete Seth Burgett while he was training. The result is an earbud that won’t fall out, even when taking part in grueling training regimes.

The sport earphone was developed to match the contour of the human ear without creating any pain points – because if the earbud is uncomfortable who is going to ever want to wear it. The Yurbuds Ironman Series feature an ultra-soft comfort fit and use the company’s patented “TwistLock” technology to provide the wear with exceptional sound by channeling the audio straight to the ear via the patented funnel shape.

(Video after the jump) Continue reading Yurbuds for Your Ear

Louis Garneau Introduces Europcar Pro Cycling Styled Brain Bucket

Louis Garneau has always taken helmet design very seriously, and while function remains key, the line of helmets has a excellent form as well. This is certainly the case with the Quartz line of helmets, which were introduced last year.

The Quartz helmet allows the rider to keep cool even when things heat up, thank to the enormous ventilation channels made possible by the MSB technology – a monocoque structural base at the base of the helmet that reinforces the perimeter for enhanced protection. This is further enhanced by the Composite Reinforcements that spread the shock of impacts, provide support, and are lightweight. Finally, the Patented Spiderlock Elite Retention has been hailed as one of the best in the cycling industry, and this allows the user to adjust the helmet with only one hand to ensure safety while on the bike. Continue reading Louis Garneau Introduces Europcar Pro Cycling Styled Brain Bucket

iBike Cruises into the Apple Store

Velocomp LLP, the makers of the iBike Dash and iBike Phone Booth line of iPhone/iPod Touch cases and cases that convert your iPhone into a cycling computer, is pleased to announce that Apple Computer views their products worthy of selling in the Apple Retail and Apple Store online. On May 9th, they announced that Apple has decided to offer the iBike Dash Cycling Computer, iBike Dash Cycling Computer Deluxe and iBike Phone Booth online and at all of the retail locations. As you might expect, this is big news for a company breaking into the iPhone and iPod accessory market – especially with the recent news that Apple is now considered the most expensive brand in the world. Personally, this is no surprise as the representatives at the iBike Dash booth eluded to being in ‘talks’ with Apple during the 2010 Interbike tradeshow in Las Vegas last September. The surprising part is that it took eight months to get this existing product into the Apple Stores.

You maybe unfamiliar with the iBike Dash and iBike Phone Booth – they are rugged cases designed to work with all generations of the iPod Touch, the iPhone 3/3GS and the iPhone 4. The iBike Phone Booth is strictly a hard sided plastic case that iPod Touch or iPhone device slips into then the user is able to securely attach it onto their bicycle. It offers some of the best weather protection on the market while still allowing the user to operate the device while riding their bike. Continue reading iBike Cruises into the Apple Store

SRAM Powers Up

Back in the beginning of 2006, James Meyer wanted to purchase a power meter for his bike, but Mieke Meyer would not let him make the purchase due to student loans. By mid-2006, Jim convinced Mieke that he could build a power meter and he set out soldiering – 10 hours later he had a prototype. After two years of testing and refinement, production units of the CinQo were finally shipping out to customers. Continue reading SRAM Powers Up

Table Tennis Gets Space Age Paddle

If those pressed wood table tennis paddles were good enough for Forrest Gump, they should be good enough for everyone else. Of course Tom Hanks didn’t actually spend years learning to play like Gump – those scenes were as digitally enhanced as the ones with Kennedy or Nixon. So maybe the paddle can give you an edge.

That’s the thinking of the Donic-Schildkröt CarboTec 100 paddles, which as the name does suggest are made of the space age carbon fiber. These ultra-light weight paddles, which feature a conclave grip, supposedly can enable players to have faster shots, and better ball control. And they are reportedly legal for competition play.

At $145 for each paddle we’d certainly hope so!

Donic Schildkrot Official Website
[Via Besportier: Carbon Fiber Table Tennis Paddle : Donic Schildkrot CarboTec 100]

Do you Have a Drinking Problem?

When you are out riding your bike, hiking or engaging in any other outdoor activity do you use a hydration backpack to carry your water with you? Have you ever gotten back from an activity and found that your pack was full of water, but you were dehydrated since you did not drink enough?

Or worse, you ran out of water miles from home since you did not know how much was left in your pack and you did not ration your water accordingly? The Flow Meter from CamelBak might be the drinking aid for you.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading Do you Have a Drinking Problem?

Giant Bikes Makes Giant Donation to Trips for Kids

This week Trip for Kids, which helps provide bicycles to at risk children, announced that Giant Bicycle USA recently made a giant sized donation that will help insure that around 200 mountain bike rides will be available for youngsters this summer. The product donation to Trips for Kids and Re-Cyclery actually required that staff flew to Los Angeles, rented a U-Haul truck and drove a number of the bikes and parts back to their San Rafael warehouse.

“Trips for Kids is one of the most important organizations that Giant supports,” said Patrick VanHorn, Corporate Communications Manager for Giant USA. “I lived in Marin County before I ever worked in the bicycle industry, and I’ve seen the great work TFK has done. To now be able to help continue Giant’s backing for the organization is really quite an honor.” Continue reading Giant Bikes Makes Giant Donation to Trips for Kids

A Better “Mouse Trap?”

As long as bicycle racing events have been occurring, riders have been using a number of containers to hold water or other liquid nutrients on their bikes. Aluminum canteens, glass bottles, plastic bottles and more recently hydration backpacks, worn on the rider, have been used. Bottles have been mounted or carried on the handlebars, down tube, seat tube, behind the seat or in a jersey pocket.

Hydration backpacks have been worn on the back or as a fanny pack, but usually mounted to the body with the liquid being delivered to the rider’s mouth using a tube. Now the Portland, Oregon company, Shower Pass, is looking to merge the bike mounted bottle with the convenience of the hydration pack delivery system into one unique system.  (Video after the jump) Continue reading A Better “Mouse Trap?”

Kinetic(Mis)Shift: Skataz Goes Electric

http://youtu.be/KIGTyCdo31U

While we love the idea of convergence and technology, we’re not sure everything benefits from being “juiced up,” and this includes roller skates. The latest to add some power to the skates is Skataz, a new version of the iShoes. Any trust us just because a products adds an “i” to the front, doesn’t make it better.

But judge for yourself in the video. Electric skates: just a bit silly or downright dangerous? Either way, we say powering up the traditional roller skate is just a Kinetic(Mis)Shift.

Kinetic(Mis)Shift are products that we think deserve to be called out for their utter lack of fitness benefits.

Serious Post Work Cool Down

There is no denying that if you workout hard there is a chance you can over do it. A lot of times that means changing from your fitness attire and grabbing the ice pack, but in many cases people don’t ice post workout as they get down to other things.

The folks at 110% Play Harder solved this problem by creating compression clothing that helps during your workout, and by letting you add the element of ice after you’re down. This attire features sleeves that allow you to slide pre-chilled ice sheets and seriously cool down after your workout.

The sports compression clothing is available as Transformer Shorts, Juggler Knickers, Sleeves and even Crew Neck Ts. There is even a tote bag that keeps the ice sheets chilled for six hours. So you can even workout and cool down before you head home.

110% Play Harder Official Website
[Via BeSportier: Sports Compression Wear : 110% Play Harder Transformer Shorts]

Hands On: The Tool to Pump You Up… in a Pinch

For 2011, Blackburn Design haas introduced a new line of Toolmanator multi-tools for the occasional adjustment or emergency that all of us encounter at some point while cycling. There are three different models in the Toolmanator series, but the one that caught my eye was the Toolmanator 3. Having been actively cycling for over 20 years, I have accumulated quite an assortment of multi-tools and I really did not need another one. The feature that persuaded me to purchase the Toolmanator 3 was the built in Mini Shock Pump… essentially eliminatiing the need to carry a shock pump in my pack. Continue reading Hands On: The Tool to Pump You Up… in a Pinch

Wiley X Marks the Spot With Made in USA Tactical Eyewear

Wiley X marks the spot, as the eyewear maker announces that its Wiley X PT-1 tactical glasses are now being produced in the United States. The veteran-owned company says this is the first example of an ongoing initiative that will see more tactical eyewear products built in America.

“We have long endeavored to provide our brave soldiers in the field with the vision protection they need and deserve,” said Wiley X Eyewear Co-Owner Myles Freeman, Jr. “Meeting the highest possible standards of quality and performance has always been something we take quite seriously. Manufacturing key tactical products like the PT-1 here in America will help us raise the bar even further — and we plan to expand on this important initiative in the future.” Continue reading Wiley X Marks the Spot With Made in USA Tactical Eyewear