Red Dot on the Forefront

ForeFrontSmith Opitcs’ had received the prestigious Red Dot Award in the Outdoor/Leisure/Sports/Fun category for its new mountain bike helmet, the Forefront. Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen last month said the helmet, “set itself apart from all comparable projects thanks to excellent design.”

The Forefront also won the 2014 iF Design Award for innovative design; the GOLD Award in the category of Design & Innovation 2014 by Enduro Mountainbike Magazine; and the Best of Interbike Show Awards last year from Outside magazine and Gear Junkie.

This helmet is designed to provide all-mountain protection with road-race weigh. Instead of EPS, it features an Aerocore liner that provides better ventilation and impact properties and lower weight.

Smith Optics Forefront Official Website

UCI Looking at Google Glass

Google-GlassThis week VeloNews reported that a technical commission from the world’s cycling governing body, the UCI, has taken a “look” at Google Glass.

“The equipment commission will address concerns over the outdated method of data and video capture in the biggest races,” one source told VeloNews, on condition of anonymity due to a forthcoming official announcement from Google. “Google Glass technology will take the sport to the head of technological development in major professional sports. The possibilities for entertainment, sport science, and, yes, safety, are nearly limitless.”

Google Glass incorporates a small, Internet-enabled computer in a pair of lightweight eyeglasses and provides wearers with the ability to capture and share photographs and video hands free, and even complete a number of other commands.

This move into cycling marks Google’s first major sports sponsorship as part of its Glass launch. It could mean that Google Glass could soon join such technology as race radios in future events like the Tour de France.

[Via VeloNews: UCI commission to recommend Google Glass use on WorldTour]

Chill Out?

CLIMACHILLAfter this long harsh winter the last thing most people are likely to want to do is “chill out,” but soon the temperatures will rise and the Adidas Climachill technology will keep athletes from getting overheated. And it does so by putting metal into the clothing, but this is no suit of armor.

The line incorporates innovative fabric woven with titanium and industry-first 3D aluminium cooling spheres that provide an instant chilling sensation. The high tech fabric is designed to transfer heat away from the body to help the athletes’ performance in warm conditions – lowering their body temperature so they can train harder, run longer, retain focus and compete at the highest level.

The micro fiber fabric allows the apparel to provide the cooling properties of mesh, and in doing so can move excess moisture away from the skin. It utilizes evaporation and conduction methods together for the first time, the ground-breaking SubZero flat yarn contains titanium and is woven throughout the inside of each article of clothing. Flat yarn has more surface area than traditional yarns, which enables it to transfer heat away from your body.

Adidas Climachill Official Website

Water Skates

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Skating or boating? You want to skate but you’d like to get out on the water. Well, you can always do what Bob Burnquist did and float a skateboard ramp on Lake Tahoe. This particular ramp was constructed as part of Visit California’s Dream365 tourism campaign.

Bob Burnquist Official Website

On the Trigger

TriggerBellWhile yelling will get someone’s attention, bells on bikes are a less aggressive way to let someone know you’re approaching. The problem is that many bells aren’t exactly placed where they can be easily accessed – meaning that riders have to take their hands off the handlebars to use the bell.

The Trigger Bell, which was designed by London cyclists Stefan Buxton, allows it to be quickly accessed with a single finger! Buxton is now wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign and has already surpassed his goals. That might be something to ring about! Video after the jump

Lightweight is Back In Black

SchwarzedLightweight lives up to its name again, and is offering a new version of its road wheels, the Schwarzed Edition, which feature a new black-on-black color scheme and full ceramic bearings from CeramicSpeed.

Lightweight also offers its wheels in standard graphics, the “Weiss” Edition with white spokes and hubs, and now the Schwarzed Edition. The new edition will be offered on the company’s original Meilenstein wheel, the Meilenstein C clincher, the Meilenstein Obermayer, the Fernweg, Fernweg C clincher, the Gipfelstrum and the Autobahn disc wheel. May the Schwarz be with you.

Lightweight Official Website

Glow Rack

Solo-GlowThere are a number of products to help cyclists be seen at night, but now Saris has introduced a bike rack that will glow in the dark. The Solo Rack looks black in the day but at night it has an iridescent green glow that helps it be seen on the car’s truck. This can help load up the bike as the sun goes down, and maybe even can help a car be seen on a dark road.

Saris Official Website

The Ice Tee

IceTeeIt’s hard to think that soon we may want to “cool down” but after a long winter the warm weather is on the way and when working out you can get overheated all too easily. The IceTee is an athletic shirt that is features reusable gel packs that are strategically placed to help wearer’s stay cool.

Users do need to place the garment in a freezer, and the gel packs will remain cold for up to one hour. While this shirt is probably best for when you’re already getting warmed up, it can help you stay a little cooler on a hot day. The IceTee is now being developed via Kickstarter campaign, and we think it is one cool idea. Video after the jump

Rungu for the Hills

RunguFat tire bikes are designed to better dig through loose terrain including snow and sand, but California-based Rungu is looking to make new tracks with its new line of fat-tire trikes, which include names such as Juggernaut and Kilimanjaro

These bikes – make that trikes – feature two front wheels to provide greater stability while spreading the weight out over a greater surface area. This helps keep the rider upright and allows for quicker movement in loose terrain. These bikes look like they can tackle sand, snow and gravel with ease. Continue reading Rungu for the Hills

Up to the Task

MyTaskThere may be many apps for the iPhone but when it comes to fixing things the handset might not be enough for most cyclists. This is where the MyTask comes in. Instead of calling for help this iPhone case holds just the tools you might need for a quick fix that will have you on your way.

The MyTask Bike features an interchangeable case with easy slide out mechanism, soft touch coating, polycarbonate protection. Within are a pedal/axel wrench, six Allen wrench, three tire patches, Phillips screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, four metric box wrenches, two tire levers, bottle opener and two bicycle spoke wrenches.

If you take mass transit to work there is also the MyTask Urban, which features a USB drive, comb, nail file and pen as well as 2-inch scissors, tweezers, stylus pen, regular pen, usb stick, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, nail file, ruler, personal mirror, LED light (three modes) for FaceTime and mirror.

Both MyTask kits are now being developed through a Kickstarter campaign, which will conclude later this month. Video after the jump

Fired Up

BlackFireThere is no reason to have to read by the campfire or rely just on the light from the burning wood. The Blackfire Clamplight Lantern, which just one a 2014 Red Dot Award in the Product Design category, will provide plenty of illumination.

It can be clamped to tents, tree branches and tackle boxes, while its pivoting head shines light in all direction. It can also double as a flashlight, and users can easily switch between low, hi, and strobe lantern mode, as well as go into flashlight mode at the touch of a button. The Clamplight Lantern is equipped with Cree LEDs, which offer 260 lumens, and yet is powered by just three AA batteries. This one will endure a trip in the wild and is even rated IPX4 storm proof.

Blackfire Official Website