Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Biker’s Briefcase

Brompton has taken the concept of a cycling bag to the upscale market with the Game Bag, offering a briefcase that can go from the rider’s back in the bike lane to the boardroom without missing a bike. It features a conservative design, and was developed in collaboration with British luggage maker John Chapman.

It is made of cotton canvas and natural rubber so it will endure the cool damp springtime weather. Inside there is a padded laptop pocket and it is compatible with Brompton’s bike front luggage holder. It is a bag that perhaps both Posh Spice and Sporty Spice would embrace – were it still the late 1990s.

Brompton Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Bike Lane To Boardroom: The $400 Bike Pack Briefcase]

Shhh… This is one is Spying On You

No, the NSA hasn’t been spying on bike riders, but the ShySpy GPS bike computer could help track a bike were it to be stolen. It utilizes a GPS-based platform that can monitor both theft and even track performance.

The designers had launched a Kickstarter campaign, which did not meet its goals last month. Perhaps they were being too stealthy! Now the designers will have to be even less “shy” and perhaps a little more “sly” in their efforts to bring this one to market. Video after the jump

Saddle Supports South African Cycling

A new saddlebag could help those in the developing world. Profits from the sale of Scicon’s new Qhubeka Scicon saddlebags wills support Qhubeka, a non-profit that provides bicycles to people in exchange for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results. The group works to provide bicycles to those in South Africa’s rural population, where there is typically no access to transport and people have to walk long distances to access opportunity, education, healthcare, shops and community services. Bicycles are the most effective and economical method of quickly addressing this problem.

“We feel honored to be able to take part in a meaningful program that helps changing people’s life’s,” said Christian Pearce, sales and marketing manager of Scicon Technical Bags. “We have started sponsoring Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung in the 2013 season and it feels natural to go beyond our commitment with the team and to support the Qhubeka foundation directly with this project. We count on our global network of contacts to help us to raise funds and invite everyone to participate in this program.”

The Scicon Elan 210 bags feature the logo and trademark colors of South Africa’s first pro cycling team, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung. The company said for every 50 bags sold, one bike will be donated to the cause.

Scicon Bags Official Website

Smart Run Gets the Red Dot

Last month Adidas announced that its Smart Run won the product design category at the Red Dot Award 2014 and the wearable device stood out from 4,815 entries and received the Red Dot: Best of the Best for highest quality and ground-breaking design.

“Our ambition was to bring all the features and technology that runners value into an elegant, wearable package, with comfort and usability driving our decision making. Simple forms were executed in high quality materials such as magnesium, stainless steel, glass and silicone, to bring the look and feel that is appropriate to this level of innovation,” said Scott Tomlinson, design lead of the SMART RUN. “We consciously ignored the running watch template and looked more into the world of consumer electronics for reference. The touch screen display is the hero of the product and allows a clean look for all day wear, but also brings a rich and intuitive experience that comes to life as the runner requires it. We believe that the key to successful wearable technology goes beyond the features and functions, and is really driven by how well the product integrates into the daily life of the user, how well it simplifies and reduces, rather that what it adds.”

Red Dot Press Release: The winners of the Red Dot Award

Contour is Back

It has been quite the wild ride for Contour – maker of action sports cameras. The company was on a roll, and then suddenly called it quits. Earlier this month the company announced that it had completed a financial overhaul, reorganized and improved its distribution.

It made the move from Seattle to Provo, Utah and the company said its financial outlook is solid with key retailers.

“The aim is clear—we want to create a world class company to support this world class product,” said Danny Lysenko, CEO of CONTOUR. “While recovering CONTOUR’s position in the market, we’ll continue the long tradition of being at the forefront of innovation and bringing to market beautifully simple, yet ultimately professional cameras.”

Contour Official Website
[Via Transworld Business: CONTOUR Returns to POV Camera Market With New Ownership]

LG Goes to the Backcountry

Louis Garneau knows a thing or two about going off-road, but the Canadian-based apparel and accessories maker will sponsor the Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, providing the helmets, shoes and apparel. The team, which will wear Garneau Custom Apparel, Course and Quartz II helmets and T-Flex 2LS shoes, will compete in major North American cross-country and stage races throughout the year, including the Sea Otter Classic later this month in California, the Whiskey 50, the BC Bike Race and the 2014 Pro XCT Series.

“We make amazing mountain bike gear, but we haven’t invested as much into this segment. This has become a priority for us for 2014. We can build off of our expertise for comfort and performance found in every piece of gear we craft,” said Pierre Perron, Global Marketing Director at Louis Garneau. “The Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, head to toe in Garneau, is the caliber of athletes we love to work with.” Continue reading LG Goes to the Backcountry

Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Bike Decline

From Bicycle Retailer: The single biggest issue facing the bike industry (A blog by Jay Townley)
As we finish the first quarter of 2014 the U.S. bicycle business is preparing for its April gathering of industry leaders at the Bicycle Leadership Conference and the IBD Summit. We have noticed that the U.S. bicycle business continues to separate the meetings of the specialty bicycle retail, or bike shop channel of trade suppliers from the retailers and the separate agendas for these two important annual gatherings still do not mention or pay attention to the most important single issue facing the U.S. bicycle business today!

The following chart (above) is a graphic presentation of the 18-year history of U.S. bicycle riding participation from 1995 through 2012. The data is from the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA). The overall trend is a slow decline, from the peak of 56 million in 1995 to flat overall bicycle riding participation at 39 million for the last three years. 2013 bicycle riding participation will be available in early April, but we don’t anticipate any significant change from the history you see here. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.05.2014): Bike Decline, RIP Hobie, Total 360, Old Timers

Halo Glow

Whether you are running, cycling or even just out for a walk at night you will want to be seen, especially in areas where there might not be a lot of lights. The Halo Belt 2.0, and update to the original Halo Belt, will offer some illumination so that you can’t be missed.

The new version of this wearable light system is being launched through a Kickstarter campaign, and it has been redesigned to be brighter and rechargeable while the designers have integrated a refined LED fiber optic system and 3M reflective elastic onto the belt. This can also be adjusted to the desired size and length to accommodate most users. Video after the jump

Aescention

Even the most serious “outdoorsman” probably wants a little creature comforts when sleeping in the wilds. After all who really wants to sleep on the cold, hard ground? If having a little cushion under your sleeping bag is your thing, then the Aescent tent, which is being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, might be for you.

This four man tent features an inflatable mattress built into the base. Instead of a being just an air mattress on the floor, this is actually a series of intertwined compartmentalized chambers, which provides a more supportive sleeping surface – and that could help leave you fresh for another day in the wilds. Video after the jump

The KoldRush to the Head

As winter finally is turning to spring that means summer isn’t far off. Anyone who puts in the long miles on a bike knows that the sun can beat down on the helmet and just heat things up. The KoldRush is a new bike helmet accessory that is being developed via a Kickstarter campaign. This takes the approach that a little cool water dripping on the head can cool you down. The still in concept device, which was designed by Scott Powers, is built around a 24-ounce reservoir that is mounted to the seat post, while an internal pump drives the water through a tube to the back of the helmet.

This does seem to be a rather complicated way to get some cool water to the head, but on a hot day it might be worth it. It could also be a good kind of “cold rush” to the head – as opposed to say eating ice cream too fast on a hot day! Video after the jump

Lucky 13

Dutch cycling brand Allez Cycling knows that pro cyclists who ride with the number “13” often place it upside down. With this in mind, the company now offers a cycling-themed t-shirt for men and women that reflects the cycling tradition that race number 13 is bad luck. The number on this 100 percent organic cotton shirt is also upside down – making this shirt sure to be a conversation starter.

Allez Cycling Official Website

Reflective Ride

Being seen at night at night is crucial when on a bike. The Lumen Retro-Reflective City Bicycle doesn’t exactly light up the night sky, but it features a reflective paint that looks black during the day yet reflects light at night. The creators, including Jefferson McCarley of the Mission Bicycle Company, noted that in most urban environment glow-in-the-dark paint is actually not all that visible, but the reflective paint on the Lumen bike is much harder to miss. This bike requires no batteries.

The Mission Bicycle Company, which launched a Kickstarter project to bring the Lumen to market, has been working with Halo Coatings to develop the innovative coatings on the bike. It seems like a bright idea and one to reflect on. Video after the jump

Mobile Exercise System Gets Kickstarted

Last month the TAO WellShell, which was demonstrated at this past CES, recently launched as a Kickstarter campaign. TAO-Wellness is looking to develop the world’s first mobile, isometric exercise system for a fall 2014 release.

“We received a great deal of interest from the tech and fitness community as a result of our launch at CES,” says Philo Northrup, president and co-founder of TAO-Wellness. “But the question we kept getting asked was, ‘When and where can I get a TAO?’ We decided to optimize TAO for manufacturing and turn to Kickstarter to deliver them to our supporters as quickly as possible.”

The Kickstarter campaign will run through April 17. Video after the jump