All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, but is it actually work or play when you get to check out the latest upcoming bicycles? From the smile on Brian’s face above, it certainly seems like work he really enjoys. Check out some more of the sights from this week’s Outdoor Demo Days at Interbike 2011: Continue reading Interbike 2011: KineticShift Gets Down and Dirty
Name one company that gives away 30-percent of its profits. There aren’t many out that that would dream of such an act, but DiEM Sportsgear is not a normal company. They are a company that was launched earlier this year to supply a non-profit fund with money to achieve its main goal of giving back to the community. The non-profit, David’s Fund, was started by the family members of the young athlete, David Scott Mueller, whose life was cut tragically short in 2009 by a drunk driver in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
DiEM Sportsgear, the name derived from David’s initials, not only is unique with its goal of giving back, but they also pride themselves on making their apparel in the U.S.A. Currently the line only consists of athletic t-shirts for both men and women. Every shirt except for the ‘Basic T’ utilizes fast-dry fabric technology, are tag-less and are 92-percent polyester, 8-percent spandex. All T’s sold by DiEM Sportsgear are made in America.
Video after the jump Continue reading Made in America: DiEM Sportsgear
Maximum Fitness Gear Inc. has debuted a new low-tech fitness system at the H+FB 2011 show that claims to maximize and strengthen the upper body and increase endurance. The Power Press is an innovative push up board that will help develop your chest, shoulders, triceps, biceps and back muscles by performing a variety of pushups.
The Power Press is approximately the size of a yoga mat with a series of color-coded holes that push up bars lock into when the user wants to work on a particular muscle group. A “Tone and Burn” workout program is included that combines Power Press push ups with calorie-burning cardio, plyometri and abs/core exercises.
If you already incorporate pushups into your workout or want to get started, the Power Press is a very straight forward system to help you maximize your efforts.
As summer begins to become a distant memory and the fall chill takes over finding yourself in the “hot seat” doesn’t sound so bad. While you could head to the heated seats in the car, the Chaheati All-Season Heated Chair will let you tailgate, or just enjoy a day outside in the brisk weather. While it looks like many lightweight, collapsible canvas chairs, the Chaheati features cordless carbon fiber non-wire heating elements that are placed throughout the chair.
The result is that you’re in the “hot seat” every time you use it. This patent pending technology offers four temperature settings from 98° up to 145°F and rapidly heats up in less than 20 seconds. It makes the chair ideal for camping, hunting, cool weather sporting events and tailgating. The low-voltage heating technology sports digital circuit protection. The high efficiency, lithium-ion rechargeable battery provides up to six hours of heat per charge and lasts for over 500 uses. The Chaheati is available now ($89.99 MSRP), just in time for the cooler weather of fall.
“And that’s not all,” is sort of the feeling we had when Wahoo announced its new Bike Pack that features the Wahoo Bike Case along with the Wahoo Fitness Speed and Cadence sensor. These items are now offered together as a combo pack that might make iPhone users ditch their cycling computers.
Wahoo Fitness instead allows users to wirelessly connect the iPhone to an ANT+ fitness measuring device and includes the bike case to ensure the mobile smartphone can survive a spill on the road, while mounting the handset on the handle bars! The case fits iPhone 3G, 3GS and 4 in both Verizon and AT&T versions.
Videos after the jump Continue reading Interbike 2011: Wahoo Packs a Lot in Bike Pack
The company that brought you a cycle computer on your iPhone via ANT+ now has a run and gym solution. The Wahoo Run Pack from Wahoo Fitness is ideal for cyclists looking to cross-train in the colder winter months. Of course it also works quite well for those who simply run or go to the gym, even if they don’t ride a bike as part of training. Continue reading Interbike 2011: Wahoo Fitness On the Run
Nikon has been known for making some excellent SLR digital cameras and head turning point-and-shoot cameras. But one area where the company has been lacking has been in the rugged point-and-shoot variety. Well, not anymore. This month will see the release of the AW100, Nikon’s first camera in the go anywhere, do anything category.
The AW100 is reportedly shockproof, waterproof to 33 feet and even freeze-proof, so it will work on the trails, at the beach and in the snow. It features a 15.1MP BSI CMOS sensor and has built-in GPS and internal mapping functions that will work much like a travelogue to view your way. It is available this month for $430 and ready for your next adventure.
[Via Gizmodo: Nikon’s First Rugged Cam (!), Super Bright Projector Mutant Camera and Pro Point-and-Shoot]
There are plenty of cameras out on the market to catch you or your friends in the action, but there is now a camera to try help you from becoming the action courtesy of a car. For years there have been helmet, handle bar and eyewear mounted mirrors that allows cyclists to see the approaching traffic from behind. Another option, soon to be available and debuting at Interbike, is a new rear view camera for cyclists. Continue reading Interbike 2011: The Owl 360 Rear View Camera
“Steel is real.” This is the motto that many cyclists who ride steel frames live by. Steel has a lively feel that aluminum and carbon fiber simply do not have. Titanium has this similar lively feel, but the cost of just the raw material puts it out of reach of most riders. However, being a “man of steel” has its drawbacks, notably that in certain parts of the country steel can also become ‘real’ly rusty if not properly maintained, which makes a new tube set from KVA Stainless Inc. attractive.
What should be a ‘no brainer’ material to be used as a frame tube set, stainless steel has had a checkered past. Those of you who have been around the bike industry for a number of years will remember the Columbus Metax tube set. That too was a stainless steel tube set that was used by a number of frame builders including the now defunct Rhygin. The problem with the Rhygins is that they were plagued with a cracking problem… not something that you want to be known for in the frame building business. On the other end of the spectrum is the Reynolds 953 stainless steel tube set. This tube set is still being used today by prestigious builders including Waterford and Independent Fabrications. Continue reading Interbike 2011: KVA Stainless Inc. MS2 Tubing
Since winter is just a few months away – we already are thinking about the studded tires from the new brand 45North – it is time to think about cold hands, so you don’t get cold feet about wanting to go for ride. HESTRA, the leading international glove brand in skiing, outdoor recreation and leisure, is launching a new line of cycling gloves is especially designed to keep your digits warm while riding in the cold.
This road and mountain bike glove line for fall/winter features flexibility, durability, safety and protection from the outdoor elements; along with grip control and reflectivity; plus GORE Windstopper Breeze technology for warmth during even the chilliest temperatures. HESTRA’s cold fall/winter bike collection presents riders with five options of gloves to choose from for those who spin their wheels in the fall and well into the winter when rain, snow, wind and other elements can chill fingers and hands. Continue reading Fits Like a Glove (Obviously)
Kick off your Sunday shoes, it’s time to get footloose… but loose shoes or those with poor support and cushioning might make many an athlete feel like sitting it out rather than getting loose and active. However, Footbalance, an innovator in custom footbed technology is introducing its Performance model footbed at this week’s Interbike show in Las Vegas.
The device offers a thin support with a minimalistic feel for activities where speed and performance are crucial. The footbed is an insert that is ideal for tight, low volume or performance footwear such as cycling shoes, racing flats, soccer cleats and running spikes. It is made of D-200 silver ion, high abrasion, moisture wicking and anti-microbial material that also offers 100 percent custom-molded arch support, heel cup and cushioning. Continue reading Interbike 2011: Footbalance not Footloose
From Vermont to Vegas, with the heat, the casinos and the sights we hope that the team from New England survives this week, but as their name suggests they aren’t just tough. In fact, they’re Darn Tough Vermont, and this is the company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee that means “no time limits, no restrictions, no tiny type.”
The company is making this its Interbike debut, and showing its Vermont-made, lifetime-guaranteed Merino wool and Coolmax socks. The company takes part in providing the highest density knitting (1441 stitches per square inch), and that is paired with fine-gauge Merino wool yarn (21.5 micron) to create a sock that “simply refuses to quit.”
The company doesn’t quit on its friends either. Last week, in response to the devastation that has affected Vermont communities in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which included Darn Tough Vermont’s own hometown of Northfield, the company pledged to make an initial donation of 2,000 pairs of socks to those in need across the state.
“Everyone is giving what they can during this challenging time for our state,” said Ric Cabot, owner of Darn Tough Vermont. “While food and water take precedent, a new pair of socks can go a long way for a family who has lost many necessities, or for someone who is standing all day in damp, humid conditions trying to rebuild their community. I know it’s just socks, but it’s what we do.”
This isn’t only darn tough, but it is a darn nice thing to do!
The U.S. bicycle lube market has a number of well known brands – White Lightning, Tri-Flow and Pedros just to name a few have been around for years, but there is another player in the market that has a fairly deep line of products to offer cyclists. MOTOREX Oil of Switzerland is showcasing their extensive line of cycling lubricants, greases, cleaners, fork oils and brake fluids at Interbike this year.
MOTOREX is the largest independent oil refinery in Switzerland and have developed a line of cycling related products that are being marketed throughout the world. Their products are so well thought of that they are used by many factory cycling teams throughout the world including BMC who recently competed in the USA Pro Cycling Challenge and helped place Cadel Evans on the top of the podium at the 2011 Tour de France. Continue reading Interbike 2011: MOTOREX Oil of Switzerland