Bracketron’s New Accessory Mounts GPS Unit or Portable Device to Golf Bag

When you’re out on the links the last thing you want is a cumbersome item in your pockets, say your cell phone. The folks at Bracketron, a company that makes mounting accessories for gizmos like smartphones, portable media players, GPS, and laptops, recently introduced its Golf Bag GPS Mount. The accessory easily attaches securely to the top of a golf bag with a clip, and the arms extend up to 4.5-inches wide to hold a golf-specific GPS device to help you navigate the course clearly without worrying where to place the unit. Contrary to its name, it’ll hold a smartphone (for browsing a golf app, perhaps) or MP3 player; an optional adapter can be attached directly to your portable device for mounting in lieu of spreading the arms. The accessory is available at Bracketron’s website for $39.

For bikers, Bracketron also makes a Universal Bike Mount. Does the same thing as the Golf Bag GPS Mount except it attaches to your bike’s handlebars, but you already figured that out. The Bike Mount sells for $39.95.

BRACKETRON

Kinetic Shift at the Gran Fondo Los Angeles

This past weekend, Kinetic Shift went to the first Gran Fondo Los Angeles, which started off in Beverly Hills and headed through Santa Monica and over to the massive climbs of Topanga Canyon Road. The event was sponsored by Colnago, which was one of the innovators of carbon fiber technology. The company has worked with Ferrari since the 1980s to produce new materials.

Above is the bike that belongs to Alessandro Colnago, grandson of company founder Ernesto Colnago. This reporter had an opportunity to ride that bike on the 72 mile ride… note my “second water bottle” of choice!

Get Up and GoTality

Performance Designed Products (PDP) has made it easier to get up and go, and to turn your iPod or iPhone into a fitness monitoring device. The GoTality is a cardio fitness kit that is compatible for all models of the iPhone as well as iPhone, and the complete package, which is available now for $59.99, includes a clip-on heart rate monitor and reflective exercise armband that keeps the device snug while you’re off on the go.

The GoTality app essentially works with an ear clip that can track the distance a user runs or steps taken, while also tracking biometric data including heart rate, basal metabolic rate and even Body Mass Index (BMI). Of course what’s a heart rate monitor that can’t keep track of calories burned? This one will do that can even calculate fitness zone and help users determine the ideal work out levels.

Users can set fitness goals, and exercise programs that are tailored to specific needs, and with an iPhone there is even GPS provided to complement the built-in pedometer so you can see where you went and track your progress on a map. Did we say it is time to get GoTality?

GoTality Official Website

Eye SPY Performance Glasses

A spy probably should keep a low profile and not draw attention, but frankly SPY Optic didn’t get the message exactly, and instead went and released new glasses that will be sure to get you noticed.

This is part of the SPY Y Performance series, of highly-stylized technical eyewear, which has arrived with two models, the Quanta and the Alpha. Both feature the SPY-patented anti-fogging Scoop venting system; virtually unbreakable Grilamid frames; impact-resistant, optically-correct and distortion-free ARC (Accurate Radius Curve) lenses; glare-reducing Premium Trident polarized infusion in select models; bounce-back glare-diffusing lens coating; anti-scratch and hydrophobic and oleophobic technology; environmentally reactive Hytrel rubber nose pads and temple tips; and UVA, UVB and UVC protective treatments.

“SPY’s connection to technical eyewear goes all the way back to the beginning of the company, when we invented our anti-fogging technology, so the whole ‘Performance” thing is an evolution of our heritage as much as it is about design or innovation,” says Jeremy McGrath, seven-time AMA Supercross Champion, SPY founder and rider. “We started out as California racers who did other sports, and that vibe is still what SPY is about today. If I don’t have to wear goggles, whether it’s mountain-biking or hitting golf balls or whatever, I’m wearing these glasses.”

Both models are available now and are sure to let you see well and look good.

SPY Optic Official Website

Made in America: CO2 Inflators by Genuine Innovations

The sun is starting to set and the weather is turning cold and damp, but you are still miles away from home on your bike. All you can think of is a hot shower and a nice dinner. Then you notice something does not feel right – the rear end of your bike feels bouncy and is drifting all over the place… damn, you have a flat. The last thing you want to be doing is changing a flat in the dark, but all you have is a spare tube and a bike pump… only 200 pumps until your tire is inflated!

For over 20 years, Genuine Innovations has been coming to the rescue of cyclists. Based in Tucson, AZ, Genuine Innovations has been producing inflators the use small cartridges of compressed carbon dioxide (CO2) to quickly inflate bicycle tubes and tires to get cyclists back on their way quickly. How quickly you might ask? Once the new tube is in the tire, all that is required is the CO2 cartridge to be loaded into the inflator and then the inflator attached to the valve on the tube. In about two seconds your tire will be ready to ride. Continue reading Made in America: CO2 Inflators by Genuine Innovations

BBC Profile on Brompton Bikes

In contrast with today’s Made in America feature on Genuine Innovations, we wanted to share a BBC Made in Britain video on Brompton, fold-up commuter bikes. It’s interesting to hear Brompton speak of the importance of handcrafted parts that go into the bikes, and how being made in Britain actually helps the manufacturer in the Chinese market.

[Via EcoVelo]

Shimano’s Di2 Trickles Down to Ultegra

Shimano announced that the Dura Ace electronic shifting, Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence), that has been used by professional riders for the past four years will be available this fall in their Ultegra line of components. Ultegra components are just one level lower than the Dura Ace level and is much more affordable for the avid cyclist and weekend racer.

The advantages of Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence) are clear for everybody who has tested it: changing gears becomes easier, effortless and faster by simply touching the shift buttons. Control at the top of your fingers. Additional benefits include an automatic trimming front derailleur, unmatched precision plus super easy installation and adjustment. Continue reading Shimano’s Di2 Trickles Down to Ultegra

Recon Heads-Up Display Tech to be Adapted for Space Exploration

Recon Instruments' Transcend snow goggles with GPS-enabled, heads-up display.

Typically NASA’s research and technologies lead to the creation of consumer and commercial products. But it looks like NASA will be utilizing a commercial product as part of its next-generation spacesuits and helmets, according to a report from Wired.

NASA announced that Recon Instruments will be creating a customized integrated heads-up display for helmets that’s based on Recon’s GPS-enabled, heads-up-display-equipped goggles for snowboarders. The technology will be integrated into NASA’s Desert RATS initiative for future missions to Mars and other galactic destinations.

NASA EYES SNOWBOARD TECH FOR NEXT-GEN SPACESUITS (WIRED)

RECON INSTRUMENTS

Islabikes Clothing Now in Kid’s Sizes

Bikes come in children’s sizes, so why not bike attire? Now Islabikes, the maker of bikes for children ages two and up, have introduced a line of children cycling attire reports our friends at BikeRadar.com. The line, which is currently available in the U.K., includes short-sleeved jerseys (£24.99), a winter jacket (£59.99), bib shorts (£26.99), thermal bib tights (£39.99), and leg (£19.99) and arm warmers (16.99).

Least a parent worry that their young rider will outgrow the clothing too quickly, it is noted that the clothing is designed with room for growth, while still including features and functionality that you’d see in adult cycling kits. These include breathable fabrics, reflective details and of course child-friendly zippers.

Company founder Isla Rowntree, a former British national cyclo-cross champion, said that the company introduced the children’s attire after getting many requests from their customers. It seemed the kids had the bikes and wanted to dress the part too.

[Via BikeRadar.com: Islabikes release children’s clothing range]
Islabikes Official Website

Avoid Bang-ups with the HeadsUp System

You are driving home after a long road trip and all that is on your mind is a plate of food and a hot shower. As you turn down your street and push the button for your garage door opener, you zip into the garage just like you would any day after work…but this time you hear a crunch and have that horrible, sinking feeling in your stomach. Your $3000 bike now looks like a metal pretzel and you could literally cry.

Roof racks on cars is such a convenient way to transport your bike, but sometimes really bad and costly accidents occur that could easily be avoided through the use of a small reminder to ‘stop’ before entering your garage. A new wireless visual and audio system is shipping in July to help you avoid this type of situation. The HeadsUp System, founded by two cyclists in Colorado, is designed as a complete solution to avoid the dreaded ‘crunch’. Continue reading Avoid Bang-ups with the HeadsUp System

Artist Turns 72 Beer Cans into Functioning Surfboard

The Beer Can Surfboard by Richard Quinn Morrison (Photo: Richard Morrison/Enviro Surf Art Series)

Here’s one way to recycle those empty aluminum beverage cans from your next party. Surfer and artist Richard Quinn Morrison, who started the Enviro Surf Art Series, has created a surfboard using 72 empty beer cans from six brands salvaged from a local bar. Morrison created the board with the help of surfboard maker Gary Seagraves. The 6’2” board uses a rocket fish design with twin fins and a swallow tail, and it was designed to be functional. Watch this video of how he put the board together. The board will be put to use soon to test out its sea legs.

ENVIRO SURF ART SERIES (FACEBOOK)

FROM 72 RECYCLED BEER CANS COMES A SWEET SURFBOARD (TREEHUGGER)

 

Slide Into More Control with Slidepad

Sometimes there are products out there that seem so simple that it is hard to believe that it took this long to see them offered on the market. The new braking system from Slidepad Technologies, located in Palo Alto, CA, is one of those products.

The Slidepad is a braking system that controls both the front and rear brakes on a bicycle through the use of one brake lever. The rider of a bike that has the Slidepad system installed simply pulls one brake lever which applies braking pressure to the rear wheel. As the pads make contact with the rear wheel, the Slidepad (which looks like an over sized brake pad) ‘slides’ forward pulling a cable that is connected to the front brakes. This in turn applies enough braking pressure to the front wheel to slow the rider, but not too much to cause them to flip over the handlebars. Continue reading Slide Into More Control with Slidepad

Rent a Bike Online

Flying is a hassle and frankly traveling with a bike is a downright nightmare especially while trying to negotiate all of the regulations and fees that the airlines put on travelers these days. Renting a bike while traveling away from home has always been a viable option if you do not need your specific bike, but that too can sometimes be a hassle especially if you are pressed for time. What you need is to “Rent A Bike Now!”

You rent cars, vacation homes and movies online, why not bikes? RentABikeNow.com of Chicago, IL has recently improved their website to offer more features to the users. As reported in Bicycle Retailer:

“Our new reservation platform offers significant enhancements that help bike shops attract more rental business and better manage their reservations,” said company president George Gill. “The most significant enhancements are focused on system speed improvements and enhanced features and flexibility, which create a better user experience.” Continue reading Rent a Bike Online