Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Infinity Plus One

When we think of the concept of infinity we think of more or at least endless, but the Infinity bicycle saddle is actually about less – or maybe it is more because it is less? We’re really confused on this one, but designer Dr. Vincent Marcel basically reinvented the saddle by inverting it. So instead of a convex shape to sit on he created a concave shape that has the bones rest inside the cutout with support on the muscles.

We first spotted the Infinity last fall when Marcel launched his Kickstarter campaign. He ended up with 1,330 backers and surpassed his $25,000 goal and then some. In the end he raised $188,340 to make the Infinity a reality. Now that it is a success he seems ready to get in production.

We’ve seen other saddles that look to do more with less, so we’ll be watching to see where this Infinity concept goes next. It could be nowhere it could be to infinity… you know the rest.

Infinity Kickstarter Site
[Via BikeRumor: THE RADICAL INFINITY SADDLE – THE ANSWER FOR GOING THE DISTANCE?]

Concussion Avoidance

One of the best ways to avoid a concussion is to stay clear of activities where you may hit hour head. That seems to be the opinion of a quarter of parents, who said they will not let their kids play in football due to concerns over concussions, according to a recent Truven Health Analytics and NPR Health Poll. Continue reading Concussion Avoidance

Under Performaning

The Under Armour designed speed skating uniforms were supposed to be super suits – there was already talk of a potential ban as the suits could give an unfair edge to the competitors. However, as The Wall Street Journal reported late last week – the super suits were a super dud!

Gold medal favorite Shani Davis didn’t show super speed on the ice and the paper reported that the suits may have a design flaw that could be slowing down skaters. This is the vent on the back, which is designed to allow heat to escape. Instead it is allow air to enter and is creating drag, which in turn is making it difficult for the skaters to maintain their low position.

[Via The Wall Street Journal: Under Armour Suits May Be a Factor in U.S. Speedskating’s Struggles]

Audio Gets in Focus

Music and working out just go so well together, but having earbuds that can go the distance has often been the problem. Earbuds that fall out of the ears are worse than no headphones at all. The Yurbud Focus will still in place thanks to Twist Lock silicone ear plugs while the over-the-ear mount will let you run, jump and more without fear. These also provide freedom as they can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to portable music players, meaning you need to worry about let cable.

These are also resistant to sweat and light rain, and have about eight-hours of battery life, while the fabric cord will help ensure they don’t get all tangled up.

Yurbud Official Website

Full Kontact

Kontact has been made… for cyclists. The Kontact saddle works on the theory that providing a flat surface to sit on actually prevents the center of the seat from pushing up in between the “sit bones,” which in turn causes increased pressure. Kontact claims by providing a flat surface there is more contact area that reduces the pressure. The company is so sure of its results that it is offering a 30 day 100 percent refund policy on saddles.

Kontact Official Website

All Hail

The right for the job can make a big difference and the Leatherman Hail Snowboard Tool is one that will come in handy on the slopes, and because it is TSA-compliant this pocket multi-tool won’t hang you at the airport. It was designed in collaboration with Signal Snowboards so it isn’t just any old tool marketed for snowboarders. It features needlenose pliers, standard pliers, wire cutters, both flat and Phillips screwdrivers, tweezers, a scraper, a lacing assistant, a nail file, a carabiner, a 10mm wrench, and even a bottle opener.

Leatherman Hail Snowboard Tool Official Website

Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time

Olympic Tech

From TechNewsWorld: Team USA in Sochi: High-Tech Gear Spurs High Hopes
While it takes years of training, determination and really good genes even to get a chance to compete in the Olympic Games, the difference between making the podium or not can come down to milliseconds in some events. At this year’s Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, new advances in fabrics, materials and designs are giving the athletes an edge as they go for the gold. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.15.2014): Olympic Tech, Clowning Around, Pay Day, Keeping Time

Table to Die For

While it is easy to think of ping pong as a game played on a rickety old table in a damp basement or garage, this one is truly steps up the game and then some. The Killerspin SVR Black Ping Pong table offers playing surface that is specially designed with the maker’s Repeat Roller Coating (RRC) process that provides a superior glare reducing finish, while the 22mm medium density fiberboard (MDF) provides consistent bounce. It also has a design that looks stylish, so much so you won’t want to relegate it to the basement.

Killerspin Official Website

Retro High Tech Gloves

Retro and high tech are usually not things we associate together, but Veeka has managed to provide both in its new line of cycling gloves. These look downright old school and feature handwoven cotton with a classic Velcro closure, but these also offer a non-slip silicone texture that provides grip on the handbars or a mobile phone. The company has an entire line of stylish gloves that will look like a blast from the past, yet still be ready to roll with your 21st century ride.

Veeka Americas Official Website

Heel Spur

A heel spur is something most runners fear but the LightSpur designed by Nathan Sport could be something no runner will want to be without after dark. It clips around the heel of a shoe and grips against it while providing an LED light that can help drivers and even cyclists see you at night. The LightSpurs are fully waterproof and powered by a replaceable CR2031 watch battery that should provide more than 100 hours in flashing mode.

These spurs won’t make you run faster but they’ll help ensure you aren’t run down after dark.

Nathan Sports LightSpurs Official Website

Printed Flyer

3D printing continues to revolutionize the world, and the Flying Machine shows just what can it can do. This “printed flyer” is actually a full size bike that offers fully 3D printed titanium lugs. The Australian bike maker has utilized advances in EBM (Electron beam melting), which allows for thicker layers of material to printed and thus results in a quicker manufacturing time.

While this is still quite a ways from a fully 3D printed bike the Flying Machine could show that the sky is the limit.

Flying Machine Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Flying Machine’s 3D printed titanium frame]

A Nutter Multi-Tool

We’ve seen a lot of multi-tools for cyclists but Full Windsor is now offering a Nutter one – make that The Nutter Cycle Multi Tool. This system is all build around the handle, which accepts various bits and transforms it into a tool you won’t want to be without. It includes spanners, hex tools, spoke keys, torx bit and even bottom opener and all of it can be stashed in a handy and stylish leather-bound case.

Full Windsor The Nutter Cycle Multi Tool Official Website

Reflective Cross Wear

For last months cyclocross world championships last month apparel maker BioRacer introduced a new highly reflective cycling jersey. It utilizes a material dubbed “Pixel,” which will practically glow when hit by car headlights, ensuring that a rider can be seen. What is notable about this technology is that it makes the apparel look like a solid color in normal light, but when hit by a headlight or other bright illumination it glows! We hope to see more of this fabric in the coming months.

BioRacer Press Release: Reflective warm-up clothing WC Hoogerheide – Pixel fabric