Evolving Consumer: Happiness through shopping - electronics & fitness

Strider Shaves the Weight

Strider announced that its new aluminum-framed ST-PRO is about two pounds lighter than the company’s steel-framed balance bikes, making it easy for even the smallest children to handle (but hopefully not to throw).

The Strider ST-PRO was designed and built based on the same no-pedal design as the original Strider, and at under five pounds, it is the lightest Strider available to date and was designed for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years old. It has puncture-proof 12-inch EVA polymer tires, adjustable seat and handlebar and even a number plate.

Strider Official Website

Hip to be Locked

A bike without a lock is often a bike you won’t see again. However, all locks won’t guarantee that it will be enough to deter thieves. At the recent Interbike trade show in Las Vegas bike security brand Hiplok has announced the launch of two innovative new products.

Hiplok D and Hiplok Pop could make bringing a lock a little less of a pain. The Hiplock D is designed to be the first wearable D-Lock, and it utilizes a unique clip system integrated in to the body of the sold secure rated D-lock. With this it can easily be attached to belts and bag straps as well as fit firmly in pockets, offering maximum comfort and convenience when riding.

The Hiplok Pop is designed as a lightweight, versatile cable lock and it utilizes Hiplok’s innovative patent pending “pop” system, where it easily adjusts to and fits around the riders waist. It is available in six funky colors that can be customized to suit the rider’s individuality offering a convenient and stylish way to secure your bike in lower risk areas. Video after the jump

Drink Fit

Throughout the day how much effort to you make to track your hydration? While calories and even what you ate might be counted, what you drink often isn’t. However, the BluFit could change all that. It is an intelligent water bottle that works in synchronization with a smartphone will help consumers maintain optimum levels of hydration. Through the smart bottle and app, BluFit will determine how much water you need, how much you have consumed and will alert you when it’s time to hydrate. Video after the jump

Made in America: Magic Mushroom

We’ve seen a lot of efforts to make surfboards a whole lot greener, and this has included boards made of recycled and reclaimed materials, but the guys at Mushroom Surfboards are growing boards – via mushrooms. In other words Mushroom Surfboards by Ecovative Design isn’t just a clever name, it is actually what the boards are made from!

The company has created a Myco Foam technology that was first developed in 2007 and uses shroom-based materials for its structure. This means the surfboard “blanks” are entirely biodegradable but also produced from what would otherwise be agricultural waste, such as plant stalks and seed husks, and mycelium. Video after the jump

Truly Elitist

There is nothing wrong with being somewhat “elite.” This is very much true when it comes to handmade bicycles, and the new book The Elite Bicycle by VeloPress offers just why. Written by Graeme Fife with photos by Gerard Brown it includes portraits of some of the world’s greatest bicycle artisans, examining the philosophies, the workmanship, and the personalities behind the prestigious brands.

There are more than 250 photographs along with a foreword by Sir Paul Smith.

The Elite Bicycle offers profiles of Independent Fabrication, Time, Richard Sachs, Ben Serotta, Chris King, Alex Singer, Seven, Brooks, Selle Italia, Ira Ryan, Reynolds, Cinelli, Tony Pereira, Columbus, Guru, Winter, Chas Roberts, Rourke, Cyfac, Faggin, Pegoretti, Condor/Paris, DiNucci, Spécialités TA, Sapim, Royce, Mavic, FMB, and Continental.

Get your elite on.

The Elite Bicycle Official Website

Six Parts to Shift

One thing we’ve noted with bicycles is that everything is getting a lot more complicated, especially when it comes to repair. This is no doubt good for the bike shops, but it can be bad for those who depend on a bicycle as a primary means of transportation.

It is a small problem for bicycle commuters in America when something breaks, as it means finding another way to work such as driving or taking mass transit. Generally riders in the developed world head to the shop and get the part fixed. In the developing world this isn’t so easy.

This is where One Street Components comes in with its Bike Shift Lever for Anybody, by Anybody. Sue Knaup of One Street has worked hard to develop a simple shifter that is easy to make, easy to use and most importantly of all easy to fix.

“People who rely on their bicycle can only choose from ridiculously complex, expensive shift levers or ones made from plastic and pot metal,” said Sue Knaup, One Street’s executive director. “Both types break within a few months of daily use and cannot be repaired. That’s why these new shift levers are so important for keeping people pedaling.”

One Street has just launched a Kickstarter site to bring out the simple shifter. It could be a shift towards good for those who depend on a bicycle. Video after the jump

Made in America: Back to Nature

Go old school with the Natural Log Skateboards, which are hand crafted in San Diego from either vertical grain bamboo or recycled oak with two internal layers of tri-axial fiberglass for added strength. An Entropy Resins Super Sap epoxy will provide protection for the deck and add some bounce.

While these look vintage these boards should endure the test of time.

Natural Log Skateboards

Goal Zero Scores With New Charger/Flashlight

Having the right tool for the job is key to doing something right, and Goal Zero scores again with its Switch 8 Recharger and Bolt Flashlight Tip. This wining team converts the recharger into a small flashlight, but the recharger can also be used to juice up a mobile phone in the backcountry.

It offers enough power to bring a dead phone back to life, while also being there as a 160 lumens flashlight that can run for three hours on a single charge. During the day it can also be charged up with a solar panel, so each night it can be there to in turn do the charging.

Goal Zero Official Website

Third Time Hero

GoPro has announced the release of the Hero3+ line of action cameras; and these have slimmed down while including a whole lot more. These new models are up to 20 percent smaller and lighter but offer a 30 percent improvement in battery life. The new Black edition can capture video at 4K resolution while the Silver model can do Full HD 1080p video.

If you are betting on Black, expect recording of 15 fps in 4K (3,840×2,160), or at 1080p in 24,30, 48 and 60 fps. At 720p you can even get up to 120 fps. There is also a wide-angle mode called SuperView that will include more of the surroundings in the frame. This model can also snap 12megapixel still images with bursts of up to 30 images per second. The Black edition features improved low-light performance and can go deep – as in it is waterproof to 131 feet (40 meters), when the included housing is used. It offers built-in WiFi along with a micro-HDMI port. It is available now for $399.99.

The Silver edition also shines, and for $299.99 it offers Full HD 1080p resolution video at 24, 30, 50 or 60 fps. It includes the same wide-angle lens and can capture 10megapixel stills at bursts of 10 images per second.

GoPro Official Website

Tough Glove

With the calendar telling us that it is October we can’t deny much longer that colder weather is on the way for parts of the country, but the Hestra gloves will keep the digits warm and even provide some extra dexterity.

The Hestra Ergo Grip OutDry Long Gloves, which are arriving in stores this month, are designed for those who need to use a tool or other equipment in cold weather. These aren’t ideal for extreme cold, but for those times when some cover on the fingers is enough these will do the job and more. These feature a waterproof yet breathable OutDry construction along with a thin fleece lining. The palm and fingers of the gloves are designed with a slight inward curve to provide a natural fit out of the box.

The exterior is made of “army goat leather” that has been reinforced with abrasion and heat resistant kangaroo leather. This material means a very tough glove that are up to most tasks.

Hestra Gloves Official Websites

Make for the Treeline

With more women heading to the woods this hunting season Fieldline has headed to the Treeline. The company has introduced the Fieldline Women’s Treeline Day Pack, which offers plenty of organized space for all the gear needed for a full day in the woods. These are available now in popular camo patterns with just a subtle pink finish.

The Women’s Treeline Day Pack can accommodate virtually all of hunter’s needs, as it features an extra large main compartment with a three-quarter zipper opening that can be used to stash a lightweight hunting jacket or other larger items.

A roomy second compartment is provided with a built-in organizer that is ideal for storing everything from snacks to spotting scopes to a bone saw, while a front pocket with a zipper closure offers quick access to keys, tags or handheld radios. The packs feature a Gear-Lock modular locking system on the front of the pack lets users customize the pack with Fieldline Gear-Lock accessories.

Fieldline Official Website

No Saber Rattling

Wiley X isn’t looking to create a ruckus, but instead is offering an affordable option in tactical/changeable eye protection. The Saber Advanced Changeable Series model remains a versatile choice for shooters and hunters designed for Medium, Large or Extra Large head sizes.

It is offered with subtle Matte Black frames and features a variety of premium lens options – including Pale Yellow, Light Rust, Smoke Grey, Clear and Vermillion – to match almost any conditions or shooting activities. These Changeable Series models are built to the highest standards and even meet the stringent ANSI Z87.1 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Safety standards as well as the updated MIL-PRF-32432 (GL) MCEP Standard for combat protective eyewear. You probably won’t ever need this level of protection but you won’t mind that you have it!

Wiley X Saber Advance Official Website

Get in the Frame

The Tenzing TZ CF13 Carbon Fiber Frame System weigh just 3 pounds, 8 ounces, yet have been designed to be among the most comfortable wearing pack frame system on the market. It can be used as a frame only, or as a more traditional pack when fitted with the Tenzing custom components that are included with the system.

It is built with a quasi-isotropic, balanced layup of 2×2 twill weave carbon fiber, which ensures the ideal strength-to-weight ratio, while the frame’s form-fitting rigid shape and fully adjustable suspension system are all about wearer comfort when hauling big loads.

Tenzing Official Website