Center Stage

StagesPowerHSDStages Cycling is powering up again, with an update to its mobile app and firmware on its crankarm-based power meter. This will add new features including a high-speed data analysis tool that could be useful for BMX racers and track sprinters who want to look at a very small sample of pedal stroke data. The meter, located on the left crank arm, records force and torque data 64 times per second. The data is sent via Bluetooth to the iOS app, which can then email the data in a .csv file.

The company further added pedal smoothness and torque efficiency data gathering, which can be used with Garmin’s 510 and 810 cycling computer models.

There is also new battery level features to its iOS mobile app, which when the app is connected via the Bluetooth LE wireless system will show the power meter’s battery level; when connected via the ANT+ wireless system. The app will further present a low battery warning when there is about 10 hours of battery life remaining.

The app includes a Fahrenheit/Celsius toggle to use during device calibration and a “Tools Page” that shows the meter’s calibration data and other settings.

Stages Cycling Official Website

Interbike 2012: Floor Recap

It is hard to believe that Interbike was a week ago. It came and went so fast, but it remains among our most favorite shows of the year. We went through the camera one more time and have posted our final photos from the show floor, including this one above of our own Brian O’Connor and pro cyclist Tom Danielson. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Floor Recap

Tuf Enough Racks

There are bike racks that are tough and then there is Tuf Racks. These are for those who seriously want to ensure that the bike will make it to the ride. The Tuf Rack Indestructible Car Bike Rack looks like it could live up to the name.

It is made of MIG welded laser-cut 16-gauge steel that will protect the bike on the trip to the trails. It is power coated to look good too, and offers industrial-grade ratchet straps that are rated to 500pounds. About the only thing required is that the racks, which are designed for BMX ($169.99) and mountain bikes ($199.99), be mounted to a truck or SUV.

Tuf Racks Official Website

Kinetic Recap: 2012 Olympics

All good things come to an end, including the Olympics. Throughout the 17 days of the games and before we cast the spotlight on some of the latest technology and innovations that were used to help the athletes train and perform. Here is our Kinetic Recap of some of the top stories of the 2012 Olympics: Continue reading Kinetic Recap: 2012 Olympics

Nike Outfits Olympic BMX Riders

The BMX competition at the Olympics is still a week away, but Team USA riders are probably already suiting up in their Nike uniforms, which have gotten rave reviews. While the fashionable uniforms have turned heads, the riders will get the technological benefits when they go for the cloud.

Nike reportedly spent the past two and a half years developing the uniforms, which include protruding bumps on the arms and sides of the torso, that are being called “Speed Dots.” The small air-deflecting dots are rumored to have been wind-tunnel tested for America’s fastest BMX racers, and will give Team USA just one more tiny edge over their competition, and in a sport where thousandths of a second can be the difference between Gold and Silver, this high-tech clothing may come in handy. Continue reading Nike Outfits Olympic BMX Riders

Made in America: S&M Bikes

S&M WTF Frame

Founded in 1987 S&M Bikes has been in the business for 25 years and in that time the company has proudly produced a line of BMX bikes that are made in the USA. Founded by Greg Scott and Chris Moeller when the pair were still teenagers they opted for the name S&M over M&S or SAM – thinking S&M sounded better.

With its now somewhat tongue in cheek moniker the two entered the market with a frame they called the K-9 Design. The unique part of this is that Chris and Scott were making frames in California just as many BMX companies were moving to overseas production. While Scott left the company in 1991, Chris Moeller has managed to create a very successful bike company – one that remains independent and proud of it. Video after the jump

BMX Goes Big at Interbike

BMX isn’t going to be left behind at this year’s Interbike, the largest bicycle industry trade show in North America. The show will include several key initiatives that will make the BMX crowd very happy. At this year’s event here will be the special BMX-only product area – the BMX zone, along with new educational seminars and a brand-neutral freestyle history area. Continue reading BMX Goes Big at Interbike

USA Cycling Unveils Kits

While much is made about where some of the American uniforms and team kits for the upcoming Olympics were made, we have to say the cycling uniforms look very nice. The U.S. Cycling Team officially unveiled its uniforms this week. The road, track and mountain bike kits were designed by SKINS while Nike worked with freestyle legend Bob Haro to design the BMX collection. Continue reading USA Cycling Unveils Kits

Quad Bike Tears It Up

Do you like the idea of tearing it up off-road, but would like to do so with pedal power, yet don’t want to ride a mountain bike or BMX bike for various reasons? This limits the options, but you aren’t out of luck either, as the Athos from Contes Engineering will let you experience quad-style riding but with the freedom of pedal power. Video after the jump

New Kind of Hybrid Bicycle

The original “hybrid” bicycle was one that was also called a “city bike” as it was part road bike and part mountain bike. Often described as a bicycle that wasn’t as fast as a road bike, or as reliable in terms of handling than a mountain bike, the hybrid has lost momentum. But the “hybrid” may be making a comeback – but this time it is a pedal/electric hybrid.

Bicycledesign first spotted Roy Prince’s latest concept design, the eCortina v2 e-Bike. Oxnard, California based Prince is an old hand to electric bikes and other vehicles, and this latest product is reportedly “designed so that one can pedal only (human power), motor only (electric power), or in hybrid mode both motor and pedal at the same time. Under hybrid running the distance one can ride under one charge is extended.” Prince explained the concept more on his RPEV.org website. Continue reading New Kind of Hybrid Bicycle

BMX Skateboard Scooter

What do you get if a BMX bike were to somehow mate with a skateboard? Technically this is impossible, not just because the BMX bike and skateboard aren’t actually living creatures, because even if they were they’d have different chromosomes and thus not be able to produce an offspring. But getting past those issues, we return to the question at hand, and since this sounds like the makings of a mad science experiment gone bad – let us also say that a third ingredient is added to the mix, namely a scooter.

So now we’re really crazy. But the result would the sbyke, the invention of Bart and Steve Wilson, who apparently broke their BMX bike, ruined a perfectly good skateboard and created a scooter-like contraption.

The sbyke – which is confusingly pronounced “spike”- has  a fixed-position front wheel that isn’t turned using the handlebars but rather by the shifting weight of the rider. There is a break attached to the handlebars to stop this thing at least.

(Video after the jump)

Continue reading BMX Skateboard Scooter