Cycling | Evolving Consumer

The Two Rs – Riding and Reading

USA BMX knows that there are two fundamental “Rs” – and has launched the “Read to Ride” initiative for young schoolchildren. It is aimed at helping kids make up for learning loss they experience when out of school. This program is currently in a soft-launch and will roll out nationwide in May.

“With the success of our existing after-school STEM Program (science, technology, engineering and math), we felt it was important to continue our commitment to education and a lifelong love of learning. Through the BMX industry partnerships we have built over the years, we have significant interest for support of this new program,” said USA BMX chief executive officer B.A. Anderson.

Students in kindergarten through the sixth grade can read or be read to, choosing any publication or format they like, and log each hour of reading activity through an online tracking system. Each student receives a certificate of participation and a one-day membership to USA BMX. Students who rank in the top tier of their class in hours read earn additional prizes such as water bottles, shirts, hats and synch sacks. The student who logs the most minutes per school wins a BMX bike and helmet and recognition at a school assembly as the top reader.

USA BMX Official Website

Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

Sport Studies

From Sport Techie: #SportsInSTEM Series: Applying Sports to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Education Issues
In recent years, the United States has fallen behind other nations with educating students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Only 16 percent of U.S. high school students are proficient in math and actively pursuing STEM careers. In a world run by technology, where the majority of jobs in the near future will require advanced education in technical fields, these trends are troubling and must be reversed. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (04.12.2014): Sport Studies, Name Game, Weight Loss

Red Dot on the Forefront

Smith Opitcs’ had received the prestigious Red Dot Award in the Outdoor/Leisure/Sports/Fun category for its new mountain bike helmet, the Forefront. Germany’s Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen last month said the helmet, “set itself apart from all comparable projects thanks to excellent design.”

The Forefront also won the 2014 iF Design Award for innovative design; the GOLD Award in the category of Design & Innovation 2014 by Enduro Mountainbike Magazine; and the Best of Interbike Show Awards last year from Outside magazine and Gear Junkie.

This helmet is designed to provide all-mountain protection with road-race weigh. Instead of EPS, it features an Aerocore liner that provides better ventilation and impact properties and lower weight.

Smith Optics Forefront Official Website

UCI Looking at Google Glass

This week VeloNews reported that a technical commission from the world’s cycling governing body, the UCI, has taken a “look” at Google Glass.

“The equipment commission will address concerns over the outdated method of data and video capture in the biggest races,” one source told VeloNews, on condition of anonymity due to a forthcoming official announcement from Google. “Google Glass technology will take the sport to the head of technological development in major professional sports. The possibilities for entertainment, sport science, and, yes, safety, are nearly limitless.”

Google Glass incorporates a small, Internet-enabled computer in a pair of lightweight eyeglasses and provides wearers with the ability to capture and share photographs and video hands free, and even complete a number of other commands.

This move into cycling marks Google’s first major sports sponsorship as part of its Glass launch. It could mean that Google Glass could soon join such technology as race radios in future events like the Tour de France.

[Via VeloNews: UCI commission to recommend Google Glass use on WorldTour]

On the Trigger

While yelling will get someone’s attention, bells on bikes are a less aggressive way to let someone know you’re approaching. The problem is that many bells aren’t exactly placed where they can be easily accessed – meaning that riders have to take their hands off the handlebars to use the bell.

The Trigger Bell, which was designed by London cyclists Stefan Buxton, allows it to be quickly accessed with a single finger! Buxton is now wrapping up a Kickstarter campaign and has already surpassed his goals. That might be something to ring about! Video after the jump

Lightweight is Back In Black

Lightweight lives up to its name again, and is offering a new version of its road wheels, the Schwarzed Edition, which feature a new black-on-black color scheme and full ceramic bearings from CeramicSpeed.

Lightweight also offers its wheels in standard graphics, the “Weiss” Edition with white spokes and hubs, and now the Schwarzed Edition. The new edition will be offered on the company’s original Meilenstein wheel, the Meilenstein C clincher, the Meilenstein Obermayer, the Fernweg, Fernweg C clincher, the Gipfelstrum and the Autobahn disc wheel. May the Schwarz be with you.

Lightweight Official Website

Glow Rack

There are a number of products to help cyclists be seen at night, but now Saris has introduced a bike rack that will glow in the dark. The Solo Rack looks black in the day but at night it has an iridescent green glow that helps it be seen on the car’s truck. This can help load up the bike as the sun goes down, and maybe even can help a car be seen on a dark road.

Saris Official Website

Rungu for the Hills

Fat tire bikes are designed to better dig through loose terrain including snow and sand, but California-based Rungu is looking to make new tracks with its new line of fat-tire trikes, which include names such as Juggernaut and Kilimanjaro

These bikes – make that trikes – feature two front wheels to provide greater stability while spreading the weight out over a greater surface area. This helps keep the rider upright and allows for quicker movement in loose terrain. These bikes look like they can tackle sand, snow and gravel with ease. Continue reading Rungu for the Hills

Up to the Task

There may be many apps for the iPhone but when it comes to fixing things the handset might not be enough for most cyclists. This is where the MyTask comes in. Instead of calling for help this iPhone case holds just the tools you might need for a quick fix that will have you on your way.

The MyTask Bike features an interchangeable case with easy slide out mechanism, soft touch coating, polycarbonate protection. Within are a pedal/axel wrench, six Allen wrench, three tire patches, Phillips screwdriver, flat head screwdriver, four metric box wrenches, two tire levers, bottle opener and two bicycle spoke wrenches.

If you take mass transit to work there is also the MyTask Urban, which features a USB drive, comb, nail file and pen as well as 2-inch scissors, tweezers, stylus pen, regular pen, usb stick, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, nail file, ruler, personal mirror, LED light (three modes) for FaceTime and mirror.

Both MyTask kits are now being developed through a Kickstarter campaign, which will conclude later this month. Video after the jump

Biker’s Briefcase

Brompton has taken the concept of a cycling bag to the upscale market with the Game Bag, offering a briefcase that can go from the rider’s back in the bike lane to the boardroom without missing a bike. It features a conservative design, and was developed in collaboration with British luggage maker John Chapman.

It is made of cotton canvas and natural rubber so it will endure the cool damp springtime weather. Inside there is a padded laptop pocket and it is compatible with Brompton’s bike front luggage holder. It is a bag that perhaps both Posh Spice and Sporty Spice would embrace – were it still the late 1990s.

Brompton Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Bike Lane To Boardroom: The $400 Bike Pack Briefcase]

Shhh… This is one is Spying On You

No, the NSA hasn’t been spying on bike riders, but the ShySpy GPS bike computer could help track a bike were it to be stolen. It utilizes a GPS-based platform that can monitor both theft and even track performance.

The designers had launched a Kickstarter campaign, which did not meet its goals last month. Perhaps they were being too stealthy! Now the designers will have to be even less “shy” and perhaps a little more “sly” in their efforts to bring this one to market. Video after the jump

Saddle Supports South African Cycling

A new saddlebag could help those in the developing world. Profits from the sale of Scicon’s new Qhubeka Scicon saddlebags wills support Qhubeka, a non-profit that provides bicycles to people in exchange for work done to improve communities, the environment or academic results. The group works to provide bicycles to those in South Africa’s rural population, where there is typically no access to transport and people have to walk long distances to access opportunity, education, healthcare, shops and community services. Bicycles are the most effective and economical method of quickly addressing this problem.

“We feel honored to be able to take part in a meaningful program that helps changing people’s life’s,” said Christian Pearce, sales and marketing manager of Scicon Technical Bags. “We have started sponsoring Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung in the 2013 season and it feels natural to go beyond our commitment with the team and to support the Qhubeka foundation directly with this project. We count on our global network of contacts to help us to raise funds and invite everyone to participate in this program.”

The Scicon Elan 210 bags feature the logo and trademark colors of South Africa’s first pro cycling team, Team MTN-Qhubeka p/b Samsung. The company said for every 50 bags sold, one bike will be donated to the cause.

Scicon Bags Official Website

LG Goes to the Backcountry

Louis Garneau knows a thing or two about going off-road, but the Canadian-based apparel and accessories maker will sponsor the Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, providing the helmets, shoes and apparel. The team, which will wear Garneau Custom Apparel, Course and Quartz II helmets and T-Flex 2LS shoes, will compete in major North American cross-country and stage races throughout the year, including the Sea Otter Classic later this month in California, the Whiskey 50, the BC Bike Race and the 2014 Pro XCT Series.

“We make amazing mountain bike gear, but we haven’t invested as much into this segment. This has become a priority for us for 2014. We can build off of our expertise for comfort and performance found in every piece of gear we craft,” said Pierre Perron, Global Marketing Director at Louis Garneau. “The Backcountry.com Professional Mountain Bike Team, head to toe in Garneau, is the caliber of athletes we love to work with.” Continue reading LG Goes to the Backcountry