This new ebook Roads Were Not Built For Cars explores the history of what roads in the US and UK may have been built for instead. While we will have to check this one out and applaud the efforts to tell the story of cycling in improving roads, we do know that many of the roads in Europe were built by the Romans – some 2,000 years prior to the bicycle. Just saying. Continue reading Road Rage
Tag: KickStarter
Magnetic Attraction
Timbuk2 founder Rob Honeycutt has created many companies over the years, and he’s currently working on a Kickstarter effort called the Elroy Project. The idea here is to cut the cord on headphones… literally. Honeycutt has seen that in many cases long earbud cords are ungainly for running and cycling, and his solution is to get rid of about 2/3 of the length and replace it with a Bluetooth unit that can be clipped to a collar or on a cycling helmet.
We’ve seen many attempts to “cut the cord” but here is one that really does it! Moreover Elroy also includes a magnetic docking point that allows earbuds to be stored and available when needed. Music or other audio can be transmitted via Bluetooth and this unit promises about five hours of talk time and 100 hours of standby time. Video after the jump
Pocket Tool
There are plenty of multi-tools on the market but the MULTI is one could fit in a wallet. Made of high-strength aluminum (alloy 7075 T6) or grade 5 titanium this multi-tool offers 11 tools including an RFID (TSA approved) minimal plate wallet, flat head screwdriver, Phillips head screwdriver, nest wrench, two-inch straight edge/ruler, bottle opener, twist top bottle opener, wing nut wrench, can tab-popper, smartphone tablet stand and box opener.
However to get the MULTI tool that fits in a wallet will require some investors to open their wallet and get over to the creator’s Kickstarter site. Video after the jump
A Nutter Wrench But So Much
There are plenty of wrenches on the market, but this one is reportedly designed for “bike nuts.” The Nutter, which is being developed as a Kickstarter project, is aimed to put all the essential tools for fixing most common bike problems, making it the one tool commuters shouldn’t leave home without.
At its heart it is a multi-tool, but one designed for cyclists. It features tire levels, a multi-wrench set and a spanner. It also features a handle that is designed to provide more leverage than the average multi-tool, which can be helpful when this is the only tool you have on the road. Video after the jump
Light Stem
We’ve seen many bicycle stems that claim to be lightweight but there is one new stem that promises to lite it up instead. The StemLite is – as the name suggests – a handlebar stem with a built-in light. This ensures that riders will have a light, which can’t easily be stolen or lost. It also frees riders of needing to worry about a handlebar mounted system, not to mention the bulky battery pack.
Credit this innovation to the advances in LED technology. The StemLite utilizes 10 Nichia LEDs that combined can cast about 500 lumens on high mode. If that’s too much there is also a 300 lumen low mode, and even a flashing mode. The system is powered by just three AA batteries, with up to 12 hours per charge on high and 21 hours on low. The developers are now raising funds to bring out the StemLite via a Kickstarter project.
We’ve said it before, but this sounds like a bright idea. Video after the jump
Sensor Packed Ball
Last week we reported on a soccer ball that can harness energy from play. The 94Fifty practice basketball from InfoMotion Sports Technologies can’t do that but it can provide a variety of feedback data and help coaches and players determine what part of the game might need some work.
The ball can reportedly measure various factors such as how accurately and quickly a player is shooting, the quality of the backspin, the amount of arc on a shot and even the force and speed of a dribble. All this can be used to help players improve their game. The ball is equipped with a Bluetooth transmitter and can work in conjunction with a companion app.
The ball isn’t ready for the court just yet, but the inventors have launched a Kickstarter campaign and hope to have players dribbling with it very soon. Video after the jump
Scooter Pogo Stick
Are there just not enough ways to hurt one’s self? That is the first question we had when we saw the Kickstarter site for the JumpX, which promises big air and a smooth ride. It is essentially a pogo stick and a scooter and can glide and jump.
As the video below suggests it looks like it could be fun… and dangerous. We just hope the inventors are taking some of that Kickstarter money and saving it for a legal fund! Video after the jump
Light Jacket
Having a light jacket on a cool day is never a bad idea, but having a jacket that can light up is a great idea for those who run or cycle after dark. The Badger 360° LED Jacket incorporates small LED technology to help illuminate the jacket to ensure that wearer’s can be seen.
The creators – who have launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop the jacket – have embedded it with LED string that is low current, waterproof and flexible. In addition this jacket is made of polyester material that can help wick away moisture, while providing multiple pockets for mobile phone, ID and other can’t leave at home ideas. The hood of the jacket can be tucked away when not in use. And since batteries do run down, there are even reflective stripes along the zipper.
Best of this jacket is even waterproof – and once you remove the battery – it can be submerged in water to be washed. Video after the jump
Wheel Dock
Changing a rear wheel on a bicycle isn’t exactly rocket science, but it is far from the easiest thing too. It is almost impossible to do so without getting your hands dirty, and it is harder to get the wheel back on than it is to take off.
Leonard Ashman of California created a system where the hub comes off but the drivetrain – gears and chain – stay nicely attached to the bike. His HubDock utilizes a thru-axle that can be pulled out of the hub on the non-drive side, but remains please on the drivetrain. This can be reinstalled just as quickly (as the video below shows).
This system allows the cassette and freehub to say attached to the bike frame, while the wheel can pull straight down. This means no greasy hand grabbing the chain, no trying to wrestle with the chain to get it to line up with the cassette. Just pull down and out. Ashman is currently looking to take this from concept to reality via a Kickstarter campaign. Continue reading Wheel Dock
Big Wheel for Big Kids?
By the time most of us move from the Big Wheel to a real bicycle we tend not to look back. But Joe Hadzicki and his son Tyler have looked to create a grown up trike, and the result is the ONDA Cycle.
The duo have taken their concept to Kickstarter and are looking to the crowd sourcing site to produce what they stress is not a bike or board. They have promised that the ONDA Cycle could be the “most daring machine you’ll ever ride.” This isn’t exactly a getting from point A to point B with speed, but like many children’s toys – including those Big Wheels – allows riders to spin out. Continue reading Big Wheel for Big Kids?
Cloud-Based Tent
The high-tech world is moving to the cloud, but so too may those looking to camp out. And while maybe it isn’t exactly the “clouds” UK-based tent maker Tentsile has introduced the “Stingray,” which will get you off the ground at night. Currently being refined through a Kickstarter project the Tentsile Stingray is being viewed as ideal for flooded terrain or other areas where the ground is otherwise unsuitable for a traditional tent, but we like to think of it as a penthouse for the campsite! Video after the jump
Made in America: POV Backpack
We’ve seen a number of action camera accessories that are designed to change the perspective, including a few wearable systems that change the view from first-person to third-person – putting the rider/runner/athlete in the shot.
The latest gizmo to entry this market is the VuPackPole, a POV/action camera backpack mount, which is now being developed by creator/designer Rodger Dean through a Kickstarter project. This pack is being designed and assembled in Alaska, and the frame is made using a CNC process from HPDE plastic, while the subsystem all and joint is made in Washington.
While this will allow wearer’s to be in the shot, the designers also noted that one problem with typical head-mounted systems is that the video can be shaky and hard to watch. By moving the camera to a pack it is more stable as well. According to Dean the joints will still give under pressure so no worries about getting caught up on branches! Video after the jump
Get in the Picture
Why aren’t YOU in the picture? Most action cameras provide a “first-person view” as in the camera sees more or less what you see. What is missing is… YOU. But now Dutch film producer Thijs Vrij has created an action camera mount for GoPro and other cameras called the 3rd Person View.
This device essentially consists of three parts, which includes a waterproof adjustable waistband with a carbon fiber backplate, an alloy adjustable camera pole and a locking/release mechanism to mount the camera. As with other camera extenders it puts you into the action but this one is a wear and forget, and allows you to be in the action. Vrij is currently looking to raise funds via a Kickstarter project. Continue reading Get in the Picture