Tag: KickStarter

Fix It Again

Replaceable-WrenchLast year Fix It Sticks caught our eye when it successfully launched its first radically designed, all-new bicycle tool on Kickstarter. For 2014, Fix It Sticks is returning to the crowd funding site to help launch two new products, the “Fix It Sticks Replaceable Edition” and the all-new “T-Way Wrench.”

“Each of these tools essentially combines a 3-way wrench, T-wrench, multi-tool and screwdriver all in one small, tough, portable package,” said Brian Davis, founder of Fix It Sticks. “Our new tools easily replace a few hundred dollars worth of shop tools and will free up shop storage space. Besides the bits we provide, the design accepts driver bits found at any hardware store. Virtually any bit can be used; sockets, Torx, hex, and Pozidriv.” Video after the jump

Elite Guard

MusguardThere are a lot of simple mudguards on the market that can quickly attach/detach from a bike, but the Musguard is a true elite. Developed via a Kickstarter project the Musguard is truly minimalistic – and it can be rolled up when not needed and coiled on the top tube, but when the street is wet it can be attached to the seatube and protect your back from the spray. Video after the jump

Paint It On

NanotipsOne thing that this endless winter has taught us is that smartphones are hard to use with gloves. Sure there are plenty of specialty gloves that work with touchscreens, but Nanotips has another option – a special paint that transforms most gloves into ones that are touchscreen-compatible.

The company recently completed a successful Kickstarter campaign to bring out two versions of its product; one for leather and another for rubber gloves. Each comes in a little bottle that can be applied directly to gloves, and there are about 20 to 30 applications per bottle. The special touchscreen nano-particle paint is washable and durable, but can be reapplied as needed. Video after the jump

Tagged!

SkirmosLaser tag is a good way to get kids away from the video games and get them actually moving around, but that typically means heading to somewhere to play or buying expensive equipment. Skirmos has launched a Kickstarter campaign to develop an open source laser tag system that allows players to create their own electronic battlefield.

It all is built around a white laser tag gun (seen above), which has been designed so that cannot be easily mistaken for a real weapon. We know some parents might not like the concept of a gun in any shape or form for kids, but this one features a transparent design with RGB LEDs that change colors, and the developers have vowed to never make these look like real firearms.

The gun will feature an LCD HUD that can track objectives, timers, ammo and even health as well as “kills/deaths.” This is a war game after all, and one that should get the kids’ hearts racing in a good way.  It could be the ultimate first person shooter. Video after the jump

Fender Lights to Protect from Fender Benders

RevolightsBeing seen at night is really the first line of defense for cyclists, and the developers of the Revolights have created a bicycle fender that features an integrated light. However, the Revolights Arc is much more than a set of LED tail lights – it features sensors that actually allow it to operate much like a brake light as well. It can actually increase in brightness much like a car’s brake or go into a blinking mode to help really draw some attention to drivers.

The Revolights Arc is being developed now via a Kickstarter campaign. Video after the jump

Fly It On

FlyFitIt seems everyone is creating wearable fitness trackers for the wrist. However, the designer of the Flyfit is now looking to have cyclists, runners and swimmers put in the ankles instead!

Designer Jimmy Leu, who has taken his concept to Kickstarter, believes that the wrists are not exactly the optimal place to track body movement while exercising. By placing a monitor on the ankle it can better track movement and even different kinds of leg activity. It can thus track cycling rotation and cadence, swim leg strokes and steps taken while running or jogging. It can then stream the data collected via Bluetooth to an Android or iOS device on the fly. Video after the jump

Fly6 Has Your Back

Fly6Cyclists need to keep their eyes on the road, but there are times many wish they had eyes in the back of their head to watch for oncoming traffic. The Fly6 Camera and Tail-Light Combo is a bike light and more. It provides a light to alert drivers to a rider’s position, but also features a camera that can record how a driver may have responded.

The design came about after one of the inventors was shot by a slingshot by a passenger in a passing car. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to help the Fly6 get off the ground so to speak, are hoping that drivers who know they are being filmed will behave more responsibly. Video after the jump

Blades to Cut Through Snow

FATbladesRollerblades pretty much revolutionized the concept of roller skates, and now FATblades are looking to take the skating to the snow. These mini-skis, which can be worn with traditional snowboard boots are essentially a combination of skates, skis and snowboards for the feet. The designers, which are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to bring the FATblades to the masses, say these can be used in all sorts of conditions including ice, soft snow and even heavy powder. Video after the jump

The Scooter Evolved

E'lution-ScooterThe scooter has been rolling along ever since making a comeback in the late-1990s. We didn’t there would be much that could evolve with the simple scooter, but then the E’lution EVO came along.

This scooter features a hubless wheel system that is rugged, sturdy and looks rather high-tech – or at least as high-tech as a scooter can be. The hubless wheel has the promise of a smoother ride, which could mean that the annoying scooter isn’t going away anytime soon. The developers of the E’lution Evo are now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to get this one rolling. Video after the jump

Tri It On

TriKayak-XS-1Want to try kayaking without the work of tipping over? This is where the TriKayak XS-1 comes in. It features outriggers that provide stability, while the V-hull design allows it to cut through the water. It features a raised seat with a soft yet supportive padding. The outriggers can be deployed into three positions, and can be removed so that the TriKayak can fit on most car carriers.

If you need to bring some gear with you, there is pleny of open storage in the back plus the designers also included a 13 liter compartment in the front, along with two small dry storage compartments on the sides.

The designers behind the TriKayak XS-1 have launched a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign, and plans are to deliver the first batch by May. Video after the jump

Infinity Plus One

InfinityWhen 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?]

Backpack Cooker

VertexMuch has been made in recent weeks about the “polar vortex,” which has left much of the country in a deep cold spell. Those looking for some heat would no doubt appreciate the Vertex Ultralight Backpacking Stove – not that anyone should be camping in this weather.

However, for those times when camping weather arrives this is the thing you’d like to have in your backpack. It weighs just 1.8 ounces and folds down flat, thus taking up little more room than a map. It is map of tempered stainless steel and provides a sturdy platform for cookware. It works with Trangia Spirit alcohol burner as well as solid fuel tablets, so fire shouldn’t be difficult to make. Vertex is now looking to a Kickstarter project to get the fire started for the Ultralight Backpacking Stove. Video after the jump