KickStarter | Evolving Consumer

Do You Believe in Magnic?

We have seen a lot of health related gadgets and gizmos at CES this week, but one that might not be here yet is the Magnic Light iC, a contractless bicycle dynamo. Currently the developers are looking to bring it out via a Kickstarter project.

The concept to this one is to power a 60g light unit for bicycles without batteries and without direct contact to the wheels. It utilizes eddy current technology where energy is drawn from the rotating wheel but without physical contact and thus without friction. This means the rider could power up the light and not face added resistance in the process. We’ll be sure to watch where this one heads next. Video after the jump

Bike Tube Tablet Sling Case on Kickstarter from Green Guru

Take a few punctured bike tubes, and you have a big spaghetti mess. But the folks at Green Guru Gear know how to craft those inner tubes into useful objects such as pannier bags, messenger bags and wallets. Now Green Guru has turned to Kickstarter for the company’s next product: a tablet case sized for an iPad. Continue reading Bike Tube Tablet Sling Case on Kickstarter from Green Guru

Make Your Personal Imprint

While gloves can fit many hands, the truth is hands are fairly unique. The designers behind the Imprint Grips saw this and have designed a specially mountain bike grip that had be truly customized. The goal here is a grip that provides the maximum contact between the hand and the bike, which means the contact is supported evenly and thus removes all the high pressure points.

These are designed to be molded in hot water, and once customized will provide vibration damping that will provide a tight grip in all conditions. In addition to a truly custom fit these also offer a diamond pattern that further helps ensure a good feel while riding. The grips, which are now being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, are highly durable and the life is maximized by the increased contact area. This could be time to get a grip! Video after the jump

No Menace to This Phantom

There are plenty of methods for putting lights on bikes to help younger riders be seen at night, but instead of trying to add lights to the frame, the designers of Phantom Frames are looking to light up the bike. The concept, which is being developed via a Kickstarter project that ends today, looks to have a frame that is normal looking during the day – but at night it can’t be missed.

The concept came to light when Ken Spaulding in Santa Ana, California needed to replace his son’s rear bike light. When his son suggested why couldn’t the whole bike light up instead Ken decided to build one. The result was a series of designs including a polycarbonate frame filled with LEDs that resulted in the first prototype. Now Ken and his boy Jack are looking to bring their bright idea to the masses. Video after the jump

Show Your Compatriotism

California snowboarder Rick Hansen is the man behind Compatroit snowboards, and he’s now looking to Kickstarter to get the next line of boards off the ground. Designed for the core rider and mountain enthusiast, the new boards feature new graphics that will help this indie start-up standout on the slopes. Video after the jump

Rig in the New Year

Get in the big ring with the Big Rig pedal desk. We’ve seen a variety of other desks that have melded bicycles to work, but this one is designed to meet the demands of getting a spin and getting work done.

Andy Wekin and his team are now looking at ways to harness cycling power – which they claim is already 97 percent efficient – and utilize it as a practical method of providing power as well as helping burn calories. Many of the workout desks with treadmills need to be plugged in, and the pedal power of many workout desks with bicycles just goes to waste. The concept with Big Rig is one where the energy created from pedaling could power a device!

The team is now looking to a Kickstarter campaign to get this one rolling. Video after the jump

Going to PowerPot X

Things are really going to pot – and we mean that in the best way possible. The PowerPot X, which is being developed through a Kickstarter crowd funding project, has met its goals with just under a month to go. This 10-watt portable generator is designed to create electrical power while camping or otherwise out in the wilds.

Simple fire and water create power! The original PowerPot V was launched via Kickstarter in April 2012, and now the company is looking to bring it up a notch.

“We are astounded by the amount of support the PowerPot X has received in such a short time,” said Matt Ford, CEO of Power Practical. “We used Kickstarter to launch our inaugural PowerPot and Practical Meter, so we’re not new to the concept of crowdfunding, but we didn’t expect such preliminary success. This gives us a head start on getting the next generation in thermoelectric power manufactured and shipped to all our devoted supporters.”

This bigger, lighter and even strong addition to the PowerPot X Series emits 10 watts of power but has no moving parts. It can also be used to charge up to four devices (such as GoPro cameras) simultaneously, and can power up smartphones and even a tablet computer. It produces electricity in any weather, day or night. Video after the jump

Hand Signals

When riding a bike we know that drivers can’t read our minds when we need to make a turn. The best option – really the only option – is to use hand signals. The problem is that many times drivers still don’t take notice, and at night it can be hard to see these signals.

The Zackees Turn Signal Gloves, which are being developed by San Francisco cyclist Zach Vorhies, a former software engineer at Google, could help make the signals a little clearer to drivers. The gloves are washable, utilize a super bright LED light, and offer a long battery life. The Zackees are now being developed by a Kickstarter project and could be just the thing to make your intentions known.

Video after the jump

Hot Pants

Staying warm in cold weather isn’t easy, especially on a bike where movement creates wind. DirtBaggies has a solution and it is looking to help warm up the pants. The company is looking to develop a line of winter-purpose thermal liners.

DirtBaggies has launched a Kickstarter campaign to help get things cooking. These American made bibs feature stretchy, single-sided, wicking fleece on the legs. These are already successfully funded and will begin shipping January with a knicker and standard short lengths in all sizes. Video after the jump

Shaggadelic

It is sometimes hard to believe what people try to use crowd funding for as some are truly senseless. The Shaggo Skateboard almost falls into that category, but we suppose someone might have a reason to need a carpet on a skate deck… right?

With nearly 120 backers at press time the company has almost made its goal, so apparently there are those that like the idea of some rug on the board. Video after the jump

Let Cervellum Look Behind You

While cycling you need to watch where you are going, but often you need to see what’s behind you as well to stay safe. Taking your eyes off the road isn’t really recommended and the Cerevellum camera system can be like eyes in the back of your head. It provides a large screen on the handlebars so you only need to look down to quickly see what’s coming from behind.

The Cerevellum is now being developed via a Kickstarting campaign. Video after the jump

Lighting the Way at ZeroHour

There are plenty of options for those looking for a durable tactical flashlight. ZeroHour could however be the first modular tactical battery that doubles as a flashlight when it is needed most. The ZeroHour a 1,000 lumen LED, 10,000mAh of USB backup power for smartphones and tablets; while its modular component design allows for a variety of other uses.

This tactical-grade flashlight, which is now being developed via a Kickstarter campaign, is dust-proof and waterproof up to one meter and features a made in the USA CREE LED with four levels of illumination and two safety modes. Continue reading Lighting the Way at ZeroHour

Dual Purpose Deck

There have been a few concept skateboards that looked to go off-road, and others that looked to provide some juice to get up and go. The Altered V3 DS, is the world’s first dual sport electric skateboard. In other words, this concept – which is now being developed through a Kickstarter project – is both on-and-off road board, and it features an electric engine. It could make it the go-anywhere board – but only if it gets the funding it seems. Video after the jump