The iPod bicycle charger...because you can

You just knew that any bicycle related gadgetry was gonna come from those "fiets" lovin' Dutch, eh? Sure enough, Mark Hoekstra has managed to convert a standard dynamo electric generator into an iPod charger. Check out the read link for all the deetz to do-it-yourself. And don't worry Mark, this is sweet enough that we won't make fun of ya for riding a girl's bike. Ah hell, na na nana na!

[Via TUAW]

[Geqxon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Well, it might be a girly's bike, but every youngster here in the Netherlands drives those kind of bikes. They are dirt-cheap, uni-sex and have a very smooth handling and steering.

And if somebody steals your bike, you just buy another one for 20 dollars at your local drug-addict.

[Thomas Ricker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That's cause at least one us lives in Amsterdam. By the way, I also ride a girlie bike but I still feel silly.

[DM @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"And if somebody steals your bike, you just buy another one for 20 dollars at your local drug-addict."

Make that 20 + 299 dollars, 'cause your charging ipod will be going for the ride too...

[stingraze @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Nice. Simple idea that works... :) cool.

[Geqxon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Wait, you're saying 299 dollar?

In the Netherlands, the last generation 30GB iPod costs 390 dollar /w tax.... Are you shure that 299 dollar isn't a typo?

[rodJoh. @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That looks dangerous, but I might be wrong. But good job though.

[clicclic @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

To all Americans who visit Amsterdam:

LOOK BEFORE OPENING THE TAXI DOOR!!

This American almost creamed a cyclist (sorry dude).

[Dutch @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Yes, indeed Geqxon. Every youngster wants that kind of a bike, it is normal here. Not a smart comment in your article! You know what's funny, all the tourists in Amsterdam renting a bike for a day, and watching how clumsy they are, trying to ride a bike!!

Houdoe

[diulei @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

What is it about (most) Americans that makes us refuse to ride bicycles and instead drive our 2039483209483209 cylinder SUVs and trucks down the street for some milk?

[din @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

#6: How's that dangerous? It's just a dynamo like every bike has.

[otherdine @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Not as great as this stationary bike charger

http://www.transittrends.org/mvnforum/mvnforum/viewthread?thread=1077

Charges chainsaws, tvs, fans and im sure you can plug in a ipod there

[dersk @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

My only question is how the hell did you get a generator that works? Of the X bikes I've had in the 12 years I've lived in Amsterdam, I think I've only ever had one generator work for more than a month...

dersk

[David Yoon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Americans: Bikes are for sissies!
Rest of the world: ???

[Robert Andrews @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

that is just too cool!

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This is great, but is there an adapter to play it through my bike's stereo system :)

[Badtz Maru� @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That's not a girlie bike, its what's regarded as the Dutch safety design for transportation biking, one apsect being that one could step-through to mount it instead of having to straddle it; less stress for older people, keeps the old timers moving. The high top tube is only necessary for heavy-duty hauling (like on delivery, factory or military bikes), mountain and downhill bikes (where you really need to distribute force across the frame), or on cheaply made frames. The idea of women's vs. men's bikes is a product of marketing by Schwinn in the US.

This American goes to Amsterdam just to bike, often stays at the Bicycle Hotel Amsterdam, and averages 50-miles/day on a old Dutch single-speed.

[Jonathan Moore @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"The iPod bicycle charger" so I can charge my bicycle from my iPod that is sooo cool.

[Lawyers @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Wow the Netherlands look like it sucks.

[crstffr @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

the bike looks like the beach cruisers I see in San Diego on Mission Beach all the time. males, females, old people, young people - doesn't matter.

and to Lawyers about the Netherlands - yeah, a place with so much culture and history can't help but totally suck

[ul @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

NL has everything about bicycles. Some bikes are even equipped with dildos that goes in and out of the rider (female model shown) as the rider pedals the bike. That's an in-gadget.

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Hey, isn't that the famous Groninger museum
;)

[Abele @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Oh why, Oh why, do I need iPod bicycle charger , a my 5 Litre V8 Ford makes all the power by ipod needs.

[BelowSeaLevel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

That is actually called an "omafiets" (http://www.omafiets.nl/ sorry it's in dutch) which, literally translated, is a granny bike.

[Lasse Nilsson @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Well, I've never got he point bout that uneccesary straight pole at our oh so male macho bikes anyways. Female bikes are better.

[markie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"Oh hey look everybody! My charger is on engadget!!!"

(oeh, there making fun of my bike...)

"euhm... nevermind..."

:D

To be honest, I really don't mind, it was the cheapest 2nd hand bike at my local shop...

BTW, I'm amazed about this bike-knowledge on engadget! :-)