Trek Stop: a vending machine for skinny people

Fat kids want cake, skinny kids abstain, right? Whatever philosophy you subscribe to, chances are you'll only see the world's fittest stopping by a Trek Stop. This curious vending machine is currently parked in Madison, Wisconsin and enables cyclists to nab spare parts (an extra tube, patch kit, water bottle, etc.) or healthy snacks while rolling by. As for installation? Prepare to get greasy.

[Via AutoblogGreen]

[Anthony @ Jul 11th 2008 1:02PM]

There's one in the Bay Area too. I think it's an interesting idea, but - while I ride a bike 150-200 miles per week - it's generally not in a city so unless they can deposit these on the Oakville Grade in Yountville I'm out.

[Jason Randazza @ Jul 11th 2008 1:06PM]

Yeah, I agree... the essence of biking (as I understand it) is that you're on the move. What are the chances that one of these things is actually going to be around when it's convenient?

[coffee @ Jul 11th 2008 1:09PM]

@Jason,

true, usually you end up at a convenience store or trying to find a water fountain. And you better pack a repair kit if you're a serious biker, anyway, so not sure about how useful the rest of the items would be.

[Gman @ Jul 11th 2008 1:17PM]

Where is the one in the Bay Area? I'd like to check it out...

[Anthony @ Jul 11th 2008 2:56PM]

Engadget's reply/comment functions are totally f***'d up (I can't think I'm the only one that has frequent dropped comments or emails say X replied only to find the link takes me to a blank page..).

Anyhow, someone asked me where the Bay Area machien was:

http://www.competitorsocal.com/gear/salvation-from-a-vending-machine.html

[Lowest Ranked @ Jul 11th 2008 1:04PM]

Apparently, it will allow you to purchase hover pods for your bicycle as well.

http://bp3.blogger.com/_VMBXGqBOWsE/SGqbGlnxeRI/AAAAAAAAAmE/SqrZzOwjaUY/s400/TrekStop.jpg

[Redbeard @ Jul 11th 2008 2:22PM]

Um,

That's pretty clearly a repair stand. Kindof like this:
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=23&item=PCS%2D10

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jul 11th 2008 1:08PM]

Vending tubes sounds dandy, but I'll bet they're all Schrader valves, and I have no use for those :(

[jared @ Jul 11th 2008 2:01PM]

that's a strange thing to assume. especially with something made for cyclists. by Trek.

anyway... this is a rad idea. yea you might not be near one... but if you're even semi close to one before or after all the bike shops are open, it could be pretty helpful.

[Ashakydd @ Jul 11th 2008 3:18PM]

I'd be more concerned that the tubes would be low quality. What is the point of replacing your tube it the replacement doesn't last?

[Eric @ Jul 11th 2008 1:08PM]

That's a new idea... I think. Maybe it's not.

[Mile @ Jul 11th 2008 1:09PM]

One day I hope it dispenses iPhones.

[Tom @ Jul 11th 2008 1:09PM]

That's bloody hilarious

[Mile @ Jul 11th 2008 1:09PM]

Thanks.

[s3v3n @ Jul 11th 2008 1:19PM]

It even comes with a stripper pole to get your upper body workout.

[Segura @ Jul 11th 2008 3:36PM]

They have this type at Bike Barn (Kirby) in Houston. This is convenient if you need to come by after hours when the store is closed and need to get a spare tube or something before hitting the road.

[Kyle Shelton @ Jul 11th 2008 1:32PM]

I always used to say Madison is 20 square miles surrounded by reality. Did you guys know that "good ole Madison," WI plows its bike trails which occupie to much of the city before the city streets when it snows? Yep, that's "good ole Madison" for ya.

[Reader @ Jul 11th 2008 1:57PM]

Was that English?

[Velorium @ Jul 11th 2008 2:01PM]

Love it.

[ds @ Jul 11th 2008 2:07PM]

What ain't no language I ever heard of.. they speak english in What?

[iHoppipolla @ Jul 11th 2008 2:08PM]

@Reader: You aren't kidding. Holy shit. That sentence nearly gave me a migraine to the point of nausea...

[Dan @ Jul 11th 2008 2:24PM]

My guess is you enjoy huntin' and trappin' on the weekends. Madison rocks, you fail.

[Kevin Luecke @ Jul 11th 2008 2:38PM]

Actually they don't plow the paths before the streets. Parks is in charge of plowing bike paths, while Streets is in charge of the streets, so they get plowed simultaneously.

This station is located on a heavy commute path right outside a shop, so it's great for morning commuters who may be going past when the shop is closed.

[sterling @ Jul 11th 2008 2:42PM]

He was trying to be funny. If you were from Wisconsin you would know that if you live in Madison you love it, unless you are conservative in any way. Then you are just an angry bitter person who hates all the damn liberals that run the city.

The rest of the state blames Madison for their ills whenever something goes wrong. "Those damn liberal politicians in Madison." Except up until recently the state legislature was dominated by the Republican party so anyone who was paying attention knew that argument didn't hold water (the dems recently took control of the governor's office and the state senate).

The rest of the state says Madison is 77 square miles (the current area covered by the city) surrounded by reality. Madison supposedly is in a some dream like state where we can have good walk and bike paths, good public transportation, good social services, good schools, etc. Of course property taxes are higher than communities that offer none of that to their population. People like Kyle here only see the fact that the city does something they don't agree with, like using those little trucks that are far too small to plow city streets to begin with, to plow the bike paths that see heavy use even during heavy winter storms.

[Xtort @ Jul 11th 2008 2:43PM]

If someone says something you are diametrically opposed to you do you:
A. Ignore
B. Pretend you can't understand what they wrote then reply in a manner to belittle them.
C. Insinuate they are a low class of individual while knowing nothing about them.
D. Actually make a rational rebuttal clever or not such as d*pow.

[Reader @ Jul 11th 2008 4:46PM]

Xtort, I honestly read that sentence 2-4 times and wasn't quite sure what he was getting at. Yes, I suppose I was being hyperbolic by asking if it was English, but I still couldn't understand it.

[Tito @ Jul 11th 2008 6:07PM]

Kyle, you have obviously never tried biking the winter in Madison. The bike lanes are rarely plowed, and often get all the crap from the road piled in them.

[Lonecow @ Jul 11th 2008 1:49PM]

Thank God we are fast on our way to getting rid of all customer service representatives.

With a little luck I'll never have to worry about human interaction ever again.

[Monte @ Jul 11th 2008 1:52PM]

That sounds like a great idea, and I'm a fatass.

[ds @ Jul 11th 2008 2:09PM]

Thanks for registering here Kyle Shelton. You have made quite a first impression with that post.

[d*pow @ Jul 11th 2008 2:12PM]

Kyle Shelton,

Yep thats good ol' Madison for you. while all those suckers are stopped in their cars we're riding blissfully along with out a care in the world. 24-7-365. Yessir.

[Alistair loveless @ Jul 11th 2008 9:50PM]

If you ever lived in madison (which i do) its totally realistic to have his kind of vending machine out and about..
i give it 7 WHOLE DAYS before its covered in some terrible scribbler graffitti

I dont own a bike in madison which is reason for stoning here, but from the bikes ive ridden trek has always been pretty solid machines. go trek go

now trek make one that folds into a backpack or breifcase and ill actually buy a bike

[Jeremy A. Dixon @ Jul 11th 2008 2:29PM]

I suppose this could be helpful if placed along bike trails or in parks.

[Richard Glitter @ Jul 11th 2008 2:49PM]

And it is. I used to live in Madison and I know exactly where that is. It's located next to a bike shop (go figure) right along a main bike trail in the center of the city, along the shore of the lake by downtown. Very convenient location.

[tiuk @ Jul 11th 2008 2:35PM]

Weird. I know a guy in Madison, I'll have to ask him about this.

[Anthony @ Jul 11th 2008 2:53PM]

Engadget's reply function is totally f**'d up (this *can't* be just me- but frequently comments never post, I get emails saying X replied, but when I click there's nothing there, etc), but someone asked where the Bay Area machine was:

http://www.competitorsocal.com/gear/salvation-from-a-vending-machine.html

[diode3diode @ Jul 11th 2008 3:59PM]

Woa, Deja Vu. Does this reply/comment thing happen often? I've posted stuff myself and I'm afraid of pressing the "Add your comments" again and again for fear of looking like a n00b.

[Anthony @ Jul 11th 2008 4:15PM]

I actually think it's Firefox now as IE seems to be chugging right along & posting things properly.

[ds @ Jul 11th 2008 2:57PM]

@Xtort

I have 4 things to say to you buddy.

1.
2. What?
3. I think you may be a lower class than me.
4. Good point.

[corystal @ Jul 11th 2008 6:17PM]

↑
funny.

...as for Mr. Shelton, he may be classy but he certainly doesn't have a strong grasp on English spelling or diction.

[neil @ Jul 11th 2008 3:03PM]

Biker's Edge, in Kaysville, Utah has had a vending machine in front for YEARS. They have all of the real necessities: Gels, Tubes, levers, mini tools, etc. They are located on a pretty prominent route, its nice to be able to hit the vending machine early, before they open, or on a Sunday.

Even more impressive is that they don't jack up the prices. They're quite reasonable.

[- @ Jul 11th 2008 3:58PM]

After reading some of the comments, particularly Sterling's, this makes me want to visit Madison. Sounds like my kind of place.

The vending machine is just gravy, the real perk is having a repair stand and what looks like an air hose.

[John Russell @ Jul 11th 2008 4:07PM]

BikePortland.org reported on this more than a week ago. And that's just one guy. I thought you would be a bit faster than that.

Even with a bike store on every corner here in Portland, this could definitely be useful after hours.

If I had to pick a place to put them, I would probably try sticking them not first by bike shops (which here in Portland are open forever), but at transit centers, that way they are easy to access by bus and light rail, both of which are decently bike friendly.

[Snacker @ Jul 11th 2008 6:33PM]

Wahoo! Another item to review http://www.snackreport.com/ If it comes out of a vending machine...it's reviewed at snackreport.com! Or I guess, in this case - if it IS a vending machine.

[Jayse @ Jul 11th 2008 7:05PM]

yes, because only skinny people ride bikes...

[Beau @ Jul 12th 2008 9:39AM]

Ahhhhhh...but does it sell rubbers?

[pheer6224 @ Jul 13th 2008 2:24AM]

Specialized should offer an alternative, they're cheaper.

But this is awesome.

[Mel @ Jul 17th 2008 11:07AM]

I like this system!!

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