Engadget

Shimano showcases the Ultegra Di2 electronic bike gears, we go for a ride

Lydia Leavitt — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:35:00 EST

How much would you spend for an upgrade to smooth shifting on your next road bike? If $4,000 to $8,000 is in the ballpark, then a Shimano-powered electronic bike may be in your future. We took the cycling giant's latest gear for a spin in Central Park, drawing envious glances from various spandex-clad bikers during the ride. Outfitted with the company's newest Ultegra 6770 Di2 series of gears, the shifters gave us a taste of technology normally reserved for Tour de Francers -- at new, more affordable pricing. So what was it like to be the envy of cyclists everywhere? Jump past the break to find out.

Gallery: Shimano Di2 electric bike shifter

Continue reading Shimano showcases the Ultegra Di2 electronic bike gears, we go for a ride

Shimano showcases the Ultegra Di2 electronic bike gears, we go for a ride originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer PotterNavi: a 3G bike GPS that encourages you to meander

Daniel Cooper — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:57:00 EST

A GPS that encourages meandering won't be the dish of the day (month, or year) for hypermilers, but might do well in the slightly more genteel world of cycling. Pioneer's PotterNavi sits on the handlebars of your velocipede and can let you decide between straight or scenic routes. The 100 gram device packs a 2.4-inch 240 x 320 LCD screen and fortunate Japanese buyers get two years of 3G data for free, courtesy of benevolent overlords NTT DoCoMo. Button-free navigation is possible with the included accelerometer, tilting the device will let you scroll without having to stop riding. It'll also tell you where the nearest tourist attractions, shops and toilets are -- just be careful, as your journey data (including any extended stops) gets uploaded to the Cycle Lab site. The SGX-CN700-W (white) and SGC-CN700-K (black) models launch in Japan in February for $530 before peregrinating westward next summer -- like the cyclists it will inspire, the container ship is taking the scenic route.

Pioneer PotterNavi: a 3G bike GPS that encourages you to meander originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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DIY e-bike hack gets washing machine motorization, stuck on permanent spin cycle (video)

Joseph Volpe — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:40:00 EST

Do all dead washing machines go to meet that lonely Maytag repairman in the sky? Nope, some of'em get their guts repurposed for use in hipster transportation, otherwise known as bicycles. At least that's what one fed up, frugal Munich denizen did to avoid that German's city costly PT fees. It's not what you'd call an elegant hack, as our DIYer's had to haphazardly rig up his washer's 300W motor to the bike's frame and stuff two clunky 12Ah batteries into a sidebag off the back tire. Still, it appears to get the job done, spinning at a max of 3000rpms with an ~~ejector button~~ on / off switch affixed to the right hand brake. We're not sure how well or reliably this modjob fares on busy roadways, so for the time being we'll just stick to Vespas. Check out the video after the break for an unmoving portrait of this eFahrrad.

Continue reading DIY e-bike hack gets washing machine motorization, stuck on permanent spin cycle (video)

DIY e-bike hack gets washing machine motorization, stuck on permanent spin cycle (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Oct 2011 03:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Silverback's Starke city bikes charge your gadgets, firm your thighs

Joseph Volpe — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST

Cyclists have a lot to be proud of -- what with their terrific gams, above average lung capacity and eco-friendly locomotive choice. But tech isn't exactly an area that falls under their outdoors-y province, unless they're sporting one of Silverback's Starke bicycles. The line of city bikes offers up four models for the two-wheel enthusiast, but it's the Starke 1 and 2 that's caught our gadget-obsessed attention. Included in the head tube of either bike's frame is a USB port powered by a hub dynamo that'll play nicely with any of your low-voltage devices. If you're looking for an electric motor-assisted cruise, you'll have to opt for the Starke 1, but otherwise both nine-speeders share the same nickel alloy frame and weigh in at roughly 30lbs. Sound like your kind of 21st century ride? Then hit the source link below for your personal Tour de high-tech bikes.

Silverback's Starke city bikes charge your gadgets, firm your thighs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Insert Coin: YouTurn accelerometer-based turn signal system for cyclists

Zach Honig — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.

Many of us who bike in the city ride in constant fear of being tapped by a taxi cab, or crushed by a bus. There's no way to completely eradicate the risk of being run over by a much larger motorized vehicle, but making yourself easily visible -- both at night and during the day -- can certainly make a difference. Smart cyclists use hand signals long before they need to make a turn, but the YouTurn signal system aims to make those indicators difficult for drivers to miss, with an accelerometer-based gadget that illuminates an arrow in the direction of your turn. If you want to turn left, for example, simply point your hand to the left, and the device will flash a giant yellow chevron. The prototype you'll see in the video below is integrated with a glove, though the final version will simply attach to the back of your hand, and can be stored in a bag when you're not on your bike. There's no mention of durability or waterproofing, though since the inventor's objective is to enhance safety, we imagine he'll be taking precautions to avoid electrocution in the rain.

YouTurn inventor Jack O'Neal launched a Kickstarter page to help fund his project, and is accepting preorders at $50 a pop. There's no final pricing listed at this point, but at 50 bucks for a first-run YouTurn, we were happy to make the pledge. We hope to see O'Neal meet his funding goal and send these to production, but until then, we'll keep looking both ways and hoping for the best.

Continue reading Insert Coin: YouTurn accelerometer-based turn signal system for cyclists

Insert Coin: YouTurn accelerometer-based turn signal system for cyclists originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YikeBike unveils less-expensive folding electric bike, Jackie Chan dons celebratory tuxedo

Jesse Hicks — Sun, 15 May 2011 12:12:00 EST

Our main complaint with the folding electric YikeBike -- besides the not-quite-catchy name - was the $3,795 price tag. The company's trying to ease the price pain with the Fusion, a new model that'll cost you $1,995. The savings come from replacing the carbon fiber body with aluminum and composites, which does, unfortunately, add about 6.6 pounds, pushing the total weight over 30 pounds. But that shouldn't hamper portability, and you'll still get six miles of travel on a single charge (or 12 miles with an optional battery backpack). YikeBike will sell the cheaper model through a network of distributors, allowing it to expand its customer base beyond the 250 bikes sold so far, to, among others, Google and Jackie Chan. So if you previously couldn't afford to follow in the kung fu master's tracks, well, now you have one less excuse.

[Thanks, Dan]

YikeBike unveils less-expensive folding electric bike, Jackie Chan dons celebratory tuxedo originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 May 2011 12:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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YikeBike extender battery backpack keeps you riding in, um, style for six more miles

Christopher Trout — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:57:00 EST

Okay, so you'll probably still look like a circus bear on a penny-farthing when you hop on the YikeBike, but with the introduction of the new extender battery backpack, you won't have to stop every six miles to juice up. You heard right, this otherwise inconspicuous knapsack is actually packing a second YikeBike battery, which can be hooked up directly to the collapsible bicycle to keep you riding for another six miles -- and if you like riding high on a tiny bike for long distances, it's got room for more than one. So go crazy, pack this thing full of batteries and hit the road, but if your keister starts smartin', don't say we didn't warn you. You can get your YikeBike juice on for $229 at the source link below.

YikeBike extender battery backpack keeps you riding in, um, style for six more miles originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Darren Murph — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:03:00 EST

Think Android has reached its limit when it comes to applications? Think again. Pioneer has conjured up a new cyclocomputer, and compared to the antediluvian rivals available on the market today, this one looks like a bona fide supercomputer. It's designed for mounting on the bike's handlebars, where riders can then see speed, cadence, heart rate, and power at a glance. The device is engineered to play nice with the ANT+ wireless specification, and it can also pull data from optional crank sensors that can be installed to monitor one's pedaling force. Furthermore, it's equipped with GPS, and we're guessing it's a prime candidate for running Google's own My Tracks app. There's no time table for release, but we're guessing the International Cycling Union will have one out in no time... one that continuously tests riders for illicit substances, of course. Video's after the break, if you're down for more.

Continue reading Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Social Bicycles bike sharing system powered by iPhone app to hit NYC this fall

Laura June — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:41:00 EST

Social Bicycles is a bike sharing system with a twist. Using an iPhone app, the system allows users to drop off, locate, and borrow a bike nearly anywhere. The bikes are equipped with a GPS device which is locked to one of the wheels, and when the bike is locked, it's locatable using the app, so that someone can borrow it; when it's in use and unlocked, it doesn't appear in the app. The real upside to Social Bicycles is that the regular infrastructure required for bike lending systems -- such as docking stations in a lot of convenient locations -- are unnecessary with this system, which can get by with regular old bike racks, making it a much cheaper, fly-by-night option. It's coming to New York City in very limited beta this fall, and we expect it to outperform Segs in the City in no time. Video is below.

Continue reading Social Bicycles bike sharing system powered by iPhone app to hit NYC this fall

Social Bicycles bike sharing system powered by iPhone app to hit NYC this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Schwinn Tailwind electric bike review

Laura June — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:16:00 EST

Schwinn's Tailwind electric bike -- which has been available for just a few months -- has been sitting in our apartment since post CES, waiting for the New York weather to shape up enough for us to give it a fair spin. Well, it's been beautiful recently, so the pedal-assist bike has been taken for several spins on our backyard BMX trail to see what kind of dust we could raise together. The bike is a retro, hulking, 58 pound package, with a Toshiba SCiB Quick Charge Plug n' Drive (SCiB) battery saddled onto the back for about 30 miles of assistance. It's an expensive (about $3,200) piece of eco-friendly transportation, to be sure. So the questions are thus: what do we think about Schwinn's latest foray into commuter cycles? Just who is this bike for? Will we ever get used to carrying it up and down our apartment stairs? Join us on the road after the break.

Continue reading Schwinn Tailwind electric bike review

Filed under: Transportation

Schwinn Tailwind electric bike review originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 22 May 2009 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Intersection sensor activator puts an end to cyclist discrimination

Samuel Axon — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:42:00 EST

You're a good person with noble motivations -- you ride a bicycle instead of driving because it's healthy and it doesn't have a disastrously negative impact on the environment. We salute you, but not all of society appreciates your virtue like we do. In a sinister and systematic oppression of cyclists (we're absolutely certain it's intentional), many traffic lights are governed by sensors in the pavement that give a green light only after they've detected the change in inductance when a large metal car pulls up. Before you take up arms, though, take a look at this recently-patented device that sends out a signal that fools the sensors so cyclists don't have to wait for a car to unwittingly play good Samaritan -- we suppose we'll try this out just in case before we incite a violent revolution.

[Via Core77]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Transportation

Intersection sensor activator puts an end to cyclist discrimination originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The bicycle-powered supercomputer

Joshua Topolsky — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:51:00 EST

In an attempt to illustrate the low power requirements of its latest Linux-based supercomputer, a company called SiCortex put together a demonstration showing the massive number-cruncher performing billions of calculations per-second while a team of between eight to ten bicyclists pedaled to keep it going. The NextFest presentation was a ploy to showcase the small power consumption of the new machine, and to point out that energy conservation for both system power and cooling are major issues facing manufacturers and end-users. As the custom Trek bikes churned out 260-watts of power each, Dr. John Mucci -- the company's CEO -- said, "Ten years ago, this analysis was impossible on even the biggest computers, and now it's being done on a bicycle powered machine," then added, "Ten years from now, we'll probably be doing it right down at the docks as they unload the ships." Which sounds kind of weird, but isn't.

[Via I4U]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

The bicycle-powered supercomputer originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Sep 2007 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Terrifying bike helmet filters bad air, increases fear

Joshua Topolsky — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:41:00 EST

If you've been worrying that small children weren't frightened enough when you pedaled your bike down the street, 22-year-old Luke Pannell, a Brunel University industrial design student, is here to help. The young inventor has created a biking helmet that he's dubbed "Breathe Air," which in addition to looking like a cross between Michael Myers, a Storm Trooper and The Predator, also features a filtering "shield" over the mouth and nose, which cuts particles and dust, then expels them through a plastic tube when the user exhales. The helmet isn't currently in production, but the designer hopes to find a manufacturer, then market the device for around £100. Now all it needs is an attached Bluetooth headset so you can communicate back to the Death Star without taking your eyes off the road.

[Via Boing Boing]

Filed under: Transportation, Wearables

Terrifying bike helmet filters bad air, increases fear originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 Jul 2007 10:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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