bike
Latest
Forget training wheels: This bike balances itself
Training wheels are great for getting kids rolling, but they don't really develop the balance required for real riding. Jyrobike takes a different approach to the learning process, providing a more authentic cycling experience while still offering the stability new starters need. That's because it's self-balancing, and though that sounds too good to be true, the technology that makes it possible is actually quite simple. Contained within the front wheel is a weighted, motor-driven disk that gets up to several thousand revolutions per minute (RPMs). This spinning disk, which emits a dull hum when at full speed, exerts a gyroscopic force that pushes against the turn and lean of the front wheel. As the rider tilts towards the point of no return, the front wheel corrects and as a result, nudges the child into a balanced body position. Watching someone ride a Jyrobike doesn't give you a good idea of how stable the thing really is, but we were incredibly impressed by a live demo. With just a small amount of forward momentum, the prototype easily shrugged off sideways slaps with only a slight waver.
Vanhawks' connected bike helps you avoid traffic and potholes
Vanhawks' Valour is a connected commuter bicycle that hopes to make your travels both smarter and safer. The 16-pound carbon fiber bike can help you find a route to the office that avoids heavy traffic, and gives you turn-by-turn bike-specific directions to your destination along with blind spot detection while you're on the road. It's a combination of features that's likely to have you traveling on two wheels a lot more often.
Meet Skylock, the smart bike lock that can save you after a crash
There are plenty of smart bike locks that warn you about thieves, and some will even let you share your bike if you're the generous sort. However, their utility often stops when you start riding -- which is where Velo Labs' new Skylock comes in. The security system compares its own motion sensor data with that of your smartphone to tell if you've been in an accident. If you tumble off and don't respond within a set time frame, Skylock will alert emergency services that you're in trouble.
Cyclist GPS data could help cities plan safer routes
Strava has been using GPS coordinates to monitor progress for cyclists and runners for quite some time, and now it's looking to lend a hand to local governments. With its new effort, Strava Metro, the fitness-tracking outfit serves up data on 90 million bike routes and 24 million runs (at launch) to help planners examine how the two segments use public roads. Oregon's Department of Transportation has already signed on as the first customer, using the info for a year -- a deal that carried a $20,000 price tag. What's more, London, Glasgow, Orlando (Florida, US) and Alpine Shire (Victoria, Australia) have also opted in. "Right now, there's no data. We don't know where people ride bikes," Portland State University professor Jennifer Dill told the Wall Street Journal. "Just knowing where the cyclists are is a start." Urban planners in cities have long had access to metrics around automobile traffic, but tracking patterns for bike and runners hasn't been available up to this point.
Garmin's latest bike computer talks to your gear shifter
Bike computers have been connecting to an ever larger sphere of devices, ranging from fitness sensors to smartphones. It only makes sense, then, that they integrate with the bike itself -- and Garmin is doing just that with its new Edge 1000. The device can tell what gear you're using when paired with Shimano's Di2 electronic shifter, and ties that info to your ride; it's now easy to figure out if dropping gears helped you conquer that hill a little faster. There are a few big upgrades over the Edge 810 that don't require high-end bike components, of course. The 1000 supports new Garmin peripherals that include both a handlebar remote as well as cadence/speed sensors, and you can share ride segments through the company's smartphone app if you want to prove your worth to nearby cyclists. This flagship Edge will be expensive at $600 ($700 bundled with sensors) when it ships later in the spring, but that premium may be worthwhile if you just have to get a competitive advantage over fellow pedal-pushers.
Schwinn's CycleNav bike navigation system points cyclists in the right direction
When you're in a car, it's easy enough to keep an eye on your navigation without moving your hands away from the ol' 10 and 2 positions, but how do you manage your trips when you're on a bike? Enter Schwinn's CycleNav bike navigation system, a $60 Bluetooth device that clips onto your handlebar. The idea is pretty simple: Download the product's iOS or Android app, put in your destination, choose the best route and then let the CycleNav point which way to go, using one of three LED arrows. After your journey comes to an end, the app records fitness stats for you to track (such as distance, calories burned and duration). Fortunately, it doubles as a headlight for your bicycle as well. The navigator will be available at Walmart beginning in March, but you'll be able to grab the CycleNav starting January 15th.
Copenhagen Wheel turns any bike into an electric hybrid, ships early 2014 for $699 (video)
We can't fault you for dismissing the Copenhagen Wheel as vaporware -- it's been nearly four years since the pedal-assist bicycle accessory made its debut at the 2009 UN Climate Change Conference. But, we finally have pricing and availability to share, and if all goes to plan, the MIT-backed project could make its way to your doorstep in Q1 2014. Superpedestrian, a Boston-based start-up, is making the Copenhagen Wheel available for pre-orders beginning today. The $699 device snaps onto a standard 26-inch bicycle wheel, converting your ordinary bike into a powerful hybrid electric version that can cruise along at 20 miles per hour. The Wheel, which sports a range of 30 miles, is powered by a 48-volt rechargeable battery. It's designed as an entirely self-contained unit -- instead of adjusting your speed using a throttle or button, you'll simply pedal faster, just as you would while riding a lesser-equipped bike. The device will compensate with additional power whenever needed, and it locks when you walk away, providing a bit of additional security (though with a $699 sticker price, you'll probably want to yank the removable battery, too). It can also communicate with the Superpedestrian mobile app, which tracks distance and calories burned. If you have the cash to spare, cruise on down to the pre-order link just below.
Lock8 thwarts every kind of bike thief through GPS and smart alarms (video)
Many attempts at smarter bike locks, well, aren't -- they won't last long against thieves with the right tools. If Lock8's new security device ships, however, those ne'er-do-wells won't have it so easy. The smartphone-controlled lock includes the GPS tracking you'd hope for, but it also includes sensors that trigger alarms and notifications for just about any kind of theft attempt. A smart cable warns if someone tries a bolt cutter; an accelerometer can detect drills and saws, and there's even a temperature sensor to fend off blowtorches. Owners can rent their rides, too. Lock8 is crowdfunding the technology, with pledges starting at £69 ($111) for those who want a lock and six months of free GPS service. If the company meets its £50,000 ($80,340) goal, bikes worldwide should be much safer by May 2014.
This is the Modem World: The connected cyclist's dilemma
Each week Joshua Fruhlinger contributes This is the Modem World, a column dedicated to exploring the culture of consumer technology. The number of health-tracking gadgets and apps is officially out of control. Fitbit just announced its Force activity-tracking watch. Apple integrated Nike+ and activity sensors into its latest smartphone. Jawbone, while initially a Bluetooth headset maker, is now pushing the Up. Nike FuelBand. BodyMedia Link. Pebble. Pear Pro. I can keep going. Heck, Garmin, which has been making fitness-related GPS devices for years, is on a roll, and I should know because I spent hundreds on a Garmin 810 a couple months ago.
FlyKly's Smart Wheel snaps onto your bike for 20MPH pedal assist
In retrospect, lower Manhattan probably wasn't the safest place to try the Smart Wheel for the first time. Thankfully, the prototype wasn't operating at top speed when I hopped on, for that very reason. The sensation's a bit weird for those unaccustomed to riding with a pedal assist, kicking in only when you actually start pedaling and gradually reaching the speed you've entered in the app. In its final version, that speed will max out at 20 miles an hour, for up to a 30-mile range. The motor weighs about nine pounds, snapping onto the rear wheel of most bikes without much in the way of installation. Also of note is the ability to remotely lock the wheel using the app to prevent someone from riding off with the bike -- and if they do, you can track the thief on your phone. All of this is still early stages. The motor you see above is still a prototype. The final version will be offered in a number of different sizes and colors, assuming the company is able to hit its $100,000 Kickstarter goal. A $550 pledge will get you the Smart Wheel, along with FlyKly's Smart Light (which you can get as a standalone for $49). The light holds and charges your phone (via USB), while leading the way in the dark with an LED bulb. The company will also be opening up the app's SDK for use with additional hardware like the Pebble smartwatch. Check out a quick video of the above after the break.
BitLock offers a bring-your-own-bicycle approach to bike sharing
Unless you're an enraged motorist, there's plenty of good to be found in the current push for big city bike sharing programs. BitLock is certainly in keeping with the spirit of such initiatives, albeit on a much more localized scale. The proposed product is essentially a standard bike U-lock that communicates with Android and iOS devices -- get within proximity and click the unlock button on an approved handset and the BitLock opens up for you. The device is, thankfully, weather-resistant and has a battery that should last up to five years, according to claims (and you'll get a notification on your phone when it's finally ready to shuffle off this mortal coil). What's more interesting here, however, is that the device is being couched as a form of low-entry bike sharing, as you can have multiple users sign up for a single lock. The app will note where the bike is left on a map, so you or a pal with access can locate it later -- and GPS also gives the app some health-tracking capabilities, which are all the rage. The locks, not surprisingly, won't be cheap -- the base Kickstarter pledge to get your hands on one is $89, and the proposed retail price is $140. That's $55 more than an annual Citi Bike membership, for you New Yorkers keeping track.
Bike+ is a security alarm and fitness computer for bicycles (hands-on)
Bike thieves are a resourceful lot. No matter what form of lock is used, given the time and the inclination, such n'ere-do-wells will snatch up your two-wheeled transportation. Wi-MM, a start-up based in Santa Clara, CA, aims to make it harder for them to steal your cycle with its new product Bike+, a combination alarm system and cycling computer. The device itself is what you see in the photo above that can be mounted with some specialty hardware (to make removal difficult) on the down tube of any bicycle. Inside, there's a Verizon-compatible 3G radio, GPS, Bluetooth, altimeter, accelerometer, a 1,300 mAh rechargeable battery and enough flash memory to hold all your data from a year's worth of rides. All told, Bike+ weighs about seven ounces (so it won't add too much heft), and is slated to be available before the end of the year for "under $200" according to company president Kevin Fahrner.
Factor intros Vis Vires bike with Garmin ANT+ tracking down to the crank (video)
Cyclists who want ANT+ sensors frequently have to either buy multiple devices or resign themselves to relatively limited tracking. Not so with Factor Bikes' new Vis Vires. The high-end road bike comes with a specially mounted Garmin Edge 510 or 810 bike computer, giving it speed and other basic ride data from the start; more advanced models bring ANT+ aware cranks that register leg power at the pedals. You'll want to save up if you're interested, however. The entry Vis Vires Ultegra Di2 and its companion Edge 510 will ship in January for $7,830. An Ultegra Di2 variant with ANT+ cranks will arrive at the same time for $10,441, while the lighter, Edge 810-equipped Dura-Ace Di2 launches this August for a hefty $13,051.
Specialized Turbo e-bike reaches the US, offers a speed boost for $5,900
When Specialized's Turbo e-bike launched last year, it was almost too fast for its own good when it couldn't legally be sold in Europe and the US. The American riders, at least, won't be held back now that the Turbo is on sale in their country. The US version costs an eye-watering $5,900, but it can reach the same 27.9MPH peak speed through its combination of pedal power and the 250W of typical output from the electric motor. With that kind of performance, it could almost pay for itself -- who wouldn't want to blow past rush hour traffic in the bike lane?
Siva Cycle Atom charges USB devices with a pedal-powered battery pack (video)
Bicycle-powered generators aren't new concepts by any stretch, but they frequently generate AC power and sometimes can't charge at all when the pedaling stops. Siva Cycle doesn't think either limitation is very helpful for powering a smartphone during the daily commute, so it's launching the Atom generator to keep the energy flowing smoothly. The rear-wheel unit puts out power regulated to match its USB port, and it includes a detachable 1,300mAh lithium polymer battery that can follow riders long after they've parked. Moreover, the Atom is unintrusive -- it slips on after releasing the rear wheel, and it's diminutive enough to minimize drag. As is often the case these days, the catch is getting the product to market. Siva Cycle wants to crowdfund $85,000 to make the Atom's November release target, and supporters will need to plunk down at least $85 to receive a generator, if its fundraising goes smoothly. When the company plans to donate one Atom to the needy for every ten it sells, however, the pledge is for a good cause -- and it might be the key to having a usable device charge after a bike ride home.
Chaos Theory: Mounting a campaign for vehicles in The Secret World
It makes sense that while I am spending a week traveling about in this world, my mind turns to the subject of travel within The Secret World. Thankfully, some aspects of transportation in reality are not a part of our online world; I don't know if I could stand being stuck on a tarmac out at the Kingsmouth Airport! But with all the trappings of various vehicles littered all about the landscape, it's difficult to not want to snag one for personal use. The desire to add these mechanical mounts isn't even about the need for speed; folks already have various speed boosts, and the world doesn't need to get smaller by our traveling each zone at an even quicker pace. It not about getting somewhere more quickly; it's about the feel of a living, immersive world. How many of you have come upon a bicycle or a scooter in TSW and had the instant urge to hop on? Or what about the slick motorcycle, sitting there, begging for a rider? I'm certainly not one to say, "Pfft, forget those sweet wheels; I prefer hoofing it when evading zombies." Having to walk on by is an immersion-breaker in a game where ambiance and immersion are two of the defining features. So if the goal is to enhance immersion without making the zones seem even smaller, how would mounts work? I'm glad you asked!
Hybrid Sports Bicycle eyes-on (video)
The LA Auto Show isn't just loaded with flashy concept cars from auto industry heavyweights, it's also a breeding ground for innovation in the transportation industry as a whole. While cruising the halls of the Los Angeles Convention Center, a unique contraption caught our eye. Pictured above is the Hybrid Sports Bicycle (HSB), a triple threat that runs on gas, electricity and good old fashion human pedaling. The project is currently seeking investors, with its creator Tomas Bubilek targeting a retail price somewhere between $6,000 to $7,000. For those of you who might think that this is a high premium, we've definitely seen hybrid bikes that far exceed this toll. So, if you're in the business of being an early adopter, check out the video below to see what might be replacing that segway you bought a few years back.
Cardboard bicycle 'close to mass production': tough, green and just $20
Cardboard never ceases to amaze. Having been deployed in gramophones, stereos and even digital cameras, one inventor now believes it can be used to make the ideal bicycle. Izhar Gafni, from Israel, spent 18 months just folding the material every-which-way in order to discover a strong enough design, and now he claims his technique is almost ready for mass production. His maintenance-free bike uses a "secret" mix of organic materials to make it waterproof and fireproof, and is then lacquered to give it a friendlier appearance. It's expected to cost a mere $20 and weigh about 20 lbs (9 kg) -- that's 65 percent lighter than an average metal ride. In fact, this bicycle doesn't use any metal parts at all -- the solid tires are made of reconstituted rubber and a car timing belt is used instead of a chain. It lacks the swank of a Faraday Porteur, perhaps, but then you could buy 175 of these for the same money. Want proof that it actually works? The bike's not-so-featherweight inventor takes it for a spin after the break. [Image credit: Reuters / Baz Ratner]
Engineering a better bicycle with DBC City Bike Design
My day with Dan Sorger was winding down and the photographers were out joyriding on his bicycles when he beckoned me to look at something on his tiny, age-stained LCD monitor. Nestled in between a curling collection of Post-It notes was an anecdote about a wealthy Italian man which he began to read aloud, "Once upon a time, long ago ..." According to the story he had spent an exorbitant sum of money to modify his prized Alfa Romeo. As a result, his family tried to have him declared insane and wrest control of his fortune. As the trial got underway, the judge asked to see the vehicle in question and, once he set his eyes on the custom-crafted aluminum body, he dismissed the case, declaring, "The search for beauty is the most natural thing in man." The tale is allegedly the origin of storied automobile designer Ugo Zagato, but it's the judge who is the real star and it's his words that struck a chord with Dan, the founder and owner of DBC City Bike Design.
Wahoo Fitness introduces RFLKT: an iPhone-powered bike computer that lets handsets stay in pockets
Sure, you can turn your smartphone into a bike computer, but if you'd rather not put your pricey piece of tech anywhere near harm's way, Wahoo Fitness' RFLKT Bike Computer offers an alternative. Instead of packing all the brains, the device sits atop a bicycle's handlebar and displays data it's fed via Bluetooth 4.0 from cycling apps running on an iPhone 4S or 5. At launch, the hardware will support the firm's own Cyclemeter application and Wahoo Fitness App which can monitor ride information ranging from location to speed, in addition to heart rate with an additional accoutrement. Aspiring Alberto Contadors can page through data and even sift through tunes on their playlist with the help of buttons on the device's side. Gently tipping the scales at 2 ounces, the RFLKT measures up at 2.4- x 1.6 x 0.5-inches and boasts a one-year battery life on a single coin cell. Wahoo's gadget is slated for a December launch, but there's still no word on pricing. For more specifics, take a gander at the full press release below.
