Cycling
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IRL: Tracking bike rides with the Garmin Edge 510
I'm all about minimizing the amount of stuff I need to carry with me, which is why smartphones have been great -- they can double as a camera and even a portable gaming handheld. But when it comes to riding my bike, I still prefer a dedicated device. This is why I picked up a Garmin Edge 510, and now I don't think I'd ever go back to using a smartphone to track my workouts.
Waterfield Designs Cycling Ride Pouch: Take your iPhone along for the ride
Cyclists love to pack minimally, but for even a casual ride it's important to have spare tubes, tire irons, repair kits, a pump, and even your iPhone along. Waterfield Designs teamed up with cycling gear designer Eleven Vélo to produce the perfect pouch for all that equipment, and it fits easily into the back pocket on a cycling jersey. The Cycling Ride Pouch (US$69) features a scratch-free slot for your iPhone (and note that it will fit larger phones in case the next iPhones are bigger...), interior pockets for ID and credit cards, and enough volume to hold everything you'll need to support your ride -- except for water and a SAG wagon. Specifications Dimensions: 6.75 x 4.0 x .75 inches (unloaded -- 171.45 x 101.6 x 19.05 mm) Weight: 3.1 ounces (87.88 grams) Materials: Distressed full-grain leather, Ultrasuede lining Zipper: YKK locking zipper Colors: "Grizzly" brown leather, black leather Design Highlights The Cycling Ride Pouch looks rugged and was obviously designed with love by cyclists. The plastic window makes it easy to see and even use an iPhone -- although Touch ID isn't usable, of course. Placing the iPhone in the phone pocket ensures that it is has adequate protection against rain, dust, and of course, sweat. Being a fan of Waterfield Designs' other products, I love the simple rugged design -- the leather will only get more distressed and classy looking as time goes by, and the quality of the components means that the Cycling Road Pouch will last for many years of long rides. Functionality Highlights While my existing mini air pump was a bit too long to fit inside the Cycling Ride Pouch, I could see where you could pop in something like a CO2 inflation system instead. The card slots are perfectly sized for a driver's license and a credit card or two (helpful for those after-ride beer stops...). Placing an iPhone into the phone pocket is easy and fast thanks to a large, full-width bottom opening. Once the phone is in the pocket, it's easy to use if the pouch is full of stuff pushing the phone screen against the plastic window. Unzip the locking YKK zipper and the Cycling Ride Pouch lays flat, perfect for picking out just the tools you need to make repairs on the street or trail. And yes, it does fit into the typical back pocket of a jersey! Conclusion Although it's a bit "niche", the Cycling Ride Pouch is the perfect accessory for any dedicated cyclist. Combining good looks, a nicely sealed see-through phone pocket, card slots, and enough volume to carry a good amount of equipment, the pouch is also well-built and reasonably priced. Waterfield Designs has another winner on their hands with this classic accessory that should be on the market for years to come. Rating: 4 stars out of 4 stars possible Giveaway Just in time for those late summer, early fall bike rides, TUAW and Waterfield Designs are teaming up to give a reader a "grizzly" brown leather Cycling Ride Pouch. Here are the rules for the giveaway: Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older. To enter, fill out the form below completely and click or tap the Submit button. The entry must be made before August 1, 2014 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. One winner will be selected in a random drawing and will receive a Waterfield Designs Cycling Ride Pouch valued at $69. Click Here for complete Official Rules. Loading...
Here's what it looks like to ride in the Tour de France
The world of sports is actively finding ways to adopt new camera technologies. Namely, to help determine if a ball has crossed the goal line or, why not, to broadcast a player's point of view from a pair of glasses. In the case of the Tour de France, cycling's most celebrated competition, its governing body finally took the plunge and began allowing riders to mount a camera on their bikes. Thanks to that, Le Tour's 2014 edition, which is now at about its halfway point, has been giving us a great, inside look at the experience. Surprisingly, as Gizmodo points out, GoPro seems isn't the main choice for Tour de France teams, which is a bit strange given the popularity of the Hero line of cameras. Instead, most bicycles at the event are equipped with a CM-1000 from Shimano, a large manufacturer of cycling gear. Regardless, this is still a perfect chance to see what it's like inside the Tour de France pack, never mind who's providing the cameras.
Route-tracing robot shows where bike lanes should be
Tired of having to share the road with cars while you're biking? You're not alone. The marketers at Radwende have built a route-tracing art robot to make a case for more bike lanes in Wiesbaden, a German city frequently considered hostile to pedal pushers. The machine draws the paths of riders who use Android and iPhone tracking apps during their journeys, creating a crowdsourced cycling map whose lines get bolder based on traffic. The more people travel down a given street, the clearer it is that a bike lane is necessary.
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.
Google Maps' bike routing now helps you avoid steep hills
Just because you enjoy cycling doesn't mean you want a challenge every time -- it's not much fun to pedal uphill when you simply need to get to work. You won't have to face those arbitrary hill climbs in the future, though, since Google Maps has quietly added elevation data to its bike routes. Plot your path using a desktop web browser and you'll see both a visual representation of elevation changes and the number of feet you have to ascend (or descend, if you're lucky). There's no word on a corresponding mobile app update, but don't be surprised if you can eventually chart an easier course when you're already on the road. [Top image credit: Cheryl DalPozzal, Flickr]
Here's an electric bike that's easy on your eyes, not just the road
With certain exceptions, many electric bicycles make it all too clear that there's some technology involved: they're big, heavy and otherwise ungainly. You won't have those gripes with the new Vanmoof 10 Electrified. It hides a 250W pedelec (that is, pedal-dependent) motor and batteries in a frame which isn't much bigger than that of a regular bike, and is actually a bit charming with its minimalist (if very PVC pipe-like) design. It's a relative featherweight at 42 pounds, too, and it includes GPS tracking to help catch thieves. The Electrified isn't going to outrace the Specialized Turbo with its almost pedestrian 18MPH top speed, but it also costs nearly half as much at $2,998. That's just low enough that it could be the right e-bike for your daily commute -- especially if you'd rather not give up some style just to get a performance boost.
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.
MYBELL keeps cyclists safe by blasting their MP3s of choice (hands-on)
Biking in heavily trafficked areas can be dangerous -- and few know this better than NYC cyclists. Peter Pottier is one of many in the Big Apple to survive a near miss while on two wheels, and that experience led him to develop a digital noise-maker to help keep bikers safe. The handlebar-mountable MYBELL, created by Pottier and his two colleagues, pumps out sound at up to 96dB -- the average mechanical bell tops out at about 70dB -- and features LEDs to improve nighttime visibility. Safety is clearly the focus here, but Pottier says he wants to improve the relationship between bikers and drivers as well. "I looked at what was currently on the market, such as air horns, but I didn't want to ostracize bikers." (Who wants to be accosted with that honking sound, after all?) To that end, the MYBELL is customizable; you can upload any MP3 file to the device via micro-USB, and you can choose different LED patterns in night mode. On top of the novelty value, hearing screaming techno instead of a standard bell ring will theoretically be safer, thanks to the wider pitch and range which make it easier to detect. And, if you're lucky, your taste in music might even earn the respect of that otherwise-hostile SUV.
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.
Insert Coin semifinalist: MYBELL is an extremely loud and customizable electronic bike bell
Say what you will about the cavalier bike messengers that give cyclists a bad name, but it doesn't change the fact that pedaling your way to work is better for both your health and the environment. Unfortunately, biking (especially in New York City) can feel a little, well, dangerous at times. MYBELL isn't magically going to keep you from getting doored while flying down Broadway, but the extremely loud electronic bicycle bell should make you a little harder to miss. Inside this little box is a powerful audio amplifier that plays custom sounds at up to 96dB -- your average mechanical bell tops out at 70dB. It also includes LEDs that can be programmed to flash in a pattern unique to you. Of course, none of that is going to keep careless motorists out of the bike lane, so you'll still your wits and quick reflexes, in addition to MYBELL. You can see all of the Insert Coin semifinalists here.
IRL: Wahoo's Blue SC speed sensor for bikes
Welcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment. Smartphones, tablets, smartphones, repeat. We tend to come back to the same sorts of gadgets here in "IRL," but this week we're shaking things up with a fitness device. Associate HD Editor Ben Drawbaugh is one of the few mountain biking enthusiasts on staff, which means he was one of the only people qualified to test out a bicycle computer, something we normally wouldn't review. After the break, find out if a $60 Bluetooth Low Energy sensor is worth the investment.
Strava Run fitness app taps iPhone 5s motion co-processor for longer battery life
If you were placing bets on when the first app using the iPhone 5S' M7 motion co-processor would arrive, it's time to cash in. Strava Run, the fitness application that lets you score your suffering (no, really), was recently updated to include auto-pause that relies on Apple's new silicon, allowing a time-out on your activity when it senses you aren't moving. The application also uses less juice now, which should make your iPhone a little more prepared for a marathon. You, on the other hand, may need to recharge somewhere during those 26.2 miles.
Hammerhead LED-based bike navigation keeps you on the righteous paths (video)
Developer Hammerhead Navigation thinks it has the solution to safer cycling: LEDs. It created a bike-mounted tool that does everything with its flashing diodes: turn-by-turn navigation, suggests crowd sourced-paths (via Strava and MapMyRide) and will even point you to the nearest Citibike exchange. The unit pairs with your iPhone or Android's GPS to help find invisible bike trails through your city, and supposedly it can function without a data connection -- perfect if you're a desert cyclist. A $75 pledge ($70 if you act fast) will get you one gizmo, or a $140 promise will get you two. You like to spoil your riding buddy now and again, don't you?
Five apps to follow the final stages of the Tour de France
After kicking off at the end of June, the 2,000 mile Tour de France is coming to an end this weekend. These last few days of the tour will take the cyclists into beautiful Versailles and across the finish line in Paris on the Champs-Élysées. Use these five apps below to follow the leaders as they make their way through the final stages of the race. Tour De France 2013, presented by ŠKODA [iOS Universal; Category: Sports; £0.69] Follow all the Tour de France action in the official Tour de France app. This app is available in select European countries. US customers should use the NBC app listed below. If you live in another country, check this list on the official Tour de France website for the local TV broadcasters which will be covering the race. NBC Sports Tour de France Live [iOS Universal; Category: Sports; US$4.99] Watch every stage of the Tour de France live on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Available for cycling fans in the US. CyclingNews Tour Tracker [iOS Universal; Category: Sports; Free] Tour Tracker lets you follow the three major European Grand Tours including the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a Espana (September 2013). Sportal Tour 2013 [iPhone; Category: Sports; Free] Follow the Tour de France for free with Sportal Tour 2013. The app features video highlights of each stage, top 20 results per stage, rider profiles and more. Tour de France 2013 - The Official Game [iOS Universal; Category: Games; $3.99] A game with a single mission -- lead your team to victory by winning the famed yellow jersey at the end of the Tour.
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.
Recon Jet HUD now available for pre-order in $499 Pilot Edition
Want to embrace Recon Instruments' sunglasses-based vision of the future before it officially reaches store shelves? You can: the company has just started pre-orders for its Jet heads-up display in a $499 Pilot Edition. The inaugural eyewear will come with apps for both cyclists and triathletes, and it should beat the production model to market by several months. There's even a financial incentive for that impatience, as the pricing goes up to $599 on July 21st. If you don't mind a potentially rough experience while tracking your mid-race performance, the Pilot Edition is waiting at the source link.
Adafruit smart helmet guides bike riders with Arduino-based light shows (video)
Bike sharing systems like New York's Citi Bike may be taking off, but it's doubtful that many participants can find every station without checking a map. Thankfully, Adafruit has unveiled a smart helmet project that could help at least a few of those riders get to their destinations while keeping their eyes on the road. The DIY effort feeds locations to an Arduino-based Flora board and its positioning add-ons, which in turn use a string of NeoPixel LEDs on the helmet as turn indicators. Commuters just have to watch for blinking lights to know where to go next. While the system isn't easy to set up when cyclists have to manually enter coordinates, it is flexible: the open-source code lets it adapt to most any bike sharing system or headpiece. As long as you can get over looking like a Christmas tree on wheels while you navigate, you can build a smart helmet of your own using the instructions at the source link.
