Finding a bicycle frame made in America is actually pretty easy. Though most of the big names have sent production overseas, there always seems to be a new hand built frame maker popping up. The same used to hold true for component manufacturers, but it is much harder to find companies that still make their products in the U.S.A. Chris King, Paul Components and Wheels Manufacturing are just a few of the companies that remain, but there are even fewer who still make chainrings. Vuelta USA of Pacoima, California is one of probably less than five companies that still manufacture chainrings in America and may be the only one that offers such an extension selection of sizes. Read the rest of this entry »
Employees at the Google campus will have a new way to zip around. The company has unveiled new GBike, which was created by a team of engineers within the company. It is the result of about 40 submissions in a design competition from company employees, and it will debut later this month.
Google reportedly looked at for design criteria including easy production, affordability, comfort and security. The results is a basic form factor bike that features a beach cruiser design, and that the company has dubbed “Googley” (no word on whether Ned Flanders had input on the name). It features coaster and handbrakes, along with a basket and bell. Google will also reportedly order enough bikes for its 10,000 bikes on its campus. Read the rest of this entry »
Anyone who is ever had to deal with a greasy boyfriend or husband (possibly even girlfriend/wife) knows that by changing gears can be rather messy. To that end Gates Carbon Drive has released a video that touts its “chain replacing technology.”
While rising gasoline prices may have many commuters down, more than 500,000 American employees are now using pedal power to get to the office, and work at a Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB). This is the result of pro cycling leadership in the private and public sector, and this week the League of American Bicyclists announced 67 new BFBs, who joined the ranks of the 412 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies that are transforming the American workplace. Read the rest of this entry »
Electric powered bicycles are helping people commute, but the technology is finally seeing a major shift in the development of the lithium battery industry, reports BusinessInsider. This addresses one of the dirty little secrets of the so-called green technology of electric bikes. At present, a fact which is widely reported, is that the majority of bicycles in the developing world rely on the route are dirty sealed lead acid batteries, rather than the cleaner – and more environmentally friendly – lithium batteries.
According to a recent report from Pike Research, the global market for electric bicycles will climb at an estimated compound annual growth rate of more than seven percent over the next six years, and annual sales of electric bikes will pass 47 million by 2018. Read the rest of this entry »
All off-road trails are not the same, yet there are numerous ways to adjust a mountain bike fork while riding. With the flip of a switch or press of a button a fork can be adjusted to accommodate trail conditions. Tire pressure remains another issue. To actually change tire pressure typically requires the rider to stop to add or release air from the tires. ADAPTRAC has another solution, and its designers have created a new system that allows writers to actually inflate or deflate tire pressure well in motion. Read the rest of this entry »
Despite its name, the Midget Bushtrekka from Kamp-Rite isn’t just for little people. It is actually a bicycle trailer-mounted pop up tent. It weighs 56 pounds but offers up to 48 gallons of storage space, and is designed to go off road, and can be towed by bicycles with real sizes ranging from 20 to 29 inches. As a tent they can be erected atop the trailer, measuring 90 inches long by 32 inches wide, and offering 40 inches of headspace. This doesn’t offer a lot of room for a guest, but as a one-man tent they could beat sleeping on the ground. additional images
We’ve been seeing a number of new methods to deliver music to those riding a bicycle, and this week we came across the Otus Mini-Speakers, which mount to the wearer’s helmet. These resemble traditional earbuds, but the 15-watt speakers are not actually designed to go into the years. Instead these are applied to hang just above the ears. Videos after the jump
Suiting up for a sport takes on a whole new meaning when you’re talking about slipping into G-Form protective apparel. The flexible yet strong padding withstands a surprising amount of impact. Now there’s three new garments in the G-Form line to help keep you covered when out on the field, trail, or wherever your activities take you. G-Form just introduced the Sternum Shirt, Crash Shorts and Protective Compression Shirt. Read the rest of this entry »
This past Sunday’s episode of The Simpsons, showed the efforts patriarch would go to avoid working out while watching TV on his treadmill. Fortunately, someone else has devised a way of turning Mario Kart into real exercise. The SMKCycle transforms an exercise bike to work as an SNES controller, where pedaling will hold the A button down to accelerate and make Mario’s kart go.
Well we would still prefer a real bike ride, at least this adds some exercise to playing with Mario.
We’ve seen numerous ways to bring tunes to a workout, but riding a bike with headphones can be dangerous especially in traffic. A good alternative could be the SleekSpeak, a wireless, high-powered speaker that delivers full range of music at over 80 dB directly from the handlebars.
Unlike other bulky handlebar mounted speaker systems, the SleekSpeak offers a small form factor in a rubberized cube. Music can be streamed from a portable music player or smart phone via Bluetooth, and can run for up to 12 hours on a single charge. The device isn’t ready for prime time just yet but is part of a Kickstarter project, and we hope to see this sleek speaker real soon! Video after the jump
There are bicycle horns and then there are serious bicycle horns! DYIer Chad Thoren – known to his friends (and apparently foes alike) as The Chadster – outfitted his bicycle with a dual trumpet horn from the locomotive! He connected the born to a tank filled with compressed air, which he says produces much louder results that you get by just honking up the horn to an air compressor.
No doubt this had some serious weight to his cruiser bicycle, but is the video shows we doubt anyone won’t know The Chadster is coming! Video after the jump
Employees at the Google campus will have a new way to zip around. The company has unveiled new GBike, which was created by a team of engineers within the company. It is the result of about 40 submissions in a design competition from company employees, and it will debut later this month.
While rising gasoline prices may have many commuters down, more than 500,000 American employees are now using pedal power to get to the office, and work at a Bicycle Friendly Business (BFB). This is the result of pro cycling leadership in the private and public sector, and this week the League of American Bicyclists announced 67 new BFBs, who joined the ranks of the 412 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies that are transforming the American workplace. 
Electric powered bicycles are helping people commute, but the technology is finally seeing a major shift in the development of the lithium battery industry, reports BusinessInsider. This addresses one of the dirty little secrets of the so-called green technology of electric bikes. At present, a fact which is widely reported, is that the majority of bicycles in the developing world rely on the route are dirty sealed lead acid batteries, rather than the cleaner – and more environmentally friendly – lithium batteries.
All off-road trails are not the same, yet there are numerous ways to adjust a mountain bike fork while riding. With the flip of a switch or press of a button a fork can be adjusted to accommodate trail conditions. Tire pressure remains another issue. To actually change tire pressure typically requires the rider to stop to add or release air from the tires. ADAPTRAC has another solution, and its designers have created a new system that allows writers to actually inflate or deflate tire pressure well in motion. 
Despite its name, the Midget Bushtrekka from Kamp-Rite isn’t just for little people. It is actually a bicycle trailer-mounted pop up tent. It weighs 56 pounds but offers up to 48 gallons of storage space, and is designed to go off road, and can be towed by bicycles with real sizes ranging from 20 to 29 inches. As a tent they can be erected atop the trailer, measuring 90 inches long by 32 inches wide, and offering 40 inches of headspace. This doesn’t offer a lot of room for a guest, but as a one-man tent they could beat sleeping on the ground. 
We’ve been seeing a number of new methods to deliver music to those riding a bicycle, and this week we came across the Otus Mini-Speakers, which mount to the wearer’s helmet. These resemble traditional earbuds, but the 15-watt speakers are not actually designed to go into the years. Instead these are applied to hang just above the ears. 
Elevengear new jersey
Suiting up for a sport takes on a whole new meaning when you’re talking about slipping into G-Form protective apparel. The flexible yet strong padding withstands a surprising amount of impact. Now there’s three new garments in the G-Form line to help keep you covered when out on the field, trail, or wherever your activities take you. G-Form just introduced the Sternum Shirt, Crash Shorts and Protective Compression Shirt. 
There are bicycle horns and then there are serious bicycle horns! DYIer Chad Thoren – known to his friends (and apparently foes alike) as The Chadster – outfitted his bicycle with a dual trumpet horn from the locomotive! He connected the born to a tank filled with compressed air, which he says produces much louder results that you get by just honking up the horn to an air compressor.
