Cyclists are odd people. We like to support our favorite professional racer, team or country, but many of us shy away from wearing the team jersey or kit since we do not actually race for them. This certainly isn’t the case w ...
Just over six months has past since writing a post regarding my 2011 Mooto X YBB bike build that ran last summer. That 2011 Moots should have been a keeper and still hanging in my garage, but shortly after the post went live, ...
Having a tire go flat on a bike is not a pleasant experience. The resulting situation can range from a minor inconvenience to a major catastrophe. A majority of the time it is just an annoyance that interrupts the momentum of ...
Last month we profiled the innovative Wheelblades, which essentially allow a user in a wheelchair to better travel over snow and ice. Patrick Mayer, the visionary behind this technology, told us how he hopes it can improve th ...
Why would anyone want to ride a single-speed? I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that question in the nearly 15 years that a single-speed mountain bike has been hanging in my stable of bikes. Having been a longtime ...
Written by Peter Suciu on 14 February 2012
Over the years the concept of “folding” has been applied to numerous outdoor activity products – notably folding bicycles. So why not folding skis? This is the idea behind MTN Approach, which has developed the first (that we know of anyway) folding skis.
And here is the twist, these skis aren’t really meant for skiers but for snowboarders and as such aren’t really for the downhill aspect of the sport. It would be easy to see the company create a product that was meant to be used for hikers and others to climb up on foot and descend on the folding skis. But MTN Approach is taking another approach entirely. These skis, equipped with special skins, are designed to meant to help skiers climb a mountain and glide over short downhill sections. We first previewed the skis last summer, and now its seems these are finally making their winter debut. More images and video after the jump
Tags: Cory Smith, folding skis, MTN Approach, powder, ski, Skins, snowboard
Posted in concept, Outdoors, Snow Sports | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 14 February 2012
While winter is still doing its thing, gamers can get a jump on getting fit right from the living room, as Majesco Entertainment’s latest workout game, Zumba Fitness Rush has arrived. The game promises to be the most technologically advanced and feature-rich addition to the Zumba Fitness franchise. This new title is available exclusively on Kinect for the Xbox 360. Video footage after the jump
Tags: Kinect, Majesco Entertainment, Microsoft, Video Games, Xbox 360, Zumba Fitness Rush
Posted in General | No Comments »
Written by Louis Ramirez on 13 February 2012
Cisco may think the pocket camcorder is dead, but that isn’t stopping Sony from updating its Bloggie line of dedicated video shooters. The company’s latest model, the Bloggie Sport, is a ruggedized shooter that’s shock proof, dirt resistant, and waterproof down to 16 feet.
It features a 2.7″ touchscreen (which is still functional when the Bloggie is submerged 16 feet under) and can capture 1080p video as well as 5-megapixel stills, all of which is stored on the Bloggie’s 4GB of onboard memory. For those with clumsy hands, the camcorder can also survive drops of up to 5 feet. A hidden flip-out USB arm lets you connect directly to a computer or you can bypass your PC and connect directly to an HDTV using the Bloggie’s built-in HDMI port.
Can’t wait to upload your videos? Sony also offers the more advanced Bloggie Live HD which has a 3″ touchscreen, 8GB of storage, 12-megapixel still capability, and built-in Wi-Fi, which lets you stream straight to Qik Video. However, the Live model loses all the ruggedness of the Bloggie Sport. Both the Live and Sport are currently available for $249 and $179 respectively.
Sony Bloggie Sport Official Product Page
Sony Bloggie Live Official Product Page
Tags: Bloggie, Camcorder, rugged camcorder, Sony, Sony Bloggie, Sony Bloggie Live, Sony Bloggie Sport
Posted in Gadget, Outdoors, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 13 February 2012
Click image for a closer look
There could be a new Detour for cyclists, but not the kind you might think. Actually Detour is a Seattle-based company that makes seat bags, panniers and cycling bags, and as expected from the Pacific Northwest these are all designed to stand up to wet weather.
A new product that we heard about was the Coffee Bag – fitting as again the company is from Seattle. But it isn’t for the morning cup of the brown stuff. Instead it is a waterproof bag that features a two-point attachment system so it can be mounted behind a seat or on the top tube. It offers 100cubic inches of storage but can also be tucked into a water bottle cage if necessary.
Our friends at BikeRadar.com noted that there will be “five blends” available, including the : California, The Highway 1 blend; Washington, The Evergreen blend; Minnesota, The 10,000 lake blend; Maine, The Lighthouse blend; and Colorado, The Mile High blend. The bags will be available for $24 as part of the 2012 line – and given the price of gourmet coffee this might be a steal!
Detour Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Detours cycling bags – First look]
Tags: Coffee Bag, Cycling, cycling bag, Detour, pannier
Posted in Cycling, Low Tech, Outdoors | No Comments »
Written by Les Shu on 13 February 2012
Salomon S-Lab Sense from iRunFar.com
Few of us get to try out the latest running shoes until they hit store shelves, and by then the manufacturers are already prepping to release the next big thing. If you’re a professional athlete, however, the manufacturers may use you as a “test bed” and design a special pair just for you. And, sometimes, the press gets an early look at such shoes.
That’s the case with the folks at iRunFar.com, who received an advanced preview of Salomon’s S-Lab Sense running shoes, designed for Spanish runner Kilian Jornet. Jornet won the North Face 100 and subsequent victories last year wearing these shoes. The shoes are lightweight and made to race 100 miles or more with a 4mm heel-to-toe drop (9mm in the forefoot and 13mm in the heel), with unique protection built in. Hit the link to read more of iRunFar.com’s review.
iRunFar.com: Salomon S-Lab Sense Preview
[Via Ultra168: Should the Other Shoe Companies Give Up Now?]
Tags: Kilian Jornet, long-distance running, Running Shoes, Salomon S-Lab Sense, trail running
Posted in Apparel, Footwear, Outdoors, Running | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 13 February 2012
Rugged cameras are the thing this season and Pentax Ricoh Imaging has unveiled its new line-up, which includes the Pentax Optio WG-2 and Optio WG-2 GPS digital compact cameras. Both models are waterproof to 40 feet, and of course are dust-proof, shock resistant to a drop of five feet and are freeze-proof to 14° F.
The WG-2 series offers a wide-angle 5x (28-140mm 35mm equivalent) internal optical zoom lens, 3-inch LCD screen and hardened cover with SP coating. The cameras feature digital movie shake reduction, fast face detection, focus assist lamp, smile capture and blink detection. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: GPS, Optio WG-2, Optio WG-2 GPS, Pentax, Pentax Ricoh Imaging, SportMount Chest Harness
Posted in Gadget, GPS, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 13 February 2012
Google has many eyeballs on its search engine, as well as eyeballs on its mobile Android OS and of course eyes on the Google Chrome browser. Now it seems Google may be looking to get eyes looking through sporty looking eyewear too. Rumors have been circulating that Google Glasses could be on the way, offering an HUD screen on one lens to see a miniature screen, and earbuds to listen to music and make calls.
While not exactly designed for sports, these could offer benefits the in future for athletes, providing speed, calories and other information directly to the glasses so eyes are never off the road (or in many cases the prize). Let’s just hope people don’t think they can watch a bike race while out on a ride with these!
[Via AndroidCommunity: Rumor: Google’s Android-based HUD glasses getting public trials soon]
Tags: Android, eyewear, glasses, Google, HUD Glasses
Posted in concept, Personal Electronics, Software | 1 Comment »
Written by Les Shu on 12 February 2012
Hey, where did everybody go? (Photo courtesy of Vagabond Shutterbug)
It’s February, we’re well into the year, and there’s no turning back. Which begs the question, how are your fitness goals coming along? Have you been going to the gym regularly since you signed up during the New Year? Have you stayed true to your resolutions? If you said no, you’re not alone. Most of us make unrealistic goals for ourselves, according to Purdue University.
It’s not rocket science: people give up on fitness because they have no goals to begin with, they make unrealistic goals, or they lack the knowledge, motivation, discipline or tools to achieve their goals without injury, according to Lane Yahiro, clinical professor and director of the A.H. Ismail Center for Health, Exercise and Nutrition at Purdue University.
Yahiro offers some very easy tips to stay focus if people wish to get fit. One, be accountable, and exercise with someone with a similar schedule to help you with accountability. “I am a firm believer in having accountability,” Yahiro said. “Having an accountability partner does wonders, especially if the partner is just as excited about exercising.”
Second, establish exercise goals that can be reachable. Yahiro says working with a personal trainer can help you create realistic goals. “Personal trainers should set up daily training session objectives that will help the client work toward reaching both short- and long-term goals. An accountability partner can also work with you in this way.” (In our experience, many personal trainers are expensive and lack the proper training. Before you work with a trainer, make sure they are certified and understand your needs.)
Third, keep track of your progress.
These aren’t bulletproof tips that will guarantee a fit body, but exercise requires motivation, so don’t set the bar too high for yourself.
Tags: A.H. Ismail Center, Exercising, Fitness, fitness goals, purdue university
Posted in Exercise, General | No Comments »
Written by KineticShift on 11 February 2012
Snow Circles
Sonja Hinrichsen, an artist from San Francisco, recently turned some high-alpine tundra in Steamboat into her personal canvas. Video and more stories after the jump
Tags: Cycling, Empire State Building, Endurance Films, Running, ski, Snow Circles, Sonja Hinrichsen, Steamboat, USA Cycling
Posted in Cycling, Outdoors, Running, Snow Sports | No Comments »
Written by Brian O'Connor on 10 February 2012
Vew-Do Balance Boards - The Zone Balance Pro
One of the best ways to avoid injury, sports related or not, is to have strong core muscles; and my wife reminds of this when I am doing an activity that might injury my back. “Hold your stomach muscles,” is the statement that she often repeats to me and she is right. Over the past year, strengthening those core muscles has become part of my workout routine and it has really helped. I have had less cycling related back injuries and I find that my back feels less ‘tweaked’ after a good day in the saddle.
There are many was to strengthen your core, from basic home exercises to specific Core Conditioning classes offered by some gyms. Along with these exercises or classes another device can be used will help you strengthen you core, improve your balance and is fun - a balance board. Vew-Do of Vermont has been designing and manufacturing balance boards for exercise, rehabilitation and just plan fun since 1990. Videos after the jump
Tags: Balance Board, Core training, Made in America, Skateboard, snowboard, strength training, Vew-Do
Posted in General, Low Tech, Made in America, Made in the USA, SIA | No Comments »
Written by Les Shu on 10 February 2012
Tablet computers must be big business or forecasted to be, since every manufacturer seems to have one or a few in their lineup (although it’s hard to tell if any of them are lucrative, since Apple’s iPad still dominates this market). Enter the latest contender, the Trimble Yuma from SDG Systems. Unlike other tablets that run on familiar operating systems like iOS, Android, or Windows, the Trimble Yuma uses Ubuntu Linux.
The Trimble Yuma, to clarify, is not completely new. A version that uses Windows 7 already exists. What’s new is the use of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Netbook Edition Linux, which SDG added based on customer demand. It’s also designed for military and industrial applications. Starting at $3,695, this is not for the general consumer. SDG will also customize the unit with a different version of Linux for a fee.
In addition to a 7-inch display that works in sunlight, a magnesium alloy shell, a solid-state drive, and military-grade resistance to various environment conditions, the Trimble Yuma’s is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor, like the ones found in many netbook computers. Also built-in are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, two cameras, GPS, and two card slots.
Like we said, this isn’t for the most of us, unless your activities frequently take you to places like the Gobi Desert.
SDG Systems Official Website
[PCWorld: Ready for Another Linux Tablet? Meet the Rugged Trimble Yuma]
Tags: rugged tablet computer, SDG Systems, Trimble Yuma, Ubuntu Linux
Posted in Computing, Outdoors, Personal Electronics | No Comments »
Written by Peter Suciu on 10 February 2012
The Euphoria (top) and the Zelix (bottom) - the first two boards from the Shape Shack
If the shape of a snowboard wasn’t important to performance boards would probably look like flat – well boards! But shape is important, Colorado-based Venture Snowboards isn’t just going back to the drawing board, it is introducing its new experimental division, the Shape Shack, with the goal of coming up with odd yet funcation board designs that other companies haven’t thought of yet. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: concept, Euphoria, Shape Shack, snowboard, Venure Snowboards, Zelix
Posted in concept, Research, Snow Sports | No Comments »
Written by Les Shu on 10 February 2012
Ever wonder who actually buys those bulky, rugged, military-grade computers? Why, the military, of course! Getac, a maker of rugged computers, and NCS Technologies, which makes “mission-specific” computers and some Getac products under license, announced that the U.S. Air Force has selected the Getac B300 fully rugged notebook computer as part of its Quantum Enterprise Buy (QEB) program, in the Fully Rugged Laptop category.
The QEB selection process evaluates each vendor’s products for quality, performance, price, and compatibility with the USAF’s strict security requirements. Getac said, “The B300 rugged notebook computer was selected for the program for meeting those stringent requirements while delivering performance, reliability, and consistent ability to withstand the harshest work and environmental conditions.”
So, what’s in a B300? You’ll find a 2.5-GHz Intel Core i5 processor, the industry’s brightest 1400 NITs QuadraClear display, 100mw high-power Wi-Fi, a 120GB SSD drive with 128-bit encryption, and a dual-battery configuration for up to 30 hours. The B300, which will be built by NCS, will be available through the QEB program in June 2012.
What does this all mean to you? Probably nothing, but if you are shopping for a rugged portable computer that can handle the elements and meets requirements to satisfy the Air Force, we point you toward the B300.
Getac Official Website
[Marketwire Press Release: United States Air Force Selects Getac B300 for QEB Fully Rugged Laptop Category]
Tags: Getac B300, Military, military grade, NCS Technologies, rugged computer, U.S. Air Force
Posted in Computing | No Comments »
