Currently in development through a Kickstarter project the BikeSpike is being designed as a bicycle GPS that could also offer automatic crash reporting. This small gizmo features a GPS chipset with a built-in antenna, on-board accelerometer and a connection to a global cellular network.
This could allow users to pinpoint the exact location of a bicycle via the web or through a mobile smartphone, and aid law enforcement in recovering a stolen bike. It this way it could digitally lock a bicycle and notify owners if the bike has left its location, or even if it has just fallen or been disturbed. In the event of a crash or collision that is detected by the on-board accelerometer the BikeSpike could contact those on a pre-selected list so that help can be on its way. Video after the jump
Expensive bikes are just magnets for thieves. One solution is to never, ever leave a bike unattended. That isn’t always possible, but fortunately there are those inventors and innovators who are looking at ways to keep our bikes safe.
One such example is the BikeWatch, which is being developed through Indiegogo. This concept device combines an LED light, an alarm and a cable lock. This ensures that riders have a small but durable cable lock for those times when a bike needs to be left for just a minute. If the cable is cut an alarm will sound for 10 minutes at a far more than annoying 105 dB. Attempts to remove the BikeWatch from the bike will get various “warning” alarms as well.
The system also provides a rear “blinky” light that can run for up to 24 hours of continued use. The entire BikeWatch is housed in an IP53 water-resistant housing. The BikeWatch sounds like a good way to protect the bike when a rider can’t actually watch it. Video after the jump
There are times when a serious bike lock is needed and there are times when a simple light duty call will do the job, and fittingly the Party is just the lock. The Knog Party Coil features an 8mm steel braided cable over a fiber core, making for a lock that is flexible yet resistant to cutting. So for those who need to lock up for just a few minutes it might be time Party down.
A bicycle lock is the first (and sometimes best) line of defense against having a bike stolen. No lock will deter every would-be bicycle thief, but a good lock and chain is necessary or those times when you need to leave a bike for “just a second.” The problem is that it often takes longer to lock up the bike than it might to say, drop a letter in the mail at the post office or pick up that takeout order. In those cases locking a bike can be annoying, but still so necessary.
The InterLock, which is now raising funds via a Kickstarter project, could simplify the procedure to lock up one’s bike by including a cable system within the seatpost. This means the lock and cable are with you wherever you go and this system makes looking up the bike a snap. Video after the jump
In case you are still looking for a belated holiday gift for that commuter cyclist, the Mission Bicycle Company has these U-lock Holsters. These handmade holsters will have riders to be quick on the draw.
We first heard about the TiGr lock back in May of 2011, when it was still just a Kickstarter project. But now the TiGr is ready to roar and roll. This 23-inch titanium strap provides a secure lock around the rear wheel and a bike rack, or even street post. Unlike other materials titanium is both strong and flexible – the result is that it can be harder (more difficult) to cut through than steel chains or even a U-Lock. Video after the jump
We’ve seen folding bikes and even folding bike helmets, but the new Abus Bordo 6000 Ecolution is a bike lock that folds up. As with prior models from Abus, the lock can fold into a compact package that can be mounted on the bike or stashed in a pack. The lock unfolds via a series of riveted links making for a variety of locking configurations.
The Bordo line is available in a range of security levels, but the Bordo 6000 Ecolution is designed to be recycled at the end of its life. That’s an odd twist for a product, especially one that most users would want to last forever. Some reviews also note that because it is easy to break down to be recycled it could be all too easy to break when it should be protecting the bike. Read the rest of this entry »
Knog has already impressed us with a few products including bicycle lights, but now the company from down under has some bicycle locks that look like they’d be tough enough for just about any American or Australian city – and probably just about anywhere else short of an actual warzone.
U-locks tend to have weak points that make them easy to break, but the Knog Strongman features a silicone-molded steel frame that passed the Gold Standard for the security-testing firm, Sold Secure. In the company’s own in-house rating it was found that the Strongman was strong indeed – and could be used as a hitch to lift a car. Actually to the company it has a security rating of 90 out of 100, and features a 13mm hardened steel shackle, UV resistant silicone body and high security disc style lock cylinder. Video after the jump
We’re not sure if bicycle theft is a big problem in Taiwan but Cheng-Tsung Feng of the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology. As part of the Department of Industrial and Commercial Design he developed the Pedal Lock, which is exactly what it sounds like – a bicycle lock that is actually two flat platform pedals.
The designers claim that it takes about 13 seconds to install, which seems optimistic given that users have to remove the pedals from the cranks. The idea here is that the two pedals can essentially make a “boot” of sorts for the rear wheel, making it impossible to ride away. Read the rest of this entry »
There is no denying that there are a lot of different concepts with bike locks. We’ve seen a lot of locks, and one issue remains that it means bringing something “extra” along for the ride or daily commute. But Jaryn Miller’s Senza has interesting twist, it is a bike lock that is also the bike’s handle bars.
Essentially, the bars come off the bike and are locked together to form a U-Lock. The idea is that it provides dual security, because if the lock is cut the bike is much harder to ride away with, as there is nothing to hold on to!
We like the idea and think the designers are on to something, but as others have mentioned there are some problems to be resolved. The most notable is that the handle bar has to be durable enough to be a lock and that could add weight for those times when you don’t need to lock the bike. It also means that riders have to like the style of the drop bar – and this could be a problem for the mountain biker who usually prefers a straight bar with bar ends. Read the rest of this entry »
We’ve seen some new designs for bike locks. One new design from TiGr uses a flexible strip of titanium with a lock mechanism. Titanium is a strong metal composite and will likely stand up to the needs of any cyclist. A video on the TiGr web site shows the inventor using a hacksaw to cut through a typical U-Lock, and then the same with a strip of titanium. It took 1:26 to cut through the U-lock, compared to 2:36 and more huffing and puffing to cut through the titanium strip. Read the rest of this entry »
For cramped apartment dwellers, those who live in dorms while away at college, regular commuter or just don’t who don’t trust their roommates, locking up a bike inside can be a problem. Roommates probably won’t want the bike locked to the kitchen table, and office managers may frown on a bike tethered to a desk. But if you can’t keep an eye on your bike you need not worry that out of sight mean out for a joyride.
Rodd Industrial Design in the UK has created two new locking solutions. The first is Armlock, which is great for multi-occupancy houses and apartments where a bike can be stashed in a common hallway. It is fixed and wall mounted, where the frame is placed in the lock, which is then engaged. When not in use the Armlock can be folded back to the wall.
For a less semi-permanent solution there is the Lupin, a flexible sleeve that slides in the door frame near the hinges. A plastic block makes it impossible for the device to slide all the way through and thus provides an anchor. The other end features loops that a bike lock can pass through, making for a handy place to lock a bike. This can turn a utility closet into a handy bike storage locker. Instead of lock and load, this is lock and go.
It’s often difficult to find a bike rack. And when you do, your bike still takes up valuable space on the sidewalk. A German hobby supply company has the answer for you. A stand that raises the bicycle up a lamp post or other pole. So far, this is strictly a DIY project, but this company, Conrad, has the supplies and instructions for you to make your own. Check out how the mechanism works, and how it’s put together (in German).
Currently in development through a Kickstarter project the BikeSpike is being designed as a bicycle GPS that could also offer automatic crash reporting. This small gizmo features a GPS chipset with a built-in antenna, on-board accelerometer and a connection to a global cellular network.
Expensive bikes are just magnets for thieves. One solution is to never, ever leave a bike unattended. That isn’t always possible, but fortunately there are those inventors and innovators who are looking at ways to keep our bikes safe.
There are times when a serious bike lock is needed and there are times when a simple light duty call will do the job, and fittingly the Party is just the lock. The Knog Party Coil features an 8mm steel braided cable over a fiber core, making for a lock that is flexible yet resistant to cutting. So for those who need to lock up for just a few minutes it might be time Party down.
A bicycle lock is the first (and sometimes best) line of defense against having a bike stolen. No lock will deter every would-be bicycle thief, but a good lock and chain is necessary or those times when you need to leave a bike for “just a second.” The problem is that it often takes longer to lock up the bike than it might to say, drop a letter in the mail at the post office or pick up that takeout order. In those cases locking a bike can be annoying, but still so necessary.
In case you are still looking for a belated holiday gift for that commuter cyclist, the Mission Bicycle Company has these U-lock Holsters. These handmade holsters will have riders to be quick on the draw.
We’ve seen folding bikes and even folding bike helmets, but the new Abus Bordo 6000 Ecolution is a bike lock that folds up. As with prior models from Abus, the lock can fold into a compact package that can be mounted on the bike or stashed in a pack. The lock unfolds via a series of riveted links making for a variety of locking configurations.
Knog has already impressed us with a few products including bicycle lights, but now the company from down under has some bicycle locks that look like they’d be tough enough for just about any American or Australian city – and probably just about anywhere else short of an actual warzone.
We’re not sure if bicycle theft is a big problem in Taiwan but Cheng-Tsung Feng of the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology. As part of the Department of Industrial and Commercial Design he developed the Pedal Lock, which is exactly what it sounds like – a bicycle lock that is actually two flat platform pedals.
