KineticShift » Cycling

NuVinci Harmony Shifts Gears

Peter Suciu — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:33:53 +0000

Just as an automatic transmission shifts at what the engine considers the optimum moment, the NuVinci Harmony intelligent drivetrain for bicycles could change truly be a shift in cycling. This first continuously variable shifting system, which was created by Fallbrook Technologies, has recently won the Bicycle Innovation Award at FietsVAK 2012 show in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The NuVinci Harmony incorporates technology included in NuVinci CVP bicycle drivetrains. The initial commercially available NuVinci drivetrain model won the Bicycle Innovation Award at FietsVAK 2007.

The NuVinci Harmony is available in two controller versions – a Base and Advanced, which can be customized by the rider depending on desired comfort. The Harmony Base Controller (pictured above) provides a simple push-button controller with three pre-set cadence settings – essentially slow, medium and fast. This automatic-only system intelligently manages the ride by shifting (automatically) to maintain the pedal cadence that the rider selects.

The Harmony Advanced Controller (left) offers both fully automatic and manual shifting options, where a button switches between modes. In “Automatic” mode, the Harmony system controller automatically and continuously adjusts the drive ratio to maintain the rider’s selected cadence, while the rider is also offered the ability to select and adjust a preferred cadence set point while riding by simply twisting the shifter. In this “Manual” operation the rider uses the twist grip to change the specific ratio of the NuVinci CVP.

The NuVinci Harmony Intelligent Drivetrain is truly in gear.

Official Fallbrook Technologies NuVinci Harmony Website

Orbea Bikes to Grow With Riders

KineticShift — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:00:40 +0000

One problem for many children (and even more so for their parents) is that bikes can be outgrown quickly and a bike that is too small can be as much of a problem as a bike that is too big. But Spanish bike maker Orbea has introduced something that allows growing children to have a bike that will the right size a bit longer.

While kids will grow, so will the Grow, a new line of bikes designed specially to grow with the rider. While most bikes allow for a seat to come up, the Grow also allows for the frame to be expanded as well, and this can result in a good fit for three to five years, and the bikes come in four sizes so once a frame is truly outgrown, parents can step up to the next size and let the kid grow with it.

Orbea Grow Official Website
[Via BikeRumor: Orbea Releases Grow – Bicycles For Children That Size Up]

Interbike 2012: Gran Fondo to be Grand Indeed

KineticShift — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:33:06 +0000

Every Interbike is special to us of course, but the 2012 trade show for all things bicycle will see something truly unique as the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has announced that the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will again begin on the Las Vegas Strip and century riders will have the opportunity to ride over the Hoover Dam, and the event will take place on Saturday, September 22, the day after the Interbike Trade Show ends at the Sands Expo Center.

“We look forward to offering riders a unique and exciting ride from the famous Las Vegas Strip to the iconic Hoover Dam in this year’s RTC Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo,” said Jacob Snow, RTC general manager in a statement. “We are proud to welcome cyclists from across the country and around the world to Las Vegas every year to ride in Viva Bike Vegas. This year, we are especially pleased to partner with Interbike and invite its exhibitors and attendees to join us for our fifth annual event.”

All riders will again have the unique opportunity to begin their ride under the bright lights of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo will feature three spectacular routes – 118, 72, and 17-mile courses – for cyclists of all skill levels taking riders from the Las Vegas Strip to the vistas of the Red Rock

Rider registration for the RTC 2012 Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo is available online now, and proceeds from Viva Bike Vegas will again benefit local charities.

Viva Bike Vegas Gran Fondo Official Website
Interbike Official Website

Hike, Bike and More With X-Alp Shoes

Peter Suciu — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:36:51 +0000

Mountain bike shoes are good for mountain biking and not so good for hiking, while hiking or trail shoes don’t always work so well on the bike. What’s a multi-sport athlete to do? The answer is to consider the Pearl Izumi X-Alp series.

The newest model, the Seek IV WRX is a $130 mountain bike shoe that will let you clip in when you need, offering a stiff nylon plate to make sure there is adequate power transfer, while still offering padding and a bit of flexibility to be used as trail shoes. These are still hybrids so the WRX aren’t going to be better on the bike than dedicated mountain bike shoes, nor will these replace trail runners. But for those who want to be able to hike and bike with a single pair of shoes, these will do the trick very well.

Pearl Izumi Official Website
[Via GearJunkie: Bike, Run, Hike: New Do-All Shoe]

Move Over Folding Bike

KineticShift — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:04:38 +0000

Folding bikes have been around for years, and while there is no denying that the bikes can be easy to store, transport and of course ride there is another issue. What about having stuff like gloves and more importantly a helmet? This can make for a handful

And even if you ride a regular bike there is the issue of trying to store a helmet when you’re not around. You can lock up a helmet with a bike, but it can be easily damaged. So it means having yet another thing to worry about. Or you could have a helmet that folds up! Agency 360 designed the Overade folding helmet back in 2010, and it will reportedly go into production this year.

The helmet is small enough to be tossed in a bag, and should by accounts offer as much protection as a regular helmet. This will be one we’d like to put to the test when it unfolds later this year.

Agency 360 Official Website
[Via Ubergizmo: Overade folding bike helmet is convenient]

Bike Valet For Your Living Room

KineticShift — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:04:14 +0000

Let’s face it, if you love your bike you probably could look at it all day. Some bikes not only look like fine art but come darn close to costing as much! And yet, many times bikes are leaned against the wall, or hung upside down from hooks that could just as easily be used for a ladder in the garage.

If that’s outrageous, and you know you want to show off your bike, consider the Bike Valet, and over-and-under cantilevered mount that uses gravity to keep the rear end of the bicycle’s top tube resting on the upper surface, which in turn has the front end swing up and press against ht underside of the other arm. The bike is firmly held in place, and while it will work with unique tubing of carbon fiber frames, it does require the traditional diamond design – thus an old-school “girl’s bike” won’t hang so neatly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1gyatggKFc

Bike Valet, which is currently raising funds via a Kickstarter program, is the brainchild of Sacramento furniture designers Steven Tiler and Stephanie Birch. Apparently if you “kick” in $75 now, you’ll get one when they hit production – selling for $95 later.

KickStarter: The Bike Valet – Art, meet Function…

Suit Up After Un-Suitpack’in

KineticShift — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 10:44:57 +0000

What do you do if you cycle to work but need to “suit up” at the office? Well, you could try riding the bike with a suit on, or you could jam said suit in backpack. There is also the option of leaving the suit at the office – but the Cambridge Design Partnership has another solution – introducing the Suitpack, a special rucksack deisgned to provide a crease-free solution for cycle commuters. The still in prototype design allows for clothing to stay neat and clean as you ride to work. Shower not included, but if you have a way of getting cleaned up, you’ll have a suit that is ready to wear.

Cambridge Design: Suitpack rucksack design provides crease-free solution to cycle-commuting

Thursday Reading List (1/26/2012)

KineticShift — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:37:10 +0000

Outdoor Retailer Show Growing!

Welcome to the Thursday reading list. The trade shows continue, we’ve already seen new products come out of the Consumer Electronics Show and SHOT Show and it seems that this week’s Outdoor Retailer Show is outgrowing its home in Salt Lake City reports KSL.com, which noted (video above):

The Salt Palace Convention Center has expanded twice to host the show. The outdoor industry, and all the products associated with it, just keeps growing, and more and more companies want to be a part of this show every year. It’s kind of a nice problem to have, companies say.

[Via KSL.com: Outdoor Retailer outgrowing Salt Palace, considering options]

Helmet News

Helmets save lives says a new study released in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics. For winter activities the study recommends hockey or bike helmets over Alpine (ski) helmets.

Researchers at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Ottawa, Canada, performed a study to determine how well available protective headgear would fare when used for winter activities.

[Via Physical Therapy Products: Hockey and Bicycle Helmets Provide Best Protection in Outdoor Activities, Study Finds]

More on the helmet study: Hockey helmets are likely the best protection for younger children when tobogganing, according to a study by the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).

[Via Epoch Times: Hockey Helmets More Effective for Kids When Tobogganing, Study Finds]

And can bike helmets be used when a twister appears? Possibly.

Researchers at the University of Alabama-Birmingham are recommending bike helmets for people taking shelter from tornadoes.

[Via Inforum: Bicycle helmets can provide protection during tornadoes]

OGIO Designer Bags Goes for Endurance

Enid Burns — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:41:14 +0000

Designer sports bag and apparel company OGIO just released its OGIO Endurance Collection. The line has bags that address the needs runners, swimmers, triathletes, cyclists, downhill mountain bikers and other athletes in endurance sports and competitions.

The seven-bag line is built to provide organization, protection and comfort for athletes taking part in high-intensity workouts and competitions. The line is made with lightweight yet sturdy materials that protect gear, yet make it light enough to carry to a race or location to workout.

OGIO’s flagship bag, the 9.0 Endurance Bag, has several features to keep any athlete organized. The bag includes two molded and lined compartments that provide protection for goggles, sunglasses, heart rate monitors, other electronic devices and fragile goods. Several other compartments include a wet/dry pocket with built-in 360-degree ventilation gussets for wetsuits, swim suits and soiled clothes to keep them separated from the rest of the bag. Shoes get their own ventilated compartment big enough to carry two parts of shoes. Dirty clothes also get their own ventilated compartment that maintains good airflow to keep post-workout clothes from developing that locker room stink.

Six other bags, the 8.0, 7.0, 5.0, 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0, each have similar compartments for organization. Each bag offers advantages for size and sport-specific features. Bags are designed with adjustable shoulder straps that can be worn backpack-style and an integrated carry handle for options when traveling with the bag.

Expect to find the OGIO Endurance Collection in specialty bike, running, and multi-sport stores starting in February.

OGIO Official Website

A New Republic for Bikers

Peter Suciu — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 10:41:01 +0000

Cycling isn’t exactly the sport of kings – and on a bicycle most riders are fairly equal. The concept of Republic Bikes is to let riders do their own thing. And while we’ve seen custom jersey makers, this company offers custom bicycles that riders can even design themselves.

The company, which promises designs as unique as its customers, outfitted Google with a fleet of bikes for its Googleplex in Mountain View, California.

For everyone else Republic offers a 3D bike Shop that allows users to visualize the design in 3D. From the website users can create their own custom bike, decide on color and components and then have it build. Turnaround time varies depending on the complexity of the design, but bikes are assembled in the USA at the Republic distribution center in South Florida and then shipped out.

While not as easy as going to the shop and buying a bike off the rack, this ensure that your bike is very much a bike about you.

Republic Bikes Official Website

Cervélo Offers More Details on the P5

Enid Burns — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 16:46:57 +0000

for a larger image click on the photo

Earlier this week we got a few details and video on the Cervélo P5 triathlon/time trial bike. Now the full details are available on the highly-anticipated bike.

As we mentioned, the frameset features a BBright bottom bracket. The frameset also includes skin surfaces tuned for each AeroZone to optimize airflow and make the P5 aerodynamic. Cervélo reports the new P5 frameset shaves up to 30 seconds in a 40-kilometer time trial. A compliment to the BBright bottom bracket, ComfortPly technology removes unnecessary material to reduce vibration and improve ride quality.

click for larger image

Cervélo designed and 3T manufactured an integrated aduro aerobar that hides all cables and eliminates drag. Engineered cable paths minimize bends and maximize shifting performance. The Aduro can be positioned lower than most aero bars and allows for over 11 centimeters of upward adjustment, so you can find a comfortable position for a comfortable spin on race day or any ride.

Cervélo worked with Magura to produce the hydraulics for the brake system, the only tri bike to feature a hydraulic brake system as OEM equipment in 2012. The hydraulic system is both aerodynamic and lighter than standard caliper or disc brake systems. Cervélo says the hydraulic system is zero-maintenance, and for a racer that’s a welcome claim. The hydraulic system provides modulation and strong stopping power. The calipers adjust to fit all wheels, including the newest wide rims.

Often considered minor details, storage and hydration are never forgotten on aerodynamic bikes like the P5. Here’s where drag is further reduced. Cervélo offers a range of sleek and intuitive storage solutions custom designed for the P5. An integral bottle cage mount fits betweek the aerobar pads; a Shimano Di2 battery can be placed inside the frame’s HiddenPocket; nutrition bars and liquids fit in multiple locations.

The Cervélo P5 will be available in March as a frameset for $4,500 to $6,500, which includes aerobars and hydraulic brakes, and a complete bike for $6,000 to $10,000, depending on configuration. Six sizes range from 48 to 61 centimeters. A complete bike with Dura-Ace and hydraulic brakes will cost $6,500 and $10,000 will get you a frameset built with Dura-Ace Di2 and hydraulic brakes.

Cervélo Official Website
Cervélo P5 Website

First Look: Cervelo P5

KineticShift — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:39:49 +0000

This week Cervelo offered a closer look at the new P5 Tri/Time Trial aero bike. What we know so far is that one will be UCI legal, and ready for World Tour competition, while the other will be built to for triathlons. In either confirmation the P5 will include the Bbright asymmetrical bottom bracket, fully hidden internal routing of the cables, including for electronic shifting and a new braking system.

The video below will provide a few more details. The bike will reportedly arrive next month, and while it won’t come cheap, it will certainly be one that will turn heads!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_eRvvXj2O0

Cervelo P5 Official Website

BikeShelf Saves Space

KineticShift — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 10:00:57 +0000

For urban dwellers and those with tight spaces finding room for a bike can be no small task. Italian designers BYografia have introduced a solution in the form of a bookshelf designed for bikes. This allows the bike to be hung from the front wheel, while the accompanying shelves allow for storage of other bike gear – or maybe a few books!

BYografia Official Website
[Via PSFK.com: Bookshelf Bike Rack Offers Cycle Storage Alongside Your Reading Materials]