If you’re going to commute on a bike it shouldn’t have to be a beater. The James Perse City Cruiser is a custom built single speed that will have you riding to work in style. It features a chromoly steel frame that is equipped with a flip-flop rear hub – so riders can do the ‘fixie’ thing or be able to coast. There are of course front and rear brakes, while leather grips and a canvas-infused rubber saddle will add to the comfort during the ride to the office.
One Street Makes the Shift
Our friend Sue Knaup, executive director of One Street, has updated on the progress on the efforts to bring out the simple Bike Shift Lever. The group has been working to develop and produce easy to use, easy to repair bike components. It seems like progress is really being made.
The long hunt for a machine shop willing and happy to make our permanent casting mold for our Bike Shift Levers, has finally come to an end. They will begin machining the first mold out of steel this week at their shop in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m thrilled that we have finally reached this next important step in the production process to create these simple, durable shift levers designed for people who rely on their bicycle every day.
This first mold will be a prototype marked as “Mold #1 2014” so that the shift levers I produce with it here in Prescott will be collector quality, sent only to supporters of our Kickstarter campaign last October. With their feedback, we will adjust the mold design so that the next mold will be ready for full production.
If all goes well, I should be using that second mold here in Prescott to produce shift levers for sale by late summer. At that point, we’ll also be ready to sign up license partners who are prepared to buy in and receive their own mold for producing these shift levers for their region of the world.
Scosche Makes a Splash
Scosche’s new boomBOTTLE H2O won’t help you stay hydrated but it will provide the tunes while you get wet and wild. The durable, IP67 waterproof and dustproof rated device features an up-firing 50mm speaker and passive subwoofer, 33 foot Bluetooth range, and up to 11 hours of continuous playback with its rechargeable battery. It even offers a unique bottle shape so that it fits perfectly in water bottle cages and cup holders. It is rated to be submerged for up to 30 minutes, but hat shouldn’t be a problem because it has been designed to float if it falls overboard.
OGIO Goes to Gotham
We heard about OGIO’s Gotham line of golf bags earlier this year. These were unveiled in January at the PGA 2014 Merchandise Show in Orlando, Fla., the Stand Bag and Cart Bag feature OGIO’s cutting-edge, revolutionary design and technology. The bags are now arriving at retail and you don’t need to be Batman to pick one up.
“There is a lot more to golf than driving for show and putting for dough; golfers today want to represent ‘their look’,” commented Tom Gocke, OGIO’s Global Golf VP. “Combined with a proprietary blend of exotic water, stain repellent fabrics and evolutionary construction techniques, the Gotham golf bag collection delivers a head turning appearance with a feather-light feel.”
The bag collection reduces the zippers to make for a sleek design, while it offers six interior protected pockets for easy access to balls, tees, valuables and any additional golf gear. And yet this bag weights less than four pounds and features OGIO’s four point-strap system and 7-way Holster performance top with side putter pit. We noted this could appeal to a particular caped crusader when we first heard about the bag. If Batman were going to play golf we’d expect him to have some super hero worthy golf bag and the Gotham golf bag collection might just be it. And yeah, we think Robin would make one good caddy.
Lure It In
Fish finders will let you locate the fish but you still need to lure ‘em in. The Nano Lure could help you catch the big ones. This does away with casting and reeling and replaces live bait with a robotic fish. It features an integrated sensor that activates once it is in the water, and it automatically cycles between slow, medium and fast swimming to mimic actual fish.
The Nano Lure was developed by Raul Chacon, a Dallas-based designer, and he has cast a line on Kickstarter and is looking to lure in investors for his unique fishing concept. Video after the jump
Go for Boker
Simple is truly underrated, but the Boker Plus Albatros Knife might just change that perception. This simple steel blade is housed within two thick plates of titanium to keep the weight down while still being one strong knife. Unfolded it is nearly seven inches of serious cutting power for the campsite, hiking trial or even the backyard.
All Caps
Prois has introduced a new line of mesh caps for this year’s summertime adventures. These caps are low profile, unstructured and mesh backed to help keep the wearer cool under pressure and under the hot sun.
Manly Capris
Capris pants might not seem likely the manliest of pants, but in this “in-between” cool and warm weather, some rock climbers might want more of their legs covered without constricting movement. The Patagonia Men’s Rock Craft Capris will do the trick, as these are made of lightweight stretch-woven nylon with moisture-shedding DWR (durable water repellent) finish and feature 40-UPF sun protection. They cover more of the leg but still provide plenty of movement.
Krack Up
Skate culture is one that we truly could say has many “old school” elements, but a new start-up dubbed Krack is looking to change things. The wearables company is looking to bring fitness tracking to the board culture. This isn’t as easy as it sounds as skateboarding is a technical sport that involves many quick and precise movements.
Krack’s new system includes tiny sensors that attach to the bottom of a skateboard, and these feature a gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer to collect data, while an algorithms is able to make sense of it. The big question of course is why? The answer is that this could allow skaters to track progress – and possibly allow it to be used to show off their skills even if someone didn’t witness the skater in motion. It could also be used to enhance the skateboarding community through social media.
More Than a Moment of Silence
Throughout North America tomorrow cyclists will take to the roads in a slow, silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road, and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees.
Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road. Since its inception, the ride now includes 372 listed locations worldwide. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, which is held during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for and honor the lives of those who have been killed or injured.
Earth Wear
Whether it is the end of the world or just a normal outing Timberland will have you covered with its new Earthkeeprs Abington Field Coat, which offers a military styled cut blended with classic outdoor style. With four pockets for your stuff this cotton jacket might be the one you want for just about any outdoor excursion, adventure or journey.
Wiggle Room
The DHB Goldline is Wiggle’s new premium line of cycling bibs, jsereys and shorts – yet could be an a truly affordable option for cyclists this summer. The kit is reportedly lighter than most, and it is available in practically any color you’d like – as long as it is black.
[Via BikeRadar: Wiggle DHB Goldline premium bibs and jerseys launched]
Strength Through Numbers
There are plenty of fitness monitors that track calories and activity during a cardio workout – but most times those looking to increase strength and conditioning (S&C) are left without such digital aides. Push Strength is a start up that is looking to change this.
While heart rate monitors are typically worn on the chest, the Push system utilized a strap that goes around the arm – and in can track reps & sets, force, power, balance, speed and even be used to answer the phone remotely. This could prove there is strength in numbers.