Portable Pump

Air-SmithA “word smith” is someone who is often just full of hot air, but the Air Smith ALX pump from Planet Bike is actually something that put a lot of air in a bike tire, yet fit securely in a pocket. It features a rotating valve head and adapter that converts it to presta mode.

As with most portable mini-pumps you’ll still probably be pumping for a while to get the tire filled, but it does beat walking home. However this one offers a rubber hose that extends from the front making that endless pumping a little easier.

Planet Bike Air Smith ALX Official Website

Shocked, Shocked I tell You

Shockmate-2Getting the right pressure in a bicycle fork is key to a good ride; and while many forks come with a pump for those who need a new one the Planet Bike Shockmate 2.0 is a good way to go. It offers a compact design with an alloy construction, swivel hose and pump head and large industrial-grade gauge. It is the sort of shock pump that is totally worth upgrading even if you don’t need to upgrade.

Planet Bike Official Website

National Bike Summit Brings Many Companies Together

We received a press release this week for the National Bike Summit 2011, and our first thought was, “wow, look at all the corporate and group logos.” There were quite a few and this included League of American Bicyclists, Bikes Belong Coalition, Planet Bike, National Bicycle Dealers Association, International Mountain Bicycling Association, Safe Routes: National Center for Safe Routes to School, Alliance for Biking & Walking, Saris Cycling Group, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, Interbike, AAA, My Bike Law, Cycling Mobility, FTA, Bicycle Times, Toue de Cure, Dero Bike Racks, CycleSafe Secure Bicycle Parking, Adventure Cycling, Toole Design Group, Washington Area Bicyclist Association, Rails to Trails Conservancy, QBP, Cat Eye, RBA, The National Center for Bicycling and Walking, Alta Planning & Design and Polar.

What does this really mean? To us, it actually means that the future should be looking very good for those who like to ride bikes. There is always power in numbers, and the coming together of so many cycling groups, companies that make cycling products and even a few groups like AAA in the mix that the power for pedaling should be in full gear.

We’ll be sure to report on the latest news from the National Bike Summit when it takes place in March.