Road, Mountain, BMX, etc

Reading Time: 2 minutes

For almost a quarter century, Kinetic watches have kept themselves wound by converting movement into energy. As of 2007, over eight million Kinetic watches have been sold and the notion of harvesting energy from movement is becoming even more popular today with a new generation of what are called Nanogenerator devices.

Nanogenerators have the ability to convert mechanical energy into electricity. Tiny nanowires capture and convert body movement into energy that researchers are using to power small electronic devices. The possibilities and applications are many, including “defense technology, environmental monitoring, biomedical sciences and even personal electronics,” says lead researcher Zhong Lin Wang, Regents’ Professor, School of Material Science and Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. (source: ScienceDaily.com).

Several new concept devices and prototypes are being announced, including Tremont Electric’s nPower PEG, Dance Charge and the Cargador De Celular (fancy SPanish-talk for Mobile Charger). Here is a brief look at these three devices, which provide a glimpse of how we may all power our personal gadgets in the near future.

nPower PEG (Personal Energy Generator) harnesses personal kinetic energy as a person walks and transfers it into enough electricity to charge the average portable device up to 80 percent in about an hour. Measuring 9 by 1.5 inches and weighing about 9 ounces, the PEG doesn’t store energy and must be plugged into the device it’s charging. Plug the PEG into your cell phone or GPS, toss it in your backpack and hit the path; The PEG will keep the device constantly charged – essential in emergency situations. The PEG uses USB 2.0 and is compatible with 90 percent of portable electronic devices. Preorder yours now for your next trek into the wilderness.

Worn around your bicep and weighing just over 6 ounces, the Dance Charge uses a system of weights and magnets to produce electric current to store energy in an onboard battery which can later be used to charge small electronic devices. Of all the prototype devices, the Dance Charge seems, in my opinion, the most polished an unobtrusive. Boogie-down to charge-up!

Industrial designer Lola Mensa has an interesting concept device called the Cargador De Celular. The Cargador De Celular appears to slide right over the tongue of your running shoe (which might bother me – especially if only in one shoe). An embedded nanogenerator converts the kinetic energy you generate into power stored in embedded batteries. Flip down the top of the device and attach it to your cell phone, GPS or other gadgets post-run for charging.

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Brick training is a concept that is popular in triathlon circles where you combine two different disciplines in one continuous training session. It is a good way of working different muscle groups (e.g. going from a swim straight onto the bike) or preparing yourself for some of the weird physiological sensations you might expect to experience in a race (e.g. going from the bike straight onto the run and your legs might feel quite rubbery).  It is also a really good way to feel like a proper triathlete, walk around muttering to people about “the importance of brick sessions”, and hope they are suitably impressed. In case you were looking for that.

For me, summer is the best time to do this kind of training, because (a) it’s warmer, so it’s not as big a deal to get onto the bike dripping wet; (b) brick training is good, race-specific training that should be done as you get closer to doing your races, usually held in the summer; (c) it can require a lot more time to do such a long session, and so it’s good to have lots of  daylight hours to fit it all in safely.

My big brick sessions this year have involved open water swimming with Swim for Tri, 7:00 – 8:30am on Saturdays (but, I have to admit that I am one of the coaches and rarely swim a full session at anything resembling race pace), then hopping on the bike after the session and riding with a few like-minded folks for 2-4 hours (again, allow me to confess that I religiously stop for hot chocolate and cookies offered up by the fine people at SFT, before getting on the bike).

Over these past few months, I have found a few really simple bits of equipment that have helped me tremendously during these sessions:

– The first one is probably familiar to lots of sports people, the Under Armor long-sleeve crew-neck top, which I have taken to wearing with my cycling bib shorts underneath my wetsuit.  I wear it under the wet suit, because I figure it would be impossible to put on a compression top like that if I were wet. And, incredibly, I have found that the top dries very, very quickly (10-15 minutes) and keeps me warm, wet or dry, the whole time. Given that we have been doing these open water sessions since April, and given that we have not had the balmiest summer weather here in London, this has been a life-saving piece of equipment.

– The second one is perhaps familiar to swimmers out there, the Speedo microfiber towel. It is tiny enough to carry in the back pocket of a cycling jacket or top, but powerful enough to dry off your whole body in a few quick swipes. Then, when you’re dry, squeeze out as much water as you can, fold it up, stick it in your back pocket, and you’re a lot drier and more ready to cycle off into the Essex countryside (past the Secret Nuclear Bunker).

– Finally, I have become a big fan of taking on calories while on the move. These Saturday morning sessions may appear to some of you to be relaxed, undemanding training sessions, what with my cups of hot chocolate and pieces of bread pudding (thank you, again, Mrs. Bullock!). But, when you get up at 4:30am to lead a group who want to ride out for 75 minutes to the swim session at a leisurely 18 mph pace, you learn a lot about getting your nutrition on the bike.  In addition to the bananas and granola bars that I eat on the way out the swim session, I have found that Clif Shot Bloks on the longer rides back give me the perfect combination of carbs, electrolytes, and tasty chewy candy texture that make them soooooo much nicer than gels.

And then we stop for more hot chocolate and cake in Epping Forest (well, I say “we”, but so far, it’s always been my idea, so… you get the idea). So, that’s important, too.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Motorists and cyclists are supposed to share the road and obey the same laws. All too often however, we see cyclists riding against a one way, blowing through red lights or failing to signal. Meanwhile motorists tailgate cyclists, open car doors without looking and crowd cyclists to the curb with seemingly little regard for their safety.

LightLane

LightLane

In 2007, 136 cyclists were killed and 16,000 injuredand that’s just in Britain! Cyclists have to be visible, aware of who they’re sharing the road with and ride under control in straight lines to survive.

A company called LightLane hopes to provide that visibility with a seat post mounted device that projects two stripes on either side of the rider, creating a kind of virtual bike lane. Using DPSS Green Lasers, a laser reputed to be highly reliable, stable and efficient, the LightLane is best used in poor light conditions when cyclists perhaps need it most.

Equipped with a rechargeable Li-Ion battery, the LightLane lasts only 3 hours and is compatible with universal mobile-phone chargers. Ideally the LightLane would draw it’s power from the bike itself, something I suspect we’ll see down the road.

LightLane started out as a concept in a design competition (which it did not win), but the inventors were enthused by on overwhelming response and set-out to make it a reality. It’s currently a proof-of-concept prototype with an unknown release date or price, but we’ll keep you posted.

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

In the past week I’ve had 4 people tell me how grateful they were that I turned them on to Steepandcheap.com. Steep and Cheap sells gear (I’d describe it as general outdoorsy gear) one item at a time until it’s either sold out or times-out, at which point it’s on to the next item.

Steep and Cheap mostly sells-out because the deals are good – usually in the 60% off or more range. Act fast if you see something you like! With back-to-back deals all day long it can get addicting and there’s a number of ways to stay tuned-in to deals that are poppin’ (RSS, sidebar gadgets, plug-ins, email, IM and soon an iPhone app).

I’ve been a Steep and Cheap customer since they started and have seen the concept grow wildly. Sister sites now include…

  • Chain Love for biking gear, including BMX and Mountain biking
  • Bonktown is more for the road cycling enthusiast
  • Tramdock for you two-plankers and especially good deals off-season
  • Brociety caters to snowboarders mostly, again… good off season loot to be had
  • Whiskey Militia is so aggro you probably already know they sell skate and surfing gear. Get some.

Check them out let me know what you think. I’ve only had great experiences with them, even returning gear I decided I didn’t need – they make it easy.

Posted by: Franz

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Growing up, I was always a fan of The Hulk cartoons and TV show. My cousin Joe Harnell wrote the theme song for the TV show (song title: ‘The Lonely Man‘) and was kind enough to send me an autographed picture of himself, as well as Bill Bixby and an enraged Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk right behind him.

In The Incredible Hulk movie, Bruce would try to keep his rage under control using breathing exercises and checking his Polar HRM to make sure he didn’t exceed the heart rate that would trigger the gamma reaction. Despite his best efforts, Bruce lost control and flew-off the handle more than once (the movie would have sucked if he didn’t right?) and after raging for untold hours, he’d wake-up somewhere unfamiliar, miraculously still wearing pants.

Had Bruce been wearing the relatively new Polar RS300X he’d benefit not only from a foot pod to know how far he’d strayed (in one scene I think he ended up in Guatemala), but also GPS to get all the essential information an inquisitive scientist yearns for (speed, distance, max heart rate, etc). The Polar RS300X is compatible with S1 foot pod™ and G1 GPS sensor and the data you collect can be transferred to polarpersonaltrainer.com with optional Polar FlowLink™

However, to equip the RS300X with both the GPS and foot pod options you’ll spend about $440 (RS300X – $170, G1 GPS – $140 and S1 Footpod – $130). This is more expensive than the $170 Garmin 305, which has GPS built-in and can be used with a $75 footpod. Not only does the Garmin offer the same functionality for about $200 less, but you’ll also have less gear strapped to your body.

Suunto also has solutions to consider, but for my money I like the Garmin. Let me know what you think, but don’t make me angry. You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry…

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Triathlon Credit Crunch Series: Swimming | Cycling | Running

I’m a big fan of looking for simple, cheap ways of training and racing better. For example, train well all winter on a heavy, old bike so that you get stronger and faster, instead of thinking that buying a new P4 is going to make you a faster, stronger rider instantly. NOT that I would turn down a P4 (or anything with the name Cervelo on it) if it showed up on my doorstep. But, my doorstep isn’t holding its breath and, until Santa answers my letters, I will stay focused on the great little bits of gear that help me train better, get faster, stay focused and not break the bank:

Aero Water Bottle
The bottle and you’ll need the mounting system.

If you’ve got Aero bars or a TT set-up on your bike, then I highly recommend an Aero bottle. Some people hate them and say they get in the way, others say they looks funny on the front of your bike, but I love them. You stay tucked in your aero position, you just lean forward a little and grab the plastic straw with your teeth and take a sip whenever you need it. Yes, you sometimes get a face-full of water (or sports drink, yuck!) if you hit a bump (the plastic yellow scrunchy is supposed to prevent that, but it doesn’t stop it completely). But I think the benefits of staying hydrated on the bike without breaking your aerodynamically streamlined position or fumbling around for your water bottle are worth the drawbacks.

Cycle Computer with Cadence 
This is the one I have been using on four of my bikes (TT, road bike, hybrid, mountain bike) for the past couple of years.

I like it because, (a) I’ve GOT to have something that measures cadence, (b) I had a wireless one and the battery was always dying or there were problems with the unit reading the sensor and it was more hassle than it was worth, (c) the cadence and speed sensors are mounted on the rear wheel which means I can use everything on my turbo trainer. I also have found these very easy to use and pretty reliable (tested for hours and hours in the rain, for three English winters now). Sometimes you have to fiddle around with them to make sure the contact points are connecting on the handlebar mount, but I usually just click through all the settings (about 8 clicks until it comes back to Cadence) and then it’s fine.

Yes, I definitely want to train with a power meter and some day I will upgrade, but that’s another topic. But, for now, train with cadence and an inexpensive heart rate monitor (you may have to splash out on a reliable VO2max test for this to be useful, though) and you’ll be on your way to massive improvements.

Posted by: Robert

Reading Time: < 1 minute

I’ve owned a Suunto Observer for years, a gift from the wife and I love it. With it I can tell which direction I’m headed, altitude, barometric pressure, temperature and of course the time. While somewhat bulky, it is still stylish IMHO and once configured performs well.

Timex will start shipping the Timex® Expedition® WS4™ on May 1, 2009. Similar in functionality to the Suunto, but no where close in looks, the gargantuan Expedition WS4 offers altitude, weather conditions, compass heading and time at a glance.

Unlike the Suunto, which has you spinning 360s to configure the compass, the Expedition WS4 can be used the moment it comes out of the box UPDATE: Both the Suunto and the Timex Expedition WS4 require manually calibrated. Timex also offers a fabric band to make wearing it over your gear easier, allowing for outside temperature readings, not your arm.

Dubbed a “wrist-top adventure instrument,” the Expedition WS4 has weather forecasts that look to be fairly simple to read. On my Suunto I need to be somewhat of a weatherman and figure it out for myself. Available in a half dozen colors, water resistant to 50 meters and lit by Indiglo, the Timex Expedition WS4 is expected to cost about $200.

Posted by: Jay

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Many moons ago I wrote about the Airpod, a device you wear while snowboarding that measures hang time while pulling airs. Now an application for the iPhone does that and adds a few more bells and whistles to boot.

HangTimer for the iPhone uses the iPhone’s accelerometer and “hairy math” to calculate air time from the point of take-off, speed at take off and location at point of take-off. HangTimer detects your location and provides trail maps, snow reports and resort web cams (when available). For 3G users there is the following added functionality…

  • Detailed speed and location of every jump
  • Link to Google Maps to plot your hits
  • Top Speed at takeoff for every jump

Of course the HangTimer can be used for any sport where it’s safe to have your phone on you (mountain biking for example). I’m interested to know if, when climbing, will the HangTimer measure falling distance (WhipperTimer anyone)?

The full version of HangTimer sells for $9.99. There is a free version which lacks many of the features described above, but does measure hag time and tracks your best jump and total airs per session. Personally I feel this app is well worth it, since I can slip my iPhone in the pockets of unsuspecting ‘big air’ friends only to bring them back down to earth aprés.

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

When the Nike+ system came out a few years ago I had a hard time buying one for myself since I had just purchased my second Garmin Forerunner. But clever me, I magnanimously bought one for my wife, also a runner, for our 10th anniversary.

I like to run with music, but early-on Nike announced the Nike Speed+ which allows you to use the Nike+ system without the iPod and simply displays your run data. Expected sometime in April, the SportsBand will be available. This slimmed-down model has a rocker/runner look but also a practicality in it’s construction using materials that will hold-up well to sweat and grime.

SportsBand

The same Nike+ sensor in your shoe relays pace, distance, time and calories burned to the easy-to-read LCD on the SportsBand. A detachable USB built into the band’s face can store up to 16 hours of run data and be attached to your computer to upload data to Nike+.

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

For a company as secretive as Apple, it has to be frustrating for Apple that the Cindy Brady of the Web, the US Patent Office, makes it fairly simple to find and view patent filings online.

AppleInsider did a little digging and revealed Apple’s patent filings to develop a digital lifestyle fitness companion. Plans include four distinct components that comprise the system, ‘including an iTunes-like software application, hardware-based heart rate and physiological sensors, a rewards tracker, and a component to facilitate synchronous group activities.’

The system asks a series of lifestyle questions; what your fitness goals are, personal and family health history (HIPAA are you listening?). Once the data is collected a fitness regimen specific to the user is created. There are plans for one or more integrated physiological sensors. These could be built-into headphones or in a ‘sling’ which may not only read heart rate, but hold the iPod/iPhone during a workout.

There are a number of interesting screen shots on the AppleInsider Web site; a fitness model demonstrating proper technique, a tick list of exercises for a particular workout and others.

Source: Apple Insider

Reading Time: < 1 minute

A few of us at Bitness HQ have been told that someone learned of a product on Bitness and bought it as a result of our recommendation. So here we are in phase 3 of operation money grab (or didn’t you notice the Gadget Funds Generator?) to announce the arrival of the Bitness Gear Barn, a collection of Bitness-minded items for sale through Amazon. Note the somewhat obnoxious box on top of the right-side navigation, click it often!

The way it works is you search for a product through the Bitness Gear Barn – buy lots of stuff and we get paid a little. So next time you’re thinking of picking up new gear for yourself, the wife, a friend, your dog or you know of someone else in the market for new gear then by all means send them through the Gear Barn!

If there is a product you can not locate in the Barn please let us know and we will make it available quickly. Happy Shopping!

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Timex has introduced a few watches that allow the wearer to control their iPod. The Timex Ironman iControl and Timex Midsize Ironman iControl communicate to a receiver plugged into the iPod (like the Nike+ device).

Ironman iControlNot only aesthetically pleasing, the iControl watches have resin wrist bands to ensure they stay put and resist damage from sweat. The watch functions include a calendar, support for 3 time zones, 50-lap memory, 3 alarms, countdown timer, 2 interval timers, and a chronograph function. Powered by digital-quartz movement, the iControl is also water resistant to 330 feet (as in ‘down deep’ tri-heads, so keep swimming) and backed by a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Ideally, there will one day be a watch that incorporates iPod control, a heart rate monitor and a GPS. But if I’m wishing for stuff I’ve still gotta go for life-like, mute, scotch-pouring, female sex robot.

For the budding or even experienced tri-athlete looking to monitor workouts and control the tunes that propel them the iControl is well designed and priced right, about $70-90 depending on model.

Posted by: Lawrence

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Inspector Gadget had one and now you can too – an eye in the back of your head. Cerevellum has introduced a prototype of a bike computer with a rear view camera (Get it? Cerebellum and Cerevellum? Clever bastards.), which in theory should keep you safe from approaching cars or to track the whereabouts of a riding partner who had a few too many the night before.

CerevellumI’ve been nearly run down hundreds of times, but never got a good look at the face of the demented and disgruntled ex-girlfriend as I deftly swooped out of harms way. With the Cerebellum, not only would I see the mascara running down her miserable face, but I could also track heart rate, cadence, speed, distance and my whereabouts with modules that slide into 4 available slots.

The Cerevellum will hopefully be available in 2008 and the base unit is expected to cost about $200.

Via: DirtRag

Posted by: Jay

Reading Time: 2 minutes

I like to think I’m a handy sort of fellow. I putter around the house some weekends and knock-out a few projects. And just when I’m feeling all Norm Abramsy about myself I stumble across something downright awe-inspiring.

Apparently their is a sub-culture of bamboo believers building bicycles because (aw shit, I ran out of B words) not only can they, but apparently they’re strong, comfortable (great vibration dampening) and perform well, a viable alternative to carbon fiber frames.

BME Bamboo BikeBruno Meres Engineering and Design built a project 23.6 lbs mountain bike that has been in use since 2004. Most recently this bike was used in the Dubnick Marathon 2007, “The Oldest, Hardest and Biggest Mountain Bike Marathon in Slovakia.”

Parts of the bike’s frame are from manufactured materials (joints/junctions, brake bosses, drop-outs, etc) but the rest – even the seat post – is bamboo.

Calfee Design Bamboo BikeIf you want to own a bamboo bike for yourself, Calfee Design has been building and selling them since 2005. Available in 3 geometries (Pro, Tri and Cross), the price for the ~4 lbs frames range between $1,700 – $4,500 and come with a 10 year warranty.

Or you can start growing some bamboo in your backyard and build one yourself – I just might.

Published by: Lawrence

Reading Time: 2 minutes

OK gadgeteers, here is one geeks top 10 wish list for Xmas ’07. Post your own in the comments.

Freeboard1. Freebord – ride a skateboard like a snowboard? A center wheel (like the one found on a ) allows you to ease off the traditional skateboard wheels – much like easing off an edge. Want to ride switch? Lean back brah. $210-285 (depending on config).

2. Bike Keg – Some clever bastard with spare RST forks built a keg trailer for his bike. Mmmmmm beer.

3. Rockpods – Polyurethane and steel Centerpod holds for my home wall. Santa please?

4. SOG Seal Pup M37 – Fixed blade survivalist knife. Good enough for Bear = good enough for me. ~$70

5. Grain Surfboard – The most beautiful surfboards I have seen made from sustainable cedar wood. I’ll take the 9 footer and better glass the tail. $2,000

Cluster Balloon6. Nintendo Wii – This may actually be the one thing on this list I actually receive… if I’ve been a good boy.

7. Cluster Balloon Flight – OK, this isn’t exactly a gadget, but how f’n cool would it be to fly around by a bunch of balloons like Curious George at the zoo?!

8. Two tickets to paradise – Just me and the wife living life Tonga-style with Paul and Karen from Dive Vava’u for a few weeks. Whale diving, hiking Mt Talau, beers at night – ahhhhhh…

9. SteepandCheap.com Gift Certificate – Call it an addiction or call it retail therapy, but I just can’t stop buying from these guys. A good deal on gear is too hard to pass up. $500 ought to do it 🙂

10. D30 Gear – Head to toe, I want it all and I could use the protection, but I’d settle for a beanie. Is anyone going to start selling gear using ?!

Source: Lawrence