Dec 21

Everyone Needs a Cardboard Bike

Posted in: Today's Chili

Bikes become more efficient every year. Mechanics improve plus technology and metals make things lighter and more mobile.  More and more people are going eco-friendly and moving to pedal commuting thanks to these efficiencies. How much more efficient can a bike get?

Designer Izhar Gafni thinks bikes can go much further when it comes to efficiency. This year he finalized design of a mostly cardboard bike called the Alfa. All components are recycled materials. The belt-driven bike means no maintenance is required. Alfa weighs just 20lbs. but can support UP TO 485LBS! The concept evolved from that fact that when you fold paper or cardboard it becomes not two but three times stronger. That makes sense. Ever try to tear a pile of papers? Oh, the other great part about Alfa is the fact the estimated cost will be $9-$12. Let’s see: 100% recycled materials, can support 24 times its weight and costs less than $15. I think we have a winner. Gafani spent three years designing Alfa. See the video below to learn about the process. Where will Alfa lead? Who knows. But the thought that a 100% sustainable form of transportation exists should at least lead us to ask what else is possible in preserving our planet.


Thanks: FastCo. Design
[ Everyone Needs a Cardboard Bike copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

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Nov 06

Bike with Confidence

Posted in: Today's Chili

With the push to be more eco-friendly or even just to stay in shape, more and more of us are biking. Whether going to work, home or fun there appear to be more bikes on the road every year. Yet our thirst for technology, tunes or telephone when we bike also seems to grow.

Satechi, a company we have written about quite a few times in the past, make some quality protection and accessories for phones and pads plus Bluetooth, computer and camera accessories. Their Bikemate Slim 3 provides a perfect, easy-to-install pouch for a variety of devices. How many? Try iPhone 5, 4S, 4, 3GS, 3G, BlackBerry Torch, HTC EVO, HTC Inspire 4G, HTC Sensation, Droid X, Droid Incredible, Droid 2, Droid 3, Samsung EPIC, Galaxy S II, Galaxy S III. Whew.  And most of those phones can fit in the pouch with their protective case on. The Bikemate is designed for touch screen operation through the see through protective cover. Easily access inputs and cables from either end of the case. And installation is a cinch. Put the coupling around handle bar neck, adjust the zip tie and you are in business. Mount your gadget vertically or horizontally too. Note that the materials used to construct Bikemate are water proof, but the device itself is not. So it will protect you long enough to stop and put your phone away before the torrential downpour. The Bikemate Slim 3, just $24.99, is shipping from Satechi’s website.  So if you believe in pedal power, secure your smartphone before you go.
[ Bike with Confidence copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Sep 28

NYNE Bluetooth Speaker – Take it with You when You Go.

Posted in: Today's Chili

I live in an area where everyone is on a bike. I see them all day long with their spandex on, water bottles strapped to their bike frames and earbuds in their ears. Now I’m sure they’re listing to very motivational music, I mean, I know I’d need motivational music (or a rabid pit bull behind me) to keep going. What they are NOT listening to however, is me honking my horn. I honestly don’t mind one bit, but it just doesn’t seem safe.

So for those of you that are athletically inclined (or love someone who is) you may want to check out NYNE’s NB-200 Bluetooth speaker. Small enough to fit in your pocketbook, the NB-200 comes with custom clips that allow you to attach device to your handlebars and enjoy incredible sound quality, while still being able to hear the important sounds of the road around you.

Listen to streaming music from your Bluetooth connected device, fast forward, or adjust volume from the speaker’s controls located right at your fingertips. Answer calls through the NB-200′s speaker by simply pressing the answer button and chatting away, or wait till your grueling uphill battle has been won, and call back the last number that called you, again, right from your speaker.

The NB-200, is light, powerful and very compact, charges via micro USB, has a microphone with noise cancellation capabilities and is easy to pair with your iDevice. Its rechargeable lithium ion battery is good for about 5 hours of continuous play time. 5 hours? on a bike? I’m tired just thinking about it. The NB-200 is available at amazon.com for around 129 bucks and if I had a bike, or participated in any form of physical exercise whatsoever, I’d want one.

 

[ NYNE Bluetooth Speaker – Take it with You when You Go. copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Sep 19

Pedal Power Your Devices

Posted in: Today's Chili

Bicycle hubs have long provided power for bike headlights via small, built-in generators (dynamo hub), a great, green power source. But there are a few drawbacks. The power generated varies with your pedaling. Slow pedaling delivers a decent charge, but speed on the bike creates spikes and surges in the power – not healthy for devices. Another drawback is lack of storage for the power you generate. Seems like there are other uses for the pedal generated power like charging your electronic devices! BioLogic, bike accessory maker, offers a line of products that enables you to channel that bicycling energy with their ReeCharge™ Dynamo Kit and ReeCharge™ Power Pack.

The ReeCharge products work with any standard bicycle dynamo hub. ReeCharge Dynamo Kit, $30 at thinkbiologic.com, is easily attached to the fork and, when attached to the hub, conditions the power you generate to protect any devices you charge. So if you have your phone actively charging while riding, rest assured you will get clean, steady power. But once you stop pedaling you lose that power. So BioLogic also came up with a way to save that hard work, in the form of the ReeCharge Power Pack, $100 on their site. It contains a 1600 mAh Lithium polymer battery which is charged as you ride (also chargeable via computer or outlet). Attach a USB cable to the unit, initiate the charging process and you can deliver power to a phone, GPS or any device. Have a long day on the trails? No problem, take your hard work with you. Throw the Power Pack in your bag and charge devices as you need. And 1600 mAh will get you through a full charge cycle on a smartphone or multiple boosts to multiple devices.  Voila, no wasted pedal power! And of course ReeCharge™ Dynamo Kit and ReeCharge™ Power Pack come in durable cases so bring on the elements. Note: the iPhone 3GS does have some compatibility issues due to iOS 4.3.x. So check BioLogic’s website for details.

So don’t let your bicycling be for naught. Capture that energy you create and power your world.

 

Thanks: Bikebiz

[ Pedal Power Your Devices copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Sep 18

ICEdot Crash Sensor – Help is on the Way

Posted in: Today's Chili

 

One of my favorite things is new automotive tech. I especially loved those systems that could detect an accident and call an ambulance for you. Remember the commercials? “Mr. Jones, we have detected you have been involved in a front end collision, we are alerting the authorities, help is on the way.” I love that. Heck, I love anything that makes me feel safer.

So it should come as no surprise I’m in love with ICEdot’s new Crash Sensor System. Thats right, you can have emergency back-up even while you’re out riding your bike. Available as a small aftermarket item to be installed on a helmet, the “dot” system will be able to detect and measure, force and impact.

The sensor works something like this, if you fall, or get hit by a car, the device recognizes the impact and quickly sends an alarm to your Smartphone at which time a countdown clock is initiated, should you fail to stop the countdown clock, your emergency contacts are immediately called and GPS coordinates of where you wiped out are sent to them as well. Very nice.

While the device was originally made for specifically for the cycling industry, it has the ability to be useful in almost any situation where you might ordinarily wear a helmet, think skiing, rock climbing, skateboarding or even some motorsports… I just like that help will be coming even if I’m not able to ask for it! The system itself looks like it will run about 200 bucks and it may have an associated monthly charge. Look for it next year but in the meantime, visit ice dot.org to sign up for more information when it becomes available.

[ ICEdot Crash Sensor – Help is on the Way copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Sep 13

Chill Cooling Towels – Sweet Relief

Posted in: Today's Chili

 

I’m so happy that the dog days of summer are behind us. I’ve never been a fan of hot weather. In my opinion (and I know it’s not shared by many) you can always wear more clothes or don a bigger coat and get yourself warm… but when you’re hot, theres just so much you can do… and get away with it.

Welcome Chill Cooling Towels, nifty little real terry cloth towels that are pre-moistened with a patent pending completely natural cooling solution. Each of these comfort producing towels is conveniently and hygienically sealed, and individually wrapped in a resealable package. Chill Towels provide an instant comforting cool, without ice or refrigeration, right out of the package!

Made with purified water and natural botanicals, the Chill Cooling Towels drop from 25-30 degrees (F) below your regular body temperature, and contain some antiseptic properties as well. The resealable package is designed specifically so you can use your Chill Towel again and again.

The Chill Cooling Towels come in small, medium and large starting at around $2.25 and can also be semi-customized for almost any kind of business, party or sporting event. Check out the companies website chilltowels.com for ordering info, custom pricing, and more information on the Chill Towels or the ever popular, Hot Flash Relief Towels.

[ Chill Cooling Towels – Sweet Relief copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Aug 27

Protect Your Noggin and Stay Stylish

Posted in: Today's Chili

Ask anyone who knows me. I am a klutz. It is a rare day where I am free of bumps, bruises, cuts, or scrapes. If you are like me then protective gear is your friend. At some point practicality overtakes style in a quest to stay safe – unfortunately. So though fairly active I am definitely not an activity fashion statement.

A Swedish company has come to the rescue for people like us though! The Hövding, what the creators term an “invisible bicycle helmet,” will help you stay stylish and safe. Hövding is actually a collar. In car airbag style, sudden extreme motions trigger the inflation of the collar into a protective bike helmet. It takes about .1 second to inflate and does not interfere with your field of vision once blown up. Hövding applies constant pressure for several seconds and then begins to deflate. The off/on indicator, battery power and battery indicator lights are charged via USB. Hövding is currently only available in Europe for about $600. On the style side, Hövding also offers stylish covers for the unit to help it blend with your clothing.

So if you need a bike helmet but prefer to stay stylish, keep your eye on Hövding.

[ Protect Your Noggin and Stay Stylish copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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Aug 13

Commuter’s Advanced Electric Bicycle

Posted in: Today's Chili

Getting to work and back can be quite a challenge if you have to go through traffic jams all the time, but there is this thing called the bicycle which would definitely be worth checking out if you happen to live just a few blocks away from your work place. After all, cycling is a whole lot greener, not to mention it saves you plenty of time and money since you need not circle many times over to look for a parking spot which is more or less exorbitantly priced in cities. Apart from that, if you live in a hilly area like San Francisco, then the $1,800 Commuter’s Advanced Electric Bicycle is the perfect mode of transportation to own.

With it, you are able to tackle those notorious hill slopes with ease, not to mention the Commuter’s Advanced Electric Bicycle comes with a wide range of advanced features to deliver a safer commute. It has an LCD that illuminates the current speed, letting you know of the voltage on the left on its battery, while indicating when its headlight, rear light, and turn indicators are active, so that you are able to maintain a stern concentration on the road. Dual rear-view mirrors pave the way for maximum road visibility. You can hit a top speed of 20 mph with the bicycle’s 500-watt electric motor.

[ Commuter’s Advanced Electric Bicycle copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]


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