We should be getting used to all of this “smart” stuff connecting to everything around us, but honestly we couldn’t be more excited for the world’s first connected bike that vigorously past it’s Kickstarter goal within a day. The Vanhawks Valour from a group of Canadian guys is not only bad-ass in design, but the technology incorporated within it is also quite impressive.
Buying a bike means that we plan on hanging on to it for a while – almost like buying your first car. If your in the market and don’t really care about how much you’re about to spend the Grainworks AnalogOne.One wood bike is one you should check out.
That e-bike you just purchased is probably already making your life easier than it was when you were paying $4.50 per gallon. But now we are thinking you probably should have waited for the JIVE Bike by JAM Vehicles to hit the world-wide web. Their newest innovation to the ever-evolving e-bike is the folding feature that your e-bike doesn’t have. The concept is simple; it utilizes an easy folding system that will give you the mobility and freedom you’ve been dreaming about the night before your dreaded commute. It also contains a no-hassle, chainless drivetrain that allows for an easier and smoother ride, while the battery allows you to go up to 15 mph and a 20 mile range on a single charge. Choose between three modes in electric, manual or assisted pedaling and attach your smartphone for better assistance on your commute.
We tried as much as possible to post during the holiday’s but sometimes you just get caught up in the moment and find that a little time off with family and friends can refresh the mind. We hope everyone had a great time bringing in New Years 2014 because I know that we certainly did! Kicking it off for us as the first post of 2014 is the iPump Micro bike air pump. It’s claim to fame is that it’s the world’s most compact air pump made up of a carbon fiber housing, which in turn creates the greatest possible air chamber capacity while minimizing weight and maximizing strength. In just 21 grams, 5 inches and a flexible nylon sliding hose you’ll be able to get up to 150 psi and a whole lot of convenience. The iPump supports both Presta, Schrader and Dunlop valves.
Making life easier is a task that we, the human being, has taken head on since the beginning of our existence. The creators of the FlyKly Smart Wheel have fallen into that category and commuters who bike to work couldn’t be happier. All you have to do is install the smart wheel on your existing bike and you’ll be riding to work without even breaking a sweat. Once you start pedaling the motorized wheel takes over and the rest is a breeze. A coinciding app pairs to the wheel and helps you maintain a particular speed (up to 20 mph), monitors your current speed as well as the time and the distance already traveled. It can also lock the wheel and track your bike if it gets stolen.
What happens when you fuse a mountain bike and motorcycle together? You get the Motoped! No it’s not an e-bike, but it’s definitely a meaningful form of transportation that will get you from point A to point B – all while knowing that you had the distinct honor of having built it yourself. It uses a few simple mountain bike parts like forks, brakes, wheels, tires, cranks, and pedals, but also utilizes a Honda xr50/pit bike 50-190cc motor, gas tank, seat and a few other motorcycle necessities. Custom made parts such as the frame, swing arm, jack shaft, bottom bracket, rear hub, sprockets, and exhaust system will all be sold in the Motoped Frame Kit. With a 100+ miles per gallon and a quiet engine, why wouldn’t you want to build your own bike?
Say what you’d like, but the Sandwichbike is perhaps one of our favorite inventions to be released this year. It literally comes in a box ready for you to assemble and it contains everything you need (19 parts) to make it a complete, working bike. It takes about 45 minutes to assemble, weighs about 38 pounds, is made of beech plywood harvested from 120 year-old trees from Germany, and is weather coated to withstand those rides in the rain. Aluminum parts keep this bike together, while a specially designed tool helps you assemble it.
Five grand is a lot of money to drop on an e-bike, but if you have the money and you just can’t help yourself then the ICON E-Flyer Electric Bike is something to look into. A classic design infused with modern-day technology, the ICON takes you back to the World War I era of oval motordromes and the beginning of the motorcycle. Each e-bike is handmade in California starting with the hydroformed aluminum frame then adding various features like the forks, lighting, battery and motor. However, a standout feature from the ICON is the regenerative braking system which is all thanks to state-of-the-art battery power that it contains. Cruise on the EV system for up to 35 miles of sustained propulsion on a single charge and you better act quick because only 50 of these bad boys will be made.
Our lack of posts irks us too, but it’s been a hell of a week over here at Direkt Concept. We recently re-located ourselves, and of course it was a last minute thing, but we are trying to get stuff together as quickly and as best as possible. With that being said, when we came across BitLock I knew it was perfect for the blog, and of course your bike too. The smartphone-controlled bike lock works by a proximity sensor and automatically unlocks itself when it detects your smartphone is less than three feet away. Of course it works the other way around, so when you step three feet away, it locks itself. Share your bike with friends using the accompanying app, or map your ride, use GPS and even check your calories burned. You’ll also never have to worry about theft due to the cut-resistant steel.
Your commute to work just received a much needed flair with the Moto Urban Bike Pedal. Not only do they add a bit of style, but they also add much needed safety for those rainy commutes turning into a hassle as your foot constantly slips off the pedal. These German made pedals feature extra grip with their added grip tape and their lightweight design is due to the high quality materials used for the manufacturing process. If that doesn’t satisfy you, the company spent four years working with a team that included engineers from the aerospace industry just to provide optimum power transmission and a super sleek design.
Direkt Concept 