Interviews

Motor racing in the premier categories has always attracted not only the bravest and most skilled performers in the physical sense, but also the best and brightest thinkers – engineers and technicians who are responsible for what those elite athletes are riding on, in every sense of the term. Pirelli's job as the chosen control tire manufacturer for WSBK is one of finding a motorcycle racing tire that will perform in a far broader range of conditions, and one that any sportsbike owner can then buy off the shelf. We recently spoke to Pirelli Moto Racing Director Giorgio Barbier and racing compound development engineer, Fabio Meni, about how the company meets this formidable challenge.  Read More

The near concurrent rise of Kickstarter and semi-affordable 3D printing means we live in a time when it is easier than ever to be an inventor of physical things. Gizmag spoke at length to David Alden, whose spring-loaded Recoil Winder cable management device clearly struck a chord raising more than 14 times the original US$10,000 investment target. Both Kickstarter and 3D printing may have been essential to the development of the Recoil Winder, but Alden's story also demonstrates the need for good old-fashioned perseverance.  Read More

The guys over at Portland, Oregon’s Metrofiets are a pretty talented bunch when it comes to designing cargo bicycles for more than ... well, for more than hauling cargo. Not long ago, they made headlines with their Beer Bike, that incorporates a tap-equipped wooden bar, space and hardware for two kegs, and a rack created specifically for carrying pizza boxes. They’ve also built bikes that have served as a mobile coffee shop, and as a go-anywhere bicycle repair station. Their latest creation, however, is aimed at the world of broadcasting – it’s a two-wheeled human-powered talk show set.  Read More

Agility will never be accused of sticking to tradition for tradition's sake. Freed from the constraints of complicated combustion engines and all the associated tackle, designer Lawrence Marazzi has unveiled a brand new, fully electric British motorcycle that turns the rules of motorcycle design on their head. The Saietta features a hossack-inspired front end, an eye-popping fairing design and a crazy degree of mass centralization that could only be achieved with battery cells. Billed as a guerrilla commuter, it promises to be a very exhilarating ride. See the video after the jump to hear Marazzi talk about the design process, the future of electric motorcycles and the unique properties of the Saietta.  Read More

Novatel's clever, compact and compelling MiFi device combines a wireless access point, an internet router, and a 3G modem card into a package that's the size of a business card. Dave Weinstein spoke to Jon Driscoll, Novatel Wireless' VP of Global Product Managment, to learn more. See the video after the jump.  Read More