Bicycles

Top 10 cycling innovations of 2013

Top 10 cycling innovations of 2013
The Hammerhead navigation system is one of the unique items that caught our eye this year
The Hammerhead navigation system is one of the unique items that caught our eye this year
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Fix It Sticks multitool
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Fix It Sticks multitool
The Hammerhead navigation system is one of the unique items that caught our eye this year
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The Hammerhead navigation system is one of the unique items that caught our eye this year
Helios bars
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Helios bars
SMART heart rate-monitoring helmet
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SMART heart rate-monitoring helmet
Lock8 smartphone-controlled lock
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Lock8 smartphone-controlled lock
Magura eLECT computer-controlled shock fork module
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Magura eLECT computer-controlled shock fork module
Varibike arm- and leg-powered bike
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Varibike arm- and leg-powered bike
Rubbee electric power boost device
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Rubbee electric power boost device
Sandwichbike wooden-framed bike
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Sandwichbike wooden-framed bike
Hammerhead navigation system
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Hammerhead navigation system
Loopwheels suspension wheels
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Loopwheels suspension wheels
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You like bikes? Yep, so do we. And while we certainly pay attention to the big announcements from the Shimanos and Campagnolos of the world, oftentimes it's the quirkier, more creative inventions from smaller manufacturers that really catch our interest. Keeping that in mind, here's a quick look at 10 of the products that we covered over the past 12 months, that most made us realize how much room for innovation is still left in the world of cycling.

Giving bikes a boost

As with last year's list, we once again decided not to include purpose-built electric bikes in this rundown. We don't have anything against them, we're just trying to narrow our focus a bit. That said, we'd be remiss in ignoring the various devices that can be added to existing "manual" bikes, to give them a shot of power when wanted.

Rubbee electric power boost device
Rubbee electric power boost device

Of all such gadgets, the Rubbee is probably one of the most clever. It mounts on the bike's seatpost, and incorporates a powered polyurethane roller that can be lowered down to make contact with the top of the rear tire. You just flip it down for a boost, flip it back up when you're content to pedal, and detach it when you don't want it along for the ride at all.

Price: US$1,190

Honorable mention: Although the prototype was first unveiled in 2009, commercial availability of the MIT-designed Copenhagen Wheel was announced just this week. The smartphone-controlled wheel contains a battery and a hub motor, and simply takes the place of a bike's existing rear wheel. Also unveiled this year was the remarkably similar FlyKly wheel.

Lighting the way

Helios bars
Helios bars

Worried about your bike headlight being stolen, or don't like the way that it clutters up your handlebars? Helios bars have an unobtrusive 500-lumen headlight built right into them. They also incorporate two back-facing multi-color LEDs that can serve as signal lights, tail lights, navigation aids, or even as a speedometer. Additionally, the bars' GPS chip lets users track the whereabouts of their bike if it gets stolen.

Price: $199

Honorable mention: Thieves also won't like the Aviator headlight and Afterburner tail light, which are fastened to the bike using a custom security screw that requires a dedicated screwdriver to remove. The aluminum-bodied lights themselves are waterproof and shockproof, and put out 150 and 30 lumens, respectively (although more powerful versions are planned).

Keeping a lid on it

SMART heart rate-monitoring helmet
SMART heart rate-monitoring helmet

If you're a competitive cyclist who wants to monitor your heart rate without wearing a chest strap, then LifeBEAM's SMART helmet is probably up your alley. It features an optical sensor that monitors your pulse via your forehead, along with a Bluetooth transmitter which sends that data to your smartphone, fitness watch or cycling computer, where it's displayed in real time.

Price: $250

Honorable mention: We may have seen foldable helmets before, but the Morpher actually folds flat, making it extra-easy to stow in a backpack or briefcase.

Taking the hits up front

Magura eLECT computer-controlled shock fork module
Magura eLECT computer-controlled shock fork module

Both K2 and Cannondale have made computer-controlled suspension forks before, but the one is now out of production and the other was just a prototype. Magura's microprocessor-equipped eLECT module is available now, however, plus it allows existing Magura forks to be converted to computer control. Taking the place of the fork's regular adjustment cap/knob, it uses an integrated accelerometer to detect hits, then instantaneously adjusts the damping accordingly. The module can also tell if the bike is climbing, descending, or is in freefall.

Price: €649 ($882)

Honorable mention: Should you just find suspension forks in general a little too complex, the Lauf fork contains no moving parts. Instead of stanchions that slide in and out cylinders, it utilizes a flexing leaf-type suspension.

Locking it up

Lock8 smartphone-controlled lock
Lock8 smartphone-controlled lock

Instead of using a key, the frame-mounted Lock8 is wirelessly locked and unlocked using an app on the user's smartphone. It will also detect if the bike is moved while locked, or if the integrated locking cable is cut – if either happens, a piercing audio alarm will sound, plus the user will be notified on their phone. As with the Helios bars, if the bike is stolen, the Lock8's GPS chip allows it to be tracked.

Price: £69 ($112)

Honorable mention: Don't like carrying a lock in your backpack, or mounting it on your frame? InterLock is a keyed cable lock that stuffs down inside an included seat post when not in use.

Let's get moving

Varibike arm- and leg-powered bike
Varibike arm- and leg-powered bike

Putting your feet on the pedals is an OK enough method of propelling your bike, but the Varibike adds hand cranks to the mix. As a result, it's said to increase your total power output, along with providing a more complete workout. It's not the first leg- and arm-powered bike we've seen, but it is probably the nicest, most serious-looking one.

Price: €3,999 ($5,430) and up

Honorable mention: Even if you stick with using just your legs to power your bike, you still like might to work some different muscle groups. That's where biXe Gear comes in. It's a crank axle that lets you move the bike forward by pedaling forwards or backwards.

Keeping comfy

Loopwheels suspension wheels
Loopwheels suspension wheels

Things like suspension seatposts may help keep riders from feeling every little pothole, but they can only do so much. Loopwheels take things further. Instead of spokes, each wheel incorporates three looped carbon composite springs, running between the hub and the rim. Whenever the wheel hits a bump in the road, the energy is absorbed by those springs.

Price: £720 ($1,180) - pair

Honorable mention: Riders will sometimes squirt some of their drinking water in their face in order to cool down, but the handlebar-mounted Spruzza mister offers a more civilized, less wasteful alternative.

Gettin' tooled up

Fix It Sticks multitool
Fix It Sticks multitool

Many multitools consist of a relatively short body, with even shorter bits that fold out. This is a handy setup, but doesn't offer much in the way of leverage. Fix It Sticks, however, pack slim yet offer lots of torque. They consist of two separate aluminum "sticks" (each with with a bit attached to either end), that can be joined together perpendicularly to temporarily form a T wrench.

Price: $30

Honorable mention: Usually, cyclists carry a multitool and a tire lever. The stainless steel Nutter makes things simpler, by combining both tools in one device.

Electronics for the road

Hammerhead navigation system
Hammerhead navigation system

When most cyclists use a navigation system, they stick their smartphone in a handlebar-mounted case and glance down at its onscreen map every now and then. By contrast, the Hammerhead works like a head-up display – it's a bar-mounted device that guides the rider using LEDs that are constantly visible in the bottom of their peripheral vision, telling them where and when to turn, and how close they're getting to their destination.

Price: $85

Honorable mention: While it's good to know where you're going, it's also essential that motorists know what you're up to. The SEIL is a backpack with a built-in LED array that displays turn-indicating arrows, a brake light, a tail light, and various other features that are controlled wirelessly via a handlebar-mounted module. Unfortunately, it fell short of its Kickstarter fund-raising goal.

And one complete bike

Sandwichbike wooden-framed bike
Sandwichbike wooden-framed bike

We've seen plenty of wooden-framed bikes before, although they generally have the same silhouette as their metal- or carbon-framed brethren. The Sandwichbike, on the other hand, really looks like it's made out of pieces of wood. It's the bike Ikea would make, if the furniture-maker were ever so inclined. Also, as is the case with Ikea goods, it has to be assembled by the buyer – although we're told it can easily be done, within 45 minutes.

If nothing else, it'll definitely get you noticed.

Price: €799 ($1,085)

View gallery - 11 images
8 comments
8 comments
Jesse Herbert
Love the Helios, that looks pretty practical. What about the Ulock holster?
Gadgeteer
Just like with the "Top ten cycling innovations of 2012," I foresee virtually every one of these sinking into oblivion within a couple of years. They're mostly useless, overpriced gimmicks.
duh3000
I'm afraid I have to agree with Gadgeteer. These products, while often clever and sometimes elegant, are all too expensive and exclusive to find a market.
moreover
Too expensive is relative. Have you checked what bicycles sell for these days? I bought an 18 lbs carbon recumbent which cost the original owner over $7000. Well equipped road or mountain bikes are easily in the $2500 range. if you can wing that you might as well buy a slightly pricey add-on. Whether it's a hobby or for your daily commute you'll find a way to rationalize it.
Slowburn
For auxiliary power I'll use an engine and propeller from a RC plane.
Tim Ervin
The Copenhagen wheel is actually one of the cooler advances in bike technology in years. And if it's being introduced at 700 bucks, it will probably be selling for 300 or 400 inside of five years. Great tech as well.
duh3000
@Tim Yes, I agree that the Copenhagen Wheel is a very clever bit of kit and (IMO) acceptably priced. I should think it will find a market. I hope so anyway. Unfortunately, the CW is not on this list.
@moreover Yes, I tend to follow bike prices pretty closely including all types of frames and designs. $7,000 is very high end, about as high as prices go for non-custom bikes (outside trikes & velomobiles). In fact, I've only ever seen a handful of these machines "on the road" and they were, in fact, on the track racing under the power of some pretty serious competitors; Braem Moens comes to mind here. But he owns M5 so the price of his fully-faired carbon low racer is, as you say, "relative". I maintain my agreement with Gadgeteer's evaluation: the value/usefulness-for-money ratio is too low for these innovations to find a commercially viable market. We'll see next year which, if any, have survived.
[The Copenhagen Wheel is in fact mentioned in the article, below the Rubbee. - Ed.]
MrRodgers
I agree with most here. Many of these innovations are gimicky and high-priced. The Helios and Hammerhead are probably the only two that would ever find a place on my bikes.
The SMART helmet is pretty cool, but I'd rather it be an add-on to your current helmet instead it being its own complete package.
Many of these products will probably never find a place in the market, but I'm grateful for them for the simple fact that they push the industry and keep it from getting stale, even if we have to deal with some hideous failures along the way.