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Last year, US entrepreneur Judah Schiller crossed San Francisco Bay on a bike – and no, he didn’t ride that bike across the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead, he mounted it on a Shuttle Bike kit, which adds pontoons and a propeller to a user-supplied bicycle. Since then, Judah has been working on designing an all-in-one “waterbike” of his own. The result, the Schiller X1, was officially unveiled this month.
It is easy to use for anyone who likes to be in and around water
Unlike the Shuttle Bike kit (which is designed to be carried in a backpack while the rider is cycling on land), the X1 has the “bike” built into it – it doesn’t require the addition of an existing bicycle. That said, it still does disassemble for transport in a car, or for storage in a closet.
The saddle, handlebars, cranks and pedals are of the type found on regular bikes
Its frame is made from anodized aluminum, with much of its hardware being constructed from stainless steel. The saddle, handlebars, cranks and pedals are of the type found on regular bikes, while the inflatable dual-chamber pontoons, not surprisingly, are rubber. It also features LED lighting.
Power is transferred from the pedals via a Gates Carbon belt drive to a continuously-variable NuVinci 360 transmission, and then used to turn two propellers mounted on flexible shafts. In an arrangement that’s unique to the X1, steering is achieved not through a rudder, but by turning the two props to the left or right.
Crft can see speeds as 10 miles per hour
The whole thing weighs about 45 pounds (20 kg), and can reportedly travel at up to 10 mph (16 km/h) “depending on rider ability.”
And no, the X1 is not cheap. The basic version will set you back US$6,495, while the limited-edition chrome-plated Founder’s Edition goes for $8,775. Shipping of the first units is expected to begin next month.
Should you not be feeling quite so rich, you might instead want to check out the similar Hydrobike, which is priced at $1,999.
Parts that come with ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U lock
If you are looking for a secure way to attach your cherished investment to a bike rack, fence, or sign post; checkout the ABUS line of U-Locks. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been testing both theGranit X-Plus 540and the Granit X-Plus U54 Mini. Both U-Locks are somewhat new to the market and as I have found are top of the line and worth the price.
ABUS Granit U54 Mini U lock
My first thought when receiving these locks for review was their weight! The X-Plus 540 weighs 3.20 pounds, while the U54 Mini weighs 2.70 pounds. It could be caused by the “13mm temper hardened steel”, but regardless, these locks are tanks! After my review of these bike locks, I wouldn’t feel safe with some of the other U-Locks that I have looked at. They feel light and breakable. The extra weight of these ABUS locks was a small trade off in knowing that when I return to my bike, it will be ready to go.
There are a number of different ways in using both these ABUS U-Locks. For me, I found it best to lock the bike through the back tire and bike frame. My front tire was still vulnerable, but the back wheel and frame were secured. I found that the U54 Mini also had a wide enough build, that the back tire and frame could easily be locked, in most cases, like the X-Plus 540 model.
If you’re someone that primarily goes on long distance rides, or pedals around on the weekends, I’d suggest purchasing the U54 Mini vs. the Granit X-Plus 540. The primary reason for this is its size; the U54 Mini is smaller and lighter making it easier to transport. With the Granit X-Plus 540 mounted on my Red Line road bike, I was not able to utilize my second water bottle cage. For someone biking long distance, making room for extra water storage will be priority over this mounted U-Lock. However, if theft is a major concern, the Granit X-Plus 540 is the way to go.
ABUS U lock key
ABUS key LED light
Both of these ABUS locks come with two sets of keys. What’s nice is both sets of keys have an LED light at the end. This makes it easy to lock/unlock while riding in dark conditions. Personally, I’ve used this LED light more as a light on my keychain than just for my bike. The battery is also very easy to exchange. It takes one coin cell battery that just slides out from the back of the key. Along with the keys, a code card comes with these lock. If I were to lose or break both keys, ABUS will be able to make new ones just by receiving the code on the card.
All ABUS locks feature industry leading corrosion resistance – perfect for wet, rainy and snowy climates. The keyhole itself has a metal cover that opens from the middle when pushed on by the key. This will secure water and road grime from entering the lock.
ABUS U lock mounted on Red Line road bike
The X-Plus 540 also included a convenient mounting bracket that could be placed in a number of spots. For me, the best place was right under the top cross bar. Unfortunately, the instructions to this mounting bracket were in German. Looking at the pictures and guessing what parts go where, I ended up mounting the lock and to my surprise, the lock flew off my bike while riding!
Luckily there were YouTube videos that walked me through the proper way in mounting this lock. Once this lock is properly mounted (you will have to physically unlock the lock in order to remove it from the mount) it will not fall off your bike. This assures the lock is secured safely on the bike, as a 3 pound lock doesn’t feel too good on the foot!
Bianchi road bike with ABUS 54 mini
With the X-Plus U54 Mini, there was no mounting bracket, so I had to be creative and search for a place to store it while riding. If you’re someone that carries a backpack or rides with a luggage rack bag or pannier, storing the lock there will be the easiest. Otherwise, I locked it under my bike seat as it was resting on the back seat post bag.
ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 U lock
More on the ABUS’ Granit X-Plus 540: The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 has a 15/15 security rating, and is ideal for urban areas. If you need a secure safeguard when making stops where you have to leave your bike, the X-Plus 540 provides strong protection with a patented 13mm temper hardened steel square, parabolic shackle, and a double bolting shackle/lock body.
With its patented ABUS Power Cell technology your bicycle investment will be provided the highest protection against hitting and pulling attacks. Plus, the 540 features the most advanced technology available for lock picking prevention with the X-Plus Key cylinder in a U-Lock.
Commuter using ABUS U54 Mini
More on the ABUS’ the Granit X-Plus U54 Mini: The U54 Mini features the most advanced technology (the same as the U540) but in a short shackle version. The lock retains the wide profile of its full size siblings in the Granit X-Plus U lock family, making it ideal for use in cities that have reinforced parking meters available for bike parking and where a narrow shackle profile won’t fit.
The lock is double bolting, meaning that if any thief attacks the lock with a grinder will have to make two cuts, as opposed to one cut for other brands whose locks are single-bolting.
All in all, I’m a fan of these ABUS U-Locks and would suggest purchasing one of these two models. Suggested retail price of the Granit X-Plus 540 is $149.99 for the 9” shackle, and $159.99 for the 11” shackle. Suggested retail price of the Granit X-Plus U54 Mini is $109.00. Yes, they’re heavier and a bit more expensive than many other U-locks on the market, but the trade-off is security.
The Banjo Brothers Waterproof Saddle Trunk is a versatile bag that I have come to love. I have put it to the test it in all types of weather on the fatbike and my road bike. One of the things I like most is it gives me that extra carrying capacity without having to install a rack for a trunk bag. This bag has a big 400 cubic inches (12.5” L x 7” H x 8.5” W) of space to carry hat I need for those longer rides or commutes to work.
Installation is easy and only takes a few seconds. With two straps that attach to the seat post and two more that secure to the saddle rails, it stays in place even when fully loaded. Depending on the load of the bag, the saddle rail straps and the flap closure can be adjusted for a snug fit.
The outer pocket on the back flap of the Saddle Trunk is nice for little things like keys, money or a multi-tool and tire levers. There is even a spot to attach a tail light.
The “waterproof” part of this bag is made possible by a replaceable welded liner. I have been caught in the occasional downpour and my gear didn’t get wet, even without fenders. This proved invaluable when commuting to work and arriving with a dry change of clothes.
I found this bag especially useful for rides on the fatbike in the fall and winter. It came in quite handy on those cool morning rides that turn into warm afternoon rides. The compartment is big enough for me to ditch the jacket and gloves to continue riding without overheating. Other items like goggles, pogies/gloves, snacks and extra water bottles easily fit into the Saddle Trunk so I was always prepared for changing weather conditions or an all day ride. The waterproof qualities of the Saddle Trunk made sure my items stayed dry on warmer days where slush and puddles are common.
My overall impressions of the Waterproof Saddle Trunk is, it’s a quality bag at a reasonable price that keeps my items dry and has the extra storage space I need. What more could I ask for?
With easy on and off installation it is very convenient to use with multiple bikes making it a flexible bag choice. Along with the Banjo Brothers Frame Pack, it is standard equipment for all my long distance gravel/road rides also.
The Banjo Brothers Waterproof Saddle Trunk is available from the Banjo Brothers Online Store, Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.
Chris Chavie, MN Navigator I like to take my smartphone along on all of my rides for navigation, ride tracking, taking photos and to listen to my favorite podcasts and music. Usually I would just stash it in my jersey pocket, Though the problem with that is, anytime I needed to check the map or change what I was listening to I would have to stop and grab it. After seeing the Quad Lock Bike Kit on the web, I wanted to give it a try and see if it would do the trick to put my smartphone within easy view and hold it secure whether I was mountain biking or road riding.
One of the key features of the Quad Lock Stem/Bar mount that I liked was the dual action locking mechanism that would allow me to easily attach or remove my phone from the bike. This would come in handy for taking photos during a ride or taking my phone with me when parking my bike.
I ride in all types of weather, so keeping my phone dry while still having access to it mounted on my stem would be necessary. The Quad Lock Bike Kit comes with a rain-resistant cover called a Poncho that works fine.
The next question. would the Quad Lock Bike Kit hold my $600 smartphone securely to my stem on rough terrain? I would put this to the test on three bikes (fatbike, mountain bike and road bike) covering a variety of road and trail conditions and the answer is yes. See video link below.
Installation of the mount took only seconds and could be mounted with o-rings for easy removal or zip ties for a more permanent fixture. The case for the kit (Galaxy S4 for this review) is made of a polycarbonate core and a soft TPU outer material that made it easy to slip onto my phone.
On the fatbike and mountain bike, it held my phone securely on everything from bumpy gravel roads to singletrack scattered with rocks, roots and log crossings. The position of the phone on the stem made it easy to see where I was using Google maps or other cycling apps.
On my road bike is where I really came to love this mount kit. Many times when I head out for a ride I don’t have a route plan and will navigate using Google Maps on Strava. With the Quad Lock Bike Kit, I no longer have to stop to see where my next turn might be. I simply turn on my phone’s display and take a quick glance to see where I’m at.
Phone removal and attachment from the bike mount is quick and can be done using only one hand. Push down on the blue collar and twist to remove – Twist until the lock snaps into place to reattach. This lets me get a quick photo or two without fumbling around with the mount.
The rain-resistant Poncho cover slips onto the case with a little maneuvering providing a pretty good seal against rain, sweat and dust. While it keeps your phone dry during the occasional rain, this cover can make pushing the power, home and volume buttons a little more difficult. Touch screen functionality works ok, but sometimes, especially near the edges of the screen, a little more pressure is required. Since the Quad Lock Bike Kit doesn’t provide any screen protection without the use of the Poncho, a screen protector such as Zagg InvisibleShield may be necessary to protect the glass. There are no access ports on the Poncho so to use it with headphones or a charger, a paper punch can be used to make the necessary holes though. Use some tape to cover these holes when not in use so water or humidity wont get in.
Ben Coxworth, GizMag Much as mountain bike technology has advanced since the days of friction shifting and elastomer shocks, most MTBs are still equipped with dangling, fragile rear derailleurs and dirty chains. Switching to a belt drive or a hub transmission offers a couple of options, but Polish mountain biking medalist Gregory Zielinski has created another. His Nuseti bike features what he calls the Inner Drive System (IDS) – a 16-speed planetary gearbox that’s incorporated into the bottom bracket, and a chain that’s enclosed within the frame.
Both the gearbox and the chain are sealed against water and outside contaminants, plus they’re kept lubricated by separate sealed-in oil baths. This means that riders won’t be exposed to greasy crud, and won’t need to frequently clean or lube the drivetrain.
The gearbox can withstand up to 184 lb ft (250 Nm) of torque, which means that a force of 326 lb (147 kg) can safely be applied to each pedal. Although it has less individual gears than a regular setup, it has a gear range of 570 percent, which is in the neighborhood of that offered by a traditional mountain bike with a three-chain-ring configuration.
Also, as with other planetary gearboxes, it allows the rider to change gears even when they’re not pedaling, or while the drivetrain is under a heavy pedaling load. Additionally, like the Pinion gearbox but unlike hub transmissions, its location keeps the weight both low and central.
Gear shifts are initiated using two handlebar-mounted trigger shifters, with the left one being used to go into higher gears, and the right one used for down-shifting.
The chain consistently runs in a straight line from the gearbox to the rear hub, so riders don’t need to worry about mechanically straining it by placing it at too much of an angle. Additionally, it isn’t used in the gear-changing process, which is managed purely by the workings of the gearbox. For these reasons, Zielinski claims that it’s virtually impossible to break the chain.
Some people might wonder why he didn’t just go with a belt drive, but Gregory tells us that the one-piece construction of a belt doesn’t allow it to be installed within the IDS, plus he maintains that chains are “a more efficient and solid solution.”
At the moment, though, he’s focusing on raising funds via Kickstarter. Assuming the funding goal is met and the bike goes into production, a pledge of US$3,415 will get you an IDS-equipped Nuseti frame, with $6,262 required for a complete bike. The estimated weight of the final production model is 23.6 lb (10.7 kg), and it will be offered in four frame sizes and three wheel sizes (26, 27.5 and 29 inches). Zielinski also plans to produce a full-suspension model.
Nokia’s bike-powered cell phone chargers are being introduced this summer to try and influence more people to travel by bike and be more environmentally conscious. The pedal powered cell chargers can actually power quite a bit of cell phone time, claiming that just 10 minutes of biking at 6mph can give the user up to 28 minutes of talking time (which translates into 37 hours of standby time–not bad).
The first batch of Nokia’s bike-powered cell phone chargers will be available in Kenya, and worldwide following that release.
The Nokia Bicycle Charger Kit, which can be attached to any bicycle, powers up from the pedaling motion of the bike’s rider. A dynamo–the electricity generator–is powered by the front bicycle wheel as a rider pedals and transfers electricity to a charger attached to the handlebar, which a phone plugs into.
“To begin charging, a cyclist needs to travel around six kilometers per hour (four miles per hour), and while charging times will vary depending on battery model, a 10-minute journey at 10 kilometers per hour (six miles per hour) produces around 28 minutes of talk time or 37 hours of standby time. The faster you ride, the more battery life you generate,” Nokia said in a statement.
The charger can be used to power any Nokia phone with a 2mm power jack, according to Nokia.
The kit comes with two small brackets, in addition to the charger and generator. One bracket attaches to the bicycle’s handlebars to secure the charger and a cell phone holder. The other secures the small electric generator to the bike’s fork.
The world’s largest maker of cell phones said in a statement that its new product will provide “free and environmentally friendly electricity for mobile phones” and will likely be welcomed in areas of the world where bicycles are a transportation staple.
Priced at about $18, the charging kit is set to be available from Nokia online and Nokia phone retailers by year’s end.
With thousands of bicycles stolen yearly, what are you doing to ensure your bicycle’s safety?
The most important aspect of a safe and secured bike is having a reliable bike lock. Securely lock it in a well-lit – high-traffic area and have photo(s) along with your bike’s serial number and information on where it was purchased on file.
ABUS bike locks to choose
Here we found ABUS, a long-time industry leader in security, with numerous products to protect your equipment when you are not riding. Here are a few ABUS Bike Locks:\
The ABUS Granit X-Plus 540 has a 15/15 security rating and is ideal for urban areas. If you need protection on high-quality bicycles, the 540 provides strong protection with a patented 13mm temper hardened steel square, parabolic shackle, and a double bolting shackle/lock body.
With its patented ABUS Power Cell technology providing the highest protection against hitting and pulling attacks and the X-Plus Key cylinder offering extremely high protection from lock picking- the 540 features the most advanced technology available in a U-Lock.
The U54 Mini features the most advanced technology (the same as the U540) but in a short shackle version. The lock retains the wide profile of its full-size siblings in the Granit X-Plus U lock family, making it ideal for use in cities with reinforced parking meters available for bike parking and where a narrow shackle profile won’t fit.
The lock is double-bolting, meaning that any thief attacking the lock with a grinder will have to make two cuts, as opposed to one cut for other brands whose locks are single-bolting.
Designed in a range of 5 bright colors (black, orange, blue, lime, and pink), the new uGrip Bordo is the perfect locking solution for suburban or low-theft risk locking needs.
An updated, rotating lock body and “snap” closure make the uGrip tremendously easy to use. The rattle-free carrying case mounts quickly to the bike by using the provided Velcro straps or can be screwed directly into the bottle cage mounts, making transportation incredibly easy. A one-touch button frees the lock from its pouch, and a color-coded link and lock body make it simpler to identify the locking side of this lock.
The uGrip Bordo can also be ordered “keyed” with specific coil cables via special order.
Made of high-quality, temper-hardened steel, the Ultimate 420 has a slightly narrower inner width and lock body than the beefier Super Ultimate. The 14mm shackle double bolts into the lock body for robust protection against cutting and torsion attacks.
All ABUS locks feature industry-leading corrosion resistance-perfect for wet, rainy, and snowy climates!
Check with your local bike shop for these models and other products to safeguard your bicycle investment.
It’s also a smart idea to register your bicycle through the Minneapolis Police Department or the city you live in. Then, if your bicycle gets taken, call your local precinct and make a formal report. Be sure to include color, manufacturer, model, serial number, or any other identifiable features.
Pictures and information provided by Joan Hanscom, ABUS Marketing and PR Manager
For something that can happen so easily, a flat tire is responsible for a disproportionate amount of anguish. Even if your wheels spin on the quickest of quick-release axles, patching up a tube or replacing it all together can be as frustrating as it is time consuming. The team behind “patchnride” has developed a device claimed to quickly repair a punctured inner tube with no greased-covered hands or fidgety levers required.
As the name suggests, patchnride is designed to provide a quick-fix for a punctured tire, without having to remove the wheel. Unlike the SLiME Smart Tubes and Michelin Protek Max inner tube, which offer a self-contained solution, the patchnride is a separate tool that is small enough to keep in your pocket.
As with conventional patching jobs, the first step is to locate the leak. The patchnride kit includes a leak detector, which is essentially a liquid solution and a cloth. Rubbing the solution over the tire reacts with the air that is being released and causes bubbles to form at the site of the leak.
After pinching the tube, the tool’s pointed tip is inserted into the puncture with a twisting motion. Using a thumb slider, patchnride injects a patch and adhesive from a single use cartridge (called a “patch pod”) into the puncture. Pumping the tube full of air then causes it to press the patch against the underside of the tire and lock it in place, leaving the hole sealed tight and you with enough pressure to continue the ride. According to the developers, the process takes less than 60 seconds and requires little technical know-how.
The company says the tool will fix punctures up to 3 mm (0.12 in) in size and work with just about any bicycle, be it cruisers, mountain or road bikes, as long as its wheels run on inner tubes. The kits that include the patchnride tool, two patch pods and two leak detectors can be pre-ordered through the company’s website and is priced at US$30, with shipping planned for September 2014. Additional patch pods will be priced at $12.
See the patchnride demonstrated in the video here.
Chris Chavies, Minnesota Navigator
Wind noise has long been an annoyance when riding a bike and can also be a safety issue when it comes to hearing approaching automobiles. Now there is a new product called Wind-Blox, designed to help reduce wind noise and allow a cyclist to hear better while riding. After a successful Kickstarter campaign in the Fall of 2013, this product is now available to everyone.
Wind-Blox was the idea of creator Mike Fajen, who enjoyed listening to audio while commuting to work but found he had to turn the volume way up to overcome the wind noise. After wrapping socks around his front helmet straps to reduce the wind noise, he noticed he could turn his audio volume way down and was also able to clearly hear the sounds around him, including traffic. Design and development of Wind-Blox would soon follow.
Wind noise on windy days and riding downhill can be deafening, making it hard to hear anything. When I first came across Wind-Blox, I definitely wanted to give them a try and see if they would really make a difference. I enjoy listening to podcasts while riding and have to turn the volume way up to compensate for the loud wind noise. Sometimes the wind noise was so loud that even with a higher volume on my smartphone, I still had problems hearing my podcasts, let alone the traffic and sounds around me. After my fist ride using Wind-Blox it has been the perfect solution in reducing wind noise and allowing me to turn the volume of my podcasts way down while still be able to hear traffic and other sounds.
Wearing the Wind-Blox without the use of headphones while riding I noticed that wind noise was cut dramatically. The biggest differences I noticed was riding at a fast pace into a headwind and on speedy downhill’s. I tested them out in various riding conditions and speeds removing them at times to have a comparative analysis.
What I discovered was, riding was much more enjoyable and quieter with Wind-Blox on my helmet straps than without and carrying on conversations with other cyclists while riding was much easier – I was able to do so without turning my head to hear what they were saying and reading lips. When riding in traffic or out on those lonely gravel roads, I was able to hear cars approaching from behind much sooner because of the reduced wind noise that Wind-Blox blocks. Click here for their video.
The manufacture of this product states that it blocks over 50% of wind noise and I would have to agree with their claim. You’ll be able to hear sounds around you better, carry on conversations, listen to audio at lower volumes and notice sooner when an automobile is approaching.
Wind-Blox are available in Black, Bright Lime Green, Bright Pink and Silver Gray for $15/pair from the Wind-Blox Products page or on Amazon.com.
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