Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Magnetic bicycle pedals

UltraRob took this photo of ProTonLocks Magnetic Bicycle Pedals during Outdoor Demo at Interbike 2009. He says they magnets are strong enough to hold the shoe in place. According to ProTonLocks, these pedal retention systems are used a lot for therapy for injuries or cerebral palsy. ProTonLocks seems to be marketed mostly toward BMX riders.



The magnetic plates will fit "most SP - ISIS - two screw cleat mount" cycling shoes. This contrasts with Mavic's EZ Ride Magnetic Pedals, which requires a special shoe that matches the pedal.

Mavic EZ Ride Magnetic pedal and shoe


There are six models of the shoe (3 designs for men and women), but I'm curious how well this proprietary shoe plus pedal will work out for Mavic, and it's Yet Another Shoe (in several sizes) that the bike stores have to keep in stock if they want to sell this pedal.

While recent advances in strong magnets make magnetic pedal retention more practical, the idea has been around since the 19th Century. Henry Tudor first patented his magnetic bike pedal in 1896.

Henry Tudor's magnetic bike pedal


"The object of my invention is to avoid the use of toe-clips or other devices by which to prevent the foot from slipping off or disengaging from the pedal," says Tudor's US patent 588,038. His patent specifies a magnetic plate on the pedal, and either "soft iron" or another magnet in the shoe to "hold the foot in a fixed position and prevent any change or disengagement from the pedal which might occur arising from high speed or due to shocks or jolts owing to irregularities in the surface of the road."

Nearly 100 years later, patent 5473963 is granted to James Aeschbach's "Magnetic bicycle pedal foot retainer," which improves on the state of the art by embedding the shoe magnet into the sole of the shoe in a way that's compatible with clipless pedal binding systems of the day.

James F. Aeschbach's magnetic bike pedal


What do you think? Are modern clipless pedals good enough for you? Or would you like something you can just snap in place without any practice beforehand?

Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle

Sanyo Eneloop electric assist bicycle: "Ene + Loop" describes "energy looping" features: regenerative charging, pedal assist bicycle.

Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle


Sanyo launched their Eneloop ebike to the North American market today at Interbike. The Eneloop bike is expected to be available through independent bicycle dealers and specialty retailers throughout the United States beginning in November 2009, with a suggested retail price starting at $2,299.

Regenerative battery charging can be done by braking and by going downhill to extend the bike's range.

bicycle brake lever The eneloop bike is a 26-inch, three-speed regenerative, pedal-assist hybrid electric bicycle. As such, riders can propel the eneloop bike under their own power or can engage the bike’s motor and electrical system to pedal in one of three assist modes – standard, power-up or auto – where the front hub-based motor helps the bicycle and rider travel forward.

As with similar ebikes, power and mode are selected from a handlebar mounted panel switch. The Sanyo eneloop is somewhat unique in that the bike lights are integrated with the other electronics of the bike; other ebikes tend to have lighting as a separate system if they're included at all.

ebike switch


Sanyo Eneloop bike motor
As with most other ebikes, the power assist comes from a hub motor. The motor, mounted in the front hub, is a 250 watt DC brushless motor.

Sanyo claims the Eneloop bike motor can provide as much as twice the effort as you put into pedaling, while previous pedal assist bikes provide about a 1:1 assist ratio. A torque sensor at the rear wheel senses the pedal power and adjusts the powered wheel output accordingly.

Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle


Some features of the eneloop bicycle:
  • 25.9 volt/5.7 Ampere-hour(Ah) lithium-ion battery
  • Charge time ~ 3.5 hours
  • Total bike weight ~ 50 pounds (about typical of hybrid ebikes)
  • Taillight brake lamp - High-intensity, flashing LED tail lamp that operates when the headlight is turned on and flashes faster when braking
  • Handlebar panel switch
  • Low frame and saddle design to allow easy step-through and mounting
  • Seat that accommodates 26-inch framing
  • Neatly-designed frame with internal cabling


Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle


Expected riding distances:
  • Up to 17 miles in Standard Mode – no charging while riding (with the motor engaged)
  • Up to 20 miles in Power-Up Mode – regenerative charging via braking only
  • Up to 40 miles in Auto Mode – full regenerative charging


Sanyo Eneloop electric bicycle


More: Sanyo Eneloop Bike.

KEEN Cycling Shoes - Presidio Pedal & Austin Pedal

Believe it or not, this is an SPD compatible cycling shoe.

Keen Austin Cycling shoe


Building on the success of their popular Commuter Sandal and Springwater cycling shoe, KEEN created the Austin Pedal shoe for men. The waterproof leather with classic Oxford lace design disguises the bike-ready performance of a recessed SPD plate underfoot. The Austin comes prepared for long commutes with a moisture wicking lining and toe-protecting rubber outsole.

For women, KEEN took their Presidio shoe and added SPD compatibility to create the Presidio Pedal.

Keen Presidio Cycling shoe


The Presidio Pedal blends the outsole construction of a lightweight hiking shoe, the style of a downtown street shoe with the SPD-compatible performance of a bike shoe. A full grain waterproof leather upper with durable top stitched construction and a soft leather lining offer style and comfort. A recessed SPD plate allows for clipless efficiency, while an anti-microbial metatomical footbed and rugged outsole with toe coverage provide support and protection.

These shoes will be available Spring / Summer 2010.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Interbike 2009 Day 2: Photos and links

Elly Blue of Bike Portland sez: "Booth Girls are for real."

Booth girls are for real


Amy Walker of Momentum Magazine at Outdoor Demo Day 2.

Amy Walker of Momentum Magazine at Outdoor Demo




Bike Portland: Elly Blue's Great Interbike Adventure

Soma Fabrications: Off to Vegas.

Sprinter della Casa: Interbike 2009 Travel.

Cyclocross Magazine: CX Goodies from Interbike 2009.

MTBR Interbike Photos.





Bicycle cops on Cannondales Vs, Lamborghini. Only in Vegas! on Twitpic

<-- Photo: Only in Vegas: Bike cops pull over a Lamborghini!

Bike Biz: Better than expected crowds at Outdoor Demo.

Norcal Cycling: The Best Place In the World.

Share photos on twitter with Twitpic

Photo: Carlton on the Tour of Lake Mead -->

Road Bike Review Interbike Coverage.

There were 384 riders at the Tour of Lake Mead. 100 more than last year!


Share photos on twitter with Twitpic Share photos on twitter with Twitpic Interbike 2009 yep @veloreviews relaxing before the start of ... on Twitpic

Electra Ticino bicycles

I gave you a little sneak peek of Electra's new Ticino line of bikes a couple of weeks ago. Here are the specific models and details. They'll be available in November 2009. All bikes come in "Men's" and "Ladies'" models.

Ticino 20D $2,000



• Handcrafted, Smooth Welded, Double Butted 6066 Aluminum Frame
• Hand-brazed Fork with Investment-Cast Crown and Butted CrMo Blades
• Shimano 105 20-Speed Drivetrain, Dia-Compe Downtube Shifters
• Ticino Forged Alloy Compact Double Crankset
• Five Star High Flange Hubs and Electra Elite High Polished Double Wall Rims
• Ticino Dual Density Saddle
• Hammered Alloy Fenders, Stainless Steel Rear Carrier


Ticino 18D $1,500



• Butted 6061 T-6 Aluminum Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown and Butted CrMo Blades
• Shimano Tiagra 18-Speed Drivetrain and Rapidfire Plus Shifters
• Ticino Forged Alloy Compact Double Crankset
• Five Star High Flange Hubs and Electra Elite High Polished Double Wall Rims
• Ticino Dual Density Saddle
• Hammered Alloy Fenders, Stainless Steel Rear Carrier


Ticino Lux $1,250



• Triple Butted Chromoly Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown and Butted CrMo Blades
• Single-Speed Drivetrain with Five Star Flip-Flop Rear Hub
• Ticino Forged Alloy Crankset with 42t Alloy Chainring and Double Alloy Chainguard
• Tektro Dual Pivot Pull Brakes
• Ticino Dual Density, Genuine Leather Saddle w/Chromoly Rails
• Painted Alloy Fenders


Ticino 16D $1,100



• Butted 6061 T-6 Aluminum Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown and Butted CrMo Blades
• Shimano 2300 16-Speed Drivetrain and Rapidfire Plus Shifters
• Ticino Forged Alloy Compact Double Crankset
• Tektro Cantilever (Men’s) or Dia-Compe Center-Pull (Ladies’) Brakes
• Hammered Alloy Fenders, Stainless Steel Rear Carrier


Ticino 8D $800

• Butted 6061 T-6 Aluminum Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown and Butted CrMo Blades
• Shimano 2300 8-Speed Drivetrain and Rapidfire Plus Shifter
• Ticino Forged Alloy Crankset with 42t Alloy Chainring and Double Alloy Chainguard
• Tektro Cantilever (Men’s) or Dia-Compe Center-Pull (Ladies’) Brakes
• Hammered Alloy Fenders
• Tubular Stainless Steel Constructeurs Rear Carrier



Ticino 7D $550

• 6061 T-6 Aluminum Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown
• Shimano Acera 7-Speed Drivetrain and Thumbshifter Plus Shifter
• Ticino Forged Alloy Crankset with 42t Alloy Chainring and Double Alloy Chainguard
• Alloy Linear Pull (Men’s) or Center-Pull (Ladies’) Brakes
• Stainless Steel Fenders



Ticino 1 $500

• Cromoly Maintube Frame
• Hand-Brazed Fork with Investment Cast Crown
• Simple Single-Speed Drivetrain
• Ticino Forged Alloy Crankset with 42t Chainring & Double Alloy Chainguard
• Alloy Linear Pull Brakes
• Stainless Steel Fenders

AT&T phones: Only 1 cent!

Update: It looks like the ONE PENNY offer has been extended to September 28

TODAY (September 22) ONLY Through September 28 -- all AT&T phones (except iPhone) for ONE PENNY when purchased through Amazon.com. New activations only and contract required.

This deal includes phones like the $400 Samsung Eternity or the $500 BlackBerry Bold, among any of their other phones.

Bike With Me

I hope you enjoy this 90 second vignette of my morning commute.