For all the talk SRAM put into the unhackable nature of their new eTAP wireless shifting, this conversion to control a Space Invaders game was brilliant. One controller moved you left, the other right, and a simultaneous push of both buttons fired.
For stuff you actually can by to hack (or fix) your own bike and components, or to just live in your car, blip past the break…
BiciSupport offers a massive array of shop tables, work stands and fixed workstations designed to make all manner of repairs and maintenance easier.
The Professionist (it’s an Italian company, so product name may not translate) work table is a sturdy, metal-framed table with plastic top full of trays. It has two bike holding options on top, one with the rear wheel attached, and one to clamp into both front and rear dropouts. Adapters for 15mm and 20mm thru axles are included, and we’re guessing they’ll have 12mm adapters soon, too. It also includes a wheel truing stand and side clamp arm.
On the back wall is a collection of their tools. Up front is a clever fork holder, which should make basic repairs easier, especially opening up the top caps to access the air chamber or damping internals.
IceToolz, from Lifu, which makes a massive array of tools, has a new T-handle torque tool that’s light, cheap and easy to use. Swappable bits let it work on just about any bolt…
…and it’s got a wide range of torque values.
These hubs? I have no idea. Just thought the carbon sleeve inside the alloy shell was worth a quick pic.
We all like listening to music or podcasts while we’re working on our bikes, but wires can snag on things and sometimes no one else wants to share our groove. For those times, the new Jaybird X2 ups the spec from the original version we reviewed by offering higher quality Bluetooth audio and an impressive 8-hour battery.
The X2 also adds SignalPlus to improve wireless signal transmission regardless of where your phone or MP3 player is located on your body and how crazy active you’re getting. Each set comes with a range of ear bud and wind sizes to customize the fit, and it’s available in six colors.
While we were lured over with fine Scottish whisky, the Scottish Development booth at Eurobike turned out to be an incubator of interesting new products. The Stumpy from Cyclogical promises to be the smallest, simplest, and cheapest way to store your bike. If you keep your bike inside and are tired of the handlebars scratching up the walls, this is for you. Shown here in prototype form, the final thermoplastic cups will attach to drop or flat bars and provide a non-slip point of contact between your bike and the wall. Portable and manufactured in the UK, Cyclogical will have a crowdfunding campaign for the Stumpy soon.
VeloJackr is another Scottish innovation which is perfect for anyone with white saddles or bar tape, or anyone who just doesn’t want to damage their bike when changing a flat. A lot of people turn their bikes upside down to fix flats, which works great but it also leaves the bars, stem, saddle, and accessories vulnerable to damage from contact with the ground. VeroJackr is a two part stand for your handlebars which lifts the front end off the ground. It also serves as storage for a flat repair kit and a water proof saddle cover which protects the seat when it’s upside down. Sized to fit inside medium-large saddle bags, VeloJackr will also be launching a Kickstarter or similar soon.
File this one under car hacks. With Packa Shack you can turn your vehicle into a car camper, base camp, or changing room. Setting itself apart from other car tents, Packa Shack is relatively universal and packs super small and light weight. All designed and manufactured in the UK, there are various size Packa Shacks depending on the size and shape of your vehicle.
From the highlands of Scotland to the hills of Kentucky, Wald has been making accessories in Maysville, Kentucky since 1905. Their latest products include this Pizza Rack which is perfect for transporting, well, pizza, or anything else large and rectangular (30 pack?). Built with up to 31.8mm bar capability, the Multi Fit Front Rack as it’s officially named sells for $46.
Wald was also showing the Multi-Fit Front basket and Rack combo which is exactly what it sounds like. The basket snaps into place and locks in with the handle, and the whole combo sells for $50.
Following the success of their Nutter, Full Windsor is back with a similar multi tool called the Breaker. Replacing the 15mm wrench with a chain breaker, the steel handle includes a tire lever, multiple bits, and a number of other features. It all fits inside a neat leather and recycled inner tube pouch that can be fastened to saddles or stuffed in your bag/pocket.
Does the world really need more bleed kits? If you’re the Bunny Hop Tribe the answer is yes. Their kits include high quality syringes with easy to use clamps, and the glued in BASF Elastollan hoses and fittings are guaranteed leak proof for 3 years. They also include their own mineral oil which claim to have the same performance in red, or improved performance in green with a higher boiling point. Kits are available for Shimano, SRAM/Avid, and Formula brakes.
