Taipei: Award winning Folding designs from Tern and Biologic

As sister companies, Tern and Biologic really started catering to the folding bike crowd, but lately Biologic has been expanding to offer smart accessories to riders of any bike. Take their new FixKit multi-tool for example, it features 20 different integrated tools including one of the most useful pedal wrenches/axle nut wrenches we’ve ever seen in a multi-tool. By folding out the allen wrenches, and covering them in the neoprene sleeve, it extends the leverage of the wrench meaning you might actually be able to remove that stubborn pedal. When you’re done, the patented design folds into a shape no bigger than your standard multi tool. And at only $34.95, it’s pretty easy on the wallet as well.

Biologic had some other nifty items on display, plus some award winning designs from Tern, next…

Biologic has two new options for keeping your phone dry on the run, a hard case for the iPhone 5, and a dry bag for larger smartphoneslike the Galaxy Note. The dry bag offers full waterproof protection up to 3 feet, with the bag anchored to the bar with the Generation 2 Biologic Anchorpoint clamp system. While in the bag, the phone’s touch screen and rear camera still work, as well as the bag provides a waterproof headphone jack. The Dry Bag retails for $34.95. The iPhone 5 hard case is now designed to work with the Anchorpoint clamp system as well, and offers IP68 total waterproofing, but still offers access to the charging and headphone port. The sleek aluminum shell uses an internal silicone suspension system for shock absorption and weighs only 86g. The case is designed to be used every day, but will still clamp to your bike when needed and retails for $99.95 or $119.95 with the handlebar mount.

Why would you want to carry your smart phone with you? Maybe you want to use it as a cycling computer with Biologic’s new Bluetooth Smart Speed Cadence sensor. The system is compatible with any Bluetooth 4.0 compatible smartphone and provides speed and cadence data to cycling apps like the BioLogic Bike Brain. The Bluetooth Smart technology allows for up to 700 hours of use from a single battery, and the system is easy to install. Retail is $45.95.

For better or for worse, safety lighting is gaining a lot more attention recently with a number of new light designs. Biologic is flexing their LED muscle with the new Argus front and rear LEDs. The lights use a flexible mount that allows you to point them in the proper direction, and turn on and off by tapping the lens. The lights have a replaceable strap and retail for $19.95 per set.

There were many times in Taiwan where I wished that I had a folding bike, and Tern is pumping out new bikes to make it even easier to get around. The Swoop and the Trolley Rack are two new products that combine awesome design with a folding bikes – at least according to the D&I awards they won. The Swoop is pretty self explanatory, it is a folding bike with a step through frame. Folding bikes are already pretty low as it is, but if you the ultimate in accessibility this is a good start. It may be one of the lowest step through frames we’ve seen -folding or not.

The Trolley Rack is an add on for your Tern Link D8, Link P9, Link P24h, Link D7i, Link P7i, and Link Uno bikes that turns it into a rolling suit case when not in use. Outfitted with wheels on the side of the rack, when you fold up the bike the seat and seat post becomes the handle, and the integrated cover keeps things clean and protected. Everything stows on the bike for riding, so you can move about the city with ease.

If your travels with your folder involve jumping on a plane, the new FlightSuit offers full protection for your bike that fits in a standard suit case. Inside this Samsonite Flite suitcase is a full Tern stored in the protective cover called the FlightSuit. It fits 20 and 24″ Tern folded bikes, and is constructed from 240D nylon with dual layer padding to keep your bike safe. With the instructions printed right on the pad you’ll never forget how to pack your bike either. The FlightSuit retails for $75, bike and suitcase sold separately.