Sunday, July 30, 2006

Profile Design Aerodrink Water Bottle


With all the technology improvements that have been made with about almost everything, I wonder how Profile Design missed the mark with the Aerodrink water bottle. Now when I first bought this water bottle I thought, hey this seem like a great idea open top and a yellow splash guard poly web plug to keep the liquid in. On my very first ride it came out over a bump, after I picked it up I thought that there must be something that I have done wrong, shame on me. Well after reading the instruction again and again, I came to the conclusion that I must have missed placed it in the bottle. Well second time out, bump, out it pops, so I pick it up and now just stuff it fully in and for the rest of the ride it worked great. Along comes the New York Triathlon and off I go up the Henry Hudson Highway, and proceed south on the Mosholu, when all I see all over the road are little yellow splash guard poly web plug, I laughed and laughed the guy next to me thought I must be nuts. My point is with all the testing that companies do before releasing products you would think, hey this might be a problem. Profile Design really missed the mark on this one, what a shame.

Thursday, July 20, 2006

IDEA Bronze Award Goggles for the Masses


Goggles for the general public, they are comfortable, adjustable for various faces/heads, the strap widens towards the back for stability and a big clip to adjust with wet fingers. There are numbers on the notches so you can remember the place you adjusted them till the last time and they have rounded the lens for an increased field of vision.
Check them out! X-Base Tribord

Tuesday, July 18, 2006

Martin Keen is back: Miön Footwear


I noticed these shoes won an award from IDEA/Business Week, "The Best Product Design of 2006", then I noticed the name Martin Keen. Can this be the same person of the famous sandals company Keen Footwear, yes it is! He sold out a couple years ago and has been sailing ever since. Instead of starting another company he teamed with Timberland Co., which allows them to get into the water sports division. They have a hit, these shoes are every bit of what his original shoe was even better The Miön.
"It demands equipment; not fashion. It demands product that works. So with this new brand, I wanted to take advantage of some technology that has been used in other aspects of footwear, which is injection molded EVA. So I took that material and then incorporated a patented lacing system that I developed that produces a number of parts in the product and actually transfers a lot of the structure to this lacing system. The lacing system is actually a climbing-grade chord that travels all around the shoe several times and even around the back. So the lacing becomes a structural part of the product. One synch and the entire product closes around your foot. The primary target (for the product) was amphibious athletes, or people who like to experience their adventure around water. "
Check them out! Miön

Monday, July 10, 2006

Rent a Wetsuit: USAT Approved


This is a great service, since the New York City Triathlon is coming up this weekend (July 16th) and the water temp is still 58-63 degees I was thinking about getting a full suit. This service allows you to rent an Xterra Wetsuit for roughly $30 dollars and be able to put that towards the purchase of the suit. You can order within the week of the event. All wetsuits will be mailed and the cost of the postage will be added to the rental cost. Postage is $6. Please try not to wait until the last minute to request a wetsuit! I don't mind mailing the wetsuits out early so you can have time to try it out in open water prior to your event.
Check it out! Wetsuit Rental

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

Swim with Confidence and safety: SenTAG


If you have kids and you are afraid of them drowning or falling in, do you fear the water because you are not a strong swimmer then this is for you. Public pools are starting to use this device to keep track of the large amounts of people that go during the weekends. SenTAG has developed a practical and innovative bather protection system. The wrist unit monitors the '‘status' of the individual analyzingng their relative motion and depth the alarm goes off if the unit determines the swimmer is outside the set limits.
Great saftey device, should win a ton of awards. Check it out! SenTAG

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

adidas: +F50 Xite


Well adidas has done it again this time with Soccer. Always changing the way that we look at things, from the TANGO to the new F50 Xite built with triangular panels of varying sizes for an optimal round and smooth surface. What does this mean, well the way that it travels through the air, look for a more exiting FIFA World Cup. Goalies are going to be going nuts. Look at the header that the Czech Republics scored on the US, it goes right through his hands. They predicted that with less air restriction the ball would move faster and be unpredictable. Got to love it! adidas

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Nike Plus+

>
Nike is hot on the heals of adidas-polar with incorporating a heartrate monitor and its shoes. Nike has defiantly take it a step further with incorporating one of the best selling and used devices of our time, Apple's iPod and installing it in their shoes, being able to pick song based on your running efforts at the particular time. Gives you feedback realtime, pace and how far you have scheduled to go, then sync to the Nike Plus website to see your runs graphed.
Here's how it works:
A. Grab an iPod nano, a pair of Nike+ shoes, and the Nike+iPod Sport Kit.
B. Your shoes talk. Your iPod nano listens. Track your run in real time.
C. Connect your iPod nano, then connect with the world on nikeplus.com.
To work the device you:
Step 1.
Place the sensor in your left Nike+ shoe, in the built-in pocket beneath the insole. You can leave the sensor in your shoe even when you'’re not working out.
Step 2.
Attach the receiver to your iPod nano. The receiver fits snugly into the Dock connector, located on the bottom of your iPod nano next to the headphone jack.
Step 3.
Hit the ground running with workout-based voice feedback, Nike Sport Music content, and an iPod nano that stays in tune with every step.

The only problem that I have is that I use Mizuno and since they are not produced to the masses, technology like this might take some time. I would like to see some sort of association that regulates this so that all people that are interested can buy the technology and install it in whatever they are wearing. Right now I am very happy that Nike and Apple are working together and I can't wait to buy the shoes and reciever so that I can really give an accurate review of the technolgy, pre order at Nike and the whole setup if you own a NANO is roughly $130.00, stay tuned. Nike Plus+

Monday, May 29, 2006

USA Triathlon


For those who have not joined or looked at the new USA Triathlon website should spend some time looking around. It has membership info, events, age groupers, coaching area, news, ranking, clubs, rules and merchandise. The membership is cheap, Gold is $200, Silver $100 and bronze $30, log onto the site to see all the differences to each group. I do the Silver and find that it works the best for my schedule. The calendar function shows you all the races that are USAT certified. Search by location, event or date. So if you have not had the opportunity to visit please show your support for one of the fastest growing sports and Check it out! USA Triathlon

Tuesday, May 09, 2006

CamelBak: The Better Bottle


Now I have a couple Sigg bottles and I love them. Strong, original and well built but I have to give CamelBak credit for this little bottle. Spill proof , 9 colors, a little place to clip to your sack, dishwasher safe and a flip up bit valve just like little kids have today all for the perfect price of $12.00.
Check it out! CamelBak

Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Mizuno Wave Creation 7: Best Shoe EVER


I am now on my third Wave Creations and I don't think that I will buy another running shoe as long as they keep making the Wave Creation. Mizuno has really stepped up their place in the runners circle. The New Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon held in Long Branch NJ this past weekend was put on by Mizuno and they did a great job, quick dry shirts and hat, but back to the shoe. It is for a neutral foot-types, light and durable. I have used them in the winter, summer and under wet conditions and they hold up. The sole on my second pair delaminated, it was after I had put in well over 500 miles on them so to me it was ok. I have used them for every triathlon I have done, the only thing that I have changes out was the laces with Lock Laces. Lock Laces make it very easy to slipped them on and off for the quick transition from bike to run.
Check the out!Mizuno Wave Creation

Monday, April 24, 2006

SweatVac performance Race Hat


WOW this thing really work I finally got my USA Triathlon SweatVac Performance Race Hat - in black and I am extremely satisfied. I read about it in the last issue of USA Triathlon so I thought I would give it a try. It has performed better than expected. Light, certified 40+ UPF sun protection, reflective technology, 100% machine washable and less than 2 oz.. "SweatVac products are engineered and designed using a unique blend of the finest technical fabrics. The SweatVac System is a multi-layer system which places Transpor fabric against your skin and wicking layers on the outside. Simply put, SweatVac is the finest athletic perspiration management system available. The SweatVac System allows your body's temperature regulating system to work efficiently, so you can perform at your peak, whatever the weather, humidity or activity level."
Check it out! SweatVac

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Waterproof Headphones


The swimming part of training for triathlons can get very boring and after 6000 yard can drive you nuts. I use my iPod Shuffle for running and biking. I have looked and searched for headphone that could take the punishment of hours in the water. These are great, I need to wear a cap but I can hear the music. It is not crystal clear but something is better than nothing. "Quality Headphones designed to be 100% waterproof with or without the ear bud covers. The headphones are completely submergible and in the water the ear bud covers keep the water out of your ears and hold earphones in. On dry land, remove the covers and use them as standard headphones - they are completely weather proof and even sweatproof - so nothing's going to hold you back from your workout or playtime."
Check em out! The Waves Waterproof Headphones

Monday, April 10, 2006

Hans Rey Indoor Park


Being a mountain biker at heart and a Triathlete for the extra added challenge when I came across this site I was extremely excited. Hans Ray former trials riding world champion, a showman, a stuntman and an adventure mountain biker. He has traveled the world extensively; riding his GT mountain bikes, over and through areas previously considered unrideable. All the while, capturing the cultural, scenic, and spiritual aspects of these exotic locations; and always in search of something mystical or historical. Hans has now opened a indoor mountain bike park that is incredible. It is in Cleveland OH the season runs from October 18th through April 16th, what a way to spend the winter months in Cleveland. I contacted Hans about franchising and unfortunately he was unavailable to offer franchising at this time. He would however come out and help set one up for a fee I am sure,but I really wanted to have his name on the side of the building to help attract young riders.
Check it out! Rays Mountain Bike Indoor Park

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Endurance system - Training Peaks


Training Peak is on too something, take all the data sources from the major heart rate watch manufactures have them be able to be uploaded into your Endurance Training System and you captue the market. Training Peaks accepts Garmin, Polar, Timex Bodylink, CycleOps PowerTap and several others. The products offered are Athlete Edition, Training Plans, Messenger, Coach Edition and Desktop Companion. The most popular is the Athlete Edition -- Track your training and your nutrition with fun, simple and powerful online tools. Our online subscription includes a powerful training log, nutrition tracker, detailed reporting, Joe Friel's VirtualCoach, over 475 custom designed workouts and so much more. Try it now, free for 7-days and get your training on track!
Check it out! Training Peak

Thursday, March 30, 2006

DARTFISH: Capture, Visual Feedback and analyze your performance


If you watched the Olympics then you saw this technology, DARTFISH- The home of sports video training. If you have a PC, video camera, and the Dartfish software anyone can improve the way they swim, bike, golf, swing, run, basically any form of sport that you which to excel at! The software lets you create a library of your actions, then at any point you can compare the two and see where your swing changed, your stroke or running stride. In the winter Olympics this year NBC used it on the downhill and compared the runs from one skier to the next and you could see the different lines, tucks and skiers position. For the weekend warrior looking to improve their performance this can be a simple solution. Personally I think that all gyms should carry this feature, it could be a hug increase in members paying extra to see how they are really doing against others or themselves.
Check it out! DARTFISH