The Better Body Armor: POC LAB

Look at the things that hurt (back, arms, legs, and shines) us the most and then have a company like POC Lab take a look at how to protect them! What you end up with is a full line of Body Armor or Protective gear, that is built to function effortlessly while you play hard. If you are into skiing, Mt. Biking, Motor Cross and even rollerblading you will find a use for this gear.
"The body armor has been developed in close collaboration with our back specialists at POC Lab. The Spine back protector and its accessories assures that you get protection for the upper part of the spine, including vertebrae C1 to C7, and also for the lowest part including the caudal area. Spine forms the basis of a modular system that you can trust absolutely. It consists of a flexibly jointed back-shield in a special combination of the latest high-tech materials, anatomically shaped and generously ventilated. We have improved the design of the waistband by widening the bands, which are tapered towards the ends, to add support and comfort. The waistbands also use a new super-strong Velcro that will last for ever."
Check it out! POC Lab

Brilliantly Simple Solution for Bike Storage: CYCLOC

If you are like most we all have a couple bikes and lack of storage. Now most people will hang their bicycles from a hook or lean them up against a wall, bumping into them and getting grease on their cloths. Cycloc is a stylish and great way to get you bike out of the way. In towns and cities, where cycling is the answer to your transport needs, Cycloc provides the practical solution to bike storage in your home. Buy a Cycloc and instantly free-up floor space, so you can win back your hallway.
Check it out! CYCLOC

Energy Drink: FRS PLUS at it again

This stuff is great a energy blast from concentrate. I used it for about 5 months then thought hey lets see what happens. Well what happend was that my performance was off, so I'm back on and feeling great. In less than a year they have 4 new products, Concentrate, Chew, Powder and Ready to drink. Now I have only had the Concentrate, so I really can't judge the rest of New Sun Nutrition, LLC., (unless they would like to send me some) and it is great. 2 ounces with 6 ounces of water, and 1/2 hour later I am ready to go. FRS concentrate is the perfect solution if you drink FRS on a regular basis and prefer to drink FRS in beverage form. Each bottle contains 1-2 weeks supply of product and fits conveniently in your refrigerator. The concentrate is also great for adding to your favorite smoothie, seltzer water or juice blend. It comes in Orange Regular & Low Calorie.
Check it out! FRS PLUS

Slipstreamz cycling earwear for iPods

Would have, Could have, Should have, this is one of those pieces of equipment that all of us wish we would have thought of, Slipstremz a functional ear cover that you can plug your iPod buds into and still be able to hear what is around you. Slipstreamz attach/fasten to a bicycle helmet's straps, keeping the buds away from your ears, enabling your to hear cars coming upon you. If you already ride with your Apple iPod (which is a very bad idea) then you are aware that they keep coming out unless you tape them onto your ears. Then you have too turn the volume way up tp hear anything, the Slipstreamz is the solution it is like having the music playing in the background at home. A nice way to listen to your music while ridding for hours at a time.
Check it out! Slipstremz Purchase! MacFriends

Burton, Audex Push To Talk Jacket

Burton has done it again, they have really hit the music in motion just right. Knowing their market and working with the top company Motorola. With the Audex they not only combined the ipod, but now Burton has incorporated Push-to-Talk, Two-Way Radio System. This is great and have really pushed the limits. The price is a different thing, whoever said technology doesn't cost these are $400. Hey if you hold onto it for more than a year it could see the justification. Targeting snowboarders who want to listen to music and take/make calls while on the slopes, the jacket has a set of controls in its left-hand sleeve which connect to a set of speakers and a microphone concealed in the hood. Bluetooth connect wirelessly to the Speaker and Micophone.
check it out!Burton

Nixon Snow Dork

Thanks to Outside Magazine for pointing this one out. It is called the Snow Dork and by the look of it you will know why. They best thing is that with a touch of the brim it screams out the time. How many times have you tried to roll up your jacket to un-bury your watch, what a pain. No velcro and no straps. Press, Listen catch the last chair!
Check it out! Nixon Snow Dork

Cranking out New Technology, Dr Martin Becker!

Special thanks goes to Gizmag for discovering this juicy piece of technology. Dr Martin Becker of the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE, has developed a chip that uses sensors and actuators to help racing cyclists optimize their performance. There are many different devices out on the market that will measure cadence, speed and power but this one seems to have a different angle. Most of us know that if you want to be on the top of your game you need to be computer monitoring your activity, to see where you are falling short. "Ambient Intelligence will make it possible to constantly monitor and enhance the performance of individual riders and whole teams," says Becker of the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering IESE in Kaiserslautern. "Each bicycle is fitted with equipment that constantly registers the forces acting on the pedals. Further significant factors are the riderÂ’s pulse andpeddlingg frequency, the speed and the gradient. All these readings are collected in a processor on the bicycle and radioed to a central processing unit where they are analyzed. The computer delivers individual training recommendations to each rider: He can view them on a display mounted on the handlebars or listen to them over headphones. To enable the cyclists to retrieve information on demand while riding, the Hungarian research team is developing an adaptive component that recognizes voice commands even when they sound distorted due to physical exertion."
Check it out! Smart technology for racing cyclists

BodyWall Stretching Human Performance

Now wild as this may be, there might be some validate in the BodyWall. Seems as though this was used by the Auckland Warriors and team NZ at the America's Cup, not bad since they won the cup. Chris Toal the inventor of the BodyWall became frustrated at treating quite large numbers of injuries that were easily avoided by releasing tension within soft tissues. Research told him clients would only use it if the solution was easy to use fast and effective. It works with gloves, shoes and a mat that hangs on the wall. The surface (might be velcro) can hold ones body weight, from there you can stretch, hold moves even come up with ideas without having the impact of the ground or messing up. It is an interesting concept.
Check it out! BodyWall

Bern Helmets one for all sports

You have to love this and wonder why the big guys never came up with it. A helmet that is for all sports and all season. Bern Helmets have removable goggle clips, ipod integration, heat release, interchangeable liners for BMX, skate, snowboard, Mt. Bikes, etc.. They even have accessories for to help keep your head warm. They seem to have hit it big with the news that Andy MacDonald signed with them. I am really interested and would sell or through out my old helmets to have just one.
Check it out! Bern Helmets

Profile Design Tri-Stryke Ti Saddle

Well Profile Design has redeemed themselves with the Tri-Stryke saddle, I have been using the saddle that came with my Cannondale and I was happy with it until I started really putting in the miles. The Tri-Stryke has relieved the pressure and there is no looking back. It has a padded nose where most triathletes spend most their time, transition rack friendly, Cut-away with vents for comfort and a price point that can't be beat, MSRP - $74.99.
Check it out! Profile Design

Polar and the Treo 650, Great Together

VidaOne is some cool technology, they allow you to take the data from several Polar devices and transfer it to the Treo 650 or PocketPC seamlessly. At first they allow you to have 10 trial transfers then you have to pay a small fee, I understand that Polar sends software with their watches but the ease of use and set up compared to doing it on your PC is night and day (Polar should take notice).

Keep in mind I don't have to have the USB IR interface (the white wand), now I know that Polar has come out with a new device that works a little better but I have not had the chance to review it just yet. Straight and simple watch+Treo 650=data. NICE.
Also no more MAC vrs. PC problem.

Requirements:
MySportTraining Polar for Palm OS
MySportTraining for Palm OS 3.2.5 or newer

One of the following Polar heart rate monitors (all other Polar models, including the S810 and 820i models, are not supported):
S610
S610i
S625X
S710
S720i
S725
S725X
One of the following Palm OS handheld models. Models that are not listed may very well work; if you've successfully tested on a device not listed below, we would be grateful if you could let us know. Thank you!
Handspring Visor Pro
Kyocera 7135
Palm Vx
Palm m505 (with S710 only)
PalmOne LifeDrive
Palm T|X
Palm Z22
Palm Zire 31, 72
Sony CLIE TJ-25
Sony CLIE TJ-37
Sony CLIE TH-55
Sony CLIE UX-50
Treo 650
Tungsten C
Tungsten E2
Tungsten T3
Tungsten T5:

Check it out!
VidaOne

Kestrel 4100 Pocket Air Flow Tracker

If you are a complete gadget nut and need to have a device that does almost anything that you ask of it then the Kestrel wind/weather instrument is for you. Now I have been on the water my whole life and I have used many different devices to get the same read out's but I can tell you none fit in the palm of your hand. Sailing in the J24 class for the past 15 years this little device is going to come in handy, adding weight to a J24 can be hazardous to your health if you have a crazy skipper.

Let me give you a quick summary of what this puppy can do:
• Air flow in cfm, L/s, m³/s, m³/m, m³/h
• Air Velocity in ft/m, mph, m/s, km/h, kts, Beaufort
• Temperature in °F or °C
• Humidity in %
• Additional measurements of dewpoint, wind chill and heat stress index
• Data Logger (automatic and manual)
• Minimum, Maximum and Average values
• Multi-Function 3-line display
• Impeller can be replaced without tools
• Humidity sensor can be recalibrated in the field with our Relative Humidity Calibration Kit.
• Graphical Display for logged values
• Upload to a computer (with optional interface)
• Backlight for low light conditions
• Includes neck and wrist lanyards, protective pouch and 2 AAA batteries

What else can you say, oh yea it fits in the palm of you hand and weighs 3.6 oz..
Check it out! kestrel Wind Wind and Weather Instrument

Polar Speed Sensor Kit 2000

EASY, SIMPLE and works right away, one setting on the watch (Polar S625X Running Computer) and you are off. I installed this the other day and I am extremely happy. I am really only concerned with speed and time and HR and this is great. It came with 2 different spoke attachments, which was great since I have aero spokes and the handle bar mount I have installed right onto my stem. The hardest part was unpacking that crazy "new" packaging, once through that 15 minutes later and I was off and riding.
Check it out! Polar Speed Sensor Kit 2000

Sportsuit Sensor+ for Nike/iPod

I wrote about this a couple weeks back, I thought that Nike and Apple had missed the boat not allowing millions of other runners the chance to use this kit. Well Marware has come out with a case that attaches under the shoelaces and fastening it with a strong velcro closure. Not only can you now use the iPod kit on any shoe but you can protect the Sensor from the elements.
Check it out! Sportsuit

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.