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Roundup: Killer new tools, gadgets, storage options & Hacks

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sram-red-etap-space-invaders-video-game-hack

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-bicycle-repair-workshop-stands-tables-mounts-and-tools01

BiciSupport offers a massive array of shop tables, work stands and fixed workstations designed to make all manner of repairs and maintenance easier.

BiciSupport-bicycle-repair-workshop-stands-tables-mounts-and-tools02

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.

BiciSupport-bicycle-repair-workshop-stands-tables-mounts-and-tools03

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-t-handle-torque-wrench-with-removable-bits02

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…

IceToolz-t-handle-torque-wrench-with-removable-bits01

…and it’s got a wide range of torque values.

random-hubs-with-carbon-inserts

These hubs? I have no idea. Just thought the carbon sleeve inside the alloy shell was worth a quick pic.

Jaybird-X2-bluetooth-earbuds-for-athletes01

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.

Jaybird-X2-bluetooth-earbuds-for-athletes03

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.

cyclogical stumpy bike stand (2)

cyclogical stumpy bike stand (4) cyclogical stumpy bike stand (1)

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 bike repair stand kit (3)

Velojackr bike repair stand kit (1) Velojackr bike repair stand kit (2)

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.

Photo c. Packa Shack
Photo c. Packa Shack

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.

Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (3)

Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (5) Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (2)

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 Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (1) Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (7)

Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (9) Wald Baskets pizza tray rack basket combo (8)

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.

the breaker full windsor (2)

the breaker full windsor the breaker full windsor (1)

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.

Bleed kit (3)

Bleed kit (1) Bleed kit (7)

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.

 

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Stravarious
Stravarious
8 years ago

BR shouldn’t promote cyclists being distracted either with headphones or ear buds.
Distracted drivers are one of the biggest problems for us cyclists.
“It can take 27 seconds for a driver using a voice-activated entertainment system to regain full alertness after making a command from behind the wheel. That could be 1000 feet later before the driver is back in the moment. Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. 31% of U.S. drivers ages 18-64 reported that they had read or sent text messages or email messages while driving within the previous 30 days. “

Allan
Allan
8 years ago

The Stumpy is my favorite of all this stuff. No idea either about the alloy/carbon hub, but it looks very gimicky, just by having a “window” cut out in the body to look at the carbon weave.

suede
suede
8 years ago

I’ve never understood the appeal of workstands that don’t hold a bike with both wheels still attached. Guess I’m a grumpy old curmudgeon that likes to adjust bicycle components when the bike is fully assembled.

Luke
Luke
8 years ago

Suede, A lot easier to build a bike held in place from scratch without the wheels in the way especially with all this internal routing, wires, batteries, widgets……

Kernel Flickitov
Kernel Flickitov
8 years ago

Re: @Stravarious, are cyclists so distracted by music in their ears that their causing mad carnage out there? Your driving stats don’t support your no earbuds for cyclists policy. (deleted)

Hank Hill
Hank Hill
8 years ago

OH HEAVENS To besty! Cyclists can’t ride responsibly while using headphones! That’s why deaf people can’t legally road ride and why vehicle operators can’t listen to music while driving!

GreenG
GreenG
8 years ago

Stravarious – thanks for the PSA – duly noted. You can go to bed self-satisfied and smug. OK, that done – BR – thanks for actual useful information. I plan on buying a set of these for my night rides (that’s in the woods Stravy).

Chasejj
Chasejj
8 years ago

@Stratavarious-On the street I agree that earbuds are not a smart idea. But not running a PR piece as a policy?

I run the the Jaybird X2’s. I find them very nice with one exception. While riding offroad MTB(all I do) they don’t like to stay in my ears . The big half moon rubber pieces slide after they get hot and sweaty, allowing them to move around. There are a variety of cheap solutions on Ebay to run different style of ear retainers and some work very well. I know it is outrageous to have to do this for a $150 set of earbuds , but I already had them before I figured it out.

Darryl
Darryl
8 years ago

Suede, some of us have bikes that come with little tags on every frame tube when you take them out of the box that say ‘do not clamp’.
The only thing you cannot do with a fork mounted stand is adjust front brakes.
A 2 min job when it is back on the ground.

Ck
Ck
8 years ago

I love how people blast cyclists for “distracted” riding with earbuds, meanwhile I see more and more car drivers operating vehicles with earbuds in. Yet nobody makes a peep about that. Those Jaybirds are awesome, and when my functional $30 off-brand Chinese ones stop working, I will be getting a pair.

Verge
Verge
8 years ago

You really have to have some guts and be able to afford big lawyers to call your product ” Stumpy ” nowdays

Balleur
Balleur
8 years ago

What hubs are those?!

James
James
8 years ago

I admit, I ride with headphones usually when I’m on a MUP or on my lightly-trafficked training loop. I don’t ride with them in most other cases, mostly because I’ve been told I shouldn’t.

If you’re riding as safe as you possibly can by riding on established bike routes, using visible clothing and lights, keeping that head on a pivot, what difference does it make if you’re using earbuds/headphones? I understand the value in knowing if there is traffic behind you, but if you ride assuming that you will be passed by vehicles, do you you really need to hear them to know that?

Mike
Mike
8 years ago

@James Agreed. This idea that we can’t hear cars (which are tremendously loud) on a bicycle because of earphones is silly; cars have insulation, music from 8 speakers, etc. They’re just not comparable. I can hear pretty much everything going on out there while riding, earphones in or out.

CaveDweller
CaveDweller
8 years ago

Stravarious – “BR shouldn’t promote cyclists being distracted either with headphones or ear buds.”

They don’t promote riding with them:

“We all like listening to music or podcasts while we’re WORKING ON our bikes…”

MBR
MBR
8 years ago

Love the awesome sermon – “BR shouldn’t promote cyclists being distracted either with headphones or ear buds… Distracted drivers are one of the biggest problems for us cyclists.”
When mountain biking, I guess that would be me [the cyclist] that’s distracted, so I can’t hear the grizzly or mountain lion attack in progress…?

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