Not all bike products are created equal. We’ve gone ahead and picked out the best city bike products from Interbike 2015 to help ease your commute.
The team at Fortified recently made the trek to Interbike in Las Vegas to spread the word about our bike gear that lasts forever and other innovative cycling accessories, but we also spotted some exciting new ideas that could make your commute, or other city riding a little bit easier. While not all of these products made it to the Interbike show floor, they’re all new and exciting, and could change your daily ride for the better.
The Automatic Chain Luber
While this might seem like overkill for most commuters, the Scottoiler can keep your chain lubed non-stop. It automatically connects a reservoir of oil to your rear derailleur and applies lubricant periodically while you’re riding. If you can’t be bothered to stop and oil up your chain then this might be just the ticket for your needs. This system is derived from the motorcycle industry and motocross racing, where it might make more sense, but Scottoiler does claim a measurable improvement in performance thanks to the constantly lubed chain. The Scottoiler S1 is currently on Kickstarter.
The Linear Tube
Ever wish you could change a flat without taking your wheel off? There is a way: the linear tube. Most inner tubes come in a circle, making it impossible to take them off the rim without removing the wheel from the bike. The Vancom Quick Change linear inner tube uses a tongue and a gap on either end so that it fits together inside your tire, but it easily comes apart, so you can change the tube without taking the wheel of the bike. Could save you time and energy the next time you have a flat!
Folders
Sometimes biking in the city presents problems like hauling your bike onto public transportation, carrying your bike up stairs to work or your apartment, or throwing your bike into the back of someone’s car. Those problems become a breeze when you’ve got a folding bike, and this year at Interbike folders were a hot item. Veteran companies like Brompton rolled out exciting new colors, and other companies debuted super high performance lightweight folders made from carbon fiber and titanium. There’s even a folding cargo bike from Tern and Xtracycle that gives you both 350 pounds of carrying capacity on back, and a small, easy to store folded package.
Never Leave Home Without Tools
Integrated tool solutions from Specialized and Industry Nine have been a big deal this year. At Interbike, Industry Nine, a company known for super high-end mountain bike hubs and wheels, debuted a new tool-kit that can fit inside the axle of your front wheel, so you never have to worry about forgetting your tool kit when you go out for a ride. The Specialized SWAT tool kit similarly slips a chain tool into the top of your fork, and other tools into the frame of certain Specialized mountain bikes.
No racks, No Problem
Bikepacking has been a major buzzword in the bike industry for a few years. The term is used to describe off-road touring, or backpacking on your bike, and since most modern mountain bikes don’t come with racks or rack mounts, they require different luggage options. Bags from companies like Revelate, Blackburn, Porcelain Rocket, Restrap, and others, let you strap serious cargo carrying capacity onto any bike. That applies equally to your city commuter, your road race bike, or your mountain bike.
A Backpack With Air Conditioning?
Hate showing up to work with a sweaty back after your commute through city traffic? Check out this backpack from Ion, a German mountain bike focused brand. The pack, called the Transom, comes with a unique suspension system that’s able to lift the pack off your back creating, the company claims, more ventilation than no backpack at all. It also includes a motocross inspired spine protector, for extra protection in the city or on the trails.
A Biodegradable Helmet
You might not know this, but helmets don’t last forever. They only have a shelf life of a few years before they should be replaced. That’s because the foam used to protect your head starts to lose some of its impact-absorbing properties. This foam isn’t biodegradable so that means a lot of landfills full of old helmets. Giro is solving the problem with a green helmet that is made of innovative biodegradable foam made from corn. This helmet, called the Silo, also uses recyclable plastic buckles and shell, and the straps and webbing are constructed of coconut fiber.
Accessories to Keep Your Bike Safe!
Of course, we were pretty happy to be at Interbike as well, showing off our anti-theft bike lights, and other accessories.We’ve got some exciting things coming down the pipe too, so stay tuned.
Any exciting new products that we forgot to mention? Let us know in the comments below!