Blog

COBI: A New Way to Cycle

slide0Today’s world is full of cycling accessories that help add to your riding experience. We have LED flashlights, accelerometers, smartphone mounts, bells… just about anything you might want or need on a bike. But square footage on your handlebars is a limited commodity, and having too many accessories is going to take up a lot of space. And besides, who can keep up with the odd dozen different tools you might keep up front?

COBI is the worlds smartest integrated biking system, streamlining your handlebar accessories and providing seamless integration of all your cycling needs. The founder of COBI, Andreas Gahlert, is a passionate biker who was tired of the clutter on his handlebar and decided to do something about it, creating the COBI. Check out just a few of the features that you can find on this unique system:


Smartphone Compatible
– COBI is smartphone compatible, connecting you to over 100 different cycling apps, your music library, the ability to call your friends, and more. You also have access to a GPS system featuring popular routing, bike lanes, turn-by-turn directions, and even a “buddy radar” showing you the location of all your COBI friends.

Illumination – COBI provides a dynamic lighting system, including a stylish front light that responds to atmospheric illumination, and a back light that signifies sharp deceleration and changes in direction. That’s right, you get a turn signal!

Security – With the COBI hub securely attached, you get to decide who rides your bike, and sets off the motion-sensitive Theft Alarm for others with its light and sound alert. COBI only unlocks for you.

Fitness Finesse – COBI keeps track of calories burned, heart-rate, cadence, and other real-time statistics during your time on the road.  As your bike improves, so should its rider.

Ease of Use – Rather than fiddle with the touchscreen while riding, COBI features an intuitive interface that displays the information you need. When navigating through apps, COBI sports an elegant ergonomic thumb controller that can be used with a single finger, meaning you get t0 keep your hands on the handlebars and your eyes on the road.

Based in Germany, Cobi started a kickstarter campaign to raise 100,000 US dollars. In less than four days, COBI reached their goal with over 800 backers. As of the date of this blog, COBI has raised 167,000 dollars, becoming one of the most successful German Kickstarters ever. Today, it is a Kickstarter Staff Pick and has won “The Kickstarter’s Choice” reward.

The Kickstarter for COBI has already reached their goal, but you can still contribute by visiting their Kickstarter page and helping them reach their stretch goal of $200,000. Be sure to sign up for this fantastic device before it’s too late!

slide2


Make the Best of Your Bicycle This Memorial Day

Ah, summer. Memorial Day is coming up once more, and we’re all getting ready to roll out the BBQs, grab some micro-brewskies, and enjoy the sunny, warm weather. Some may go off on a vacation for the weekend, some may hang around the place and enjoy the weather. Some of you may even think about taking yourself for a ride on one of our fantastic local bike trails.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re dusting off the ol’ fixed-gear now after a long winter, or whether you never stopped cycling in the first place. We’re just happy you’re on the road with us! But before you hop on the saddle, make sure you cover your butt on a few key areas, so we can all enjoy the streets incident free!

Bicycle Check – If you’re a fair weather rider, it may the first time you take your bike out for the day. Make sure nothing has run amok during its time indoors. Check your brakes, make sure your tire pressure is up to snuff, and make sure everything that needs grease has grease. If you’re not feeling too sure about the state of your bike, take it in and have a professional look at it. The best medicine is preventative, and you don’t want anything to happen in the middle of your trek.

Safety Equipment – It can’t be much clearer folks: helmets save lives! Your brain is a valuable tool (and the only organ in the human body that has named itself. Trippy, right?) so make sure you protect it. Check your helmet for any cracks and make sure it fits you correctly. Aside from helmets, make sure you’re seen on the road! North St. Bags has a number of reflectors that can help make you visible even in the harshest of storms, so it will certainly make you apparent on a clear sky day.

(more…)


Bike Security: Expect the Best, Prepare for the Worst.

Eccentrically named motivational teacher Zig Ziglar once said “Expect the best, prepare for the worst.” Portland has been and will continue to be one of the most bicycle friendly cities in the country (I mean, where else could you find a Bicycle-based company like Portland Pedal Power?) but we have our own set of problems with bike theft. Just yesterday, Portland Police announced they are auctioning off 59 items of unclaimed property, 11 of which are bicycles. Great if you’re looking for a used bicycle, not so great if it was yours at one point.

So how do we keep our set of wheels protected from the ne’er do wells of our city? Well, nothing is fool proof, but we’ve got a few ideas which might make it a little more difficult to carry off your pride and joy.

Bike Locks: Fairly obvious, but it must be said. Bike locks are the first defense against bike theft, and it’s important to remember that not all bike locks are created equal. When I was visiting the UW campus, security strongly recommended against using a cable lock when cycling. According to the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, nearly all locked bikes stolen in 2008 in the Portland area were locked with a typical cable lock. I recommend a high-quality U-lock, such as this Kryptonite model which can be found on Amazon.

(more…)