Cool new bike gadgets looking for funding

What will our bike gadget wish-list look like a year from now? As the bicycle economy continues to skyrocket, engineers are racing to design the next gizmo craze. Not long ago, the phrase “e-bike” sounded like science fiction, as did now-popular add-ons like aero bars, tubeless tires, and electronic shifters. The weird-looking mock-ups of today could become standard equipment for tomorrow’s rider.

You never know what will catch on, but a great place to dream about future cycling gear is a crowdfunding site. The two most popular are Kickstarter and Indiegogo, where many innovative new prototypes are first introduced to the public. A good number of successful companies started as humble crowdfunding campaigns, and we imagine many more will come down the pike.

Here are a few of our favorites from recent months. At press time, these bike gadgets were basically current – either about to start their pledge drives or newly finished.

Do you know of a crowdfunding project that deserves attention? Let us know in the comments.

Livall PikaBoost Conversion Kit

This “tool-free” invention looks like magic: a smooth cylinder that clips to your seatpost, and then lowers onto your tire. Basically, it’s a pedal-assist conversion kit that you can quickly transfer from one traditional bike to another. Gyroscopic sensors detect hills and help riders ascend; the “cruise mode” is designed to simulate throttled acceleration. Based in China, Livall is best known for manufacturing award-winning headgear, but this first foray into pedal-assist technology is intended to help consumers bypass expensive new e-bikes. PikaBoost’s modest Kickstarter goal was $25,000, but it handily earned more than $1 million in pledges within three weeks.

Gecko Airless Tires

The invention of the pneumatic tire helped make modern bicycles what they are. But in the 130 years since, punctures still plague us. UK-based Nexo is hoping to solve this problem with “airless” tires, thanks to a fully funded Kickstarter campaign. This isn’t a new invention; Tannus has dominated the market in recent years, and several other airless tires have been crowdfunded on the same platform. But the folks at Gecko are sensitive to issues like tire weight, which can make airless designs a drag, and they describe a new patented technology. With so many tires and tubes thrown away each year, there’s everything to love about a fully recyclable product.

O-lock

Yes, the O-lock is a bike lock shaped like an “O”. But this device, created by Denmark-based LAAS, is also a “smart” lock, which means you can secure it with an app. The O-lock also keeps track of your bike’s location, allowing you to track it down in a busy environment. The most interesting option is to share a lock: Even if you’re not physically available, you can send a “LAAS key” with another rider, so the O-lock can be removed whether you’re nearby or not.

Project9

Some days you want to carry all your stuff in a pannier, then a backpack, then a shoulder-bag – so why not have all of these at once? Project9 is a bag that can be converted into seven different configurations, convenient for both pedestrians and cyclists. DesignLU, headquartered in South Korea, will soon crowdfund this versatile luggage.

CYCPLUS Cube

You could easily mistake the CYCPLUS Cube for a small camera flash or a large battery, but it’s actually a tire pump. Designed for both Presta and Schrader valves, the Cube can reportedly fill your inner tube with 100 PSI of air. The device, which will go live on Indiegogo soon, comes from the prolific Chinese bike-tech company and promises to fit in a coat pocket and recharge in only 20 minutess

Virgo E-Bike Helmet

When your e-bike can hit speeds of 40 kph, you may second-guess the efficacy of a generic Bell helmet. (Never mind how a strong wind triggers our tear ducts). The Virgo helmet covers the entire face with a transparent plate, but it isn’t nearly as cumbersome as a full-on motorcycle helmet. The design looks a little like the streamlined space gear from 2001: A Space Odyssey, and a well-positioned rear light increases visibility in the dark. French company THEBEAM is planning to start crowdsourcing on Kickstarter soon.