This week we noticed the Shimano CM-1000 camera in action in California, the hi-tech and expensive digitally connected Skylock, the artistic Recycler clock made from bike parts, the custom Frederik Van Lierde Cervelo P5, the Silca EOLO III CO2 regulator and we may have to send the Slowtwitch live coverage ice cream truck to California to help along with a long awaited baby birth.
Shimano CM-1000
The Shimano CM-1000 sports camera was introduced a few weeks ago, but during this year's Amgen tour of California they were tested in race action and the footage that has streamed out from these tiny cameras has been amazing. The clip below is the final 3k of stage 8 and was shot mostly on the saddle cam of Koen de Kort of team Giant-Shimano, with the final 150 meters as seen by the handlebar cam of team mate John Degenkolb. 6-10 riders carried the cameras in the various stages and some of the footage was made available to NBC every day during the race. Plus the Shimano Road crew made longer features from the footage and shared them via social media. The response of the fans has been overwhelmingly positive and the UCI is currently thinking about allowing it beyond the AToC.
But how sweet would it be to have this kind of camera perspective on the bikes of the Pros in Kona and other big races. That would certainly get rid of the he said / she said comments about drafting, and athletes would likely have to be a bit more cautious. However battery life is currently not long enough to run it in long distance events. But in WTS events that could add another element to the already great coverage.
The camera features an IPX-8 water rating and can be submerged up to 10 meters. It is 70.8 mm long, 44.2 mm wide, 30.3mm tall and weighs 86 grams. The mounts for the camera used in the Tour of California were from K-Edge.
Available: August 2014
MSRP: n/a
Skylock
We all love hi-tech gadgets and this clever Skylock should make most of us happy, even if we would not trust it to hold our most precious race bike. I am not complaining about how safe this lock may or may not be, I personally just would not leave a bike that is valued North of $10,000 sitting anywhere too long unattended. But for a daily cruiser or city bike this is not only a clever device, it is also a conversation piece. The battery on the lock is charged by the sun, and only you can open it by wither your proximity to the bike lock, or via special unlock on your phone. The Skylock also alerts your phone when someone tampers with your bike, so you might be able to catch the thief (or admirer) in action. It also has a crash sensing mode where it will call authorities should you not be able to do so.
You can either use your touch screen on the iPhone, the proximity sensor or the number option on the lock to open it.
Available: Early 2015 (prediction)
MSRP: $249 (pre-order $159)
The Recycler clock
I recently noticed this clock on the wall of the Wurteles and it was a fantastic birthday gift from the parents. Since then I have learned that the clock is the handy work of the Recycler, an artist in Canada who makes stunning new stuff out of old bicycle parts. We even may have featured one of his works before, but surely never a clock like this. Plus each of the works is unique as it all depends on the parts available to the Recycler. The link to the site is above in the intro and you should check out all the items he makes.
MSRP: n/a
Frederik Van Lierde's custom Cervelo P5
The new custom painted Cervelo P5 for world champion Frederik Van Lierde is very stunning and features many nice details courtesy of Cervélo lead designer Tom Briggs. When I first saw the bike I was very touched that Freddy would honor me and feature the name of my son Simon inside one of the fork blades, but as it turns out, his sons are called Simon and Aaron, and the logos inside the fork are an homage to his kids. The name of his wife Sofie is also featured on the bike and so are many other thoughtful details. Van Lierde used this bike last weekend at Ironman 70.3 Aix en Provence and piloted this mean green machine to a 4th place finish.
The view of the Cervelo P5 from behind shows the Belgian flag as an homage to the country where the current Ironman World Champion resides.
MSRP: priceless
Silca EOLO III
Not all CO2 regulators are equal and I have been annoyed with some of the ones I had floating around in my tool chest. I thus pulled the trigger and purchased the Silca EOLO III regulator as I had heard many great things about it. The construction is first rate and was manufactured in Indiana, USA, and you won't find any plastic parts on it. The rubber rings are not only cute and German as in my case, but also serve as an insulator so your fingers won't freeze when the ice cold air is rushing through the regulator. Typically however it comes with red, white and green rings (for Italy) and you get a blue one too, and can thus make an American or French flag or any other variation you might like.
Available: Yes
MSRP: $47.50
Emergency action for Beth Gerdes and Luke McKenzie
Beth Gerdes and Luke McKenzie are expecting a baby girl and with 40 weeks having gone by, that young lady is not playing along and is apparently taking her good time. It thus occurred to us that we ought to send the Slowtwitch Good Humor live ice cream truck to hurry the affair along. Avoiding pesky journalists might make that young lady move quicker. And if nothing else, at this hour an ice cream bar or two might be greatly appreciated by all parties involved. We kid of course and send the best wishes to Beth and Luke.
