The Orp: A "Smart" Bike Horn and Light in One - Kickstarter

"Can you hear me now?" This bike horn almost guarantees it.

What is it?

The Orp is a "smart" bike horn that allows cyclists to be seen as well as heard because it's also a bright headlight that straps to your handlebars. The so-called "smorn" (smart horn) produces a very audible, 96dB blast of sound when the operator activates it. It's sure to get attention, which is exactly the point.

The light normally puts out 87 lumens with 4 modes: Slow/Fast Strobe and Steady On. However, when activating the horn, the light goes into a Fast Strobe and brightens to 92 lumens. The whole thing operates on a battery that can be recharged through the micro USB port.

How loud is the Orp? At 96dB, this is where the Orp falls in comparison to other noisemakers.

This Kickstarter project is currently sitting at $100,269, well above the $90,000 goal, with 1,326 backers ready to make it a reality. The project will be funded on February 11, 2013, so you still have a little time to jump in and pledge money to get one for less than retail.

For $45, backers will get an Orp of their own, but if you go for the $55 package, you get a special "glow-in-the-dark" Orp. Of course, the more money you pledge, the more goodies that are included.

The Orp is expected to retail for $49.95.

Why I Think This is a Great Idea

You can buy a loud bike horn and still not have a good light. Or, you can buy a bright light, but it's not going to make a sound (unless you drop it, maybe.) The Orp, however, is both. And the best part is, because it's one unit, that means more room on your handlebars for... your hands.

Why I Think This is a Bad Idea

To be completely honest, I don't think this is a bad idea, at all. It's about on par with a motorbike/scooter horn, and the shrill tone should easily cut through the sound of noisy engines and loud music in headphones (a lot of cyclists ride with headphones on, making it difficult for them to hear a bell or a, "Hey! Passing on your left!") I really don't have anything to complain about.

Would I Buy One/Fund This?

I'm not reaching for my wallet just this minute, but I am very interested in buying an Orp.

As mentioned, I think it's a great idea. Although I already have a very bright light (several, in fact, that are much brighter than the Orp) I don't have a single bell/horn/whatever. I do have a loud mouth, though, and while I can usually get attention when I need it, why strain myself when a quick double-tap on the Orp's "wail tail" will do? Shut up and take my money!

Full Disclosure

I don't contribute money to every Kickstarter project that I feature. In fact, there are some I'd only write about as a warning to avoid. Some of these projects never see funding and fade into obscurity, while others look like great ideas, get funding and are things I might actually purchase. In any case, don't see these posts as a full-on endorsement. Unless otherwise specified, I have not received payment in any form to write about these products, they just happen to catch my eye and I think they warrant some attention.

Of course, if you are starting up a new project or have a product you'd like me to test and write about, contact me with details and we'll talk.

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InterLock on Kickstarter: Innovative Bike Lock Hides Inside Your Seat Post

Would you fund this innovative bike lock?

What is it?

The InterLock is an innovative bike lock that hides inside your bicycle's seat post when not in use. In fact, it is both a lock and a seat post, in one. Because of this, it also keeps the seat secure while sparing your paint job by hiding inside the tube. It is currently seeking $48,000 in funding and sits at  $35,921 in pledged money. If it doesn't reach $48,000 by February 5, the project will not be funded and all those who pledged money will not be charged.

The InterLock is expected to retail for $50 plus tax.

Why I Think This Is a Great Idea

Bike locks come in a variety of shapes and forms. I personally carry a key-operated cable lock wrapped around the top bar of my bike. It's not the most secure lock, but it should help to discourage most bike thieves from seeing my bike as an easy target.

The problem with wrapping the lock around the top tube is that it's slowly rubbing the paint off. By carrying the lock inside the seat tube it can't damage the bike by rubbing and scratching while riding. Not only that, it's also tucked safely out of the way, making room for whatever else I might be tempted to wrap around the top tube.

Why I Think This Is a Bad Idea

From the looks of it, the cable isn't long enough to secure the front wheel, leaving it open to an easy theft. While that doesn't make this a bad product, it does have make it a flawed one. I believe the cable needs to be extended to secure the front wheel.

Look, we know bike thieves are scum, but we live in a world of people who have some strange quirks. Someone making a statement about their dislike of bicycles, or a disgruntled driver exacting revenge on a cyclist for some transgression, might be tempted to steal a front wheel to "get even." Some people might need a front wheel, or think they can make a quick buck by selling it. Then again, some people will steal a front wheel just because it's there.

I've seen all kinds of things that people do; the point is, you should always secure your front wheel, and I don't think the cable on this lock is long enough to do that. In the video, they even show how a U-lock can be used in combination with the InterLock to keep your bike extra secure. That's all fine and dandy, but wasn't the point of this product to eliminate the need to carry a bulky lock?

Would I Buy One/Fund This?

I'm definitely thinking about it. You can never be too careful, and now that I'm seeing the kind of damage my current bike is taking by carrying a bike lock the way I do, it just makes sense. I'm sure I'd be a lot more upset about it if I had a much more expensive bike. Then again, I could just slide a cuff between the tube and the cable to protect it from rubbing. Is that really worth $50?

Another potential deal-breaker might be the weight-conscious cyclist who'd want a carbon seat post instead of the material currently being used in the InterLock. I'm sure you could expect to pay a lot more for one, however.

As I said, I'm very tempted, I'm just not convinced I need one.

So, what about you? Would you buy this? See any potential problems this could cause, or would the InterLock be a perfect fit your bicycling lifestyle?

I chose this project because I've decided to highlight a Kickstarter every week.

Well, maybe not every week, but it certainly seems like new, interesting and innovative products that are targeted at cyclists and the cycling culture come out all the time, and most of them begin life as a Kickstarter project. This is one that caught my eye.

Full Disclosure

I doubt I'll contribute money to every Kickstarter project that I feature. In fact, there are some I'd only write about as a warning to avoid. Some of these projects never see funding and fade into obscurity, while others look like great ideas, get funding and are things I might actually purchase. In any case, don't see these posts as a full-on endorsement. Unless otherwise specified, I have not received payment in any form to write about these products, they just happen to catch my eye and I think they warrant some attention.

Of course, if you are starting up a new project or have a product you'd like me to test and write about, contact me with details and we'll talk.

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I'm eager to get my feet on these Grand Cru Sabot platform pedals

I hate to admit it, but clipless pedals scare me -- especially in a trails setting where I might need to touch down to keep from falling over. It happened quite a few times when I was out riding in Kirby Park, but what bothered me even more was how often my shoes slipped right off the platforms. I could probably get a lot further if I had shoes with a non-skid surface, but even the pedals on my bike get slippery the moment they get the slightest bit wet. Time to upgrade?

Over the weekend, I was skimming through my blog subscriptions when I came upon this post on the Velo ORANGE blog: Sabot Long Term Test.

The pedals being tested in that post are these Grand Cru Sabot pedals:

Between the large size (100mm long x 100mm wide) and the removable pins (rounded pins are included but can be replaced with sharp pins) for extra grip, I'm definitely thinking of giving these a shot. They're even toe-clip compatible, just in case I'm feeling extra paranoid about slippage.

At $90, the price doesn't seem too steep, considering the quality of craftsmanship going into them. I'm sure they'll make the ride feel completely different, but it's going to be a while before I can get a pair. They aren't available yet, but should be coming soon. I'm looking forward to it!

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For the cyclist who has everything, SingleTracks.com's list of shocking Interbike finds

Ready for something really weird? Well, Jeff has a post on SingleTracks.com that highlights 5 weird things, just for you..

Brace yourself. Fat bike is coming. Source: SingleTracks.com

Want shoes that keep your feet cool, and also, possibly, minty fresh? How about anti-lock brakes on a mountain bike? Weird helmets? Fat bikes and free tattoos? Jeff over at SingleTracks.com has compiled them all into a fun list in a post titled MTB Products on the Fringe: Shocking Interbike finds.

To be honest, I've never heard of Interbike until this past week, as the event was actually occurring. Interbike is described as "North America's largest bicycle trade event and show." Given my experience attending trade shows and events in the video games industry, I can just imagine that this was probably pretty similar, complete with weird products and gimmicks galore. Well, maybe with less chance of being stuck in line for several hours with a large, smelly man wearing a Pikachu costume. (I'll let you decide if that is more or less awesome.)

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How to make your bike look like a TRON light-cycle

We're currently experiencing torrential downpours in a bout of super colossal crap weather, today. It's making me even happier that I went out for a ride yesterday instead of sitting at home, doing boring junk -- like working -- which is what I'm doing today. In between rounds of boring junk, however, I tend to hit up various blogs to see what's going on in the world.

Today, via Prismatic, I stumbled across this gem on PSFK.com:

This video is demonstrating the XFire Bike Lane, a safety light that attaches to a bike and uses lasers to highlight a personal bike lane, making cyclists more visible to drivers at night. The gadget is currently awaiting a patent and FDA approval. ...because I guess you might want to eat it? I don't know why it needs FDA approval. Is it because of the frikkin' laser beams? Regardless, it's a pretty sweet idea.

LASERS!

In addition, the XFire also just happens to make you look like you're in TRON, riding on a light-cycle! Maybe that's kind of dorky. Or, maybe that's just so awesome that it completes an orbit and loops right back around to dorky. Either way, it should definitely help drivers see you and give plenty of room when passing. Or, more likely, you'll be easier to hit with half-empty beer cans and yelled at to get off the road. But at least they'll see you, and that's the important thing.

My favorite part in the video is when two cyclists can be seen riding side-by-side with XFires, if only because it answered the question, "What happens when they cross the streams?" Unfortunately, nothing happens. For a moment, however, the two cyclists do meet on an even keel and revel in their collective nerdery. "We've got frikkin' laser beams on our bikes!" And you know you want one, too.

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Walz Cycling Caps look too good to keep under your helmet

Earlier today, I stumbled upon Walz Cycling Caps, an outfit out of Vista, CA that makes cycling caps in a variety of styles and functions.

From the site:

Walz Caps creates cycling caps that are made from durable, comfortable fabrics. Our cycling caps are stylish and functional and work well both on and off the bike. Walz Caps are individually made in the United States, which ensures that each Walz cycling cap is of the finest quality.

I want one. In fact, I want TWO.

This is a 3-panel model made with moisture wicking material, and probably the one I'm most interested in. Of course, the dark color might make it a bit warm in the sun, but the moisture-wicking should keep you feeling dry. It fits under a bike helmet, or so I'm told; the pictures on the site certainly make it look comfortable while worn under a helmet.
$19.99 regularly, $24.99 with personalizing embroidered text.

For cooler temperatures, this woolen, plaid version features ear flaps. As Fall weather encroaches, I wouldn't mind stuffing my noggin into one of these. Unfortunately, they do cost a little more than the other models. $32.99 regular, $37.99 with custom embroidery.









Walz also offers cotton-blend material and headwraps in addition to the broad variety of colors and custom patterns. They all look great, and while I can't personally endorse them (I don't have one to try out) I'm not kidding when I say I'd love to own one. Especially the ear-flappy wool model!

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