Tech Roundup: Featuring Quarq, CeramicSpeed, Cycloc, Fly6, 7Mesh...

We have a diverse mix of products in this week's Tech Roundup, everything from bike-related artwork to Grand Tour espresso cups. We kick-off, though, with news of some pretty big price reductions across the Quarq power meter range.
 

Prices reduced on Quarq power meters

Quarq has lowered prices on its entire chainset-based power meter range.

• Quarq Elsa RS, SRAM XX1 was £1,199, now £1,049
• Quarq Elsa R, Red 22 was £1,199, now £979
• Quarq Riken R was £899, now £799

The SRAM MTB XX1 power meter is built for SRAM’s 1X drivetrains; designed for X-Sync and compatible with XX1, X01 and X1.

Quarq’s Elsa RS power meter is an upgrade for Shimano’s 11-speed Dura-Ace 9000, Ultegra 6800 and 105 5800 group sets. GXP and BB30 versions are available.

The SRAM Red 22 power meter is directly compatible with SRAM’s RED 22, Force 22, Rival 22, Force CX1, and 10-speed Red (Yaw) groupsets.

Elsa R and Riken R work with 130 BCD (bolt circle diameter) and 110 BCD chainrings, both 10 and 11-speed, from SRAM, Shimano (10-speed only), Rotor, FSA, Praxis Works, WickWerks and others.

For more info go to www.quarq.com.

CeramicSpeed launch headset

Danish manufacturer CeramicSpeed is launching new headsets that are compatible with Cervélo and Specialized bicycles.

CeramicSpeed have become well known for their ceramic bearings over the past few years. The claim is that they are very low friction and have a longevity 3-5 times greater than most steel bearings.

“The headsets introduce significantly increased stiffness and extended lifetime, optimising the front triangle of the bicycle,” according to CeramicSpeed.

“The CeramicSpeed Headset adds extra stability to the head tube of the bicycle allowing a smoother and more precise steering. Packed in a set of upper and lower bearings, top cap and spacers, CeramicSpeed Headset tolerate a lot more stress in steering when tracking than regular headsets.”

Pro team Tinkoff-Saxo have been using CeramicSpeed headsets for the past two seasons.

The headsets will be available from May but we don’t yet have prices. For more info go to http://ceramicspeed.com/.

Cycloc release Hero bike mount

London-based Cycloc are just about to launch the Hero that will allow you to wall-mount a bike resting on only one pedal.

Hero is designed to be versatile and is said to be capable of accommodating a wide variety of bikes. As well as road bikes and hybrides, it can handle bikes with wide handlebars, Dutch-style frames, full suspension mountain bikes and even tandems. 

One pedal fits into the oval opening while the wheel pads protect walls from damage and keep the bike securely in place.

Hero can also be used to tier bikes on the same wall.

Cycloc say that the Hero is their smallest and most subtle product yet, hardly noticeable when not in use. It’s available in seven different colours.

We don’t yet have a price so keep your eye on www.cycloc.com

7mesh apparel spring collection available

The first clothing collection from 7mesh is now available. We reviewed the Canadian brand’s Revelation Jacket here on road.cc recently.

The range features high-end technologies like Gore-Tex Pro and Windstopper Soft Shell.

As well as outerwear, the 7mesh range includes items like this S2S short sleeve jersey (£99) which uses four-way stretch nylon at the front and lightweight polyester at the back.

The Mk1 bib shorts (£165) are shaped to match your mid-stroke leg position, the idea being to reduce resistance, and the seatpad is from Elastic Interface.

Check out the full range at www.7meshinc.com.

 

Bike Angel GPS bike tracking seeks funding

A GPS bike tracking system called Bike Angel is currently looking for funding on Kickstarter.

You put a little GPS unit (200g, 25mm diameter, 200mm long) inside your bike’s seat tube and the team behind the project say that it can put your bike on the map in less than 30 seconds.

The device is capable of detecting the vibration that would occur if your bike is stolen and will let you know immediately via text.

A free smartphone app allows you to adjust the settings of Bike Angel. The app will lock and unlock the device via Bluetooth. It will also save a history of the places where you left your bike.

The battery allows daily usage for up to six weeks before you need to recharge it via micro USB. You get a removal tool with the device that will apparently allow you to remove the battery in a matter of second without turning your bike upside down.

You need to pledge €85 or more to be in line for your own Bike Angel if the funding target is achieved.

For more info go to www.kickstarter.com/projects/bike-angel/bike-angel

 

New print from Victory Chimp

Victory Chimp – an outlet for the cycling-inspired prints and products of Ryan O’Reilly, a bike-riding designer and illustrator based in Northern Ireland – and cycling clothing company Galibier.cc have teamed up to offer a limited edition print called Up! Up! Up!.

According to Victory Chimp, “Up! Up! Up! is inspired by the pivotal moment in a bittersweet love of climbing when one final effort is made before enjoying the spoils of your labour; the feeling of deep satisfaction and quiet as you crest the summit and roads unknown are laid out for exploration. A feeling that's only achieved under your own steam and one that has us seeking out more of those roads twisting into the sky while we can still feel the last in our legs.”

Up! Up! Up! is printed on 300gsm recycled stock and is available in a limited edition of 100, each one individually signed and numbered. It measures 40cm x 50cm. It is sold unframed although it is designed to fit IKEA frames.

Up! Up! Up! is priced £30 and is on sale now at www.victorychimp.com/ and http://galibier.cc/.

Pedal Wrencher notification when components wear out

Pedal Wrencher is a free service that notifies Strava users by text when their stuff is likely to have worn out.

You sign up and then Pedal Wrencher tracks your Strava mileage. Once you reach a designated maintenance interval, you get a text message telling you that it’s time to change your chain or whatever.

Pedal Wrencher currently tracks four commonly replaced parts by default: chains, cables, bar tape and brake pads.

Any of the defaults can be disabled and you can create any new notification you’d like.

“We use simple industry rules of thumb for how long a given part will last,” says Pedal Wrencher, so no account is made for different weather conditions or terrain.

For more info go to www.pedalwrencher.com.

 

Grand Tour espresso set

Purveyors of fine bike-related gifts Cycling Souvenirs are offering a new Grand Tour-inspired espresso cup set.

You get four cups, one with a yellow stripe for the Tour de France leader’s jersey, a green stripe for the points jersey, a polka dot stripe for the mountain category, and a pink stripe for the Giro d’Italia leader’s jersey.

The stripe continues into the inside of each cup.

The cups are thick walled and measure 6cm in height. The saucers are 10cm in diameter. They’re dishwasher safe.

A set of four costs £50 from www.cyclingsouvenirs.com.

Fly6 price dropped to £99

Cycliq have dropped the price of their Fly6, a rear light with a built in HD camera. It started out at £179 and was £109 when we reviewed it at the end of last year. Now it’s down to £99. This isn’t a sale price, it’s the new price.

 

The Fly6 offers up to six hours of camera and light function. Check out our review to find out how we got on with it. 

For more info go to http://cycliq.com/ or order at Wiggle.