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TECH NEWS
tyrewiz_-_1.jpgQuarq’s new Tyrewiz sensor gives tyre pressures in real-time
SRAM’s data and digital technology brand Quarq has unveiled a Tyrewiz tyre pressure sensor that sends data via Bluetooth and ANT+ to a cycling computer or smartphone every second while you ride.
Hands up if you were expecting that! A real-time tyre pressure sensor certainly didn't make it into our feature: Cycling's top tech trends for 2018 and beyond.
Now, I’m going to take a punt – a wild shot in the dark – that at the moment you’re wondering something along the lines of, “Why the hell would anyone want one of those?”
You might wonder that even more when you find out the price for a pair is £229 (including batteries and a valve core removal tool).
“Tyre choice and tyre pressure are the most underrated factors in cycling performance and comfort today,” said Jim Meyer, founder of Quarq. “Riders have more choices than ever when it comes to tyre and rim design.
“There’s a challenge in finding the right combination of those things, and we’re making those choices based on gauge technology that hasn’t changed much since the 19th century. Real-time tyre pressure monitoring technology isn’t new, and we believe it should be on every bicycle to make the riding experience better.”
Check out 10 of the best track pumps
Of course, if you’re that bothered about your tyre pressure you could just check it with a gauge or pump before the start of every ride. The idea of the TyreWiz is that it saves you the bother, sending pressure data to your cycling computer or smartphone. The accompanying app provides personalised recommendations and alerts you if the pressure dips.
“For the first time, riders will have the ability to use highly accurate real-time information to make decisions that can affect rolling resistance, traction, tyre wear, and comfort,” says Quarq.
Each TyreWiz is powered by a user-replaceable coin cell (CR1632) that should last around 300hrs, and weighs a claimed 10g. It is compatible with removable Presta core valves in tube or tubeless tyres, including those using sealant.
The TyreWiz has a IPX7 dustproof/waterproof rating and Quarq claims an accuracy level of +/-2%. It’ll be shipping in the UK from 27th June 2018.
Get more info from Quarq’s website.
Mat has been in cycling media since 1996, on titles including BikeRadar, Total Bike, Total Mountain Bike, What Mountain Bike and Mountain Biking UK, and he has been editor of 220 Triathlon and Cycling Plus. Mat has been road.cc technical editor for over a decade, testing bikes, fettling the latest kit, and trying out the most up-to-the-minute clothing. He has won his category in Ironman UK 70.3 and finished on the podium in both marathons he has run. Mat is a Cambridge graduate who did a post-grad in magazine journalism, and he is a winner of the Cycling Media Award for Specialist Online Writer. Now over 50, he's riding road and gravel bikes most days for fun and fitness rather than training for competitions.
Latest Comments
- brooksby 3 sec ago
Also from that article:
- BBB 5 min 20 sec ago
Pedestrians, dog walkers and runners!...
- Matthew Acton-Varian 8 min 32 sec ago
Lucky too - if they misjudge their cut and hit the battery... you'll be scraping their charred remains from the windows of next door.
- Doug_D 1 hour 34 min ago
Another book suggestion - I can highly recommend "Lost Summers and Half-Forgotten Afternoons: A Mint Sauce collection" - a beautifully presented...
- chrisonabike 2 hours 47 min ago
But... the last is only not the case with drivers on normal roads because driving on the cycle path / footway / rolling a vehicle up there is seen...
- mdavidford 3 hours 25 min ago
I think you're missing an opportunity to pack even more tech into it - add accelerometers that can detect whether they're pedalling or stepping....
- chrisonabike 3 hours 50 min ago
Thanks. I guess the question is "need". If the road is busy, it sounds like it is a desired route between places? In which case (given this an...
- mdavidford 3 hours 58 min ago
Don't know what you mean. I thought my suggestion was entirely practical.
- Rapha Nadal 4 hours 32 min ago
I'd buy a motorbike fo rthat kind of money!
Add new comment
12 comments
Their mountain bike suspension tuning device is great but expensive hence why I rent mine out but not sure there is the same appeal for the tyre pressure info unless you are super into Enduro racing
http://www.shockwiz.co.uk/
Errr - no - 300 hours of use, not wall time.
[humblebrag] So every couple of months (or 12000 km) then. [/humblebrag]
You can get a car version with a smart phone app with 4 sensors (smaller by the way than these ones) admittedly schrader valve only but lockable too -for just over £100. If you don't mind the wrong display overlay it looks quite a lot better value for money.
I'm usually a sucker for cheap bluetooth gadgets, but I think they've made a mistake with this one. I could probably be conned into getting one for £20, but there is little benefit in measuring your tyre pressure continually - once an hour would probably be fine.
I don't get why it is so expensive. Air pressure guages aren't particularly expensive and bluetooth hardware is virtually free compared to the licensing costs. And it looks ugly.
I suspect their target market is more off-road, where the accuracy these have is more important due to the far lower pressures they're running, and more towards the enthusiast / racing scene where dialling in the right pressure on the trail - and checking tyre response afterwards - could be a very useful set-up / race prep thing on it's own. That accuracy might account for some part of the price; certainly most cheap, small scale digital pressure gauges i've encountered have been pretty poor, but whatever it is I can't see them being intended for general Joe Bloggs commuter. I guess if you're in a position to want and use the information it might be worth it though...
"a fool and his money are soon parted"
If the battery lasts 300 hours that means they need replacing more than once a fortnight, seems like more hassle than checking the tyre pressure the old fashioned way............
I did give it a chance, but stopped reading here...
Will the Yanks know what this is for?
More than most i'd wager..
When my tire pressure monitor shows a sudden loss of pressure whilst doing 60Kmh, then cadence drops to zero along with watts... then heart rate drops to zero -> my wife will know from my beacon that I'm not home for supper and the software can close out my Strava ride and cancel my subscription and post a eulogy to Facebook.
He died on a descent of xxx hill whilst pushing xxx wats in pursuit of a KOM, sadly his tyre blew at the wrong moment... his last wish was that his wife not sell his bikes for what he told her he paid for them.