Ay Up Introduces the Gecko Lightset Mount

We wrote a review awhile back about Ay Up’s mountain bike and road bike light system.  Ay Up’s lights weigh under 60 grams and the battery a tad over 80 grams which enables users the ability to use the new Gecko Lightest Mount velcro mountain system.  This type of helmet mounting offers an alternative method of mounting your helmet lights and batteries.

The below is a press release from Ay UP

Above image shows the Gecko Lightset Mount …

Using very flexible plastic mountings that can be contorted and twisted into any shape along with Industrial Strength 3M velcro dots you can now mount your helmet and light mount in seconds.

Above image showing the naked Gecko Battery Holder, note the slots in the sides to allow cable ties through for permanent mounting. (featured on both the mounts)

Both mounts can be removed completely extremely quickly leaving behind 8 velcro dots on your helmet. Battery swap over is super fast for those ever shorter pit stops during epic races.

Daytime use helmet below…

With both Gecko’s attached less the Lightset which snaps into place …

Complete Gecko System, installed in seconds

The added benefit of the mounts being super flexible is you can mount these anywhere on any type of surface.

Below head on image shows the slim but strong profile of the Gecko Lightset Mount…

Round poles, walls, glass, skate lids, caving, hard hats and helmets with no vents whatsoever, no problem.

The mount weight is under 5 grams but these little guys are as tough and as strong as our current mounts. The plastic composite we use super flexible and UV protective. They will attach to any profile and shape, no worries …

AY-UP Light System Review: The Light System You Have Always Wanted – No Joke!

There is a lot to complain about these days: Work, the economy, gas prices, elections… One of my biggest complaints in the bike world is light systems that don’t deliver. Through my time in retail I spent many hours checking out the latest and greatest, yet each one was lacking in one department or another. It seemed like most manufacturers were just out of tune with the market. All of a sudden I get a box delivered to my doorstep, a ring of light glowing around it. I open it up and I find Ay-up. Ay-Up sells several different lighting systems and I received the MTB version. It includes two three hour batteries, one six hour battery, a dual battery charger, a 12v DC adapter for the car, a wide beam light for the handlebars, a narrow beam light for helmet mount, and several different pouches straps and zip ties. After unpacking everything I decide do some research; check out the company and see their claims.

One of my biggest complaints with light systems is awkward batteries with miserably slow charging times and a lack of a smart charging system (you have to unplug the battery when it is fully charged otherwise it can be damaged). Ay-Up claimed to solve it all, but not one to be satisfied with manufacturer claims, I wanted to see for myself. The charger was indeed a smart charger and allowed you to charge two batteries at the same time. Later I discovered they had another version which allowed up to six batteries to be charged at once, and you can mix batteries of different charge levels and hour ratings with no problems. In just a few of hours I had all three batteries charged and ready to go. A lot of the other light systems on the market can take six, seven, even eight hours or more to completely charge! Combine that fact with the lack of a smart charging system and you have some battery headaches on your hands. But the Ay-Up batteries also feature built-in short circuit protection, do not suffer the dreaded memory effect (so you can recharge them without fully discharging them), are water proof to 1 meter, and can withstand a drop 5 meters to a concrete floor! That’s pretty hard to beat. I was already very impressed! The other thing that immediately struck me is the battery size: They were small and light. The 3 hour versions weighed in at just 70 grams (.15 lbs.) and were 1 3/4 inches, by 3 inches, by 1 inch in size; the 6 hour weighed 130 grams (.29 lbs.) and measured 3 inches, by 4 1/2 inches, by 1 1/2 inches. Each one has an integrated switch and a little pouch to make mounting easy.

Then I looked at the lights: The stylish anodized housings were available in 12 different colors, and the MTB kit included one wide beam and one narrow beam light. I examined them carefully and though at first glance I questioned their durability, some close examination and accidentally slamming my helmet mounted set into the wall proved they were darn near bullet-proof. Not to mention Ay-Up says; “You break it… we want it back. A new set will be delivered to your door as soon as physically possible.” I haven’t heard of any bike light manufacturer that stands behind their product to that extent… amazing! That being settled I installed the lights, plugged in the batteries and hit the trail. As I blazed down the trail I started to wonder why they had dual beams if they both pointed to the same spot, then an epiphany. I rotated one of the beams slightly above the other and viola, a longer beam. What a concept, a longer beam to see more of the trail in front of you… no need for a brighter light that sucks down you battery juice twice as fast just to see more of the trail.

A lot of people look for the system with the brightest and widest possible beam, but because the Ay-Up system uses a helmet and handlebar mount light together, you can see the area on the trail immediately around you, as well as details in the terrain, and use your helmet mount to scan further up the trail. Ay-Up does not offer the brightest or the widest beam on the market, but you don’t need either with the combo of head and handlebar light. That is not to say the system lacks power; the handlebar light or headlamp alone are enough to easily find your way on the trail. And because of the compact super-light design, you can barely tell the weight difference with a battery pack and light on top of your head.

Some other things to note, besides the if you break it they replace it warranty, is a 1-year full replacement guarantee for any failures during normal use. Ay-Up has a commitment to spreading innovation, so they soon plan to offer a discount upgrade program so current Ay-Up users can get the latest gear without paying the full price. Who else does that?

Staying on the subject of complaints this article was very hard to write. Every time I finished a paragraph I remembered another great bit of info from Ay-Up. There is so much thought and effort not only in the design of the system, but in the warranties and support. Below I put together a quick feature list with some of the main points:

Huge Variety of Mounting Options
Helmet Light and Handlebar Light for Most Versatile Platform Available
Dual beam adjustable lights
Stylish Look

Neophyte Corner: Lighting your Way

If you are like me, you started your biking journey in the spring, enjoying long days and bright clear evenings. During the summer, generally bicyclists can rely on reflectors to provide safety on the roads because the whole environment is bright and clear most of the time. But as we enter into Autumn, the days are getting shorter and shorter, overcast or rainy days are becoming more common, and soon we’ll be setting the clocks back another hour bringing on sunset even earlier in the day. Now is the time to be thinking about procuring lights for your bike.

Rear Lights

Every rider should start off with a rear light. When riding your bike, you are always aware of what is in front of you and it is possible to react to the various hazards coming at you. But, even with a rear view mirror, it is not possible to have full awareness of what is behind you. A good rear light will alert other riders and automobile drivers of your position, and allow them to avoid dangerous situations.

Rear lights come in several flavors, but should always be RED because this is a signal to traffic that they are seeing the rear of a vehicle instead of the front. (Some states have laws that all rear-facing lights must be red.) You should be aware that some of the newer rear lights have a white coloring when off, but are actually red when lit. Look for a light that is:

1. Bright – easy to see from far off
2. Has both flashing and steady modes – flashing increases visibility during sunrise and sunset, steady modes are less distracting to other riders after dark
3. Has a long battery life – your rear light will be out-of-sight and thus out-of-mind more often than any other tool in your biking kit, so you want be changing out batteries as seldom as possible.

In general, the best way to fulfill these needs are with an LED (light emitting diode) based rear light with multiple LEDs providing a breadth of coverage. LEDs are bright and use very little power, and are usually mounted on tiny circuit boards which can handle multiple flashing modes.

These are my two favorites:

1. Planet Bike Blinky “5″: Small, bright, and can act as a reflector
2. Blackburn Mars 3.0: Larger but still bright and good side visibility as an added bonus.

Front Lights

While rear lights are all about being seen, Front Lights can either be about being seen or being able to see. If you typically ride on well-lit streets, then your focus should be to ensure other riders/drivers can see you. If you typically ride on poorly-lit streets or on biking paths, then it is critical you focus on a light that lets you see the dangers in front of you.

Being Seen

If your focus is on being seen, then you want similar characteristics to your rear light: bright, flashing and steady modes, and long battery life. But a front light is not the same as a back light. Your back light exists to throw a wide beam that alerts other people on the road to your current position whether they are right behind you or a ways off. A front light is seen by drivers/riders who are coming towards you while you are both in motion and therefore have less time to react. So a front light should be able to throw its light a distance down the street.

If your focus is on being seen, look for an LED-based white light with a flashlight-style shape and design. (Again, some states require all front-facing lights on vehicles are white.) These lights generally can be removed from the bike as well, and used as a flashlight for when you are moving from the bike into a building. It also allows a quick swap out of batteries if yours happen to become low mid-ride.

Here are two of my favorites:

1. Planet Bike Beamer 3 LED: Small, bright, and light
2. Schwinn Crank Light: Bright and crank handle means never having to change batteries.

Being Able to See

If your focus is on being able to see, then it is time to start thinking in terms of wattage for your light. Wattage is the power that the light puts out, and the higher the wattage, the more brightness, distance, and visibility you get. For this class of front light, you want at least 1 watt of power, but you can get lights up to 10, 13, or even 20 watts of power, which rival a car’s headlights for brilliance. The more watts you want, the more expensive your light will be.

Most lights in this class can be mounted to your handlebars or be worn as a head-mounted light on your helmet. This keeps the beam pointed where you are looking, and allows you to adjust the visibility to whatever portion of the road requires your attention at a particular moment.

However, there is also a danger here. Once you are up to a watt or more of power, your light is capable of briefly blinding other people on the road. It is critical that you are mindful of how your light is mounted and where you point it. It is not much help to make sure you can see the oncoming car, if the driver can’t see anything and swerves into you.

Here are two light of this class that I am a fan of:

1. Planet Bike 3044 Blaze: Small, bright, and uses the same mount as my “being seen” light
2. Nite Hawk Phoenix SE 10w: 10 watts, rechargeable battery, and integrates well into the bike frame

Other Lighting Options

Of course, a front or rear light are only some of the tools available to you for night riding. You may also want to be aware of these options:

1. Wheel generators: These generators, which you may remember from childhood, allow you to power your front light by the energy in your tires. In general, these systems are not very useful or reliable when compared to a battery-based system. Not recommended.
2. Wheel lights: Some of the more fashionable among us may see wheel-mouned lights that flash along with the turning of the wheels to give a Back-To-The-Future style effect. These lights are generally considered to be a bad idea as they are distracting to others on the road and do not enhance visibility, except from the side. Some states also have laws about what color lights are allowed on the side of road vehicles, and most of the flashier wheel lights are in violation. Not recommended.
3. Reflective vests/jackets/wristbands: If you are riding at night, it is critical to remember that you are probably able to see a lot more of the road as a biker going 20 MPH then a car driver going 45 MPH. Lights help, but the more of your body that others can see, the better. If you plan to ride at night, invest in a reflective vest and/or jacket. It will give better visibility to your body’s outline, and allow drivers to better anticipate your next move. You may also want to check out reflective gloves which can light up your hand for turn signals. Highly recommended.
4. Reflectors: If you bought a bike from a reputable bike shop, odds are you already have a front and rear reflector on your bike, as well as reflectors on your pedals. Do not remove your reflectors, even if you have picked up both a front and read light. Remember that these are your last line of defense when your batteries run out, or you are caught out without your battery-powered lights. Required.

Conclusion

Darkness need not stop you from using your bicycle for transport or for fun. But if you do not respect the night, and realize your own limitations and those of other riders/drivers, then you are putting yourself in danger. The use of these few bike accessories can make the difference between risking injury or worse, and enjoying a safe ride.

Interbike 2008 Expo: Xtreme Sports ID Bracelet

Something really cool from the Interbike 2008 Expo…it might be a little Orwellian for some…we think it is brilliant!

The Xtreme Sports ID bracelet. It is similar to the Road ID in a plastic bracelet with online information (medical, emergency contact, address). The $8 purchase price buys you a year of coverage ($5 to renew and your account can accommodate multiple bands). The bracelet has your unique ID number and phone number on band for First Responders in case of an emergency.

Although we do not advise riding alone, when you absolutely must ride alone do yourself a favor and ride with one of these bracelets.  When someone else finds you unconscious and looking like the guy below they can call for help and all your medical information will be on file.

MTBR.com Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review

I originally posted a review of the Giro Xen mountain bike helmet ealier last week.  While writing my review I came across one written by Kalikiano Kalei on MTBR.com, it was an amazing (far better than mine) review and I asked Kalikiano if I could post it on MTOBikes.com for our readers to view (which he approved).  The review by Kalikiano Kalei is below.  Enjoy!

Strengths

Structurally strong design with good shell integrity and satisfactory shell/foam bonding. Easily adjusted suspension and fastener. Excellent occipital coverage (rear of skull) for protection of brain’s visual lobe. Very adequate cooling for most applications. Most important positive feature is rounded external rear shell design that lacks sharp “swoopy” protrusions that can snag during a fall and cause hyperextension of neck (causing severe cevical spine injuries)–kudos to Giro for this feature! This is a greatg helmet for those with heads that are longer (”watermelon” shape, as opposed to roundheads) in fore and aft dimensions and slightly narrower side-to-side. Helmet stays on head securely in almost all situations. Summary: an excellent and much overlooked and underrated helmet for both MB and street aps.

Weaknesses

Lack of high visibility shell colors to choose from. Visually bright orange, red, or lime green colors should be available! Yeah, I know: dark is “cool”, but being easily seen while using a helmet on the street is healthier (stay alive longer, brah!). Hotheads might want a bit more cooling, but a sweaty head is far better than a busted one, brahs!

Similar Products Used

Most other helmet designs (Bell, et al) over a 15 year period. Few are better for a wide range of bicycle protective applications than the GIRO Xen, in my professional opinion (as a specialist in military aviation life support technology and crainial protection safety).  Read more

Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review

Selecting a helmet was simple…try everything on and base a decision on how well it fits and well…how good it looks on my melon.  The Giro Xen passed both tests, it was the best fitting helmet I tried on and its low profile provides a great look. 

The Giro Xen is an all-mountain bicycle helmet with a low profile style and coverage found in a skate helmet with the lighter weight and ventilation of a XC helmet. 

The rounded back of the helmet is key to safety as it is less likely to snag during a fall which could result in an injury as serious as a borken neck.  So not only does it look cool, but it is actually safer than most helmets as well!

The padding inside of the helmet is all one piece allowing it to be removed easily so that it can be washed.  This is a feature that many other helmets do not provide.  Having one piece promotes a longer lifespan of the insert.

The helmet features the RocLoc system which makes for easy adjustment to obtain that “perfect” fit.  The RocLoc system is simple to adjust and does not require engagement/disengagement when taking the helmet on and off. 

The Point of View (P.O.V.) visor is anchored by an internal clutch mechanism that allows for 15 degrees of vertical adjustment and prevents the visor from rattling or coming lose over rough terrain.

Perhaps best of all, the helmet is backed by Giro who as a company has one of the best customer service departments in the industry…no questions asked, if something breaks for falters a replacement will be sent immediately.

The downside (if there is one) of this helmet would have to be the price…roughly about $120.00 MSRP.  However, if you are like me and have a longer watermelon shaped head vs. a roundhead you know that it is hard-to-find a great fitting helmet and as such the price shouldn’t really be an issue.