Tuning frictional behavior on the fly has been a long-standing engineering dream. This new insight into how surface geometry governs slip pulses paves the way for tunable frictional metamaterials that can transition from low-friction to high-grip states on demand.
The system, tested in prototype form by NPR at the company's headquarters, consists of fairly standard-looking sneakers with a carbon fiber plate running through the soles. These sneakers are attached at the back to close-fitting, 3D-printed titanium leg shells that cinch to the calves. The battery-powered contraptions, containing complex motors, sensors and circuitry, weigh a couple of pounds and look like something out of Terminator or RoboCop.
Rather than waiting until you arrive in a ski village or going out of your way to drive into the mountains, Boot Solutions is introducing a process in which you simply scan your feet and they do all the fitting remotely. Overall it seems pretty simple. You use the Boot Solutions app on on your phone to take a medical grade 3D scan of both feet and the company offers you plans from there.
In the run-up to this year's Winter Olympics, and even as the Games have got underway, a scandal has been brewing: allegedly, some competitive ski jumpers may have artificially enlarged their crotch area by injecting their genitals with engorging chemicals or stuffing their underwear to create bigger bulges. The apparent reason: to alter their suit measurementsski jumpsuits are precisely tailored to jumpers' bodiesand, reportedly, to gain a boost in jumps. The allegations, first reported by a German media outlet and since dubbed Penisgate, have caught not only the Internet's attention but also the World Anti-Doping Agency's eye, although no athletes have been implicated by name.
The product is Pedra's DRS (Drag Reduce System) and, according to the post, is currently a prototype. An electronic noise, similar to that of SRAM mechanical shifting, is heard, leading one to assume someone is hitting a button to activate the system.
An exoskeleton is a relatively new class of wearable device designed to enhance, support, or assist human movement, strength, posture, or even physical activity. The main piece goes around your waist like a belt, and from it, a pair of hinged, mechanized splints extend down over the hips to strap onto each thigh, where they provide some robotic assistance to normal movements like walking, running, or squatting.
For runners, the hips can be one of the most confounding and frustrating parts of the physiological puzzle for efficient movement. Every runner knows how crucial hip strength is - and how mobile hips are essential for both fast and pain-free running. Yet healthy, happy hips remain elusive. For many of us, our hips stay stiff no matter how much we massage and stretch them.
At 26.8mm total thickness, these pedals are undeniably low profile. The platform measures 75mm x 68mm, with a 55mm stance width (from the center of the binding to the crank face). That's a very nice modern XC footprint, supportive enough under a stiff race shoe, without adding unnecessary bulk.
Without using any tools, the Moustraps easily convert SPD clipless pedals into flat pedals. Just grab the Mousetraps, and in seconds, that bike becomes rideable with regular shoes. The Mousetrap adapters attach to existing SPD pedals, creating an 80 x 105mm platform that lets cyclists wear regular shoes for quick trips to the store, casual rides, or unexpected detours.
The new Mach 4 SL maintains a familiar silhouette, including the brand's signature DW-link suspension platform, but adds a touch more travel, in-frame storage, notable geometry changes, and several new complete builds to choose from.
Aenomaly has been keeping up with new models and now offers their Switchgrade saddle angle adjustment hack for the most affordable droppers on the market. Headlining with the PNW Loam Gen 2, because it's a great dropper at a fair price, the latest Switchgrade Pack F model fits the following posts: PNW Loam Gen 2, OnOff Pija Gen 2, Switch Components SWR 160, and TranzX JD-YSI35.
When you ride an electric bike, the way the motor helps you pedal makes a big difference in how the ride feels. There are two main types of pedal-assist systems: cadence sensors and torque sensors. At first they sound technical, but the difference is actually simple-and very important for daily riding. These sensors control how and when the motor supports your pedaling.
Today, Shimano introduces the latest dual-function pedal in its lineup, the PD-EH510. This versatile hybrid pedal combines Shimano's renowned SPD clip-in system on one side with a fairly large flat pedal platform on the other. This gives riders the choice between clipped-in efficiency or the freedom of flat pedals, with a versatile pedal that's ready to ride, no matter which shoes they choose.
Speed through multiplied power was one of the main goals of this project, and to that end, Van Rysel designed the FTP^2 to integrate seamlessly with the Mahle M40 pedal assist drive unit. Originally designed for eMTBs, the mid-drive M40 is one of the most powerful units on the market, capable of putting out up to 105 Nm of torque and 850 watts of peak power.
Try as we might, it's not always easy to keep up with it all, and sometimes, it can be a challenge to give everything the attention it deserves. In our new Shifting Gear series (see what we did there?), we'll be highlighting products that have just arrived, we're excited to try out, or that we're particularly stoked to tell you about but haven't had a chance to review yet.
Last year, the young Canadian confirmed that notion with five World Cup Downhill wins, earning him the title of the World Cup Overall Champ. Of course, when you're the best in the world, brands like to put your name on things, as we saw with Fox Racing's Goldstone Signature Collection of apparel and accessories. Today, OneUp Components adds to that list with the launch of the brand-new Goldstone Grip.