NOW Helmet Furi Review

January 8, 2017 by Josh Friedman

NOW, short for Nonstop on Wheels, is a newcomer to the helmet marketplace. Their sole focus is on helmets for now with a line of three helmets; two for sport riding and one for urban riding. As with all helmets for sale in the United States, their helmets meet the Consumer Product Safety Commission protections standards. Thankfully that means I did not have to test the crash-worthiness of the Furi helmet I tested. But I did put the Now helmet through the paces with a lot of hours with me on my bike and the helmet on top of my head.

The NOW Helmet Out of the Box

The first thing I noticed when I took the Now helmet out of the box is how light it is (the claims are about 250 grams). It is especially light considering how much material it looks like there is – it is billed as an aero helmet, so you expect fewer vents equals more weight. After a long day in the saddle, it may make a difference in neck fatigue, but I do not have a way to measure it. The theory is sound at least.

I put the Furi on my head without adjusting anything to see if the shape would mate well with my shape. It was not ideal. From what I can tell, the helmet will fit a rounder head best. My head is longer and narrower than whatever head shape they used to design the helmet. This meant that there is a bit of extra room on the sides and a slightly tight fit front to back. Like saddles, shoes and handlebars, helmet fit depends on the person trying it. (Read “How to Fit a Bike Helmet“)

The straps on the helmet are relatively lightweight, although not as light as some other top range helmets out there. Something I would like to see NOW change is the redirection point for the straps below the ear. They do not lock in place and therefore can move after taking the helmet on and off a few times. This may be my biggest gripe about the helmet, which all in all is pretty minor.

Fitting

After a bunch of fiddling with the retention system, which has a dial to adjust the tightness and a vertical adjustment to adjust the contact point of the cradle, I found a position that was as close to ideal as I would find. The straps have moved a bit over time and needed readjustment, but it is not such a huge process. I have not been thinking about the helmet out on the road and that is something you should always have in a helmet. If you forget about it, it is comfortable.

Aesthetics

Overall the Furi has a finished quality to it with an in-molded shell and all of the standard fitments of a modern helmet, save the redirecting buckles. The orange color I tried out is stylistically in the movement towards brighter colors out on the road. The shape of the helmet reminded my riding pals of the hats Devo wore in the Whip it video. This is the moment you should step back and think of helmet aesthetics – if you were not a cyclist, you would think they all look silly. At the end of the day it is there to minimize head injuries, not to make you look cool – distinct maybe, but not cool. The final verdict on aesthetics is that the helmet fits into the acceptable range of helmet shapes and styles. Would the design stop me from wearing it? No way.

But it is Actually Cool

Along with weight, this was the second biggest highlight of the Furi. The ventilation is top notch for an aero helmet. This was not ideal for my November and December testing period. I did have great airflow through the helmet – it was quite impressive, even with a wool cap underneath I got a breeze. I was lucky enough to have one day where I did not need a cap of any sort under my helmet and it confirmed that the channeling is great.

The Three Big Things

There are three things that a helmet should do for you: provide safety, fit well and be comfortable. The Furi had me covered on two and half of these measures (again, fit is personal. There are people that will find a perfect fit in this helmet). It is a very nice helmet. Something that would be additionally attractive about the helmet is if NOW would release their wind tunnel data so we could see side by side comparisons to other helmets. This would certainly help their standing in the helmet marketplace. Beyond that, look for their nicely designed and made helmets more and more out on the road and trail.

Cool Bike Helmets for Your Type of Riding

November 13, 2016 by Emma Lujan

Nowadays it is hard to justify not wearing a helmet because you think it makes you look dorky. There are a lot of different cool colors, styles, and accessories in the helmet line to assist in making you look super cool while on your bike. Helmets should fit snug, but without any pressure points, should have an easy to adjust tension system, fit your budget, and you should enjoy the way it looks. There are three main types of helmets: road, mountain and urban. Below are some cool bike helmets from each of these categories.

Cool Bike Helmets to Consider per Your Riding Type

A bike helmet is not just a bike helmet. The full face helmet a downhill mountain biker wears is built for different impacts than what a road helmet is designed for. Functionality wise, they are also a bit different because the riding conditions are different from road riding compared to mountain biking compared to a helmet for around riding around town. Having the correct type of helmet for the type of riding you’re doing is very important. Plus you don’t look as cool wearing a road helmet on the trails or vice versa.

Cool Road Bike Helmets

Road helmets are designed to have a lot streamlined vents, be aerodynamic, and they do not come with visors. The high-density foam in road helmets is built up on the temple as well as the front of the helmet since that is where the majority of impact occurs when crashing on the road.

Giro Synthe

The Giro Synthe is top of the line for road bike helmets. It is the most aerodynamic well-ventilated helmet on the market today. The Synthe is sleek, light-weight, very breathable, and a very cool bike helmet. Giro Synthe

Catlike Whisper

The Catlike Whisper is one of the most recognizable helmets out there. It comes with upward of 30 vents, and has a unique look similar to that of a beehive. While it is not as aerodynamic as other road helmets, it makes up for it in comfort, light-weight and mad style points. It is also the official helmet of the Movistar Professional cycling team. Black Catlike Whisper

Cool Mountain Bike Helmets

Mountain bike helmets are different from road helmets in several ways. There are usually fewer vents in comparison to road helmets, but they are deeper because the average speed in mountain biking is slower than on the road, so the air will flow up and out of the helmet versus through. Mountain bike helmets come with a visor, and the foam is more built up at the back of the helmet since it is much more common to fall backward while riding on the trails versus the road.

POC Tectal Race

POC is a Swedish company that manufactures some of the coolest helmets around. The Tectal Race from POC is highly ventilated, offers exceptional coverage for the temple and rear of the head and is built specifically for the extreme cross-country and enduro mountain bike rider. POC Pink Tectal Race

Smith Forefront

The Smith Forefront helmet offers a full coverage helmet that is designed for all-mountain racing and shredding. It is a low-volume helmet and is very well ventilated and comes with a mesh covering the many vents to protect from dirt and bugs falling into the helmet. Smith Forefront (MIPS)

Cool Urban Helmets

Urban helmets will often come equipped with a light mount, a removable visor, and really tough outer shells. They often look more like hats than road and mountain bike helmets do, and therefore it is easier to match to your outfit.

Bell Hub

The Bell Hub comes equipped with a light mount, a soft-brimmed visor, reflective trim and an easy to adjust tension system. The HUB also comes in a variety of colors both bright and sleek making it a versatile cool bike helmet option. BELL HUB

Giro Sutton

The Sutton from Giro comes in a variety of colors and has a soft removable visor which gives is a very cool Euro look. Plus one of the vents in the helmet is reinforced and can double as a lock port so you can lock the helmet to your bike. Giro Sutton (MIPS)

MIPS

Lots of helmets these days, both road, mountain and urban, have an extra safety feature built into them called MIPS. MIPS stand for multi-directional impact protection system. The technology behind MIPS uses two layers inside the helmet to help the head rotate slightly upon impact with the purpose being to reduce the severity of concussions. Purchasing a helmet with MIPS adds a bit to the cost, but it is an excellent extra safety feature to have.

Wearing a helmet every time you ride a bike is super important. With so many cool bike helmets for sale today, it is easy to find one to suit your color preference, style of riding and budget.

The Dutch Reach – It Could Save Lives

October 10, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Alright, so it does sound dirty but the dutch reach could save someone from crashing or worse. It’s a pretty simple concept that everyone who parks on the street should be employing. Give it a try the next time you get out of your car and let two people who don’t cycle know as after all, they’re likely the ones who won’t be thinking about the mother riding down the street with her kids in tow when rushing out of the car. And hats of to Outside Magazine for putting this video together! Bike safe!

Multi-functional Cycling Backpack – Everything You Need In A Backpack

September 27, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

In cycling multi-functionality is huge. You want to have as few of things as possible yet still be functional. This backpack is exactly that. It will allow you to carry what you need and keep it dry from the elements but it also has an embedded lighting system that will not only make you more visible on the road but make you more predictable as it has turn-signals also. Check out the video below and let us know what you think about the backpack and if you would use one.

VUP PlusVUP Plus World’s smallest safest cycling backpack.

Posted by Newslinq on Monday, September 19, 2016

Why Use A Bike Bell – 5 Of The Best

August 30, 2016 by Corey Davis

A good bike bell is a very important part for the safety of yourself and others. In some states it is against the law to ride a bike without a bell. A bike bell allows you to be heard by other cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. The ringing sound a good bike bell leaves in a persons ears, is much more efficient at warning them of your presence as that sound is generally an immediate association with bicycle. A bike bell will also cause a lot less possibility of confrontation than shouting at someone to let him or her know you are approaching.

Along with safety, warning someone you are approaching is one technique you will learn as your cycling etiquette improves. Ringing your bike bell is a great way to alert someone that isn’t riding to the right side on a bike path, or when approaching a rider that may be distracted and not riding all the way to the right on a road. There is a list of tips for better cycling etiquette that can be found here. Also, a friendly wave can be a great way to seem less threatening when passing someone. (Here is a great video on waving to your fellow cyclists.)

(The Best Bike Bell) X (5)

Spurcycle

Spurcycle has created a bell that is truly on another level and separates itself from all other bells on the market. This bell is made completely in the USA and is created with the highest quality materials available. The design is sleek and elegant and creates a high pitch lasting ring that can be heard from more than 100ft away. It’s also sleek enough to be used on the most expensive and top notch road and time trial bikes.

Origin 8

This bike bell is crafted out of all metal and can be found in many bike shops. This bell was created by Origin 8, a company that focuses on creating affordable bicycle parts. It is supposed to have a “Melodic resonant brass sound”. This is an affordable and practical bike bell that should fit almost all handlebars.

Bicycle Hamburger Bell

If you are looking for a cute and comical bell, this is the one for you. The hamburger bell is funny, but may help you to remember you are just riding a bike, enjoy it. Just don’t get to hungry on the ride; the company will probably not replace a half eaten bell.

Giant Bike Bell

Giant makes excellent bike products and is one of the largest manufactures in the world. This bell will certainly get the job done and will match perfectly if you ride a Giant! And even if you don’t, it’s a pretty sleek design that is good for the road, mountain, hybrid, or commuter bike.

Clean Motion Flu gel Horn

Not exactly a bike bell but serves the same purpose, and offers a different sound than the common bike bell. The horn is offered in a variety of colors and is very reasonably priced. It is constructed out of steel and should fit any handlebar.

Five Of The Best Bike Locks

August 12, 2016 by Corey Davis

They say the bigger the lock the more expensive the bike. There’s a bit of truth to this, but the size of the lock is less important and more about the functionality of the lock. There are dozens of different bike locks on the market and this article will help you filter through and find the best bike locks and make your purchasing decision a little bit easier.

UShake

The UShake bike lock made our list of best bike locks because of its simplicity and the mounting bracket that is also included. This lock is a four-digit combination lock that is easily customizable and doesn’t require keeping up with a key. The mounting bracket that comes with this lock is easy to install to the bikes tubing or seat. This lock is also not bicycle specific meaning the user can place the lock on other sporting equipment to keep it safe as well. The lock totals four feet in length and has a vinyl, flexible outer coating.

Price: $10.97

Kryptonite

The Kryptonite is one of the best bike locks because of its extreme toughness and providing serious protection from theft. The Bent Foot is engineered to withstand the most vicious attempts to steal a bike. The cylinder for the lock is pick and drill resistant, two keys are included to unlock the cylinder lock. One downside to this lock is the product weight, weighing in at 3.60lbs you may be weary of lugging it around everywhere. The additional cable is also a valuable addition to the lock as you can never lock both wheels with a U-lock. This solves that problem while still giving you the security you need with a U-lock.

Price: $37.72

WordLock

The WordLock is one of the best deals on the best bike locks list. This lock costs only $9.00 and is 5 foot long with a eight millimeter thick cable. This is a key based lock that is matching colors to keep things organized on your key-ring. This bike lock is certainly about simplicity and efficiency. It gets the job done and will leave you feeling good about parking your bike outside.

Price: $9.00

OnGuard

OnGuard is one of the most well known brands for bike locks on the market. This is one of the best bike locks because of its dependability and best in class protection. This lock has a security rating of 63, and has a X2P Double Bolt locking mechanism. This lock comes with five laser cut keys and a mounting bracket. This is a U-Lock design so it’s important to find a bike stand to properly attach the bike to.

Price: $25.58

Kryptonite

The Kyrptonite cable is seven foot long and has looping ends to make locking it to any anchor point a breeze. The seven-foot long bike lock is also ten millimeters thick, which makes it very cut resistant. The steel cable is also braided to make it stronger than typical twisted cables. One downside is that you will have to purchase a lock and keep up with a key, and the lock is kind of large and difficult to transport. The best feature of this lock is that it can provide protection for multiple bikes if you are creative with the locking system.

Price: $12.87

How to Handle Road Rash

August 12, 2016 by Corey Davis

Sooner or later everyone will experience road rash, it’s a part of cycling, and almost a rite of passage into the cycling world. Road rash is never pleasant and can ruin what should have been a great day out on your bike. How you first handle your wounds will make all the difference in the amount of time it takes to recover. Treating the wounds correctly will save you a lot of pain and suffering if done the right way. Below are a few important tips when dealing with road rash to help make the process less painful and get you back on the road quicker.

Cleaning the Wound

Deciding if a trip to the emergency room is necessary can be a difficult decision, but if you think stitches are needed it’s best to let the professionals take a look. If you think the wound is not as severe and can be handled on your own with a couple trips to the pharmacy, the first step is to properly clean out the wound. Make sure to use clean drinking water and lightly scrub the dirt away. Be gentle with the road rash as the less hard scrubbing you can do the less agitated the wound will become which then can heal quicker. Another tip is to use a water bottle full of cool water and spray the wound out to avoid touching the open wound.

Bandaging the Road Rash

The severity of the road rash will decide what kind of bandages are best. Before bandaging the road rash, apply antibiotic ointment to the wound to decrease the chances of it getting infected. For less severe road rash some gauze and tape is all that is needed to cover the road rash properly. For more severe road rash applying a Tegaderm patch will be your best option. Remember to changes the bandages as needed and to clean up any drainage from the wounds to avoid messing up your clothes and bed sheets.

Keep An Eye Open

Any change in color or swelling in the days after the initial crash could be a sign of infection. If you believe the road rash is infected do not hesitate going to the doctor’s office to have someone take a look. Sometimes no matter how diligent you may be with changing the bandages and applying antibiotic ointment the wound may still get infected. In this case an oral antibiotic and more serious bandaging should take care of the infection.

Avoid the Sun

To reduce the chance of having a lifetime scar, try to avoid the sun or apply a sunscreen to the wound once it is completely closed. Also, moisturizing the wound will help to avoid scaring. There are plenty of anti-scar creams available at the drug store so don’t hesitate picking one up and giving it a try; that is unless you think the scars are a sign of toughness. One of the more obvious tips to avoid scarring is to not pick at the scab, although it’s tempting. It is one of the worst things possible for your road rash. This can reopen the wound to bacteria and will greatly increase the chance of scaring and infection.

Common Myths About Road Rash

There are several myths out there about how to handle road rash, such as letting the wound air out and that alcohol will properly disinfect the wound. Letting your road rash air out is only exposing the wound to more bacteria and increasing the chances of infection. The open air is only delaying the healing process. Keeping the wound covered is a much better choice. According to WebMD, “Using hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol to clean an injury can actually harm the tissue and delay healing. The best way to clean a minor wound is with cool running water and mild soap. Rinse the wound for at least five minutes to remove dirt, debris, and bacteria”. Many people do not know this about rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, but remember to stick with just clean water when dealing with road rash.

Hopefully the tips in this article never have to be used, but more than likely, they will. Now at least you will be prepared when dealing with road rash. If crashing is a common thing for you, a first aid kit stocked with all the necessary treatment options may be a wise investment. Also, always remember to wear your helmet, road rash can easily heal but your brain is a bit more fragile!

Riding With A Baby Or Little Kid? How To Change The Way You Ride

August 7, 2016 by Josh Friedman

Lots of people say that once you have kids your riding days are over. That is not true! You will have time to yourself to ride eventually, although maybe not in the first week or two of having a baby. You will also find that a bicycle is a great way to travel with your kids. You can get exercise and they get a great view of the world. There are a few things to keep in mind when you are riding with a baby to keep everyone safe and happy.

Shiny Side Up

Out on your training ride when you fall, it is only you that gets road rash filled with gravel and other road debris. If you dump it when you are riding with a baby or little kid, you are going to give road rash to said baby. DO NOT DO THAT.

Dial back your risk taking and temper your speed expectations. Riding with a baby is a utility – you can travel places efficiently while enjoying the outdoors. You are not going to develop top end fitness and work on your handling skills. Give yourself plenty of space and time to get to where you are going safely.

Keeping it safe might also mean that you have to drive somewhere that is easier to navigate with a kid. Do not worry; this will not last forever. Kids grow up and will eventually be able to ride on the same roads you ride currently. Your current job is to instill a love of riding in them right now so it will last a lifetime. It is a temporary concession so you can make them successful riders too.

The Equipment for Riding with a Baby or Young Child

Baby Seat

The easiest way to get riding with a baby is to attach a baby seat to one of your current bikes – either on the top tube or off a rack on the back. There are weight limits and your kid will outgrow the seat within a couple of years. It is also great if you want to keep your kids close.

Trailer

A trailer’s utility goes beyond hauling your kids around; you can haul other stuff too when they are not there. You can also use your current bike with a trailer. Be prepared to feel the trailer pulling you back as you climb or pushing you forward as you descend. A quality trailer is quite safe. The frame acts as a roll cage in the event it tips over. Some trailers even convert to strollers. It is a handy multipurpose tool.

Bakfiets

A bakfiets, or box bike, is the ultimate in kid transportation. They have an unobstructed view from their seats. The bike itself is purpose built for hauling people and cargo. Because of the long wheelbase, it is very stable. It is a solid machine without the lag of a trailer or high center of gravity like a baby seat. Its biggest drawback is price, but if you see a lot of riding with multiple kids along the way, it is well worth the investment. Additionally, you will make many friends with your unique bike and drivers will stay far away because they have no idea what to make of it.

Additional Equipment

Protect your kids’ heads like your own and put a helmet on them in case of the unfortunate fall. Lights are also a great idea, even in broad daylight. Drivers tend to give more space if they see lights (but no guarantee if they are looking at their phones). A tall flag is also a necessity so others can see where the bike is even through traffic. Basically anything that enhances visibility is a good thing.

Keep Them Happy

Like any trip out of the house with your kids, be sure to be prepared with snacks, waters, extra clothes, fun things to do in case you run into boredom, sunscreen, etc. You know what your kids like; bring it. Make sure they have good associations with riding bikes. They should have fun, you should have fun. If you that happens, everyone wins.

Treading Lightly

If you need more convincing that riding with a baby is a good idea, there are couple of elements to think about:

No more getting in a blazing hot car on a sunny day. Nobody gets burned by seatbelt buckles. You want to ride your bike on nice summer days anyway.
Less pollution because you are riding means you are leaving a better world for your kids.
This is repetitive, but you are teaching your kids that riding is fun and a part of their lives.
It is far more social than driving. You see other people out in the open, where you can interact with them.
It is far easier to swing your bike off the side of the road or path to check out interesting things. This is especially great for curious kids. They are not watching the world go by at fifty five miles per hour.

Keep it Safe, Keep it Fun

Riding with a baby, and as they grow, is a great way to introduce them to the joy of riding a bike. Riding in a safe and positive manner leaves them with good associations of the bike. They will be on the road to a lifetime of riding with your help.

You’re An Inconsiderate Driver If…A Lesson For Drivers

July 6, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

(This article first appeared here but with a different title and word describing drivers who put other people’s lives in danger. The word used was strong but as a car zipping by you less than three feet away gets your attention, so does the use of a vulgar word. It is re-published below for those who didn’t care for the use of that word and for those who wanted to share it but didn’t because of that word.)

Riding a bike on public roadways can mean placing your life in someone else’s hands. Not always the most comforting of feelings. Drivers don’t have the same degree of fear or vulnerability when passing a cyclist so they often don’t even realize the danger that they are placing another human being under because of their actions. Because of this, drivers have a tendency to be inconsiderate to cyclists. They may not realize it because to them, there is no real threat or degree of aggressiveness that they feel they are placing on anyone. This of course is some drivers as others will blatantly try to place cyclists in danger whether it’s buzzing them or slamming on the brakes in front of them. Regardless of if you’re intending on placing a cyclist in danger or if you don’t think you are, you’re an inconsiderate driver if you do any of the following. This website is obviously catered toward cyclists so please share with all of your non-cycling friends as well to keep all of us cyclists safer on the roads.

You’re An Inconsiderate Driver If…

you pass a cyclist with less than 3 feet between any part of you’re vehicle and the cyclist. 4 feet if you’re in Pennsylvania.
you don’t slow down to pass a cyclist.
you don’t adequately check for traffic in the opposing direction before passing a cyclist.
you pass a cyclist going into a blind corner.
you are towing something and don’t give extra space to a cyclist when passing.
you think cyclists should not be on the roadway.
you pass a cyclist with adequate space but merge back into the lane before the rear of your vehicle has safely passed the cyclist.
you ever swerve in front of a cyclist.
you ever brake directly in front of a cyclist.
you don’t wait for opposing traffic to subside before passing a cyclist.
you try and squeeze past a cyclist regardless of circumstance.
you accelerate excessively as you pass a cyclist with your diesel truck spewing fumes into their face.
you turn right in front of a cyclist just after passing them.
you ever run a red-light.
you ever drive drunk.
you don’t look for cyclists when turning out from a side road or driveway.
you turn left across traffic without looking to see if there’s a cyclist on the other side of the road.
you ever throw anything at a cyclist.
you don’t stop at cross-walk for a bike path.
you honk at a cyclist aside from a friendly one AFTER you have passed them. A friendly wave is nice with this as well.
you’re a trucker and don’t realize the danger you’re placing a cyclist under when passing in an unsafe manner.
you text and drive.
you get out of your car parked on the street and don’t first look for cyclists before opening your door.
you ever yell at or heckle a cyclist.
you threaten a cyclist in anyway.
you think your life or time is any more valuable than that of someone else’s.
in general, you don’t watch out for cyclists.

Drive in a respectful, safe manner looking out for yourself as well as that of others. You are not the only one out on the road. Imagine if you hit a cyclist as this sad, tragic story recounts. You would have a very difficult time living with yourself knowing you took the life of someone with so much left to live. Drive safe. Everyone will thank you.

Anti-Cycling Display In Parade On 4th of July

July 5, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

The 4th of July in the United States is a day to celebrate independence and everything we gained from it including free speech. There are parades around the country celebrating the day which often times are open to anyone who wants to have a float, performance, or another sort of spectacle. In Columbus, Ohio the Doo Dah Parade featured the above vehicle with a poster saying “I’ll Share The Road When You Follow The Rules.” As you can see, it’s insinuating that if you don’t follow the rules of the road as a cyclist, he is going to hit you. It is quite a surprise that the organizers of the parade ever let this person in as it is definitely a question of a true threat versus free speech that even courts have struggled to distinguish in the past. Regardless of if this person is under the protection of the First Amendment, it is still a clear message that he is trying to spread to not only cyclists but the community as a whole including children. For starters surrounding this, regardless of what the laws and rules say whether it is out on the road or what you can and can not do/say/portray in a parade, common sense should be used to avoid hitting a cyclist as well as to avoid riding on busy or dangerous roadways. No one should ever have the intention of endangering someone else’s life and if they do, they are the ones in the wrong and should be seriously educated whether it is in driving a vehicle or anything in life. Let us know in the comments below what you think of this. Should this have been allowed in a parade? And is he allowed to make threats like this?