Product Reviews
TRAINING TOOLS TO SEE AND BE SEEN
By Tom Barry
For many athletes, there is a certain allure to training alone with only one’s thoughts and racing heartbeat for company. For others, life’s demands get in the way, and the only option to get in a good ride or trail run is to squeeze a few hours into the early morning when no one else is awake to join. Regardless of the reason, most athletes spend time training alone at some point, and that can bring with it a host of added risks. Here are three products that will help you make the most of those times that you head out in the dark to ensure you come back safe and sound.
TORCANO INDUSTRIES ORP
($65;
www.torcanoindustries.com)
TORCANO INDUSTRIES SAYS: The first bike light-horn combo to hit the market, the Orp SmartHorn™ bike light allows riders to alert cars, pedestrians and other cyclists of their presence just by touching the light’s tail. The light itself weighs 89 grams and has a battery life of up to 15 hours. The horn can make two different alerts: friendly (76 decibels) and loud (96 decibels).
REVIEWERS SAY: “The Orp solves a problem I didn’t know I had,” said Ben, who really liked the aesthetics of Torcano Industries new product: “like a tiny orca merrily perched atop the handlebars.” Our testers appreciated the ability to choose between a friendly chirp for fellow cyclists and runners and the more aggressive warning screech for cars. “The chirp is a great sound and volume to notify other riders of your presence without startling them,” Tom reported. Testers also liked the ease of the rechargeable lithium-ion battery rather than disposable batteries with power life more than enough for a few weekend evening rides or a week of work commuting.
THE GIST: Great for urban bike commuters or for those who are into adventurous evening rides, Orp offers an extra level of protection from careless motorists and pedestrians.
LED LIGHT VEST
($80;
www.ledlightvest.com)
LED LIGHT VEST SAYS: For those addicted to early morning or late evening runs, the LED Light Vest provides athletes with the ability to see and be seen, even in little or no light. Twelve LED lights on the front of the vest make runners visible to cars and pedestrians, while also providing a nice pool of light to avoid turning an ankle or tripping over a tree root. The 12 rear-facing LEDs keep athletes visible to traffic if road running is the only option. Each set of lights comes with its own on/off switch.
REVIEWERS SAY: “An excellent addition to any athlete’s workout gear,” it appears as though everything was taken into account in production of the LED Light Vest. The light generated by the front LED’s was more than enough for Joe on his early morning trail runs, and he appreciated that the vest’s light stream didn’t bounce around the way it might with a standard headlamp. The hooded front lights were enough to prevent any accidental glare, and the vest itself was lightweight, breathable and comfortable to run in. In short, “this vest will likely become the standard in safety for athletes.”
THE GIST: For runners who like to hit the road or trail while most of us have the good sense to stay inside, the LED Light Vest will help you see and be seen, no matter the hour.
ICEDOT CRASH SENSOR
($150;
www.icedot.org)
ICEDOT SAYS: Mountable on any helmet, the ICEdot Crash Sensor is paired with the ICEdot smart phone app to detect motion and the possible impact of a crash. In the event of critical forces, the Crash Sensor triggers an alarm and emergency countdown in the phone. If the countdown clock is not stopped, the app will notify your emergency contacts and send GPS coordinates for emergency workers.
REVIEWERS SAY: A nice little package, reviewers liked the matte-yellow aesthetic of the crash sensor, which mounts to the back of any helmet using a small adhesive and zip ties. When paired with the ICEdot app, the crash sensor communicated with the smart phone placed up to 10 feet away, and Shane was impressed with how effectively the low-frequency Bluetooth preserved the battery life of both the phone and the crash sensor. “I wore it for a full week of training rides and never had to recharge the battery.” Through the app, users can customize their own countdown time, emergency contacts and medical information that is automatically shared with emergency personnel.
THE GIST: Peace of mind for cyclists who like to train solo, the crash sensor requires 3G service in order to communicate a rider’s position. A good option for those who want an added level of security but won’t be going too far afield.
USATRIATHLON.ORG USA TRIATHLON 45
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