BikeCharge Dynamo Charges Your Gadgets As You Ride
iPhone dead? How about some exercise!
While bike dynamos have been powering bicycle lights since the 80s, most modern bike lighting solutions operate on battery or solar power. But thanks to modern technology, it looks like the dynamo may be making its comeback, this time to power your gadgets. Created by iBikeConsole, the BikeCharge Dynamo is a compact, lightweight device that helps keep your USB gadgets charged.
According to the company, the device is 20 percent lighter than traditional dynamo systems and can charge most smartphones in 2 to 3 hours. While most people won't be riding their bikes around for that long, the device is designed to add minimal drag while giving your connected device just enough juice to get by.
As an additional safety feature, the device also has front and rear LED lights that stay illuminated for up to two hours after riding thanks to a built in 700mAh Li-ion battery. Priced at $99, the BikeCharge Dynamo is a bit pricey for the casual biker, but for anyone who uses a bike as a primary mode of transportation, it may be a worthwhile investment.
Seriously though, I foresee no issues with USB cables getting pulled into the wheel causing the front tire to lock up and sending the rider flying face first into the ground.
Totally agree, nice idea in theory, but in practice this doesn't sound good.
If it locks up it might not throw the cyclist off the bike, but it sure would whip your phone out your pocket and send it catapulting god knows where!
this guy obviously never heard of cable ties..
This? This is down right dumb. USB cables at the hub? Dafuq, did the inventor never use a bike?
Tell them to go look at the dynamo designs from the 80s, they might get some good tips from that.
My thought too. A better design would be a remote port hub attached to the middle of the handlebar, connected to the dynamo with a short cable in a semi-rigid sleeve.
it makes less resistance to the rotation, makes driving the bike easier, instead of feeling like riding over a steep mountain, so it's basic physics
if the cable is short and the phone is in the pocket the same side of the generator, it should be hrd to get into the wheels
but still I think this is a pointless device, can just charge my phone at home