Published April 14, 2012 10:25AM
The week in tech: fitness giant sues Garmin, Strava; new classics bike recap
Fitness giant Icon Health & Fitness sues Garmin, Strava and more over patent infringment; new wheels from Enve; new classics bike roundup
Fitness Giant sues exercise app developers
Icon Health & Fitness has sued five popular developers of mobile and online fitness-related applications. The Utah-based health giant claims that the developers have infringed on two of its patents related to uploading and storing user data.
Strava, Garmin, Polar, FitnessKeeper and MapMyFitness are all accused of violating two of Icon’s patents, dubbed “271” and “800.”
Patent 271 patents “the method and apparatus for using physical characteristic data collected from two or more subjects,” while 800 patents “methods and systems for controlling an exercise apparatus using a USB-compatible portable remote device.”
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Enve launches 6.7 clinchers, ships 8.9 tubulars
A clincher companion to Enve’s 6.7 tubular wheelset is on its way, the company announced this week, and the ultra-deep 8.9 tubulars will begin shipping within a month.
Enve’s SMART system wheels, which now include the 3.4 tubular and clincher, 6.7 tubular and clincher, and 8.9 tubular, were designed in collaboration with Simon Smart, a British aerodynamicist also responsible for Scott’s Foil and Plasma frames and the second-skin skinsuits used by HTC-Highroad last year, among a host of other aero gear. The new 6.7 clincher offers up the same crosswind-optimized rim shape without the hassle of tubulars.
New bike recap
The spring classics have been good for tech, with three major new endurance-oriented frames showing their faces to the public for the first time. VeloNews’ Nick Legan was on the ground in Belgium and France to get all the details.
Trek Domane — Trek’s first true entry into the endurance bike category, featuring an innovative “ISOSpeed” suspension-like design.
Domane launch >>
Ride report >>
Cancellara’s Domane >>
Specialized Roubaix — A brand new take on the bike that popularized an entire category, and the very frame that Tom Boonen rode to his Paris-Roubaix win.
Boonen’s Roubaix >>
BMC GF01 — The new GF01 is BMC’s first foray into the endurance road segment and looks like a solid endurance offering from the Swiss outfit, even if it didn’t land a cobbled win.
GF01 launched >>