Week in Tech: Nuun's non-profit work, a new GPS unit, and more

Published March 20, 2015 10:31AM

Nuun hydration tabs benefit people for bikes

Nuun and People For Bikes have launched a collaboration project in an effort to boost awareness for People For Bikes and to raise funds for the non-profit. The 4-pack includes one tube each of Nuun Active Hydration Citrus Fruit and Watermelon, plus Nuun Energy Lemon Lime and Wild Berry.

“This collaboration will help elevate awareness of the great work that People For Bikes is doing to move this vision forward,” Nuun CEO Kevin Rutherford said.

One dollar from every purchase will go toward People For Bikes. The 4-pack, which has 48 servings, retails for $24 and is available now at REI, Performance Bike, and other cycling retailers.

Lezyne launches GPS head unit line

Lezyne has announced it will be entering the GPS head unit market with the introduction of three models. At $140, the Mini GPS is the least expensive head unit and is also the smallest, being not much larger than the diameter of a quarter. The Mini GPS has bare-bones functionality for a head unit these days, having basic GPS functions such as speed and distance, temperature, and an altimeter. The Mini GPS cannot pair to ANT+ or Bluetooth (BLE) devices.

The Power GPS and Super GPS are $170 and $200, respectively. These two models are the same size and both have a battery runtime of 22 hours. The primary upgrade with Super GPS is that it can pair with ANT+ and Bluetooth devices simultaneously, while the Power GPS can only pair with Bluetooth devices, like Stages or the newly announced PowerTap power meters.

The Super GPS has improved memory with 256 megabytes of storage, or what Lezyne claims to be about 400 hours of riding, while the Power GPS has 128MB and the Mini GPS has 64MB.

The Power’s and Super’s GPS BLE connectivity allows them to pair to power meters and a smart phone for wireless uploading through the Lezyne app, Lezyne Ally. The Lezyne Ally app is not yet available in the Apple App Store, so we weren’t able to check out its functionality or see how it would interact with Strava or TrainingPeaks. Lezyne also has launched a website for tracking your training and to view rides.

Unfortunately, the Lezyne GPS uses a new handlebar mount that is not compatible with current mounts on the market, of which some Garmin owners may have a small collection. The Mini GPS is set to be available in a couple weeks, while the Power GPS and Super GPS units are still a couple months away from being available.

Lazer O2 to benefit Amy D. Foundation

Lazer helmets is offering its budget-friendly road helmet, the O2, in a special Amy D. Foundation edition. The Amy D. Foundation celebrates the memory of Amy Dombroski, who was killed in a 2013 training crash, by supporting young female racers.

Lazer, a sponsor of Amy D. Racing, will make a donation to the Amy D. Foundation based on sales of the limited edition Amy D. O2 helmet. The Amy D. O2 is available now at Lazer dealers for $110 in limited quantities.

Trek launches thru-axle fork CX bikes

When Trek launched its Boone carbon cyclocross bike just over a year ago, it came under some scrutiny for not using a thru-axle fork. Trek has answered the call, and will be offering all of its 2016 disc cyclocross models with a 15mm thru-axle fork. For existing Boone and Crockett disc owners wishing to upgrade to a thru-axle fork, Trek will have forks available through its dealers later this year.

Trek decided not to go with a rear thru-axle, saying the front end benefits the most from the increased stiffness a thru-axle provides. The company also said the new models are lighter, although it did not elaborate on how or where it shaved weight.

On the topic of the new color schemes for 2015, Trek said, “Trek has scientifically proven that Boone and Crockett’s new color schemes result in a 16.2 percent increase in mid-race hand ups and an 117.4 percent increase in calling your bike a “whip.” Trust us — we use science and stuff.”