Cateye, Polar and Krytptonite are expanding their cycling electronic offerings, and some of these items might be just what the readers need this time of year. We take a first look at these new lights, power meters, cyclocomputers, heart rate monitors and more.
Cateye's New Power Meter, Brake Lights, Floor Pumps and More:
Cateye is perhaps best known for their wide array of lights and cycling computers, though this could soon change as the brand introduced their first power meter at Interbike 2016. Made in conjunction with 4iiii, the power meter is available pre-installed to a non-drive Shimano crank arm.
New for 2017 is the Cateye/4iiii power meter. The power meter is available pre-installed into three different Shimano non-drive crank arms. Retail ranges from $420 USD for 105 to $620 USD for Dura-Ace 9000. © Cyclocross Magazine
Cateye claims that what makes this power meter unique is its ability to measure power through tri-axial strain that the crank arm is subjected to under torque. The power meter adds a measly nine grams to the crank arm with transmit data to all ANT+ and Bluetooth Smart-equipped head units. The the non-drive arm is available in three levels: 105 5800 for $420 USD, Ultegra 6800 for $520 USD, or Dura-Ace 9000 for $620 USD. The power meter is available now through Cateye direct or your local authorized dealer.
Although the brand is venturing into power meters, they aren't about to abandon its line of lights. New for 2017 is the Rapid X2 Kinetic tail light. While the light can put out 50 lumens at maximum power, what makes this light stand out from the rest of its siblings is the built-in accelerometer.
Also new for 2017 is the Cateye Rapid X2 Kinetic tail light. The 50 lumen light features a built-in accelerometer that prompts the light to emit a 3 second burst mode whenever a rider deccelerates–$60 USD. © Cyclocross Magazine
The light is not being advertised as a brake light, however the light will automatically emit a three second burst of light whenever deceleration is detected. This could come in handy on group night rides to alert the riders behind you in the event of a downed tree or raccoon crossing. The USB rechargeable light is available now and comes with a retail price of $60 USD.
For 2017, Cateye will also be able to address your inflation needs with their new alloy floor pump. The pump comes with a top-mounted gauge for easier viewability and a single-port head that adapts to fit both Schrader and Presta valves. The alloy floor pump tops out at 160 psi for the price of $45 USD.
New for 2017 is the Cateye alloy floor pump. The pump features a maximum pressure of 160 PSI and a sticker price of $45 USD. © Cyclocross Magazine
See more Cateye products in the slideshow below, and additional info can be found at: cateyeamerica.com
Kryptonite Expands Offerings With New Lights:
Kryptonite is another company looking to diversify their lineup for 2017. Know exclusively for their locks, the American company is now expanding their reach to include a line of USB rechargeable lights.
The Alley F-275 is Kryptonite’s brightest offering, putting out 275 lumens at full power. © Cyclocross Magazine
The new lights have a clever naming scheme, ranging from the “Boulevard” up to the “Alley,” with each light seeing an increase in lumen output to match the expected lighting conditions of the various roadways. The names are reminiscent of the brand’s lock offerings, with the heavy duty locks aptly named the “New York Lock.”
At the top end of the lineup is the Alley F-275. You may have guessed that F-275 stand for Front-275 lumen, and you’d be right. All of the lights feature this simple code at the end of the model name, making it simple to distinguish the position of the light, as well as the maximum output offered. The light has an integrated battery level indicator and a retail price of $34.95 USD.
This Avenue COB LED lights feature a strip of LED chips for an output of 35 lumens up front and 20 lumens in the rear. © Cyclocross Magazine
Next in the lineup is the Street F-135, followed by the Avenue F-50 and F-35 COB. The F-35 COB is a “chips on board” LED strip design which offers high visibility but less of a “spot” beam pattern. Also available as a 20 lumen rear light, Avenue COB can be purchased as a set for $34.95 USD or or individually for $21.95 USD. The Avenue F-50 is available in a dual LED offering, which packs both front and rear lights into the same unit.
Rounding out the lineup is the Boulevard, which the light retains the rest of the lineup’s USB rechargeability while dropping output down to 14 lumens. The light also comes in a 3 lumen rear and is priced at $29.95 USD for the set or $15.95 individually.
More info: kryptonitelock.com
Polar's New Smartwatch Brings High Tech to Your Wrist:
With the rise of wearable tech, companies in the cycling industry and beyond are looking for ways to integrate tech more seamlessly into our everyday life. No exception to this progression is US-based Polar. The brand has a history of cycling computers and watches, but are arguably most recognizable for their heart rate sensors.
Polar was on hand–er wrist–to present their new M600. The M600 is a full blown smartwatch, and the brand’s first product capable of running third party applications like Strava and Spotify. © Cyclocross Magazine
They were in attendance on the tradeshow floor to introduce their new M600 watch. First seen at the press preview, the M600 is a smartwatch through and through, marking a first for the company with the ability to actively run third party applications such as Strava and Spotify.
The M600 features a full color touch screen and the ability to make a wireless connection to iOS and Android devices. The battery life lasts for two days or eight hours of training when connected with Android, and is recharged by way of a water/rustproof charging port.
The back of the watch features a heart rate monitor with six LED’s that project light onto the user’s skin. Heart rate is recorded based on the amount of reflected light that is picked up by the tiny camera nestled in the center of the watch. © Cyclocross Magazine
The backside of the watch is fitted with a heart rate sensor that features six green LED light that surround a small camera. The sensor works by projecting light onto the user’s skin, and heart rate is calculated based on the amount of reflected light that is picked up by the tiny camera.
The users phone must be active in order to run third party applications, however the unit comes pre-installed with Polar’s own Smart Coaching program that displays training parametrics for a myriad of disciplines. The watch is available now with a black or white silicone band for $329.95 USD.
The new Polar A360 doesn't have the ability to run third party applications, but it is equipped with Polar’s Smart Coaching application and tracks the user’s activity at all times. The watch is available now and retails for $199.95 USD. © Cyclocross Magazine
Also new for the 2017 model year is the Polar A360 fitness tracker. While not advertised as a complete smartwatch, the A360 still maintains the ability to run Polar’s Smart Coaching program with wrist-based heart rate readings. The A360 may have a few less features than the M600, but with that sacrifice comes the lower price tag of $199.95 USD.
The Polar V800 is geared towards serious athletes with the ability to conduct orthostatic tests to determine the user’s condition based on repeated heart rate readings. The watch also allows users to adjust set training regimens based on this data. Retail is set at $499.95 USD. © Cyclocross Magazine
For the more serious athletes, Polar offers the V800 sports watch. The V800 allows users to program training regimens to help achieve a set goal. The watch can also perform orthostatic tests based on heart rate to determine the user’s current conditions and adjust training schedules accordingly. This could potentially help riders find the balance of getting enough training without pushing themselves too hard before an impending race. Retail is set at $499.95 USD before accessories.
Polar’s V650 cycling computer has an LED light positioned at the front of the unit that automatically illuminates to give riders a bit more visibility in low light conditions. The V650 runs the navigation program OpenStreetMap, and can be had for $249.95 USD © Cyclocross Magazine
Not looking to wear your tech? Not to worry, because Polar also offers a range of cycling computers such as the V650 and the M450. The V650 is fully outfitted with OpenStreetMaps for active navigation and a 2.8” color touch screen. The V650 is available now for $249.95 USD or as a bundle with heart rate sensor for an additional $50 USD.
The M450 cycling computer retains the V650’s LED light feature, but loses the OpenStreetMap compatibility for a price drop to $169.95 USD. © Cyclocross Magazine
The M450 is a more affordable offering with an entry price of $169.95 USD. This price cut will cost you the color touch screen and the active navigation, but can still track your activity via GPS. Both the M450 and V650 feature a small front mounted LED light that automatically illuminates in low light situations to help keep users safe.
More info: polar.com
See our ever-growing collection of new product news from Interbike 2016 here.
Cateye / Kryptonite / Polar New Products Photo Gallery:
Cateye claims that what makes this power meter unique is its ability to measure power through tri-axial strain that the crank arm is subjected to under torque. © Cyclocross Magazine
