I recently wrote a few ads for CatEye, the Japanese maker of the industry’s finest cycling computers and lights. After reviewing their latest products, I had to throw decorum to the wind and demand some goodies! They were kind enough to hook me up with new front and rear lights, as well as an “Urban Wireless” computer.
The lights are crazy bright, and project forward and to the sides, making me highly visible to cars–bonus. The headlight casts a bright enough field, too, I can actually use it to avoid potholes, zombies, the works. It’s not just a “be seen” light, but a fully functional headlight.
What’s totally cool, though, is the Urban Wireless. The perspicacious among you probably discerned it is, in fact, wireless. Good work. It also calculates calories burned, as well as pounds of CO2 spared the atmosphere during your righteous commute. I haven’t bugged the engineers, but I’d imagine they use a pretty standard calculation to estimate the carbon amount–so if you’re driving an Escalade (you big-pimpin’ gangsta!) you’re probably saving even more, while my Honda Fit emits a bit less. Nevertheless, it’s cool to have a general idea about just how much a bike commute spares our blue skies.
It had been a while, too, since I’d installed a computer and I must say, they have come a long way. Not only do you choose your wheel diameter, but the Urban Wireless accounts for your tire width–pretty hip.
In just a few days I’ve already non-emitted over six pounds of CO2…so naturally I’m back to using the clothes dryer ’round the clock and taking 45-minute showers again. Oh, the joy of consumption!
Keep and eye out for the Urban Wireless if you’re in the market for a new computer for your townie–pretty cool technology, and the lights are hard to miss.
