For cyclists, the road can be a dangerous place, and it can become all the more dangerous when you have to look up directions to where you are going on your phone while pedaling away. That's why bike-tech startup Helios created Helios Bars, handlebars that turn your ride into a smart bike.
The road can be a dangerous place for cyclists, especially when peddling into unfamiliar territory. That's why bike-tech startup Helios created Helios Bars, handlebars that turn your ride into a smart bike.
Helios Bars fit almost any bike and connect to your phone via Bluetooth. The handlebars use your device's GPS to track your movement. You can input a destination on your phone through the Helios app (currently available for iOS only), hop onto your bike, and the Helios Bars will give you turn-by-turn directions, illuminating LEDs on the end of the handlebars when you should make a turn.
Outfitted with high-powered, front and rear facing LEDs, Helios Bars also provide improved visibility, for both the rider and surrounding street traffic. With a push of a button the rear facing LEDs can be used as a turn signal, and when not turning, the LEDs can also be used as a speedometer, changing colors depending on the bikes pace.
The handlebars are powered by a rechargable Li-ion battery, which Helios says will provide up to 7 hours of battery life. The Helios app can also determine the rider's proximity to the bike, in order to turn the unit on and off automatically to help save power or prepare your ride.
The Helios Bars will fit any bike that has a threadless fork. An adapter can be bought for bikes that do have threaded forks.
As far as price is concerned, a $199 pledge on the Helios Bars Kickstarter page with get you a set of handlebars in black or white, in either drop bar or bullhorn style. At the time of this post, the campaign has raised $29,790 of their $70,000 goal with 29 days to go.
[Source: Kickstarter]
The road can be a dangerous place for cyclists, especially when peddling into unfamiliar territory. That's why bike-tech startup Helios created Helios Bars, handlebars that turn your ride into a smart bike.
Helios Bars fit almost any bike and connect to your phone via Bluetooth. The handlebars use your device's GPS to track your movement. You can input a destination on your phone through the Helios app (currently available for iOS only), hop onto your bike, and the Helios Bars will give you turn-by-turn directions, illuminating LEDs on the end of the handlebars when you should make a turn.
Outfitted with high-powered, front and rear facing LEDs, Helios Bars also provide improved visibility, for both the rider and surrounding street traffic. With a push of a button the rear facing LEDs can be used as a turn signal, and when not turning, the LEDs can also be used as a speedometer, changing colors depending on the bikes pace.
The handlebars are powered by a rechargable Li-ion battery, which Helios says will provide up to 7 hours of battery life. The Helios app can also determine the rider's proximity to the bike, in order to turn the unit on and off automatically to help save power or prepare your ride.
The Helios Bars will fit any bike that has a threadless fork. An adapter can be bought for bikes that do have threaded forks.
As far as price is concerned, a $199 pledge on the Helios Bars Kickstarter page with get you a set of handlebars in black or white, in either drop bar or bullhorn style. At the time of this post, the campaign has raised $29,790 of their $70,000 goal with 29 days to go.
[Source: Kickstarter]
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