Bicycle components manufacturer Lezyne is certainly not calling their latest cycle computer feature the ‘worried girlfriend app’ or any other politically incorrect name along those lines, but essentially that’s who might be using it as Dillon Clapp, Worldwide Communications Manager for Lezyne explained.
“You can do live tracking,” he said. “When you hit start on a ride, it will email anybody who’s on your list. They can then go to our live tracking website. So other people can see where you are, real time.”
Of course some people might be worried about Big Brother watching and their lack of privacy, but you could also imagine parents of young cyclists being keen on this feature, for example.
This feature was part of a range of upgrades to Lezyne’s GPS computers which were launched last year.
“Last year we came out with three models to start with,” recalled Dillon. “We’ve completely redone the line and added a couple of new models.”
“Everything’s developed in house. We have software engineers, computer programmers, electrical engineers and app developers.
“This year we’ve added navigation and Strava Live Segments. Once you’re paired via Bluetooth it will sync with your device (smartphone) the computer will alert you when you’re getting close to the segment. As soon as you hit it, it will say go! Then give you real time data to show you if you’re ahead or behind, and distance to go on the segment. As soon as you’ve finished the segment it will let you know your time and how you went.
“You know some people are obsessed with getting Strava KOM’s!”
Dillon said that Lezyne has also upgraded their navigation features.
“The navigation gives turn by turn directions. It will give you bicycle friendly routes.
It holds the whole route in the computer, so if you lose phone service you will not lose the map.”
In addition to their expanded computer range, Dillon said that their biggest growth category was lights.
“In the States there’s a big movement where people are riding with lights more in the day for visibility,” he said. Of course we know that this is also the trend within Australia.
“Lights are out biggest category now,” he continued. “We develop everything in house.”
There’s off the shelf stuff that’s mass produced made in China, then there’s the high end guys that do low quantities but really high end, guys like Light & Motion. We come in between. We’re able to produce big quantities but in house, high quality with a low cost per lumen. Through that we’ve been able to grow lights to almost 50% of our business.”
