jade408

This looks interesting. Replicate the smart screen in your car on your handlebars.

COBI, a New Hands-Free, Connected Navigation System for Your Bike, Lets You Control Your Route, Music, and Calls - CityLab

Is this the killer app for your bike?

kevindsingleton 

"Killer" may prove to be the right word.

SpeshulEd 

My phone can already do all of those things without that app. Killer app...err, waste of space.

fietsbob

Phone App wont show Potholes .. get your face out of the screen, pay Attention!

John_V 

I would imagine that it would be good for short commutes and jaunts around town but I can't see using it on very long rides. I can also see it being useful in Europe where most people commute by bicycle.

TimothyH

$249

jade408

Former Audi engineers.

To be expected.

JohnDThompson 

I ride my bike to get away from that kind of stuff!

Johnny Mullet

^this

Homebrew01

Yup. I have my phone in my back pocket for emergency use. I could see checking a map once or twice in unfamiliar territory.

I-Like-To-Bike

What would a cyclist need to be staring at on a smartphone screen on a short commute or jaunts around town?

SpeshulEd 

If you're using earbuds anyway, is it really that hard to just say "hey Siri..." into the inline mic? That will pretty much take care of navigation, phone calls, texting, and music.

So then you're left with a huge phone mount and proprietary lights...just doesn't seem like a game changer to me. How often do you really need to change any phone settings during a bike ride anyway, just stop for 30 seconds or do it at a red light.

zandoval 

Nice... But...

I-Like-To-Bike

Ooh-ooh, don't let any of the Deputy Dawg/McGruff hysterical types who frequently post about cell phone on A&S see you handle a phone even while stopped, they may have a conniption or worse to see a "distracted" vehicle operator not slavishly obeying the law at all times.

KD5NRH

Does that include a couple of rack mounted deep cycle batteries to keep the phone charged while you're running all this extra junk? As it is, a couple hours of Strava with the screen off comes close to killing mine.

TimothyH

Just to be clear, the lights don't come with the mount.

They lights are an extra $90.

Cyclist0084

^^^ This!! +1

Dave Cutter

I love the phone.... and all the apps and tech stuff! I run a cycling app now that logs all my "data" and emails me a copy after I finish my ride. It's cool stuff.

It's awesome to use the navigation feature when driving (in a car) and get re-routed around traffic problems. But then again... I am a bit of a technology buff. I even have a smart/automated home.

But when cycling... I feel a connection... an integration with the bike. The bike becomes an extension of my body. I process my own thoughts and calculate my own solutions to what I perceive as problems. As for now at least... my own built-in gray-matter hardware/software seems to provide for some really enjoyable rides.

But the minute a phone with a fast enough processor, or finely crafted enough app, makes riding even a little bit more fun than cycling is now. I'll be all over it like white on rice. But for now... I am happy.

Moe Zhoost

Mistook the subject line to mean something different. I was looking forward to lightening my bike by getting rid of my bars.

SpeshulEd 

Hahahaha, this thing just keeps getting better and better.

John_V 

The phone app is not the system being talked about, the hardware is. The phone app simply controls the hardware. Therefore, having the screen on in order to use the turn signals and the rest of the system will deplete most phone batteries on longer rides. I guess you could turn off the screen but then it would defeat the purpose of the product if you have to keep turning on the screen every time you want to switch something on or off.

Kedosto

I admire their effort, but I don't see myself needing anything like this now or ever. Also, They're failing to mention the required dyno hub necessary to power the system.

I can already do everything their app does. And anybody who's ever owned an "all-in-one" anything knows that all-in-one means if one piece of the system goes down it ALL GOES DOWN. Thanks but, no.


-Kedosto

I-Like-To-Bike

OK, let me rephrase the question, who but an OCD afflicted techno-nerd would want or need to be staring at a smartphone screen while riding about town in order to use the phone "apps" , OR in order to operate the COBI controls for turn signals, light, and/or a bell?

SpeshulEd 

Even an OCD afflicted techno-nerd wouldn't be interested in this. There are far better gadgets on the market than this.

John_V 

When you put it that way, certainly not me! But I'm sure there are quite a few OCD afflicted techno-nerd who would stand in line to buy one, just like they do every time Apple releases a new iPhone or other gadget.