The Siva Cycle Atom uses pedal-generated power to charge your smartphones while you bike
With core battery technology on a bit of a long-winded innovation pace folks are always coming up with unique ways to solve the issue of needing more juice on the go. We haven’t seen something quite as unique as this, though — the Siva Cycle Atom. It’s a battery pack that intertwines with your bicycle and gets recharged by pedaling.
It can charge any device that uses USB for power, which notably includes most Android smartphones and some tablets. The Atom can directly charge your device or store power in the included 1,300 mAh battery pack for use later on. That’s not a ton of eThe Kickstxcess storage — a lot of smartphone batteries are exceeding 2,000mAh these days — but it’s enough to give your device that extra little push it needs while you’re working up a hill or flying down a fast slope.
The Atom charges your device at a rate of 5V @ up to 500mA, the same level of power that your typical computer’s USB 2.0 port kicks out. That’s not too fast up against a wall charger, of course, but not many portable batteries are. The device requires a bit of space on the bike — particularly 20mm of air between the rear dropout and hub flange, and a hub flange that’s at least 3 inches in diameter — but the device apparently fit fine on almost every traditional, sporting, urban, touring, performance and casual bike tested. It’s worthy to note that the product is not yet compatible with disc brakes, but it can be installed on the non-disc side of the front wheel. The Atom also doesn’t work with breaks that require you to pedal backwards.
Installation will be easy for those who want one, apparently. It’ll come with everything you need to mount the setup onto your wheels, and the only tool you’ll need is whatever you already use to remove your bike’s seat (to install the device cradle). The Atom is also designed to be as secure as your back wheel would be if your bike is locked up to a rack, so theft shouldn’t be an issue unless bike theft is already an issue.
The Kickstarter page maps out several options for backing, with the cheapest option (as of the time of this writing) for getting one for yourself being just $95 (the $85 early bird special is all sold out, folks). The retail price is said to be $110, so you’re getting a decent discount for being a backer regardless.
Throw down at least $5,000 and you’ll be able to test the device ahead of time with an overnight biking trip in Napa with the team, including some wine tasting in the Napa Valleys. That’ll get you hotel accommodations, food, and up to $450 in airfare to San Francisco, but you’ll need to bring your own bike or rent one once you’re out there.
The Kickstarter page has more detailed information that you’ll want to take in so be sure to head over there and see what it’s all about. If you’re convinced, pledge to the cause and help it reach the $85,000 goal (sitting at $56,425 as of the time of this writing) by May 23rd. Take a look at the video above.