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Power Brain Connects Bikes to iPhone, Web

(WIRED) - Pedal Brain is a kind of Nike+ for cyclists, an iPhone accessory and application that, despite looking quite excellent, could possibly nickel and dime itself out of existence.

Pedal brain comes in three parts: a handlebar-mounted iPhone (or iPod Touch) case (called the Pedal Brain Synapse), an iPhone application and a web-app. The case (plastic initially, with a carbon-fiber version to follow) communicates with your bike monitoring devices using the ANT+ wireless protocol, a standard utilized by power-meters, heart-rate monitors and speed and cadence sensors. This is the first deviation from the successful Nike+ model, which comes with its own sensor.

This requirement for expensive accessories might explain the price of the unit, which will go for between $130 and $200, and more for the carbon fiber case. This is in addition to a (undecided) monthly fee you’ll have to pay if you want to keep your data for more than a week. It’s true that amateur cyclists like to waste money on their hobby, especially on training kit they don’t need, so this could be a hit. And let’s face it, nobody will buy the plastic version. Anyone who has a power-meter will already be a carbon freak.

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