Friday, January 23, 2009

Guess the Part, Win a Prize!!!

Seldom does a bit part wow me. But this one, which I received a couple weeks ago, did. It’s metal, it’s simple, and it will change your life. And there’s a little drawing for this existence-altering piece of technology that ranks up there with the door knob and the round wheel. (You know, after square wheels were just not cutting it).

O.K. I’m exaggerating. But it makes your riding experience, on a smaller scale, more enjoyable. It’s also the kind of thing that I want to put in the magazine, but most will look right past it, as it lacks sex appeal. It’s not carbon, it’s not gloss, and it’s not aero tested. But when I put one on my wife’s Cervelo P3, people were asking “where’d you get that? She’s had to refer all questions to me.But it has utility for triathletes in a big way. It’s good for races, and good for training. Good on road bikes, and good on tri bikes. I visited Dan Empfield and showed it to him, and managed to elicit a “cool.” From him. If ever there was a vote of confidence, that was it.

I spoke to the head engineer for the American-based triathlon-specific company about the design of this little widget, who said “It was a team effort all around.”

What is it? That’s my question to you. A tab to tape gels onto? A surface for installing race numbers? Hmmmmm…. what could it be?

The first person (aside from those few who know me and have seen it) to sort out what it is and who makes it, I will send you a pair, compliments of the company, and announce the winner at this very globally-read blog. And it will change your life forever. I shot it under studio lighting (flourescent lights) against a contrasting background (my laptop) to give it scale, with one of my best cameras (my iPhone). This is as good as it gets, folks.

No more hints…. Time to give me your best guess!

9 comments:

gnicholson said...

I have been staring at that damn photo for an hour. No idea.

Jay Prasuhn said...

I'll give it some more time; if I get nothing, I'll take a photo at another angle, which may or may not yield some clues. But we'll see what comes with some more time...

stageracer said...

something to attach to your bike that you attach rubber bands from your shoes to hold them in place for T1 so your shoes dont go bouncing down transition trying to look like a pro mounting your bike????

Joe said...

Chain watcher for bikes with aero shaped seatubes.

Joe said...

My other guess is something to reduce the chance of launching water bottles.

I keep looking at it and my bikes trying to figure it out.

Anonymous said...

Behind-the-seat minimalistic bottle holder!

beth said...

No idea what that thing is, but nice to meet you in the jacuzzi this morning!
when you begin aswim in the jacuzzi and end in the sauna- it's so much more bearable!

Jay Prasuhn said...

Nope, nope, nope! I'll post another pic at another angle, see if that results in any new leads...

Beth, great meeting you too! Hope you had a good swim!

Unknown said...

I think I know the answer ..Its a "Whistle".It was invented by the ancient Chinese people 5000 years ago.