Dahon BioLogic Reecharge: Pedal Power
Dahon, considered to be the one of the world leaders in folding bicycles, demonstrated their latest line of electronic cycling products this year at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). One of their standout products was the Dahon BioLogic ReeCharge, which goes perfectly with the previously-reviewed BioLogic Bike Mount for your iPhone.
The concept is simple yet ingenious; a portable battery pack/charger that captures electricity generated by the dynamo hub on your bicycle. The magnets inside your bicycle generate electricity that would normally be wasted. Instead of losing energy, the hub captures it, which allows you to recharge pretty much any electronic device that can be charged via an USB port: iPods, iPhones, Blackberries, and GPS devices among others (tips for Sony, Ericsson, Samsung, Motorola, and newer Nokia devices were included). The Biologic ReeCharge has a 1600 mAh lithium polymer battery that, once charged, can be easily removed from the bike and placed into your backpack for use later. Icons indicate charging and battery status and were mostly easy to read.
“As bikes play an increasing role in transportation, there is a greater need for them to integrate with our everyday lifestyle,” said Joshua Hon, Dahon vice-president. “And that includes our need to power mobile gadgets. The ReeCharge… allows people to tap into the free, green energy they generate with a dynamo hub to power their personal electronic devices. We expect this type of functionality to become more important as more people take to cycling as part of their everyday routine.”
The design is fairly smart- the polymer battery is contained in a waterproof-silicon case that includes sealed connectors so you can still charge while riding in the rain. The rain wasn’t heavy while we were riding, mostly mist in this season, but we felt fairly comfortable despite the elements. We would suggest this product primarily for the commuter or longer-distance cyclists, as it takes approximately 3 hours to fully charge our iPhone. On very short rides, of say less than 15 minutes, it’s not really worth it. We should note that you can also remove the battery and charge it anywhere via USB or a typical outlet (though this latter function isn’t available in the retail package). And there is an odd need for an included adapter to connect to Apple products; another small thing to lose. Now if only we had a mobile secretary to take our calls for us….
Keep in mind you need a standard-based dynamo hub- this gadget will not work alone. The Biologic Joule II Dynamo Hub is compatible with the Reecharge if you so choose, and is around $90- the Reecharge itself will set you back around $120. Living in a major biking city, we understand the importance of reducing our carbon footprint, but do love our gadgets. This device offers the best of both worlds. Finally, it should go without saying, but we must remind you to wear your bicycle helmet when on the road!
