Bicycles

Brooklyn builder skewers bike lighting tech

Brooklyn builder skewers bike lighting tech
The Integrated Bike Lights system, on display at NAHBS
The Integrated Bike Lights system, on display at NAHBS
View 6 Images
When users need to remove a wheel, they just unplug the wire from that wheel's LEDs
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When users need to remove a wheel, they just unplug the wire from that wheel's LEDs
Pledges will start at $250, for a basic system that has one light on each skewer (a double-light skewer is shown here)
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Pledges will start at $250, for a basic system that has one light on each skewer (a double-light skewer is shown here)
A 3,400-mAh lithium-ion battery goes inside the bike's existing steer tube
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A 3,400-mAh lithium-ion battery goes inside the bike's existing steer tube
The system will be the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
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The system will be the subject of a Kickstarter campaign
The Integrated Bike Lights system, on display at NAHBS
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The Integrated Bike Lights system, on display at NAHBS
Jesse Iozzio works on his system
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Jesse Iozzio works on his system
View gallery - 6 images

We've already seen bike lights that are built into the stem, rims, fork, brakes, bars and even the kickstand. Jesse Iozzio, however, is trying something new – the Brooklyn-based entrepreneur's Integrated Bike Lights are incorporated into the wheel hubs' quick release skewers.

The water-resistant system consists of two LED-equipped skewers (which replace those already on the bike), along with a 3,400-mAh lithium-ion battery that goes inside the bike's existing steer tube. A combination of wires and electrically-conductive reflective tape carry current from that battery, along the frame and to the lights.

When users need to remove a wheel, they just unplug the wire from that wheel's LEDs.

When users need to remove a wheel, they just unplug the wire from that wheel's LEDs
When users need to remove a wheel, they just unplug the wire from that wheel's LEDs

The lights are turned on and off via a single button on top of the battery compartment, that button also sitting at the top of the handlebar stem. The battery can be removed when it needs to be juiced up, with one USB charge reportedly being good for four hours of run time – that figure may increase as the circuitry is further developed.

When we met him at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, Iozzio said that he plans on launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise production funds for his system. That project should be starting soon, and will be accessible via the link below. Pledges will begin at US$250, for a basic system that has one light on each skewer (a headlight and a tail light) for a combined output of 330 lumens. A wheel-locking security feature may also be included.

"I love it," he told us, in reference to his product. "It's been four years in the making, and I'm really happy to showcase it."

Company website: Iozzio Cycles

View gallery - 6 images
4 comments
4 comments
sl0r
I figured it was going to be a dynamo system. Disappointed it requires batteries. I'll keep my Son/Supernova setup.
Grunchy
“I invented lights on bikes, it’s new!” No it’s not new.
MQ
Grunchy, What do you mean...
ok another couple of LED's stuck on a bike.
Gotta laugh at "4 years in the making".
And they still think that lights at hub height is a good real-world idea.
MerlinGuy
I can't think of a more inconvenient place to store a battery or run a cable.