Fossil Fool in the Press: Reviews and Coverage
MTV, September 2005 (Show now off the air.)
Fossil Fool, the bike rapper, is a supporting character on the "The Reality Show" on MTV. The show airs on Tuesdays on MTV throughout Fall 2005. One of the contestants on "The Reality Show" is Kipchoge Spencer, a pioneer of the bike lifestyle and a fabulous songwriter/performer. Fossil Fool is a supporting character on Kipchoge's show. See clips of the show online. (Click the links for "The Reality Show").
San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday August 21, 2005
Tim Holt reviewed the City's bike subculture, highlighting the contributions of Fossil Fool. Read the Full Text here.
Velovision isn't so well known in the States, but in the UK and among those who bicycle for everyday transportation, this magazine has serious street cred. This spot alludes to our involvement with the bicycle nonprofit XAccess. Read more about XAccess by visiting their web site.
Complex Magazine Ultimate Holiday Wishbook, December 2004
The Down Low Glow made Complex Magazine's list of 1025 things to make you more awesome. Their "Pedal Power" page, oddly bearing the tag line "Liberate Yourself from the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels", included the new Raleigh Chopper re-issue, an S&M BMX custom, a Cannondale dull-suspension bike, the Sting Ray re-issue, a $5000 Serotta titanium road bike, and the Down Low Glow. Read the blurb below. Missing photo credit: Chugrad McAndrews.
"How Low Can You Glow?
How would you like to cruise in your own spotlight, light up the night, glow like a star? Well, Down Low Glow (DLG) has what you're looking for: a shockproof, rechargeable system that won't slow you down and will make it safer to ride at night. DLG installs in minutes and all you need are your hands and the decision of where to put [the tubes]. This light can also be removed and stored away in a safe place when you're away from your bike. It's great for [lowriders, trikes, choppers,] cruisers, night riders, and more. Satisfaction guaranteed, it comes in three colors -- red (plush), green (envy), and blue (ice). Call Fossil Fool at 415-810-DOWN (3696) and light up your ride for the night. You can also hook up on line at www.fossilfool.com. Photo by Chugrad McAndrews. "
Bike Rod N' Kustom web zine, Off Topic Section / Spring '04
"Down Low Glow: Neon Lighting Kits For Bikes
http://fossilfool.com
Avalaible in Red, Blue, and Green at $149 per kit, it consists of two shockproof neon downlighting tubes, housed in indestructible thermoplastic, and a high-performance rechargeable NiMH battery with integrated power switch. You can expect 3 hours of bright glow on a full charge. The battery will charge 500-1000 times before fading in strength. It comes with a wall-mount battery charger, which will bring the battery to a full charge in about 8 hours.
It also comes with a full mounting kit, which installs the system in minutes without tools. Using a second mounting kit, available separately you can move lights from bike to bike in seconds. The kit will fit most bikes, including: kustom cruisers, lowriders, choppers, racing bikes, mountain bikes, touring bikes, recumbents, tandems, and even some full-suspension mountain bikes.
I'm sure there are all sorts of safety reasons for buying one of these kits for your bike....Yeah, right. We all know that nobody lays out halfway-serious bucks for safety, but that's peanuts for an incredibly kool way of adding eye kandy to Moonlight Cruises. Fossil Fool is developing an equally kool bike-based, incredibly powerful mobile music system, The Soul Cycle, which may also be seen at their site. Nominated by Jim Wilson "
Bicycle Retailer and Industry News / April 2004
Southwest Cycling News / April 2004
Quotations from Bobb Farr's review "The
Down Low Glow" in Southwest Cycling News:
"Listen up hammerheads. The bicycling lifestyle
can be so much more than Lycra shorts and funny shoes that make
clicky-clackey noises when you shuffle into a rural convenience
store. Bikes aren't all fast and skinny. Rides in the city can be
much more fun and civilized than rides that grind out endless miles
in the middle of bubba country. Who says we're all supposed to be
nerds? We can have panache and style. Safety after dark doesn't
necessarily manifest itself in the form of a grungy reflective vest.
Lights can be stylish and make you safer too."
"Everything is wired and thoughtfully engineered."
"The DLG neon is bright in a big way."
"...The Down Low Glow's few ounces of extra
heft are negligible, particularly on a stylish, hauling city bike.
It's certainly no heavier than any other high-end rechargeable light
set and the DLG light is visible from all directions, not just out
front or behind."
"It takes only 3 minutes to attach or remove
the DLG."
"It's a bit pricey at about $150, but style
and safety are always worth a little gold. The Down Low Glow is
quick, easy, and trick. It looks tough enough to hold up quite well,
too."
"The neon glow illuminates everything quite
well for about six feet in all directions. The battery pack is good
for about 2.5 hours of strong neon glow whereupon the light recedes
into a progressively shorter neon arc in the tubes for another 15
minutes or so."
"To address the negative, the DLG is something
expensive to worry about getting swiped while the bike is locked
up outside at Starbucks. But with the DLG switched off, it's hardly
noticeable on the bike. The rechargeable battery is the expensive
part. I usually just yank the battery pack off and carry it in my
messenger bag when I'm indoors away from my bike."
