WaveCradle Classic For iPhone
As anyone who has ever worked on a bicycle knows, one of the most important parts of bicycle repair is a comfortable work area, i.e., space for your tools, adequate lighting, and good music. I clean and repair bikes in my Man Cave (half of a two-car garage), but since I didn’t want to put a full speaker system in my garage I bought a WaveCradle Classic for my iPhone 4 and am one happy camper!
The WaveCradle Classic is an iPhone (or iPod) stand that is made of aircraft grade aluminum—it works by reflecting the sound that comes out of the speakers on the bottom of the iPhone. The WaveCradle does not use batteries or electricity. The stand has a rubber grip on front of the stand that securely holds your phone, and there is a rubber cover on the bottom to protect your bench, desk, furniture or work area—and it also prevents the unit from slipping. While obviously designed for an iPhone or iPod, this unit should work with any MP3 player that has speakers on the bottom.
While the WaveCradle Classic is well made, but it is never going to take the place of a real speaker system—but that is not it’s purpose. However, it does increase the volume level by eight decibels and the sound that is reflected off the unit is very crisp. There is no way this unit is going to overcome a lot of ambient noise, but in my otherwise quiet two-car garage it does a very good job—I set it on a workbench located next to the wall and I can hear the music anywhere in the garage.
In addition to listening to your music there are several other good uses for the WaveCradle, i.e., talking to friends via Apple FaceTime or watching instructional videos on YouTube (that’s how I learned to lace the spokes on a new rim).
The WaveCradle Classic is made in the U.S.A. and is available in three colors (Black, Blue and Pink). This product retails for $28.50 and is available from the WaveCradle Website (the price includes free shipping). The WaveCradle comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
billgncs
June 25, 2012 at 8:42 AM
do you have a post on cleaning your bikes, or recommend a maint manual.
All Seasons Cyclist
June 25, 2012 at 2:55 PM
billgncs, I am working on a post about cleaning (and waxing) a bike and hope to heave it ready in a week or two. As for a good maintenance book, I like the “Park Tool Big Blue Book of Bike Repair” (2nd Edition). There are a few other good bike repair books available, but this is the one I turn to first.
billgncs
June 25, 2012 at 4:31 PM
thanks — my I took my rear wheel off my road bike and now the shifting is off. Arrgh.
Dan Hegner
June 25, 2012 at 11:40 AM
Looks good for the office too!
All Seasons Cyclist
June 25, 2012 at 2:56 PM
If you keep one at the office you will love it for using Apple’s FaceTime.
velophileaustralia
June 27, 2012 at 7:41 AM
Have to agree. When I build my last bike (an awesome smurf blue fixie) I had my MP3 player rigged up cranking out tunes while I was working.. it was grand! Nothing better than finally putting together a bike in a comfortable area with no pressures or distractions (other than your favourite music).
All Seasons Cyclist
June 27, 2012 at 4:01 PM
I just don’t think it is possible to work on a bike without good (and loud) music!
tom
June 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM
it’s wavecradle, with on “d”.
All Seasons Cyclist
June 29, 2012 at 1:52 PM
Tom — Thanks for catching the typo! It took me a few seconds to understand your note because you misspelled the word “one.” I made the correction — thanks again!
katrinamarieimages
July 12, 2012 at 8:53 AM
this is so cool! i have to get one. i can use it in the kitchen. at my desk. as i clean the bathroom. yay!
and thanks for the like. i appreciate it.
All Seasons Cyclist
July 12, 2012 at 2:12 PM
I bought one for my office as well — they are great if you ever use FaceTime on the iPhone