We’ve spent years following attention-grabbing high-tech developments within the e-bike business, usually whereas the extra conventional non-electric biking business has needed to make do with comparatively lower-tech leaps. However now all cyclists can rejoice in an attention-grabbing new “sensible handlebar” that occurs to have gotten a pleasant serving to hand from an unlikely supply.
Flitedeck, a tech-infused handlebar for highway bikes, is hoping to supply some stiff competitors to the in any other case low-tech handlebar market.
Developed by motorsport engineer Sabrina Fischer and her co-founder Mattias Huber, the Flitedeck sensible handlebar seeks to convey car-like show options to highway bikes, ending the necessity for riders to strap-on their very own shows, meters, lights, and different equipment.
As Fischer defined to WIRED, “We requested ourselves, why couldn’t handlebars perform like a automotive’s cockpit? We thought there simply needed to be a extra built-in, extra related resolution.”
The carbon fiber Flitedeck handlebar contains a high-resolution touchscreen show measuring a hearty 180mm or simply over 7 inches lengthy, which I’m instructed is effectively over common. That show can also be IP68 waterproof, guaranteeing clean operation even when moist.
Options embody GPS connectivity for mapping in addition to 5G and Bluetooth assist, integration with frequent biking sensors, lengthy battery life, built-in lighting, and extra. A rearview mirror digital camera had initially been deliberate, although any rear-focused plans are presently on maintain.
Along with the sensible options, Flitedeck can also be elevating eyebrows and extra with its development story, which relied on a really totally different model of crowd-funding.
As an alternative of launching a Kickstarter or providing traders fairness to assist fund the concept, Fischer turned to the hefty a part of the Venn diagram overlap between those that like bikes and those that like girls in numerous phases of undress.
Described as a “slow-burn strategy”, Fischer first opened an Instagram web page 4 years in the past, gathering curiosity for her cycling-inspired pinups, usually in apparel that might logically seem to assist one settle down after an extended, scorching trip. In doing so, she collected a wholesome viewers of thirsty cyclists, a gaggle already infamous for spending huge bucks on their recreations. She then leveraged that devoted following by increasing onto the grownup web site OnlyFans, the place content material creators can cost subscriptions for viewers to see their content material — practically all of it not protected to your work pc.
She has reportedly surpassed the highest 0.2% of creators on OnlyFans. For reference, the highest 0.1% of creators reportedly earn round US$100,000 monthly from their followers. I’m instructed.
That’s plenty of chain lube.
The novel funding methodology could possibly be described as a mix of enterprise and pleasure, taking a hands-on strategy to entrepreneurship. However it seems to have labored fairly effectively for Fischer, who has turned these earnings into startup funding to assist convey her high-tech handlebar to market. And even whereas earning profits hand over fist, she hasn’t had to surrender any fairness within the firm.
Whereas it would sound like plenty of play, it’s been years of arduous work, too. Modeling on digital camera was matched by modeling on CAD as Fischer and her enterprise accomplice put their engineering expertise to the take a look at. With bona fides from previous work at BMW and Porsche, they know a factor or two about design work. Fischer even wrote her thesis on racecar electrification whereas employed at Porsche.
The Flitedeck is now accessible for pre-order, with the corporate hoping to pre-sell 500 items forward of anticipated supply in Q2 2026. For folk keen to take the dangerous first plunge, the reward is a hefty low cost. The present early-bird value of $1,685 for the Flitedeck handlebar is marked down from an MSRP of $2,370.
The corporate can also be promoting just a few distinctive packages to additional spherical out the funding. The premier choice, priced at $26,339, is described because the Final Journey package deal. It features a personal trip with Sabrina and “a totally organized luxurious package deal that features flights, resort and private assist.”
If that’s a bit wealthy to your blood, however you’d nonetheless like to assist assist and fund Sabrina’s bike tech, there’s all the time that different choice for simply $24.99 monthly…
picture credit: Flitedeck
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