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 carry 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 operate like a automotive’s cockpit? We thought there simply needed to be a extra built-in, extra related answer.”
The carbon fiber Flitedeck handlebar includes a high-resolution touchscreen show measuring a hearty 180mm or simply over 7 inches lengthy, which I’m advised is effectively over common. That show can be IP68 waterproof, making certain clean operation even when moist.
Options embody GPS connectivity for mapping in addition to 5G and Bluetooth help, 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 at the moment on maintain.
Along with the sensible options, Flitedeck can be elevating eyebrows and extra with its progress story, which relied on a really completely different type 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 ladies in varied levels of undress.
Described as a “slow-burn method”, Fischer first opened an Instagram web page 4 years in the past, gathering curiosity for her cycling-inspired pinups, usually in apparel that will logically seem to assist one settle down after an extended, sizzling 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 secure on 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 advised.
That’s lots of chain lube.
The novel funding technique could possibly be described as a combination of enterprise and pleasure, taking a hands-on method to entrepreneurship. Nevertheless it seems to have labored fairly effectively for Fischer, who has turned these earnings into startup funding to assist carry her high-tech handlebar to market. And even whereas getting cash hand over fist, she hasn’t had to surrender any fairness within the firm.
Whereas it’d sound like lots of play, it’s been years of laborious work, too. Modeling on digital camera was matched by modeling on CAD as Fischer and her enterprise accomplice put their engineering expertise to the check. 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 models 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 worth of $1,685 for the Flitedeck handlebar is marked down from an MSRP of $2,370.
The corporate can 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 bundle. It features a non-public trip with Sabrina and “a totally organized luxurious bundle that features flights, resort and private help.”
If that’s a bit wealthy on your blood, however you’d nonetheless like to assist help and fund Sabrina’s bike tech, there’s at all times that different choice for simply $24.99 monthly…
picture credit: Flitedeck
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