We’ve spent years following fascinating high-tech developments within the e-bike business, typically 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 fascinating new “good handlebar” that occurs to have gotten a pleasant serving to hand from an unlikely supply.
Flitedeck, a tech-infused handlebar for street 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 good handlebar seeks to convey car-like show options to street 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 linked answer.”
The carbon fiber Flitedeck handlebar contains a high-resolution touchscreen show measuring a hearty 180mm or simply over 7 inches lengthy, which I’m informed 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 widespread biking sensors, lengthy battery life, built-in lighting, and extra. A rearview mirror digicam had initially been deliberate, although any rear-focused plans are at present on maintain.
Along with the good options, Flitedeck can be elevating eyebrows and extra with its progress story, which relied on a really totally different fashion 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 people who like ladies in varied phases 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, typically in apparel that will logically seem to assist one quiet down after an extended, sizzling experience. In doing so, she collected a wholesome viewers of thirsty cyclists, a bunch already infamous for spending large bucks on their recreations. She then leveraged that devoted following by increasing onto the grownup website 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 laptop.
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 per thirty days from their followers. I’m informed.
That’s a whole lot of chain lube.
The novel funding technique may very well 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 convey her high-tech handlebar to market. And even whereas creating wealth hand over fist, she hasn’t had to surrender any fairness within the firm.
Whereas it’d sound like a whole lot of play, it’s been years of exhausting work, too. Modeling on digicam was matched by modeling on CAD as Fischer and her enterprise associate 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 out there for pre-order, with the corporate hoping to pre-sell 500 items forward of anticipated supply in Q2 2026. For people prepared 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 be promoting a number of 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 experience with Sabrina and “a very organized luxurious package deal that features flights, lodge and private help.”
If that’s a bit wealthy to your blood, however you’d nonetheless like to assist help and fund Sabrina’s bike tech, there’s all the time that different choice for simply $24.99 per thirty days…
picture credit: Flitedeck
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