We’ve spent years following attention-grabbing high-tech developments within the e-bike trade, usually whereas the extra conventional non-electric biking trade 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 deliver 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 automobile’s cockpit? We thought there simply needed to be a extra built-in, extra related resolution.”
The carbon fiber Flitedeck handlebar includes a high-resolution touchscreen show measuring a hearty 180mm or simply over 7 inches lengthy, which I’m instructed is nicely over common. That show can also be IP68 waterproof, making certain easy operation even when moist.
Options embrace 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 digicam had initially been deliberate, although any rear-focused plans are at present on maintain.
Along with the sensible options, Flitedeck can also be elevating eyebrows and extra with its development story, which relied on a really completely different fashion of crowd-funding.
As an alternative of launching a Kickstarter or providing buyers 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 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, usually in apparel that may logically seem to assist one settle down after a protracted, sizzling journey. In doing so, she collected a wholesome viewers of thirsty cyclists, a bunch already infamous for spending huge 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 — almost all of it not protected on 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 30 days from their followers. I’m instructed.
That’s plenty of chain lube.
The novel funding methodology might be described as a mix of enterprise and pleasure, taking a hands-on method to entrepreneurship. Nevertheless it seems to have labored fairly nicely for Fischer, who has turned these earnings into startup funding to assist deliver 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 plenty of play, it’s been years of onerous work, too. Modeling on digicam was matched by modeling on CAD as Fischer and her enterprise companion 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 out there for pre-order, with the corporate hoping to pre-sell 500 models forward of anticipated supply in Q2 2026. For folk 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 also be promoting a couple of 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 personal journey with Sabrina and “a totally organized luxurious bundle that features flights, lodge and private assist.”
If that’s a bit wealthy on your blood, however you’d nonetheless like to assist assist and fund Sabrina’s bike tech, there’s at all times that different choice for simply $24.99 per 30 days…
picture credit: Flitedeck
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