Superstrat
What is better than 3D printing your own bicycle accessories or spare parts? Silicon Valley-based bike brand Superstrata wants to build what it calls the “world’s first custom 3D printed electronic bike with an impact resistant unibody carbon fiber frame.” Each bike can be customized for a specific rider’s height, weight, arm length, and seat position. The frame is built to suit your rider’s style and preferred terrain (racing, street, gravel, or touring), weighing a modest three pounds.
The bike is 3D printed as a single piece of carbon fiber continuous thermoplastic compound, which Sonny Vu, CEO of Superstrata tells me is much stronger than traditional carbon fiber frames, because it is a single piece of material , regardless of the size of the bike. Vu says he would love to build one for Shaquille O’Neal.
The company is offering pre-orders through the crowdfunding site Indiegogo now, but the final product won’t launch in December, when two versions will be offered. The Terra is a traditional bicycle and the Ion is the version of an electric bicycle with an electric motor. Both, even the non-electric model, will have rechargeable batteries that can be fully charged in a couple of hours. The purpose of the battery in the Terra is the optional integrated data collection, GPS and anti-theft. Passengers can also choose not to participate in all of the above
Seeing some of the designs, I liked the minimalist angle. The wiring runs entirely through the tube and there are lights built into the frame, giving the bike a clean, futuristic look. As for the Ion, it doesn’t even look like an electric bike. Credit goes to designer Bill Stephens for that.
Superstrata says Terra will start at $ 2,799 and Ion will start at $ 3,999, but ore orders are currently at $ 1,799 and $ 2,499. Check back here on CNET to learn about our upcoming practices closest to launch.
read more: The best electric bikes to ride in 2020
