Superstrata 3D-Printed Carbon Fiber Road Bike
SUPERSTRATA 3D–PRINTED CARBON FIBER BIKE
Silicon Valley-based Superstrata is introducing their first fully 3D-printed, unibody, carbon fiber and thermoplastic composite bikes. They’re available in two types—a traditional bicycle called the Terra and an e-bike called the Ion. The frame and forks are custom 3D-printed, each as one piece and can be custom fit for riders from 4-foot-7 to 7-foot-4 using 18 different measurements as a basis for each frame.
The frame is designed by award-winning bicycle designer Bill Stephens. As each piece is printed as one single piece, instead of being glued together in sections as many carbon fiber frames are, Superstrata claims that their frames are many times stronger and more impact-resistant than traditional carbon frames, as well as being less expensive. They claim the frames are 15-times stronger than titanium. All the pieces are made by robots and hand-finished.
They claim the frame weighs less than two bottles of water, about 1.3 kilograms (depending on size, of course). The bike features integrated wiring/cabling/data with plenty of options that can be added. Options for customization also include wheel choices (metal or carbon fiber), two different colorways (light or dark), rider position, arm and leg lengths, weight, and even preferred stiffness. There are multiple styles—from cruiser to gravel. All in all, they claim there are a mind-numbing 500,000 different possible combinations.
The Ion is a Class 1 e-bike, going up to 20 mph on a 250-watt rear hub motor, with a 252-Wh battery, which they claim will offer up to 60 miles of range. We’re going to try to get one to review to see how it performs.
Pricing on the Ion on Indiegogo is $2499 for one or $3499 for two. After a month of crowdfunding, they’ll sell for $3999 each. Carbon fiber composite wheels (shown above) are available for $1349 for a set during the campaign, then will be available for $3398.
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