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Crowdfunded Superstrata 3D printed bike that raised £5 million on Indiegogo leaves backers disappointed

A number of backers have been underwhelmed by the Indiegogo project for the futuristic 3D printed bike so far, and many are still awaiting delivery

How is life as one of the 4559 backers of "the world’s first made-to-measure 3D-printed bicycle with an impact-resistant unibody carbon-fibre frame" that launched on the crowdfunding Indiegogo website last year? From the looks of the comments section on Superstrata's Indiegogo page, not so great… most backers are currently bikeless, and the bike that is on the way looks a long way from the sleek prototype originally shown.

Superstrata Terra - 1.jpg

Superstrata raised £5,174,665 on Indiegogo after showing futuristic-looking bikes constructed from seamless carbon. The bikes are produced using thermoplastic materials by Arevo—a company that specialises in continuous carbon-fibre products—and were available to pre-order in July last year, as we reported here.

Superstrata reality arevo

Jumping forward to January 1 2021, Superstrata Bike announced in update 34 on its IndieGoGo page that the first bike was built and shipped, albeit delayed and not in the numbers envisaged.

The California-based brand wrote: “Due to the sheer complexity of the process, as well as our team’s determination to make sure that there’s no compromise on the Superstrata, we have taken a slightly longer time to carry out all the necessary quality tests. Our team even printed more prototype bikes to see how the frame would perform under different conditions.

“With the first bike delivered, this is an important milestone for us since we are now fully in production mode. We plan to ship more bikes as we build more printers and ramp up our manufacturing capability.”

But alongside this text, the brand shared a photo that concerned many backers. It was of the Superstrata bike, but looking different from the version shown on the Indiegogo page.

2021 Superstrata reality

The shape of the first Superstrata bike had some backers confused as the geometry appeared different from that originally shown, but Superstrata reassured customers in update 35 on February 3 2021, saying: “As we are printing the frames according to the measurements provided by our backers, the geometry of the bike changes slightly to accommodate different body sizes and riding preferences. 

“During our testing period, we realised that with an urban configuration, a slightly steeper top tube would be more comfortable to the rider, especially on longer rides, as you can sit with an upright posture. A more gradual top tube would be more suitable for the sport configuration where you can sit a little more stretched out. While it’s possible to keep the gradual top tube with the Urban configuration, it would not be comfortable for the rider, which is an important design factor for us. The height of the seat post is adjustable to provide more flexibility as needed.”

Perhaps more concerning, the photo shows the front brake cable just hanging next to the front fork, not internally routed as it should be, and the front and back wheels are different models. 

As part of the most recent update no.36 on March 1 2021 , Superstrata did respond saying: “The cables aren't completely routed internally for the first units because the stems we used for these bikes are not hollow enough. Our backers were informed and decided to get their bikes delivered. For upcoming bikes, we will use the production stems for the handlebars so that the cables can be routed internally. 

In update 35 Superstrata also reassured backers that “future bikes will not have two different wheels”.

Added to this, other parts of the finished design have also left backers less than impressed. Backer Leo Alexander Yokley complained that “the rear lights protrude too much and need to be flush”, for example.

2021 Superstrato reality 4

Superstrata responded: “First, a deeply embedded light would compromise the integrity of the frame which is a critical safety issue. Second, if the lights do not protrude out, it would not be possible for them to be seen from the side which is a compliance issue when we ship the bike. However, we want to make sure that the lights do not diverge too much from the original design, thus the protrusion will be minimal.”

Superstrata reality lights

Then there are the delays…

Superstrata said: “The factory in Vietnam is being set up at the moment. We have been granted the registration certification by the Vietnamese government for our printing facilities recently. Our printers are being assembled, and we are running tests on them before putting them in production mode. The Covid situation in the US is causing a delay in the shipping time of our printers to Vietnam, but we expect the process to be accelerated by the end of February. However, please rest assured that our printers in the Milpitas [California] office are still running at full capacity and will cover production until then.”

Also, where are those neat looking carbon wheels from the Indiegogo campaign? Superstrata says: "The testing of the carbon fibre wheels is taking longer than expected as it’s a complex structure to print. Furthermore, we are fully focused on printing the frames and delivering the first batch of Superstrata bikes at the moment so the carbon fibre wheels production is delayed. However, we expect this to pick up soon.”

Superstrata Ion detail - 1.jpg

Indiegogo’s terms require brands to provide updates to backers at least once a month; and with yesterday's update they're currently meeting this target, if not addressing all the concerns from backers. On the 3 February update, which came over a month after the last one on New Year's Day, Superstrata said: “This update was a little overdue, however, we plan to have more regular updates from now on.”

Comments such as user Jam’s have only just been answered in the most recent March 1 update. They said: “You guys wrote in the specification that there will be a custom seat post. Now u [sic] did a switch in update 35. This bait and switch behaviour won’t get the brand anywhere.”

In response to this, Superstrata said: "We have been debating on whether we should go with a custom seat post, however, based on our backers’ feedback, we opted to go with a traditional seat post and external clamp instead. Many backers have expressed a desire to be able to use other 3rd party components on the bike, with the seat post being one of them. " Not that this really addresses the problem...

It is evident that many backers have been left very disappointed, especially given the amount of visible comments on the Indiegogo page concerning refunds.

Have you backed a Crowdfunding page for a cycling-related product before?  We’d like to hear more about your experiences, good or bad… Let us know in the comments below

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19 comments

Avatar
Joachim_R | 3 years ago
0 likes

I had a good experience with crowdfunding, albeit for an accessory and on a different platform. Happy how my Omata from Kickstarter turned out. It was just something so idiosyncratic and niche that I knew no big name would launch something like it, plus I felt the team behind it had the technical and mfg know-how and inroads. Yes, it was delayed but I received very detailed updates along the way and ultimately what was delivered was exactly as envisioned. Crowdfunding is risky so it is up to the backers to do due diligence before committing.

Avatar
jacknorell | 3 years ago
4 likes

Not very surprising that buyers aren't getting what was a bit too good to be true. Seems the technology isn't quite ready for such complex shapes as a bike frame. Maybe in another few years there'll be a more successful attempt, it's an intriguing premise.

And that fork... looks turned the wrong way, but isn't. Pinarello levels of ugly.

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wknight | 3 years ago
5 likes

I have crowdfunded a number of projects, all my cycling ones have been successful BUT they were all on Kickstarter which requires a working prototype.  See.Sense run excellent campaigns on Kickstarter.

My failed projects have all come from Indiegogo where no prototype is required. Its time that the money is released in stages as the only person likely to lose out is the backer. Indiegogo take their percentage and are not interested in ensuring  that the money is used correctly and backers are kept informed. They get all the money and do what they want and often don't update. I no longer back any projects on Indiegogo for that reason. 

Avatar
Miller | 3 years ago
2 likes

I've no comment to make on this crowdfunded thing, other than to note that people always want to reinvent the bicycle, but a frame with no seat tube has been done before. The Kestrel km40 was a radical triathlon bike from the early 90s. It was in carbon fibre and was without seat tube. Do your CF design right and that's not an issue from a structural point of view. Being able to chain the bike to a lamp post may not have been a key design objective.

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Nick T | 3 years ago
3 likes

Pure shit

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Global Nomad | 3 years ago
8 likes

Still cannot believe people(both investors and creators) who think it is a good idea to crowdfund complex engineering with all the pitfalls it entails.

People want something for nothing...they get nothing for something

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EK Spinner | 3 years ago
0 likes

Is it just my eyes or are the forks going the wrong way, the spindle appears to be behind the centreline of the steerer tube, or at best in line with it. I would expect some pretty interesting handling

Avatar
horrovac | 3 years ago
4 likes

I said it right away: this is a stupid design that won't work, 3D printing, unobtainium, pixie dust, whatever. It has several telltales right away, and being on indiegogo is a telltale in itself. Avoid if it has:

1) no seat tube

2) wheel supports on only one side

3) 3D printing or graphene or some such in the blurb

4) wheels with rigid spokes, particularly if in carbon

5) hubless wheels where the rim forms a sort of a bearing

6) no chain

7) internet/cloud connectivity

...to name but a few. It's a scam. Or at least delusional people believing they can do it better than a century of development. Dangerous and armed with CAD.

Not saying that these designs can't be made to work. They may work at least as good as conventional technology. Which is the point really. Why would you want it?

It is actually quite simple: cost, weight, reliability. Pick two.

Avatar
marvelousm | 3 years ago
6 likes

The design looks fragile with no tube between the seat post and crank. I don't understand the crowdfund model, let the supplier have your money before the product is fully developed seems to me to be a recepie for disappointment.

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kraut replied to marvelousm | 3 years ago
1 like

Crowdfunding can work - it's a way for individuals to help get a product they like created , and a way for companies to raise finance for projects they'd otherwise struggle to get a backer for. 

Yes, of course it's risky. And I personally probably wouldn't be willing to risk the money for a bike - especially since there are plenty of bikes I can already buy.

But I took part in the original tailfin crowdfunder, got a product out of it that perfectly suited my needs, and feel happy to help get an innovative company get started.

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Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
4 likes

DCRainmaker (tho he's not the first) summed it up about another crowdfunded item in an article I was reading yesterday.  To paraphrase -   Crowdfunding is gambling, dont play unless you can afford to lose or be disappointed by the end result.

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hawkinspeter replied to Secret_squirrel | 3 years ago
3 likes

Having backed a few failed projects, I think the key is to completely ignore any project involving substantial manufacturing and/or electronics. Unless they're run by an experienced team, they're doomed to failure.

I tend to go for much easier projects like board-games or books/comics.

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mdavidford | 3 years ago
2 likes

The last complaint seems... odd. Was the custom seatpost supposed to offer some specific advantage not available in others? If not, surely having one that can be easily swapped out if desired is a good thing, rather than a problem?

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unbacher replied to mdavidford | 3 years ago
1 like

Seriously...I don't understand backers nitpicking on things like lights, seatpost and cosmetic issues when there are bigger warning signs. Like even with a "production" bike no one can get a straight answer on the most basic bike stats like frame, fork and bike weight, geometry, and a component list.

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Gromski | 3 years ago
7 likes

Anyone else thinking this is going to ride like a slinky?

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Sriracha | 3 years ago
2 likes

Someone is going to get theirs nicked after leaving it securely locked around the seat tube. Seriously, how is leaving out that vital part a good idea?

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Dicklexic replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
2 likes

Surely nobody (even someone naive enough to buy a bike like this through Indiegogo) would be daft enough to put their lock around the seatpost? In the absence of the seat tube they can simply use any other part of the frame, the down tube, the top tube or the seat stays. There are certainly several reasons to criticise a bike frame designed with a main structural element missing, but I'm not sure having no seat tube to fix a lock to is the main one.

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Sriracha replied to Dicklexic | 3 years ago
1 like

OK, um, I was ham-fisteham-fistedly suggesting that just as no amount of unobtanium will substitute for the lack of a seat tube when you pass your lock around that space, neither will it will in terms of structural integrity. Both cases are just as preposterous. Maybe I should just get my coat.

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jacknorell replied to Sriracha | 3 years ago
1 like

No need for a seat tube to lock up, it's not the best placement anyway. You're better off locking through the rear wheel + seatstays. Likely get a fuller (less room for thieves' tools) u-lock 'space' and they'd also need to get through the tyre if cutting the bike off to get parts at a later time. Folding tyre beads are difficult to cut with normal tools.

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