SpeedX, the company that delivered the crowd-funded Leopard smart bike, has hit the Kickstarter goal for its next, technologically advanced road bike, the Unicorn.
Being shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas this week, SpeedX's Unicorn went up on Kickstarter this week and hit its initial $50,000 goal within two hours, then a $300,000 stretch goal within the day.
The smart bike features a built-in power meter as standard and, according to SpeedX, is equipped with a new Vibration Control System (VCS) that absorbs shocks to improve comfort. The crank-based power meter is said to last 400 hours or 8,000 km and offers 99 percent accuracy. The VCS, meanwhile, introduces three features intended to create a smooth ride: a carbon fiber material is integrated at stress points to dampen shock, the seat can flex in certain directions while staying stiff elsewhere, and the seat tube offers a slight flex as well.
The Unicorn's lightweight frame is made of carbon composites and weighs in at 870g. Unicorn riders will be able to live-track cycling data -- including cadence, speed and heart rate -- using SpeedForce, a 2.2-inch touch screen cycling computer, along with built-in sensors and GPS. An app for Android and iOS syncs with SpeedForce and offers detailed post-ride analysis.
Mass production of the Unicorn is expected to start in April, when the first bikes for Kickstarter backers are slated to be shipped. Currently, contributions of $3,299 will get funders a SpeedX Unicorn Di2 model, which is expected to retail for $4,000.
The more souped-up Pro eTap model is available for contributions of around $4,000; that bike, shipping in May, is expected to retail for $5,100. The Unicorn X eTap model comes in at $5,299 and up in the crowdfunding phase, with retail price set at $1,400 higher.
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