Arevo · CLIENT: Superstrata
Superstrata is a bicycle offered in both pedal-powered and electric versions. The Superstrata frame is 3D printed in a single pass from thermoplastic carbon fiber composite, forming a unibody structure with no joints or bolts. This construction increases strength and gives the frame a smooth appearance. The frame has no seat tube, and the electric version holds the battery inside a tube. Each frame is printed to the body measurements of the owner, including height, inseam and wingspan, so riders of many sizes can be fitted.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Superstrata features an unconventional, no seat tube design and an in tube battery (in the ebike version) for a sleek, aerodynamic ride. The Superstrata frame is crafted via unibody construction, 3D printed in a single pass from carbon fiber thermoplastic composite, and free of joints or bolts of any kind, a global first. This improves not only the strength but also the aesthetic of the bike. Because the frame is 3D printed, each can be customized based on the body measurements of the owner.
- Tags
- Bicycle, ebike, carbon fiber, 3D printing, unibody
- Production Technology
- Superstrata’s frame is 3D printed from thermoplastic carbon fiber composite using a patented process. Our proprietary software engineers the directionality of carbon fibers before a robot arm bonds them together with melting polymer to create a strong, streamlined, unibody structure free of joints or bolts. This process enables a bicycle frame with an unconventional, no seat tube design that remains highly impact resistant.
- Design Challenge
- Every part of the Superstrata frame has its own geometry and load scenarios, and its composite parts will have their own optimum positioning of carbon fibers to meet these requirements. Realizing this unconventional, no seat tube design with elegant curves that maintains strength and stiffness took us nearly four years, countless iterations, and ten distinct versions.
- Project Duration
- Superstrata was launched in a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo in July of 2020 with 7 million USD raised from over 4000 backers. It was developed and designed at Arevo’s R&D offices in Silicon Valley and manufactured in mass scale at the company’s 3D printing farm in Vietnam. Superstrata was exhibited at the tech conference, Web Summit 2021, the frontier materials forum, PuzzleX 2021, and the Consumer Electronics Show CES 2022.
- Operation Flow
- Each Superstrata frame is 3D printed based on its owner’s body measurements (height, inseam, ankle height, knee height, and wingspan), thereby accommodating riders from 4'7 to 7’4. Superstrata’s components and colors are also customizable, enabling total possible combinations of more than 500,000. Superstrata comes with both multi speed version and single speed version (Superstrata Solo).
- Research
- Since their invention in the 19th century, bicycles have remained popular as their makers have continued to look for innovations in bike designs. In recent years, carbon fiber has become the ideal material for bicycles due to its simultaneous and contradictory stiffness and lightness. By employing next generation thermoplastic carbon fiber composite and 3D printing technology, Superstrata pushes the boundaries of what a carbon fiber bike can offer through its eye catching design and unprecedented customization capability.
- Inspiration
- Carbon fiber frames have long been the premium choice of avid cyclists. Yet the thermoset carbon fiber composite and molded manufacturing processes used in traditional carbon fiber bikes are costly and limited in terms of customization. By employing thermoplastic carbon fiber composite and proprietary 3D printing technology, Superstrata realizes an eye catching, no seat tube design with unprecedented potential for customization and personalization.
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