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Superstrata Ion is a 3D-printed, made-to-measure, carbon-fiber e-bike

Customized for you and your favorite rides, Superstrata's bicycles are incredibly light and brimming with tech.

Headshot of Joseph Kaminski
Headshot of Joseph Kaminski
Joseph Kaminski Senior Associate Technology Editor / Reviews
During my almost twenty years at CNET, I handled benchmark testing/methodologies for both Mac and PC systems and, sometime after, integrated testing for micro-mobility (e-bikes, electric scooters and EUCs), which is a passion of mine. Transitioning from a BMX background to this field was seamless. Despite testing numerous products, each new one brings the same excitement as my first.
Joseph Kaminski
2 min read
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Superstrata

What's better than 3D printing your own bikes accessories or spare parts? Silicon Valley-based bicycle brand Superstrata wants to build you what it calls the world's "first made-to-measure 3D-printed e-bicycle 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 constructed to suit its rider's style and preferred terrain (racing, street, gravel or touring), weighing a modest three pounds. 

The bicycle is 3D-printed as a single piece of continuous carbon-fiber thermoplastic composite, which Sonny Vu, CEO of Superstrata, tells me is much stronger than traditional carbon fiber frames, because it's a single piece of material, no matter the size of the bike. He'd love to build one for Shaquille O'Neal, Vu says. 

The company is offering pre-orders via crowdfunding site Indiegogo now, but the final product won't launch until this December, when two versions will be offered. The Terra is a traditional bicycle and the Ion is the e-bike version 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 on the Terra is for optional integrated data collection, GPS and anti-theft. Riders can also opt out of all the above. 

From seeing some of the designs, I liked the minimalist angle. The wiring is run completely through the tubing and there are lights integrated into the frame, giving the bike a clean, futuristic look. As for the Ion, it doesn't even look like an e-bike. Credit goes to designer Bill Stephens for that.

Superstrata says the Terra will start at $2,799 and the Ion will start at $3,999, but ore-orders are currently $1,799 and $2,499. Check back here at CNET for our upcoming hands-on nearer the launch. 

Read more: The best e-bikes to ride in 2020