BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
The never ending spring of bike projects that is Kickstarter has turned up a bike that claims to solve theft and maintenance problems once and for all.
Fortified’s Invincible is pitched as the only bike "100% guaranteed against theft". It is over half way towards its $100,000 goal within a week of launching and still has 54 days to go.
The makers are not new to creating bikes, having volume manufactured and fulfilled over 13,000 bike products. The design team has made over 3.2 million bikes for the business, they said.
THE BIKE
What about the bike itself? The theft-resistant hook is based around custom security hardware and a guarantee against theft with Fortified Protect. Customers get a fortified U-lock and need to register – is the bike is then ("somehow") stolen or components are, then a new bike is shipped out within 24 hours. When FortifiedProtect expires, customers can then renew at $100 per year.
Coming in 1 speed and 8 speed versions, Invincible features puncture resistant tyres, rust-resistant chain and a waterproof saddle. Theft-resistant components can be added, including lights and pannier racks. Proprietary locking bolts and skewers make it hard for thieves to nick componentry.
Starting price for a Fortified bike is $399 (£262, approx).
Read all about it on the Kickstarter project page.
