Is This Audacious, Innovative New Bike Component the Future of Cycling Technology?

The cycling world is abuzz lately over a new product out of Munich, Germany. Called simply Flitedeck, it’s decidedly more innovative than your average carbon fiber drop bar.

The brainchild of cycling enthusiast and former Porsche, BMW and Pininfarina engineer Sabrina Fischer, this “intelligent handlebar” integrates an interactive touchscreen, bike computer, GPS, theft alarm, various sensors, an electronic bell and a dual-beam headlight. 

Flite GmbH

Fischer, who has partnered with fellow engineer Matthias Huber on the project, got the idea way back in 2019.

The spark? Frustration over the fact that high-end road bikes spare no expense to be super streamlined, then immediately have their bars cluttered with various accessories that leave them much more clunky than aero.

The moment I came across this product, my mind flooded a range of thoughts from jaded to stoked — and most definitely contradictory.

While I can quickly point to some flaws, I also find the possibilities to be pretty dang exciting. Here’s a brief rundown of both aspects.

The doubts

1. The weight

The Flitedeck tips the scales at 800g, which the site calls “extremely light and perfect for on the go.” Converted to the imperial system, that’s roughly 1.8 pounds. 

That may seem light, until you consider the fact that at the highest levels, entire bike frames weigh less. The frame on a top gravel bike, the Specialized S-Works Crux, weighs 725 grams (~1.6 pounds), for example. 

The weight here is also significantly heavier than a typical high-end handlebar. The biggest size (46cm) of ENVE’s $400 Compact Road IN-Route Handlebar weighs 230 grams (~0.5 pounds). 

The elite cyclists at whom this handlebar is aimed may immediately dismiss it based on these figures alone.

Flite GmbH

2. The cost

I reference elite cyclists not only because they are the most apt to desire and use some of the technology built into the Flitedeck but also because I imagine they are the only ones who would shell out for it.

The base Flitedeck unit, with the early bird special that is running till the end of the month, costs $1,691. (For comparison, ENVE’s priciest bar, the high-performance SES Aero Pro, goes for $1,200).

For most casual cyclists, that number is probably at or near how much they are looking to pay for an entire bike. (And it should be said, you can get a damn good city commuter for $1,000.)

Note: “If you compare price and weight it should be taken into consideration what the overall weight and price is for a handlebar including bike computer and light.” That point, from the Flitedeck folks themselves, does significantly boost the value proposition.

Flite GmbH

The possibilities

1. Weight and cost could both drop

One thing that is always worth clocking when considering the potential of a brand-new product is that what is does not always accurately reflect what it will become.

So while right now you could call the Flitedeck heavy and expensive, both qualities could change dramatically in the future. 

As technology progresses, it almost always gets lighter and cheaper, so if Fischer and Huber can stick things out another couple years, I can imagine Flitedeck 2.0 being a much more compelling execution of the concept.

Flite GmbH

2. It’s just so seamless

All griping aside, I am pretty entranced by what they are bringing to the table with this first round, as the handlebar does look incredibly clean, smooth and streamlined. 

Alongside the features I mentioned in the intro, the Flitedeck also offers connectivity with third-party sensors and other devices (including electronic-shift drivetrains) via Bluetooth, ANT+ and Wi-Fi.

As you would expect, it pairs with third-party smartphone apps, so it presumably plays nice with Strava, RideWithGPS and other cycling standbys. 

You can configure the touchscreen to show a variety of little displays or a few bigger ones — such as maps with turn-by-turn directions — and keep current via an accompanying app and over-the-air firmware updates.

The handlebar is powered by a lithium battery that offers up to 30 hours of runtime per USB charge, and it’s IP68 waterproof, meaning it can survive a half hour of submersion in 1 meter of water.

As much as I harped on the weight, I would be remiss not to note that the aforementioned ENVE handlebar would not be so light were it saddled with some of the accessories simply built into this bar, including light, bell and mounted bike computer.

Apparently I’m not the only one impressed, as rumor has it that in the future, a leading premium bike manufacturer will include the bar on some production bikes. I’ll believe that when I see it.

Flite GmbH

3. BikePlay, anyone?

As a regular motorcycle test rider and occasional SUV test driver, I’ve found myself regularly unimpressed by brands trying to reinvent the wheel when it comes to touchscreen tech.

The smart manufacturers realized years ago that the best bet is to simply enable that screen to mirror the most critical apps on a user’s own smartphone, via Apple/Android CarPlay.

As someone who regularly rides around the city with my smartphone mounted to my bars, as almost all my cycling peers do, I can’t help but gaze at the Flitedeck and dream of a different execution.

Just sweep all the features out of it and essentially cast my phone screen from a screen built into the handlebar, and I’ll be pretty dang satisfied.

P.s. For the record, BikePlay is not to be confused with what is reportedly the main source of funding for the Flitedeck project: Fischer’s OnlyFans account. Which, let’s be honest, sure beats some crummy Kickstarter project.

Availability and pricing

The Flitedeck’s Early Bird packages are only available in Drop 1, until March 1st, 2025, starting at $1,691.

Flite GmbH

Flitedeck

• Starts at $1,691
  $2,377 (29% off)

Related Topics