Depending on who you ask, getting purchased by a big company is the best thing that can happen to a start up. You’ve done the work to prove your concept works, and now that consumers are lining up to buy it, you can pass the torch to an established company like SRAM to handle production and take it to the next level.
That seems to be exactly what is happening with Dusty Dynamics after their success on Kickstarter with ShockWiz. The small device functions as a suspension tuning assistant that takes data from your fork or shock’s performance and then transmits that data to a smartphone app to help you improve the ride of your bike. Compatible with air sprung forks and shocks, the device will give you a snapshot of your suspension’s performance, indicate if there are problems with set up, measure air time, even help you tune for specific disciplines.
As for the Kickstarter, those who have backed the device will be receiving their promised units, only branded as Quarq. Each will be manufactured in Quarq’s factory in Spearfish, SD, and will eventually be available to those who didn’t buy into Kickstarter. Does this hint at future electronic integration with RockShox suspension? Time will tell…
From SRAM:
SRAM ACQUIRES SHOCKWIZ KICKSTARTER PROJECT FROM DUSTY DYNAMICS
Engineers behind Quarq and RockShox will bring ShockWiz to life. Dusty Dynamics’ Nigel Wade continues to work full-time on the project.ShockWiz is a tuning assistant for air-sprung mountain bike forks and rear shocks. It combines hardware, software and finely tuned algorithms to improve suspension set-up for different terrain and riding styles. ShockWiz is compatible with most air-sprung suspension forks and rear shocks, from many different manufacturers.SRAM Category Manager for Digital Integration, Jim Meyer, saw the potential of ShockWiz early: “ShockWiz combines high-tech mechanical sensing with a smartphone app and automated tuning recommendations. For suspension, there is simply nothing else like it.”
“The intersection of bicycles and technology is nearly infinite, but we really want to make bicycles better to ride,” said Meyer. “We are looking for creations that take away the thinking and leave the thrill. ShockWiz does that.”404 Kickstarter backers helped make ShockWiz a reality and their pledges will be honored this August in a combined effort from Dusty Dynamics’ Nigel Wade and SRAM.
“Quarq and RockShox are world leaders in bicycle electronics and suspension,” said ShockWiz inventor, Nigel Wade. “With the backing of SRAM I can deliver performance and support that would take Dusty Dynamics many years to match.”ShockWiz will be manufactured at SRAM’s factory in Spearfish, SD (USA). The factory is ISO 9001-certified and produces Quarq bicycle power meters and data systems. SRAM’s Colorado Springs Development Center, 450 miles away, is home to RockShox, another vital part of the collaboration.
“I have spent time in Spearfish and Colorado Springs, in the R&D labs and on the trails. The wisdom and experience of the SRAM team has been and will continue to be invaluable. Backers will be rewarded with a first-rate tuning system.”
The devices shipped to Kickstarter backers will be badged Quarq – SRAM’s data and digital technology brand – but future commercialization is unknown. “The technology shows great promise and we are excited to explore other applications,” said Meyer.
About Quarq:
Athletes around the world rely on Quarq to deliver the information they need to achieve their dreams. Every Quarq power meter embodies 10 years of experience, the brainpower of 400 engineers and more rigorous testing than any other power meter on the market. Quarq Race Intelligence uses GPS, ANT+™ and cellular data to let broadcasters, fans, race officials and teams follow the story of a race as it unfolds – in real time. Based in Spearfish, SD, Quarq is part of the SRAM family.About Dusty Dynamics:
Dusty Dynamics was founded to bring innovative engineering and technology to mountain bikers and cyclists with the aim to enhance rider enjoyment. Nigel Wade, Dusty Dynamics’ founder, is a Mechatronics engineer with a passion for riding mountain bikes. ShockWiz, Dusty Dynamics’ first product, was born after Nigel saw that the suspension on many mountain bikes is not configured to perform at its full potential.
http://www.quarq.com
http://www.shockwiz.com
