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

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