Muoverti
Muoverti, makers of a tilting stationary bike called TiltBike, added a “million-pound investment” — and it could usher in the next era of at-home bikes.
For context: The UK-based company made waves in November when it debuted its sleek design — a road bike frame that allows users to tilt, steer, brake, and accelerate.
With substantial investor and consumer interest, to date, Muoverti has secured £2.4M ($3.16M) in funding. Another funding round is expected to close in May to support a late-2022 launch.
What it means: The TiltBike’s entrance will have a much greater impact on the esports and cycling trainer segment than it does the fitness-centered Peloton market. The hardware will integrate with Zwift, RGT, and TrainerRoad, among others (like a rumored Xbox integration).
Getting up to speed. The battle for realistic, at-home cycling training is heated.
- In the past two years, hardware makers Wahoo Fitness and Wattbike landed investments.
- Garmin-owned Tacx just added a rocking attachment to its signature smart trainer, enabling real-feel cycling.
- Zwift’s long-awaited connected bike is expected July 2022.
For what it’s worth, cycling training hardware is notoriously hard to get right. Wahoo Fitness founder Chip Hawkins spoke to the difficulty of producing a first-generation product on the Fitt Insider Podcast:
“You can go to [third-party hardware manufacturing companies] and say ‘I want a trainer.’ I don’t think you’re going to come out with something terribly good, or what you’d expect. I think it’ll take a lot longer and cost a lot more than people naively go into it thinking.”
Between the lines: An important feature to notice, TiltBike has brake levers… a hardware addition most software platforms (like Zwift) have yet to integrate. But maybe not for long.
As the e-racing market soars, with notable participation from amateur and pro athletes, the most popular option may become the one that feels the most like the open road.
