Final Production is Underway!
over 8 years ago – Wed, Jul 06, 2016 at 11:05:13 PM

Hi Backers -

Summer is in full swing here, and the great news is that the final production run has started! Check out the full update below for more details and a production schedule update.

Sample Testing

Late last month, Stephen spent an action-packed week in Taiwan working with our manufacturing partner to test the production samples and hammer out final details. 

Even though we had spent thousands of hours testing on the prototype stems, it is always a bit nerve-wracking when it's time to test actual production parts. But we're happy to say that the samples passed testing with flying colors, and as a result, final production is underway!

Schedule Update

During the sample part inspection, we discovered that the internal mandrel that forms the inside of the stem tube forging was slightly oversized, leading to small areas of inconsistent machining on the inside of the tube. Although this had no effect on the structural integrity of the stem, we didn't feel that it met the quality standard that we (and you) expect from our products.  As a result, we asked the forging manufacturer to remake the mandrel, which resulted in a 3-week delay to allow for the machining and heat-treatment of the tool.

As a result, the target fulfillment schedule has slipped from September to early October. We apologize for the additional delay - we know you have already waited much longer than you expected for your Shockstops. Please rest assured that we are pushing ourselves, and our manufacturing partner, as hard as we can to speed things up without sacrificing quality.

Thanks for your patience.  We'll continue to provide regular updates to let you know how final production is progressing.

- The Redshift Sports Team

June Production Update
over 8 years ago – Thu, Jun 02, 2016 at 04:57:32 PM

Hi Backers -

Production Update

In this case, no news is good news! We're still on track to hit our revised September fulfillment schedule (check out Update #14 for the full production schedule).

We received the sample raw forgings off of the forging tools and they look great! The forgings are currently being CNC machined to their final shapes in preparation for finishing and anodizing.  Stephen will be heading over to Taiwan later this month to inspect, assemble, and test the production samples, so you can look forward to plenty more photos of parts and testing.

Shaking Things Up...

We needed to make sure that our integrated Computer Mount & Utility Mount Accessories would hold up to the abuse of years of hard riding. To simulate millions of bumps, we mounted the accessories to our trusty paint shaker, attached an accelerometer, and went crazy!

Finalized ShockStop Graphics

For the production units, we tweaked the graphics slightly from the Kickstarter prototypes, but kept the same understated, minimal feel. We hope you like the new look as much as we do!

Thanks for your support. If you have any questions or feedback, definitely don't hesitate to post a comment or message us directly.

- The Redshift Team

May ShockStop Production Update
over 8 years ago – Tue, May 03, 2016 at 11:32:15 PM

Hi Backers -

May is here, and that means it's time for a quick production update. The short version is that we're on-track with the schedule presented in our last update.

The tooling is in-progress, and we are still expecting to get the first raw aluminum forging pieces at the end of the month. With those parts in hand, our manufacturer will begin a small pilot production run to test out the various fixturing tools and to dial in the final machining and finishing processes.  

We will be traveling back to Taiwan in late June to inspect the finished samples and oversee first article testing. This will allow us to address any tooling issues and make adjustments to the process on-the-fly instead of losing weeks of time waiting for samples to arrive.  

In the background here, we're finalizing the artwork and packaging and lining up the fulfillment process so that your ShockStop goes from our doorstep to yours as quickly as possible.

Thanks for your continued patience. We know the warmer weather is making it that much harder to wait, but we think you'll appreciate the improvements that were made in the end. We're looking forward to sharing pictures of parts coming off the tools soon!

- The Redshift Team

Production Update, Computer & Utility Mount Pictures
almost 9 years ago – Fri, Apr 08, 2016 at 06:54:15 PM

Hi Backers -

It's been a while since our last update so let's jump right into the latest on the manufacturing side. 

Production Schedule

• Late May - Complete Tooling.  We've been working intensely over the past month to get all of the parts and drawings finalized for production, and we're happy to announce that the tools for forging the ShockStop parts are all underway in Taiwan. We expect the forging tools to be complete in late May.
• Early June - Receive Production Samples.  We will be running a small pilot run of units to dial in the production forging, machining, and finishing processes. This will also provide us with an opportunity to finalize inspection and quality assurance procedures.
• Mid June - Test Production Samples.  Once the first samples are assembled, they will immediately go onto the test rig for structural testing.
• Late June - Start Final Production Run.  Pending successful tests, we'll kick off the final production run of parts and begin the waiting game.
• Late June Through Late August - Production.  We're putting as much pressure as possible on our suppliers to compress this window, and we believe that there are opportunities to speed things up, but we won't truly know until we've started production.
• Late August - Shipping to US.  We're going to air-freight this first production order to avoid the 6-week delay associated with ocean freight.  
• Early September - Fulfillment.  As soon as we receive the units, we'll be packing them up and shipping them out to backers.

Accessory Mounts Finalized 

The computer and utility mount designs are finalized and are looking great. Check out the final prototypes (production units will be anodized black to match the ShockStop).

The Computer Mount interfaces directly with the ShockStop face plate and can be installed using either the top or the bottom two bolts. Different inserts allow us to interface with a range of computer models, including Garmin, Powertap/CycleOps Joule, CatEye, Mio, and Magellan. Your computer mount will come with the appropriate insert for your computer based on your BackerKit selection.

Most bike computers will fit with the mount installed in the lower position, as shown with a Garmin Edge 810. The Edge 1000 will fit (in portrait orientation!) with the mount installed in the upper position.

The Utility Mount uses the same attachment method, and the tube is slightly offset, meaning there are effectively 4 different heights that can be achieved by flipping the mount. Again, the production versions will be anodized black to match the stem.

This mount puts your accessory front and center. On the right is a bike light installed front & center, leaving a nice clean handlebar. 

Future Communications  

Now that production tooling has started, we will be more systematic about our updates. At the beginning of each month we will provide a production schedule update, with any significant changes highlighted. In additional, we'll continue to fill you in with details and pictures of the final product & packaging as they become available.

Thanks again for your continued support. We're super excited that the tooling has started and can't wait to get our hands on the first forged parts. Stay tuned...

- The Redshift Team

Design Changes and Production Schedule Update
almost 9 years ago – Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 01:09:48 PM

Hi Backers -

Thanks to everyone who has filled out the backer survey - we are getting close to 100%. For anyone who has not yet filled out their survey on backerkit please do so as soon as you can. If you can't find your survey link go here: https://shockstop.backerkit.com/ or email us at [email protected].

Design Changes

As mentioned in our last update, we have spent a lot of time testing the ShockStop to ensure that it meets all safety and durability standards. At the same time, based on feedback from backers, results from testing, and feedback from our manufacturing partners in Taiwan, we decided to make some changes to improve the design prior to starting production. From the outside, the ShockStop looks like the same piece of hardware you saw in the Kickstarter video. It's on the inside where we have made some modifications:

Upgraded from a standard to a full complement bearing - A full complement bearing is completely full of ball bearings, instead of having a few balls spread out with a spacer. What does this mean? More points of contact to distribute the loads, so these bearings are not only going to take big impacts, but they're going to keep doing it day in and day out.

Increased pivot shaft strength - Going to the full complement bearing actually allowed us to bump up the size of the main bolt that connects the moving parts of the ShockStop. Bigger diameter = Even more torsional rigidity.

Modified the pre-load wedge - Tuning the feel of your ride is great, but it needs to be easy. We've improved the mechanism that lets you swap out the elastomers so it takes fewer steps to adjust the stiffness of the stem. 

Schedule Impact

We knew that it would take extra time to make these changes and repeat the safety and durability testing, but we felt that the improvements to the product were worth it, and we think you will agree. Ultimately, this meant our testing period lasted longer than we had hoped, and our manufacturing partners were not able to start making tooling prior to their Chinese New Year break. Unfortunately, this means that our delivery time frame is going to slip from our April target to summer (potentially July). We are working to get a concrete date set and will continue to keep you posted with the production status.

We know you're all eager to get a ShockStop on your bike, and we're doing everything we can to expedite the production process. Thanks again for your patience and support. Stay tuned for more!

- The Redshift Team