Kickstarter

Hello Kickstarter-

We've been busy.

We've made a list, checked twice, and approved all portions of the lights for tooling.

Steel is being cut as you read this.

We have a revised schedule for you:

06.20 - first off-tool samples

07.12 - second samples

07.26 - pilot run - 100 pieces

08.02 - begin mass production

08.09 - parts leave the factory

This is the schedule as it currently stands. 

We are doing everything we can to expedite production. 

Colin will head over to HK in a couple of weeks to thoroughly encourage expediency.

These next steps are much more visible than minute fussing about with CAD and finish samples.

We will post photographic updates as soon as we have them.

We will also revise this calendar if the schedule moves in either direction.

This latest section of effort has been particularly trying.

We, the Sparse Team, would like to thank you for your patience.

Best.

-Sparse

Hello all.

We have progress! Apologies for keeping a bit quiet in recent weeks, we've had our noses buried deep in development.

On that front, we've managed a few key improvements.  

• We've refined the lensing of both lights for superior diffusion on the rear and a mix of focus and diffusion on the front. 
• Lots and lots of wrangling of electronic components to improve efficiency, increase output, and make way for increased battery volume. Much of that will be invisible, but what you will probably notice is that we were able to wrest and additional .5 Watts into the seat post light. 
• Improved final finishes - They're looking grand. The latest black looks like it was forged at the same moment as my stem. 
• We've removed the automatic feature on the rear light. We got it we rode it. We realized that with the light as bright as this, as part of a matching front and rear, you simply don't forget to turn the light on or off. Both lights now follow Off, On, Blink. This is way better. 
• We have increased the interior clearance of the Seat Post Light to 32mm - now it's easier on/off for those of us with oversized tubes - and all those out there on folding bikes will be pleased. 
• 10,000 small, invisible manipulations focused on keeping these lights sealed from the elements, keeping you safe, and ensuring these things last as long as your bike does. 

THANK YOU ALL for your patience and support. We couldn't be more grateful. We are moving forward with enthusiasm and a more refined product. The internal wrangling has taken a bit longer than originally calendared. We think that these efforts are worth your patience - our goal is to deliver an optimal lighting solution. This (apparently) took exactly 3 weeks longer than we planned. Arrgh. On the up side, the balance of optical and battery performance is a fine line. We are now achieving a resolution we think will please everyone and we know you'll be stoked on the lights once you receive them. 

We are very close to cutting the tools - with one last verification to go and we hope to send that order on Monday. We think the latest refinements enhance the integrity of the designs. As soon as we have samples from our tooling (est. 3-5 weeks), we will issue another update to be sure everyone is informed of our progress. 

In the meantime, everyone who pledged their support will soon receive a survey verifying and/or updating your shipping address.  

Thanks again for your support and patience through this exciting development process! We'll do all we can to get these lights to you before the season is in full swing.   

Pedal safe. -Colin 

Below, a few pics of the latest pre-production samples and a few images of some very sad bicycles in a blizzard at NAHBS in Denver a few weeks ago. Thanks to Dylan on the Mash SF team for sporting the lights for the photoset (that's also his custom front rack he fabricated).

Hi all,

We hope your 2013 is off and running. We wanted to express our deepest thanks again for your support. Without you, we'd be stuck squabbling over who gets to ride the prototypes next. The Sparse team has kept busy and a little quiet since our Kickstarter campaign closed. We've been tweaking the lighting internals for maximum performance and streamlining a bunch of technical stuff for manufacture. Everything is moving ahead as planned and (fingers crossed) on schedule for a late-march delivery.
A latest batch of prototypes was just dropped in the post today.
In addition to development on the lights, we've been finalizing the packaging design, settling on a fulfillment house, beginning sales relationships, and beginning to structure our team for an all out development sprint this summer.

We'll post another update once we have the latest round of prototypes in hand.

For our European backers (Deutsche Gönner?) - we are also developing a non-flashing tail light. Everyone will have that option when we are ready to ship your lights as part of the survey we'll send out to confirm shipping addresses.

If you wanted to order another set of lights or grab a t-shirt but missed the Kickstarter close, our site - http://sparse.cc is updated for pre-ordering lights or ordering apparel. A couple new items will be going in the shop soon.

Thank you again for your support.

-The Sparse Team

Thanks again to all for the pledges, support and sharing our project. We've got 5 days left on our campaign and would love to finish it strong. Pledging closes at 11:59PM (PST) Saturday, December 8

If you missed our recent piece in Good Magazine, take a look here: http://www.good.is/posts/the-future-of-biking-and-how-good-design-can-help

There's a lot of discussion there around making bike transit better. 

Also, if you're in the Bay Area, Colin will be talking shop at the IDSA SF "Bay Area's Best 2012" Thursday, Dec 13 http://bayareasbest2012.eventbrite.com/# (and he will have the first prototypes of our lights with him)

-Sparse