LEOPARD & LEOPARD PRO
SpeedX Leopard is the only smart aero road bike with the ability to help you train and track your progress in real time.
Riding is an activity that touches people’s mind. Riders want to be integrated with the bike, in each in their own rhythm, in fluency, without distraction. Leopard is ready to give the rider the ultimate road experience.
Built with aesthetics and performance in mind; an “Aero” styled bike equally at home for recreational riding or racing.
The Leopard will surpass your every riding need: whether for intense training and competition or a Sunday spin with friends, it offers unparalleled comfort and enjoyment.
In the beginning:
There are 2 models of the Leopard bike – the Leopard with a Shimano 105 drivetrain, and the Leopard Pro with the Shimano Ultegra Di2 drivetrain.
Work began on both models in Feb 2015 with prototype designs, and a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign, was launched on the 23rd March 2016 and finished on 22nd April 2016. Simultaneously, a second round of crowdfunding was underway on the Indiegogo web site.
Both bikes were very competitively price, with the Leopard averaging $1,200 USD and the Leopard Pro $2,000 USD (Priced in March 2016).
Both campaigns were extremely successful with a total of 1,855 backers pledging a total of $3,164,893 USD (approx £2,500,000) across both crowdfunding platforms.
The breakdown of sales were (approx) 63% Leopard Pro and (approx) 37% Leopard. With most sales being of the Black / Red colour.
Configuration:
The bikes were the same basic construction, using T1000 and T800 carbon fibre for the frames and forks.
Both bikes had carbon seat post with a rear light mounted in the seat post. The seat post also contained the battery for the SpeedForce computer.
On the Leopard Pro, the battery for the Di2 gear changes, was hidden in the down tube.
SpeedX Smart Control
The SpeedForce v2 featured heavily on the Leopard / Leopard Pro – it was promoted as the answer to all your cycling computer needs.
It is only a pity that it never worked as designed, and that the Team developing the programme never got anywhere near delivering the full functionality that was advertised and promised.
Imagine a bike with a brain – taking care of everything except the cycling.
That’s just what we made SpeedX Smart Control to do. It records your ride data and provides you with professional analysis in real-time with its built-in 2.4” inch screen.
We designed XCoach specifically to prepare professional training courses – with interesting tasks and challenges, as well as global ranking tables.
X-Carbon T1000 Bikeframe
Together with FIBERTEK®, we developed proprietary methods and technologies to stack the T1000 military-grade carbon fiber.
Every bike frame stacks 207 folded layers, which ultimately leads to a phenomenally light 1.2kg frame. It weighs in at a mere half of a normal bike, thanks to its carbon-fiber frame, front fork, and seat post.
We knew the SpeedX frame just had to use single-piece technology for better stress distribution performance.
Our efforts were rewarded with front-fork comfort that beats many of the world’s leading bike frames.
We subject a new bike to nearly 300 production and testing processes, including stiffness testing on key frame parts to ensure the bike’s stiffness.
The frames are stiff and ride well, the all up weight of the Leopard comes in at 7.9kg (17.4lbs), however with the heavier(carbon) wheels and the extra Di2 battery, the Leopard Pro weighs in at 8.4kg (18.5lbs).
Full Hidden Cables
We’ve improved both aesthetics and performance by cleverly hiding the brake cables in the front fork, reducing air resistance and maximising the style of the Leopard / Leopard Pro.
SpeedX is only the third bike brand in the world to achieve full-integrated wiring. The other two bikes with full-integrated wiring cost considerably more – $5999 (TREK Madone 9.2) and $8200 (Specialized Venge Pro ViAS).
Another great idea from the Team… however, removing the Computer, virtually means stripping the bike down, and removing a rats nest of wiring, the sensors and the battery hidden in the Seat Post.
Brakes are hidden behind the front fork, making it more aerodynamic than ever.
We partnered with global strategy and design firm frog to give Leopard a stylish, simple and daring look.
Lifetime Frame Guarantee
SpeedX offered a lifetime replacement warranty for the bike frame. Every SpeedX customer enjoyed a 7 days-no-questions-asked return and 30 days free exchange.
However, the onus was on the customer to get the product back to SpeedX – something that could be in the region of $600 (£500), which made it virtually impossible for anyone to take the offer up.
A great marketing headline – but virtually useless in actuality.
Leopard / Leopard Pro Frame Size
The Leopard / Leopard Pro had very odd Frame Sizes. All sizes, not only Frames but Jerseys and Shorts, were based on Asian sizes.
No account was taken for the rest of world as far as sizes went.
So somebody who normally rides a Medium Frame, was ‘recommended’ to a L or XL size.
Finally – Is it a Good Bike?
The general consensus of opinion is that it is a “stunning bike” !
Yes, there have been problems, namely the original delivery, which for the majority of the backers, was at least 6 months late. There are even a few backers who say they have never received their bikes.
There have been a number of niggles over the assembly – the Quality Control, in some instances, seems to have been non-existent. As an example – my own bike, was missing one of the stem bolts and the brakes were the ‘wrong way ’round’.
The Carbon Detec wheels were one of the early problems, some delaminated quite quickly, the Xero wheels, on the other hand, seem more stable.
The SpeedForce is the biggest disappointment. It never worked as it was promoted, and since the development ceased, they are slowly ‘giving up’, and having to be removed.
The battery life seems to be good, and the Shimano gears live up to their unbeatable quality.
Overall, a spectacular looking bike, an exhilarating ride, all at a very affordable price. (especially the Pro version).
The shame is all on the Management Team , who couldn’t or wouldn’t, concentrate on developing a brand that everyone would be happy to support.