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First Look: CoreCap Claims 'World's First Integrated Bike Computer'

May 17, 2022
by Seb Stott  
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A team from Slovenia are launching on Kickstarter a bike computer that fits inside a steerer tube. The small circular screen replaces the top cap and displays all the usual metrics you'd expect from a GPS bike computer - elevation, speed, heart rate and so on. As well as keeping it out of harm's way inside the bike, so there's no risk of hitting it with your knee and watching it bounce off down the trail; this design also allows for a much larger battery to be housed inside the fork and below the screen.

The 2600 mAh battery is claimed to last around 3 months, and as long as there's enough charge left, you don't have to do anything; it starts recording automatically when you start riding. It's designed to be a set and forget device, more like the dashboard in a car than existing bolt-on devices which usually need charging after every ride.

The unit replaces a conventional top cap and star nut, which preloads the headset. A bolt threads into the bottom of the unit, and together with a cap on the bottom of the steerer, this compresses the headset. That means there's no need to cut threads into the steerer tube, just tap out the star nut and install the computer with an Allen key.

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The 1.3” round screen (240×240 pixels) can't display a huge array of information at once, but a radial wheel makes it possible to scroll through up to five pre-set data fields, which can display things like speed, altitude, sensor data as well as turn by turn navigation and notifications (if desired). It interfaces with an app (Android and IOS) for a more comprehensive breakdown of post-ride stats, which links with Strava, Google maps, Gopro and Komoot.

The device houses a barometric sensor for precise altitude data, but uses your phone's GPS hardware for location information. Finally, there's a clever take on a traditional magnetic odometer, which uses a magnetic valve cap and no wires. This offers more precise, real-time speed data than GPS. CoreCap is also compatible with BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices such as heart rate and cadence sensors.

For more information check out the Kickstarter page.



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140 Comments
  • 172 3
 Cool. Now put a wrist strap on it so I can wear it. Oh wait.
  • 56 0
 I'm looking forward to a bike so integrated that it's just a pole that I run around with like a Quidditch player
  • 86 0
 So I need one for my XC bike, one for my enduro bike, one for my roadbike, one for my gravelbike…
  • 5 20
flag 5afety3rd (May 17, 2022 at 13:16) (Below Threshold)
 you can remove and swap with one bolt
  • 17 0
 @5afety3rd: Only 1 bolt under the steerer tube is still a deal breaker for me. It needs too twist/pop/clip off like all the competition.
  • 71 1
 you dont have a downcountry bike?? are you even a mountain biker?
  • 12 0
 @5afety3rd: Then your bike is unrideable.
  • 5 2
 @Evo6: you can ride without a compression plug as long as your stem is torqued just right. It’s just for setting bearing compression. But it’s still dumb to have it SO integrated for sure
  • 6 0
 @adrennan: he has a "quiver killer"
  • 8 0
 Just buy a Garmin Edge 20, it's about the same size and fits a normal Garmin mount.
  • 7 3
 @5afety3rd: Just have to “tap out” the star nut. I’m no mechanic, but I’ve yet to encounter a star nut that just taps out. They always seem to require much more brute force that I’m comfortable giving my bike.
  • 3 0
 @gnarlysipes: socket, and a heat treated bolt, tighten till start nut breaks, and remove, 30 seconds of work. if you have a specialized with the swap chain tool in the steer tube, it's already like this.
  • 2 1
 @adrennan: I've heard he has a BMX background.
  • 1 0
 @nozes: the 20 is discontinued..I thought of my Fenix watch,when I saw this
  • 2 3
 @gnarlysipes: you don't tap out star nuts, you drill them out....
  • 2 0
 @nozes: as pointed out by someone else, the 20 is no more, however an edge 130 with a k-edge gravity cap does this same job a whole lot better than this.
  • 2 0
 @naptime: Trek that to the author. I think my satire was lost on a few.
  • 1 1
 @gnarlysipes: if you say so
  • 1 0
 @naptime: “Take” not “trek” lol I’ll have to look into this star but drilling business because “tapping” them out feels like it’s going to destroy my bike, headset, and/or CSU.
  • 2 0
 @gnarlysipes: 10mm drill bit, stuff a piece of cloth or kitchen roll up the bottom of the steerer. Drill out top rivet on the star nut. Turn top star washer an pull out with needle nose pliers. Same for bottom section. Turn fork upside down an push cloth to the top of the steerer from the bottom to remove swarf. 5 min job. Piece of piss...
  • 1 0
 @naptime: Love it. Brute force. My kind of method.
  • 78 0
 Based on how I've seen most of these go, maybe I'll look at buying one after they actually exist.
  • 2 0
 Turns out they work.....buuuut not in steer tubes, as designed.
  • 68 10
 But now I need another steerer tube to fit my OneUp EDC… wait did I just justify a dual crown fork?! *cries in bank account*
  • 41 3
 I think that's how it works.
  • 32 4
 That's not how that works.
  • 72 1
 Its unclear if that's how this works
  • 21 0
 Easy. Recess the damper in the fork leg and put a EDC carrier in the stanchion. Genius!
  • 3 1
 EDC on the bottom, gps thing on the top like a double sided .. uhmmm...
  • 8 0
 just buy an ASCENDU "bike" www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9O52PSCIME
  • 3 0
 ...Do you want to need it...or do you need to want it?
  • 5 0
 wait… ya’ll don’t store tools in your stanchions?
  • 5 0
 @blissindex: calm down Mr 2003 marzocchi
  • 1 0
 @reo-driver: Wow.
  • 3 0
 there's a new edc tool mount that replaces air tokens.
  • 2 0
 Bar ends need to make a comeback.
  • 2 0
 @reo-driver: aaaah meine Augen und Ohren X-D
  • 43 1
 Can it measure how many barspins I do? If not, I send it back
  • 8 0
 Bring him the Gabagool!
  • 3 0
 As I am still on 0*, it does accurately track my bar spins.

*crashes don't count
  • 28 1
 Interesting idea. It needs to have its own gps though.
  • 4 1
 Yeah, that makes it less convenient than the Apple Watch I'm already wearing. Leave the phone at home or in the car and it syncs my ride when I get back. Super easy.
  • 7 1
 @schu2470: the Apple Watch is one of the most underrated cycling accessories. GPS, phone, can call an ambulance, (heart rate), all while leaving my phone at home.
  • 4 1
 @Mike-Jay: Absolutely agree! I also like that it's on my wrist and mostly out of mind rather than a computer on my bars. I don't race and just use it to track mileage, elevation, etc from ride to ride and enjoy my rides more when I'm not constantly looking down at a computer.
  • 2 0
 @Mike-Jay: If you pay for a second cell plan right? How much is that a month? (honest questions)
  • 2 0
 @dfiler: Most cell providers offer E-Sim for your Apple Watch for about $10CAD extra a month...
normally the budget providers don't offer it though. Good if you have work cell as a work expense though.

I have a cell-compatible Apple watch (My provider in Canada doesnt offer E-Sim), but normally i take my phone anyway.
Though it works perfectly for GPS/Strava etc if i leave my phone. i just cant call anyone.
  • 3 0
 @dfiler: I pay A$5 per month for cell coverage for it. It’s also great when you want to be contactable but not connected (you can’t browse the net on the watch and sending messages is a PITA)
  • 24 0
 *turns dial clockwise*

*sun comes out*

*turns dial counterclockwise*

*starts to snow*
  • 18 0
 As long as it doesn't have its own GPS then it's not worth it IMO. The whole idea with a garmin or wahoo or any of the other brands, is that they don't drain your phones battery by using it's GPS, unlike this thing. I also just find that a phones GPS isn't nearly as accurate as the one built into my garmin, and tends to have more issues of suddenly teleporting my location to somewhere random and then back.
  • 1 0
 agreed... it was kind of interesting up to that point.
  • 1 1
 whats interesting is im pretty sure they both record the same amount of positions per second (usually 1) but probably has to do with things like where the garmin is located vs a phone being in pocket or pack or something like that. I know what issues you are talking about though
  • 18 0
 I'll keep my EDC in that spot, thanks.
  • 2 0
 Same.
  • 1 0
 Different brand, same sentiment
  • 9 1
 I'm not going to poop on it - they made something that looks slick and clean - the PB discussion boards seem to light up in glowing approval every time Dangerholm breaks out the drill and grinder and finds new places to tuck in cables.

That said, I'm not going to be customer #1 - Kickstarter electronic products have a very mixed track record.
  • 19 1
 The Dangerholm fanboys are in it for his hot pants not the tech.
  • 9 2
 My eyes, my wet finger and my brain are my best bike computer. Don't need that.
  • 21 1
 Wait... wet fingers?
  • 3 0
 @Kiltymac: I assume for measuring wind direction... but yeah, sounds gross.
  • 16 0
 @Kiltymac: measures body temperature
  • 7 0
 Buy used Garmin Edge for £35 on ebay and mount it on the stem, problem solved
  • 5 1
 Cool design, but I really enjoy being able to remove a GPS unit from my bike quickly. I put one on for certain workouts, but I don't want to have a computer taking away from my ride if I'm on a group ride or just trying to enjoy myself.
  • 8 0
 just turn it off and have a shiny black headset cap.
  • 6 0
 I like it but Kickstarter is 100% a no go for me.

I'd rather pay 10% more for a 2nd gen product that I'm guaranteed to actually receive, but that's just me.
  • 6 0
 kind of a cool idea, but ill wait until the kickstarter people actually get theirs before even considering one.
  • 4 1
 Most kickstarters are 100% done with the best of intentions and are not scams. It will probably take longer than they reckon, but that's just optimism that everyone has.

These guys won't be making any money out of this campaign....if you like what they have come up with, back them and be patient. They look legit

That said.....my oneup EDC is not going anywhere.
  • 3 0
 No GPS built in. Uses your phone for GPS location (and presumably speed...if you don't use the valve cap speed sensor).
Only embeds a barometric sensor. So isn't this just an over-glorified 1 1/8" round wireless display built into your stem cap?
  • 3 0
 I started seeing ads for this and got really excited until i realised 3 major flaws.

- No inbuilt GPS. still relies on phone/watch for dynamic logging.
- you have to remove it just to charge it! I know they say its only one bolt, but you're still half disassembling your steerer every other ride to juice it. It should have the clamping system set in the HT and the unit can simply twist or clip off the top, like a quick remove top cap.
- Kickstarters barely come to fruition, and even then the deal wasn't much of a deal.. it was like a 5% off at a cost of $35 or something.. where's the Early investor 50% off deal? Wasnt much of a risk, but also wasnt much of a advantage to buying in.

I'd be a buyer if it wasnt for the Charging situation. The GPS isnt a kill for me, as I ride with both my phone and Apple watch anyway (my provider doesn't support e-sim, so can't go Watch only) for Strava & Trailforks navigation. having like data in your steerer, over a bulky Garmin is pretty neat.
Maybe ill keep my eyes out for Gen2 when they address the two major flaws.
  • 2 0
 Wahoo. Just want I am looking for.
Can you make it so it can control my turbo too, connect to HRM, cadence sensors, ant+, BLE....

Someone needs to come up with some sort of computer mount that connects to the steerer and a detachable bike computer that you can just twist on ...
  • 3 0
 I would love if somebody would make a Garmin mount that sat right above the steerer tube that rotated out of the way when you needed access to the steerer tool kit.
  • 2 0
 You mean like this?
www.amazon.ca/Garmin-010-12563-02-Edge-Mountain-Mount/dp/B076HWFZRN
  • 3 0
 @Badler I recently put a 76Projects Enduro mount on my bike and it frees up the entire cockpit.
  • 1 0
 @no-good-ideas: def the cleanest garmin mount you can get
  • 1 0
 You mean like this?

www.wiggle.com.au/nukeproof-horizon-over-stem-garmin-mount

or this -

www.wiggle.com.au/nukeproof-garmin-wahoo-top-cap-mount
  • 1 0
 While this is cool I don't quite see the advantage over a watch or regular computer? The watch is easily "moved" from bike to bike since I'm wearing it, has GPS/heart rate integrated and I don't need my phone with me for any aspect. A lot of watches are cheaper too.

It kind of just seems like a heavy, difficult to move bike computer that I control from my phone vs the device screen unless Im missing a big point here.
  • 2 0
 But is this cool? I disagree with that statement and agree with the rest of your post.
  • 4 0
 @Mike-Jay: Personally I think it does look cool. But I also think it looks cool when you replace a top cap with a little compass so maybe I just have a thing for replacing top caps.
  • 1 0
 It's a cool device, but my Forerunner 245 was fairly cheap and goes with me on whatever bike I'm on. And does a lot more like heart rate, SPO2, recovery tracking, sleep tracking, etc. Not sure what improvements this makes over a normal GPS bike computer.
  • 1 0
 Looks like things are off to a rocky start if you read the comments on the Kickstarter page. So.... what does it actually offer? Better functionality than a GPS head unit? No, much worse actually. More convenient than a GPS head unit? Nope.. you need your phone to use most of the features and have to partially disassemble your bike to charge it or swap it between bikes. Does it look cool? That's debatable, at best. At least the folks behind the Kickstarter aren't resorting to gimmicks to get an extra $10 from people and then responding to complaints with copy and paste answers, right? Ummm....
  • 1 0
 My problem as I get old is I'm getting farsighted. I see the trail fine, but can barely read my gps. I don't need a small screen close to my body. I need large easy to read screen about 6 inches (or more) beyond my handlebars. I have an Edge 530, but an old phone with Trailforks app might have been better. Not sure my point here. Maybe that Garmin needs an old fart large font profile.
  • 1 0
 This project is over schedule with little updates/communication. I would highly advise against sending any money to this. I was an early funder on Kickstarter and am trying to get a refund.
  • 5 0
 This looks pretty sick
  • 1 0
 This is pretty cool imo but for mtb I would want it to have some kind of replaceable protective glass. My bike has scratches in strange places; I don't take anything for granted.
  • 1 1
 I put a Garmin adapter plate on the top of the stem - still have it there. But the problem of having it at the top of the stem is that the legs and torso can accidently hit the device during a ride. I got so tired of the Garmin device stopping a ride or pausing when I just accidentally tapped it on technical trails that I decided to use the original out front attachment. After setting it up out front to the way I want it, that issue is gone! I don't know why I didn't do that before. Now, if some company can make some of these out front stem attachments on those bolts wide enough and reasonably cheap...
  • 1 0
 Nifty idea. But my EDC sits there on both bikes. I mount my Garmin 130 on the top tube just behind the headset. When that Garmin quits though I’ll be looking at the watch type. But I only want basic information.
  • 1 0
 Needs phone gps. No thanks.
Looks heavy as f*ck for xc.
Can it connect to power meters?
Looks like something developers that dont mountain bike made for commuting. Its lame. Ill keep my garmin.
  • 1 0
 Super cool idea, and looks slick, wish I could justify it..... but alass..... I think I've already blown this year's gadget and component budget
  • 3 0
 Great idea!... For people with only one bike and no OneUp/SWAT/etc...
  • 3 0
 Where will my brake hose go with all that in the headtube?
  • 2 2
 Just how many batteries can you get on one bike without redundancy? I'm at 10 now anyone count more? Bike, Range Extender, Der, Shifter, Tire Wiz F/R, Dropper, Dropper Lever, Flight Attendant and now this bad boy.
  • 4 0
 Shockwiz? what about lights? you can make this list longer
  • 1 0
 Dang, that sounds like a headache
  • 1 0
 Why not one more.... ?
  • 2 0
 I like the idea! But no internal GPS and no map display? Even my Garmin watch does that.
  • 3 0
 My dentist will have one of these for sure.
  • 1 0
 Lol!! soooo true....
  • 2 0
 I hope they are selling a quantum physics mounting kit so it can be integrated with Oneup EDC....
  • 1 0
 I like the design, cool idea, although as with all these kind of devices do we really need any of this information? just go out and ride and enjoy it.
  • 1 0
 Should've spent the time designing this for aero bikes instead. The S-Works SL7 crowd has way more disposable income for stuff like that.
  • 1 0
 But most carbon forks for gravel or road do not have openings at the bottom of the steerer so this only works with straight shot alloy steerers?
  • 2 2
 Please please please,!! make it work with a wheel sensor for precise recording when GPS blips out!!! An ill buy one straight away
  • 4 0
 It has a wheel sensor, "Finally, there's a clever take on a traditional magnetic odometer, which uses a magnetic valve cap and no wires."
  • 1 0
 @Charliegoodvibes: NICE!
  • 1 0
 Nice!, i will definitely check it out, is it Strava LIVE SEGMENT compatible?
  • 1 0
 Does it capture AIR TIME??
Better yet.... Does it connect to TrailForks ??
  • 1 0
 Meanwhile it fails because they haven't tested it sufficiently against vibrations
  • 2 0
 Next up: bespoke 3-D printed screen protector/cover. Only $29.99!!!!
  • 1 0
 Million $$ idea...
  • 1 0
 Well its got one up over my Azonic headlock from.... um.... shit Ive just realised how old it is!
  • 1 0
 I really like it, but man kickstarters always scare me. I'm not paying 250€ just to risk not recieving something for it
  • 2 0
 I’m trying to get out of the Matrix, not in it more.
  • 2 0
 Is a pulp fiction reference for integrated clocks?
  • 1 0
 So it solves a problem I don't have and creates additional problems for me.....sounds perfect
  • 1 0
 The bolt securing it from the bottom was originally "invented" by Pace Cycles in the early 90s
  • 1 0
 These guys are running an unactivated version of Wwindows, on a Macbook, to run NX... I have a feeling it will fail.
  • 1 0
 Now all I need are integrated LED night lights into my carbon bars and helmet !! Waiting.... sigh Confused
  • 2 2
 I can't wait to dump my bike and have it cost more than dumping my dirt bike.
  • 2 1
 Pretty crazy bike dumps if you're often smashing the headset cap. Pretty cheap dirt bike, too.
  • 1 3
 @justinfoil: Faceless troll.
  • 1 0
 @VTwintips: interesting. Can we hear more about this troll with no face knocking you off your bike and selling you dirt bikes for a couple hundo?
  • 1 0
 The outdoors are monetized and I must go!
  • 1 0
 It better be crash resistant, coz it seems it will break at first imapact.
  • 1 0
 OK, but not for me. I swap my computer between my road and mountain bike.
  • 1 0
 my knee is going to smash the shit out of that!
  • 6 0
 I would like to see a picture of how you ride a bike.
  • 1 0
 I’ll just use my phone .
  • 1 0
 Hmm, I’ll wait and see how it turns out
  • 1 0
 But how to it put it into an 1 1/8 Totem steerer?
  • 1 0
 I fucking hate computers - all kinds
  • 1 0
 No bueno, need that joint compartment in my EDC
  • 1 0
 Core caps, for when you’re so core you need a clock on your bike
  • 1 1
 I like it. I have a Garmin that could easily be replaced by this one!
  • 7 0
 Except this has no GPS without your phone.
  • 2 1
 @pisgahgnar: Oh great, phone GPS data is always so accurate!
  • 1 1
 Simply the worst place to mount a computer!
  • 1 0
 Strava is for assholes.
  • 1 1
 Are these guys robots?
  • 1 3
 Is it 1st of April already?
  • 2 4
 Take my money
  • 1 0
 Amen !! I'm in Smile







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