The Flybar

the FLYBAR (Item # FLYBAR) Price:   US $349

The Flybar 1200 is a mobile exercise and stunt bar that enables riders to clear heights over five feet by bouncing on a rubber-like (i.e., elastomeric) spring system that feels similar to a trampoline. Powered solely by a rider’s leg strength and body weight, the elastomeric system is adjustable, allowing the Flybar 1200 to accommodate riders of varying ages, weight and skill levels. The Flybar 1200 is controlled by the handle bars and foot pedals. The Flybar 1200 recently received the 2004 Delrin BrandNew Award given by Dupont for the best new hardware product at ISPO – the world’s largest sporting goods trade show. • Supports rider weight up to 250 pounds • Elevation potential of over 5 feet – dramatically greater than any pogo on the market • Winner of the best new hardware product at ISPO (the world’s leading sporting goods trade show) • Based on a one-of-a-kind, patented, fully adjustable elastomeric spring system. • Powered solely by leg strength and body weight – no pneumatic or artificial propulsion mechanisms • Feels like bouncing on a trampoline – no high impact jumping • Spring system can be tuned instantly to adapt to body weight, skill level and terrain • Compared to other high performance springs, the Flybar 1200’s spring is: • Much lighter than steel • More ergonomic than fiberglass • Smoother than compressed air (and never needs pumping) • Customizable handlebars and landing tip • Adjustable piston length (from 0-18”) making it easier to learn, transport and control the desired bounce height • Fully replaceable and upgradeable system designed to handle heavy use • Extra wide foot pegs for stability and control • High strength aluminum body with vertical reinforcing chambers

Outgrown the pogo stick? Thanks to some new technology, you can feel like a kid again and bounce to your heart's content.  The Flybar is the pogo of the 21st Century, but it's no ordinary jumping stick. In fact the manufacturer, SBI Enterprises, likes to call it more of a "mobile exercise and stunt bar". What makes it so special? Well, with the Flybar, a helmet, and a little bit of practice, you can jump to heights of over five feet! The Flybar is powered only by a rider's leg strength and body weight; there are no pneumatic or artificial propulsion mechanisms. It uses a new elastomeric spring system that makes jumping on the Flybar feel similar to jumping on a trampoline.  Check out the Demo Video here

The elastomeric system is adjustable, allowing the Flybar to accommodate riders of varying ages, weights and skill levels. Each band can be unhooked; so for lighter riders, or for less bouncing power, you can disengage a few of the rubber bands to make the Flybar feel softer. 

If you find that the Flybar starts to feel too soft, you can also reposition the bands to a different slot. The elasticity of the rubber does break down eventually and stretching them out will prolong the bouncing life of the elastomeric system. The bands should last 6-12 months with average use and replacements are available. 

The Flybar 1200 model is designed for experienced and heavier riders up to 250 pounds. The elastomeric system in this stick can generate 1200 pounds of thrust, as the model number implies -100 for each rubber band. Smaller versions tailored to intermediate riders, beginners, and kids will be available soon. These models will be smaller, lighter and provide a lower level of thrust. The 1200 feels quite heavy at 21 lbs, even though it's made mostly out of aluminium. It's much heavier than the traditional pogo stick but it's also a lot sturdier. 

The Flybar is catching on with pro Skateboarders and the Xtreme Sports world. Pros like Andy MacDonald have been able to reach heights of 6 to 6 ½ feet. Tests in a controlled environment have shown that the Flybar is able to propel an average sized person over 7 feet in the air. I don't know if I need to jump that high, but the Flybar definitely satisfies the kid in me. 

-Shannon Bentley, Discovery Channel

Andy MacDonald's Letter Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved to bounce around. First, it was in my Jolly Jumper as a toddler. It was basically a seat with bungee cords that hung from a doorway.  My mother once left me in it while she went to take a shower. When she returned, I had bounced so much I’d flipped upside down and was just hanging there checking out my new perspective on things while my face turned purple. As I grew up, I moved on to bigger and better bouncers like Mom’s bed, pogo sticks, and eventually, trampolines.  The pogo stick was particularly fascinating when I was younger because, much like a skateboard, you could do tricks. The only problem was that as I got older and bigger, the pogo sticks couldn’t handle my abuse. They would bottom-out under my weight as I tried to bounce higher and higher. For years, I searched for a pogo stick that would stand up to the test. Was there nothing that would bounce me higher? Was I the only one with this problem? About two years ago, I met someone that shared my quest for the next generation of pogo sticks. His name is Irwin and he owns the company that has been manufacturing the lion’s share of the earth’s pogo sticks since the early 1900’s. Irwin introduced me to an inventor named Bruce that had recently produced a prototype pogo stick that used a new technology to propel it.  The result was amazing. He had essentially combined the best of two worlds—the pogo stick and the trampoline. An adult rider was now able to bounce three or four times higher than on any other pogo without bottoming out. I tried the prototype and it was an awesome ride. It caught and threw me, much like a trampoline, and provided the smoothest ride ever.  About Andy: Andy Macdonald is the eight-time (and reigning) World Cup Skateboarding overall points champion. During his skateboarding career, Macdonald has won thirteen X Games medals (8 gold), set a Guinness World Record, been featured in a leading public service announcement for The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Craig Kilborn and 60 Minutes, among others. Andy’s unique style and steadfast determination have made him one of the most popular athletes in the sport today. Andy is very active in supporting America’s youth culture. In addition to his alignment with the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, Andy lends support to the Youth Reading Programs and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Mission Valley. In May 2003, Andy’s inspirational autobiography, Dropping in With Andy Mac,” was published by Simon & Schuster. Throughout his career, Andy has attracted an impressive list of sponsors and corporate marketing partners including SoBe Beverage Company, Flybar, Atari, Powell Skateboards, Swatch, Lego, THQ, Oxford Health Plans, MBNA and others eager to align their companies with his positive attitude and uncompromising work ethic. Through the support of partner companies, Andy has released his own signature lines of andy mac™ branded gear including andy mac™ Footwear by Airwalk™, andy mac™ Skateboards, and andy mac™ Safety Gear. Andy is also endorsed by such notable companies as SoBe Beverage Company and Atari.

How high does the Flybar 1200 go? Height achieved on the Flybar 1200 depends on the competency and particulars of the user. This product is powered solely by leg strength and body weight. Assuming an advanced, adult rider, the Flybar 1200 can reach heights exceeding five feet – dramatically greater than any pogo on the market. But remember, it’s not just about height it’s about “feel” too. The Flybar 1200 feels more like a trampoline than a pogo.  What does Andy Macdonald like best about the Flybar 1200? What Andy likes most is that this product “delivers” like no other has come close to! Andy has been an avid “bouncer” since birth – from the Jolly Jumper as an infant, to pogos, to trampolines, he has always liked big air. No surprise given his current career. Unfortunately, Andy’s fun with pogos ended at an early age as no products in the market could support the weight and demands of a grown boy, let alone a man. Since then, Andy hoped for and sought out a product that could deliver where all others lacked. Eventually, his search led him to SBI, who were already developing the perfect combination of pogo and trampoline. He eagerly contributed his expertise and insight to help create a “bouncer” that goes much higher than any other similar products on the market. Is a helmet required? YES! We recommend any user, no matter what age or experience level, wear a helmet while riding any Flybar model. Losing the helmet is crazy – not cool.

Who is the product aimed at?
The Flybar 1200 is tailored to individuals we term “advanced bouncers” – those who have the size, strength and ability to use what will be the most advanced model of the Flybar product line.

How safe are Flybar stunt bars?
The Flybar 1200 has been tested and certified by independent testing labs. All Flybar models are powered by user energy only – they contain no pneumatic or artificial propulsion mechanisms. Advanced bouncers exhibit a tremendous amount of control, going from a jump height of over five feet to a complete standstill in just one bounce. Nonetheless, any Flybar model must be used with caution and care, just like a bicycle, skateboard, or trampoline.

What is the difference between the Flybar 1200 and a pogo stick?
By replacing the steel spring of a “pogo stick” with a patented, adjustable elastomeric spring, we have created a product that is fully adjustable to accommodate a great variety of rider weights and skill levels as well as dramatically increased the product’s height potential. The Flybar 1200 can reach much greater heights than any pogo on the market, and won’t bottom out easily, even for riders weighing up to 250 pounds.

What are few words/phrases that best describe the Flybar product line?
Function comes first. The Flybar stunt bar has a smooth BMX inspired design that puts function before fashion. It’s all about having fun. And, considering the height the Flybar 1200 is capable of, there is enough airtime for all kinds of creativity and excitement. No hype. We’re not trying to make the next Olympic event. Our goal is to create a fun, exciting, athletically challenging product for the world to enjoy. Longevity. As SBI is the company that invented the Pogo Stick in 1918, it fully understands the time-tested appeal of bouncing. SBI developed the Flybar product line not as a means of capitalizing on a short lived, pogo-like fad, but rather to reinvent the sport to give it even broader appeal far into the distant future.