Fender Blender Universale

The FBU is the most affordable way to bring the magic of human power to your school, organization, event, camp, or home. Almost any bike will work. Pop it on a stationary stand, and start blending!

The advantage of the Fender Blender Universale (FBU) is its simplicity. After a secure installation of the included universal rear rack, you can take this bike blender on and off your bike in under a minute without tools. This means you won’t have to take a bike out of commission just because you want to use it for bike blending. You can use your favorite bike for everyday transport and then blend when you want to.

FITS TO YOUR BIKE

The FBU fits the mountain bike or city bike you already have. Dust off that old bike and bring it back into service by bike-powering treats for your guest, students, and fans.

EVERY FBU COMES WITH A RACK

The basic Fender Blender Universale set up includes a universal rear rack that will attach to nearly all:

>> Mountain bikes (26″-29″ wheel size)
>> Hybrid/Road bikes (27″/700c wheel size)
>> Young adult bikes (24″ wheels)
>> Children’s bikes (20″ wheels)  *as of Nov 2011* 

The included rear rack features vertical adjustability which allows for the range of compatible wheel sizes. This solves problem of your rack sitting at an angle because you happen to have a small or large bike frame. A sturdy rear rack like the one included with your FBU is a great help for other human powered feats, like buying blendables at your farmers market. Now you can carry more stuff around town and take all that stress off your back.  Included in the box are fully illustrated instructions to get you setup and blending ASAP, or view and download them here.

INNOVATIVE MOUNTING SYSTEM

Two stainless steel hooks hold the blender base in place and secure the blender to the rack. Unique clamping design allows for a range of blender positions that accommodate tire widths of up to 2.25 inches. Machined plastic parts are dishwasher safe, virtually unbreakable and made of 85% recycled material.

Hand-drawn instructions show you how to get the best results. Call us for helpful customer service if you’re confused.

WHAT YOU GET:

The Fender Blender Universale comes with a rear rack, blender base, and one Oster-compatible pitcher.

If you’d like to blend in place, you will also need a stand to elevate the rear wheel. We now sell the Fender Blender Universale Stationary Kit, as well as the Fender Blender Universale Stationary Kit with VitaMix Upgrade so you can buy it all in one click!

*NEW UPGRADE* – Commercial grade VitaMix pitcher
2x the volume and 2x bigger blades, giving better circulation of ingredients for faster, more consistent and gratifying blending.

Click here to buy the Fender Blender Universale with VitaMix Upgrade

NEW GROOVED BEARING WORKS WITH SPIN ART ATTACHMENT

Every Fender Blender Universale has our new custom Pedal Power Bearing (PPB), with a groove for side chain activities like Pedal Powered Spin Art. You can start making a splash at events with Bike Blending, then later expand your offering with Spin Art. Or consider the Fender Blender Universale and Spin Art Kit, which includes a bike and stationary stand!

• Bike Blender parts now made from recycled milk jugs

  

  Rock the Bike is excited to announce that the custom plastic components of all the Fender Blenders are being made from 100% recycled or reused plastic. Historically, these parts have been made of virgin HDPE (high density poly ethylene), and now will be made from a recycled source of the same material – recycled milk jugs.

  Rock The Bike has always sought to make products that help individuals tread lightly on the planet. Making sure that our products utilize as much recycled materials in the manufacturing process and contain as many recyclable components as possible is an exciting way to deepen our commitment to being a truly environmentally minded outfit.

• Video shows three different Fender Blenders available from Rock the Bike

  
  This three minute video shows the three different types of bike blenders we make, in use.

• I love your Fender Blender bike blenders. Do you make one for kids?

  Yes. Rock the Bike offers a Fender Blender for kids. We offer a Fender Blender Universale with an extra long roller to reach 20″ wheels for kids approximately 6-10 years old.  Please inquire regarding pricing and availability for this longer roller. 10 year olds and up can also blend with the Fender Blender Pro, pictured [...]

• What makes an ideal bike for blending?

  We encourage you to look for the following features in a new or used bike when identifying the right bike for your Fender Blender Universale:   The ideal tire has smooth sides, thick rubber on the sides/edge where the roller contacts, is 26mm (1inch) or wider and is rated to 50psi or higher.  Inexpensive Hybrid [...]

• How do I blend smoothies in stationary mode with the Fender Blender Universale?

  The FBU requires a trainer to be able to blend smoothies in stationary mode. Without a trainer, you’ll literally have to ride around the block to blend a smoothie. We sell a good-quality basic trainer.  Call us at 888-354-BIKE if you have more questions about Fender Blenders.

• How do I make a thick and tasty smoothie with my Fender Blender?

  NOTE: The directions below are good to follow for the proportions, but not the order. Do not start with ice! The blade needs to get moving and a piece of ice can jam it. Start with something soft like chunks of banana! We’ll be updating this page with up to date photos. First, fill up [...]

• Are there sponsorships and grants available for my Nonprofit?

  Bike Blending in action at Longfellow Elementary’s Spring Carnival Our Nonprofit Discount Program grants refund awards of 15% off your purchase of Rock the Bike gear to a limited number of nonprofit or educational applicants per quarter and has a simple application process. Past Success:  Spring Carnival Longfellow Elementary School The Fender Blender Universale was [...]

• How long does it take to blend a smoothie with the Fender Blender?

  It takes about 30 seconds of medium-hard pedaling to blend a smoothie with a Fender Blender.

• Small business using the Fender Blender Universale

  Aloha from Hawaii! The Fender Blender Universale is now a member of Lanikai Juice Hawaii, where it has been stirring up a scene around the island. It was even the life of the party at the largest town celebration I Love Kailua.      

• Jay pedaled! National TV debut of the Fender Blender Universale

  To our delight Jay Leno climbed on a stylish white and orange step-through cruiser with a properly installed Fender Blender Universale bike blender (FBU) and blended what appeared to be a daiquiri, about 15 minutes into his show as part of the Last Minute Gifts segment. He pedaled for about 15 seconds, though to be [...]

• Enjoyed our bike blender greatly at the retreat.

  We have been enjoying our bike powered blender greatly. We used it on saturday for a Minnesota Campus Energy Challenge Retreat and it will be used again this Thursday for a end of the semester party for our campus bike coop.

  -Miwa in Minnesota

• The kids enjoyed bike blending on the community ride.

  “The kids really enjoyed being able to make healthy smoothies as part of their community ride! Our budget is extremely tight and we would love to be able to add this component to our community rides with your support.” -Bike Smart

• NPR’s Jen Sharpe checks out Human Power on All Things Considered

  Seeing human power as a tool for community building, his company: Rock the Bike, sells what might make a good mascot for the human power movement: A pedal-powered bike blender called the Fender Blender.

• A blast

  “Here’s some pictures of the pedal palace! It was a blast.” She and her partner Beda used the Fender Blender Universale to raise money at festivals. Local cyclists pitched in, carrying all the fruit to the Pedal Palace debut. -Ruby from Colorado

• Jay pedaled! National TV debut of the Fender Blender Universale

  

  To our delight Jay Leno climbed on a stylish white and orange step-through cruiser with a properly installed Fender Blender Universale bike blender (FBU) and blended what appeared to be a daiquiri, about 15 minutes into his show as part of the Last Minute Gifts segment. He pedaled for about 15 seconds, though to be honest I was too busy celebrating and making rock signs to count accurately. Jay had a medium-slow cadence and seemed very comfortable on the bike, smiling his trademark chinny grin and joking as he went — “for the active alcoholic!” Although his leg extension wasn’t optimized for power output, he had no problem crushing ice. He did not tuck in his pant leg prior to pedaling.

  Watch the segment on Jay’s site: fast forward to 25:00 if you’re in a rush.

  

  Above: The Fly Stick Van De Graaf effect levitation wand, one of the cooler toys on the segment.

  Of the 13 products he selected, only three — the FBU, the Fly Stick Levitation Wand, and Snow To Go instant snow — fell into the category of positive, educational, or amazing. The others were novelty gags.

  Six of the products were off-color: a stripping, singing Santa, a pole dancing alarm clock, and two products that involved sticking something (a pencil to be sharpened and a beer bottle to be opened) into the backside of an animal.

  Two were personal care products gone awry — a head massager and a facial treatment system.

  At $249 The FBU was the most expensive product on the segment.  The others (apart from the Deer Rump bottle opener) were all in the $30-and-under price bracket. All of the products were available through the internet. Not a single mainstream store such as Target was mentioned.

  When the producer emailed today to say that Jay had selected the FBU for the show, I had to think for a minute where I’d be able to watch it — there hasn’t been a TV in my place for two years. Luckily Adam had one and was willing to host a viewing party. Four of us from the Rock The Bike crew, plus his two housemates, were there to take it in. At the top of the show, we took bets on whether Jay himself would pedal the bike, or an assistant. Heading into the segment, 4 out of 6 in our SF viewing party thought he’d do the deed. But at the last moment Grace changed her bet and it was 3 and 3.

  
  above: Adam updating Facebook status to “Jay Rocks The Bike” moments after Leno cranked out a frozen cocktail.

  When the show first contacted us a few weeks ago to request an FBU, we offered to send it to them complete and built up on a Jamis city bike. We figured that they’re busy TV people, not bike people, and they’d probably rather have us install it. No thanks, they said, just send hthe boxed FBU. Clearly installation was straightforward for them. The rack was perfectly level and the pitcher sat directly over the rear wheel.

  
  above: the FBU installed on a classic Stumpjumper with Sweetskinz tires.

  Invented in 2006 by Nate Byerley, the FBU is our most affordable bike blender, and it’s the one that a lot of schools, nonprofits, and summer camps buy. Earlier this year our engineer Leif redesigned the FBU so that it goes on and off a bike without tools (once you install the aluminum rack). When the blender base is removed, you’ve got a strong, light, functional rack you can use to commute, carry groceries or boxes. Every FBU we sell is adding carrying capacity to the bicycle fleet of America!

  Bike blending is the most approachable, affordable way to demonstrate human power at an event or school. It’s a great conversation starter —  literally an awesome ice breaker — and one of the few products that can raise environmental consciousness without a guilt trip. It gets people pedaling at events, which reminds them how awesome bikes are. Kids love it! Check out the awesome testimonials we’ve posted for the product.

  We also recently came out with a human power generator that’s compatible with every Fender Blender we’ve ever sold, so that a school that bought one, say, in 2007 can now add the generator and use their FBU to make power for a music system, lighting display, etc.

  Many thanks to Jay and the producers for helping to spread the cheer and magic of Pedal Power at the holidays.

• Freewheelin lends bikes, spirit at DNC and RNC

  
  Above, an elephant bike spotted at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, photo: jacob.scheckman

   

  
  Bike blending in the street on one of 1000 FreeWheelin’ loaner bikes.

  In both Denver and Minneapolis, the bike advocacy crew FreeWheelin’ provided 1000 loaner bikes to both residents and convention goers, easing traffic and keeping bikes on the minds of convention leaders. Shown above mixing smoothies on the road using Rock the Bike’s Mini Bike Blender. Freewheelin kept track of their totals, which reached 7500 rides at the RNC.

  

   

• Fender Blender Universal in Sierra