SAN JOSE, Calif. (BRAIN) — Framebuilder Mike Ahrens is getting serious about selling bike-mounted bottle openers. The San Jose builder first made an opener as a joke prior to the 2006 North American Handmade Bicycle Show.
"Originally I made this to amuse my fellow frame builders ... I'd invite them to my booth for a beer, hand them a bottle and suggest they open it on the bike. It was good for some laughs, but there was a lot of genuine interest, so the next year, 2007, I brought some to sell and they all went on opening day. I realized this could be a good accessory product for my business."
Ahrens is now forming a separate business to sell the WiseCracker bottle opener, which attaches to the steerer tube under the stem. Ahrens has the product made in the U.S., mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area. It is available in stainless steel, aluminum or titanium in a wide range of colors and finishes. Custom engraving also is available.
In addition to individual consumer sales, WiseCracker offers bulk pricing for promotions or gifts.
Single units sell for $15-$28 in standard models, depending on the design and materials used. Orders for single and multiple WiseCracker units can be made at the company website, wisecrackerltd.com
