Comparison of the German,Dutch and UK e-bike market.

[Kudoscycles]

Having attended Eurobike at Friedrichshaven,Southern Germany. Exhibited at 50 plus beurs,Utrecht,Holland and exhibiting at the Cycle Show,NEC this coming week it seemed an opportune moment to consider what each country requires of their e-bike.
The Germans seek high tech bikes which often have equipment they don't really need(Shimano 27 speed XT gears on an e-bike?),Bosch is leading the change to crank drive and 2,300 to 3,000 euros is the norm,they only like new bikes and high price is seen as the norm.
The Dutch are different they are completely risk averse,everything about the bike must be 100% in their control with maintenance contacts and insurance the norm....many customers described the Kudos bikes as too fast(?). There was not a crank drive in sight and not likely to be required,I respect the country is flat but this appeared to be mainly that they did not want anything complicated and crank drive was viewed as such. They wanted a deal but in the region of 1,200 to 1,700 euros was seen as cheap. On the Sachs bikes stand every bike was a step through,even fit males prefered the step through style...our mountain bikes were seen as sport use only and not for everyday usage.
Our experience of trading in the UK is primarily about price,the market is not yet mature enough to understand the e-bike concept never mind the subtleties of specification,the prefered price level is still between £700-£1000,say 800-1150 euros.
I suspect enthusiasts on the pedelec site do not represent the norm of the first time or second time e-biker,they are infinitely more knowlegeable.
I learnt a lot about the differences between these markets and no style of bike can satisfy all three.
Those who think that a cheap crank drive unit will be available soon could be mistaken...the cheaper Asian manufactured units just don't meet the quality levels to compete with the Bosch motor and the higher quality Asian units are so close to the price point of Bosch as to not justify the risk of seeking an alternative.The Dutch market does not want crank drive and most in the UK are not prepared to pay for it,so crank drive will be primarily a German requirement.
Dave
KudosCycles

 

[indalo]

That's an interesting take on things across the major markets of western Europe Dave and I'm sure it's pretty accurate given your position and your need to stay abreast of market trends.

Unlike the VHS v Betamax situation of a few years ago, I doubt there will ever be a decisive winner in the hub-drive v crank-drive competition. I do think there will be a price gulf between the cheap-to-produce hub-drive bikes and the technologically more advanced, (well, I think they are) crank-drives from the likes of Bosch, Panasonic, Yamaha and any other big names who pursue that technology in the future.

For everyday utility riding for most people who try electric bikes for whatever reason, I suppose hub-drive machines, with their moped ability, answer the questions. Hub drives certainly provide for lazy people who don't want to make much effort whereas crank-drives require some input and retain a similarity to old-fashioned cycling without power.

My preference is for the latter but I think it's great that we have the breadth of choice which exists out there now. Long may it continue.

Indalo

 

[Oxygen Bicycles]

good observation Dave, not much to say about it other than I agree with you. All of these markets have their own specific requirements and there is no way that one bike will fit these 3 countries. C u on Thu at the NEC

all the best

Andrew

 

[mike killay]

dave,
When you say quality, to what are you referring?
I know that there are cycling enthusiasts here who will gasp in horror at an e-bike that weighs 25 kilos or more.
But for many others, a good stout frame and forks is seen as a bonus, not a drawback.
Similarly with equipment. My 1992 Universal, all steel wheels and frame, is still in excellent condition mechanically, even though all the components are probably basic.
You hear of desparing owners trying to get alloy frames welded. Something I never heard of in the days of steel bikes.
If you only want an e-bike for transport along roads and paths, there is little point in going super light, or having expensive components.
Please don't think that I am in any way criticising you. It's just that I am probably one of a new breed of e-cyclists, who want an e-bike for transport, shopping, picnics etc. and have no interest in racing or off roading.

 

[RoadieRoger]

Very interesting Dave and it also shows the silliness of having rules and regulations common to all the EU Countries whether for Ebikes or anything else for that matter .

 

[eddieo]

Unlike the VHS v Betamax situation of a few years ago, I doubt there will ever be a decisive winner in the hub-drive v crank-drive competition.

Indalo

Once throttles are outlawed, peoples will start to realise how much more refined a crank drive bike can be...

But obviously always a place for hub motors simply because of price

 

[flecc]

Very interesting Dave and it also shows the silliness of having rules and regulations common to all the EU Countries whether for Ebikes or anything else for that matter .

The rule standardisation is not so much about market differences as the fact that transport crosses borders. There are e-biking commuters who cross the Franco-German border twice a day for work in either country, and this probably happens at other European borders as well. Clearly the vehicle laws in a borderless Europe have to be common to all.