Five Tips for Electric Bike Businesses

[OTH]

...... so many people see bicycles as a fashion item or a symbol of sporting prowess and therefore see electric bikes as for the old, unfit or uncool. .......

That's why appearance is so important if you want to broaden the appeal of electric bikes.

Mainstream bikes became cool with the advent of the mountain bike and, more recently, the poularity of sportive events for roadies. There are plenty of MAMILS (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) out there with money to burn who might appreciate the option of a cool e-bike.

So many e-bikes have the battery in front of the front wheel. This extends the frame's rear triangle and shouts two-wheeled invalid carriage. It will be anathema to many cyclists because a narrower clearance between the rear wheel and the seat tube corresponds to a sportier bike.

Similarly, a nice curvy chain guard only appeals to a small number of conventional cyclists. A small proportion of these will want an e-bike. So, this design feature will appeal to a very small number of people.

The industry may not be able, or want, to reduce its prices. But it can make its products more appealing.

P.S. The point made earlier about using quality components is also very significant.

 

[Patrick]

That's why appearance is so important if you want to broaden the appeal of electric bikes.

No it's image that's important not appearance, they are very different things. Trying to disguise the fact that a bike is an e-bike reinforces the negative image, it sends out the message that riding an e-bike is something to be hidden as an embarrassing secret.

If you can shake off the image held by some people that e-bikes are one step up from invalid carriages then it won't matter that a bike is obviously an e-bike, if you can't shake of that image then pretending to be a "normal" bike won't help much.

I think the best way of broadening the appeal of electric bikes would be to broaden the appeal of cycling in general as a convenient form of transport (rather than a hobby or a sport). If people are cycling for convenience then having a motor to make things even more convenient has obvious benefits, and if the benefits are obvious then e-bike misconceptions would be much easier to dispel.

Patrick

 

[flecc]

The industry may not be able, or want, to reduce its prices. But it can make its products more appealing.

The industry can't design for such a tiny market as Britain to suit our fashion tastes. They design bikes that appeal where the sales are, the Netherlands for example where sales are around 30 for each one of ours. Since the other low countries, plus Denmark and to a fair extent Germany share that taste, the overall market bias may be as much as 60 to 1 in favour of the styles we don't like.

This is why there are such a companies as Cytronex in Britain and Cybien in France to help fill very localised small volume needs.

Personally I agree with Patrick, I ride an e-bike with pride and have no wish to hide that from anyone.
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[flecc]

Flecc, I don't want to drag this thread down to a personal exchange by responding point by point to your incredible claims about exchange rates for example.

Indalo

The exchange rate changes were very real and had a huge impact, but don't take my word for it, use this other example.

When high end battery prices were typically £250 for 36v 10Ah and customers complaining just as bitterly about them in here, David Miall of Wisper in consultation with his battery supplier reached the opinion that the prices would go down over the next two years. He therefore took the brave decision to drop his price to £195 which was thought to be a probable price two years later, stomaching the loss of income meanwhile.

All this was posted by David in this forum.

But then the banking crisis struck, prices hurtled up due to the big shift in exchange rates so the £195 became only a momentary price, those batteries soon reaching £400 and then £500.

Since this concerns someone whose intention was clearly lower battery prices in the interests of sales expansion, we can safely assume the real reason for that sudden jump in prices which was common to all the other makes as well.
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[Alex728]

I think the best way of broadening the appeal of electric bikes would be to broaden the appeal of cycling in general as a convenient form of transport (rather than a hobby or a sport). If people are cycling for convenience then having a motor to make things even more convenient has obvious benefits, and if the benefits are obvious then e-bike misconceptions would be much easier to dispel.

Patrick

in my town more and more young folk are riding hybrids, bikes with mudguards and racks and other "uncool" things, and I've seen people on e-bikes both old and young..... TBH what puts people off e-bikes isn't even price but the current lack of dealers and servicing backup here (Cambridge is many miles away!)

 

[OTH]

Hi

I really feel the new Kalkhoff range especially the Image Bionx model ticks all the boxes when it comes to styling and looks.

Kalkhoff Image B27 BionX Electric Bike

Please take a look and let us know what you think.

Thanks

Scott

This is definately along the right lines. When will it be available, and will there be a size to suit someone 5' 6" tall?

Cytronex have also got it right.

Unfortunately the last post is also significant. Both 50Cycles and Cytronex are 2 to 3 hours drive away - worth it to make the right purchase, but an awful long way to go for backup.

 

[z0mb13e]

The exchange rate changes were very real and had a huge impact, but don't take my word for it, use this other example.

When high end battery prices were typically £250 for 36v 10Ah and customers complaining just as bitterly about them in here, David Miall of Wisper in consultation with his battery supplier reached the opinion that the prices would go down over the next two years. He therefore took the brave decision to drop his price to £195 which was thought to be a probable price two years later, stomaching the loss of income meanwhile.

All this was posted by David in this forum.

But then the banking crisis struck, prices hurtled up due to the big shift in exchange rates so the £195 became only a momentary price, those batteries soon reaching £400 and then £500.

Since this concerns someone whose intention was clearly lower battery prices in the interests of sales expansion, we can safely assume the real reason for that sudden jump in prices which was common to all the other makes as well.
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I thought the exchange rate issue was a given. A few years ago I could happily get a weeks snowboarding (flights, accommodation & lift pass) for £220. Following the pound crashing, you would be lucky to get a lift pass alone for less than that. Things are getting better slowly, but I wonder how much of that is due to the resorts being emptier than they used to be rather than the exchange rate recovering as everything else in the few places I have been recently in the Euro zone seems mighty pricey when converting from sterling...

 

[flecc]

Yes z0mb13e, I was very surprised to be challenged by Indalo on the exchange rate issue. I'd have thought everyone would have been fully aware of the obvious consequences to our purses and the parlous state of the pound following the banking crisis.
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[CeeGee]

I'd have thought everyone would have been fully aware of the obvious consequences to our purses and the parlous state of the pound following the banking crisis.
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Not me! I don't have a purse, (I can't afford one) and I haven't got any money to spend. The international bank crisis pales into insignificance when compared to my finances.

Colin

any donations gratefully received.

 

[flecc]

Not me! I don't have a purse, (I can't afford one) and I haven't got any money to spend. The international bank crisis pales into insignificance when compared to my finances.

Colin

any donations gratefully received.

. I think that goes for many Colin!

Not me though, I stupidly have an ongoing lottery entry but wouldn't know what to do if I won, since I have enough difficulty getting rid of what I already have.

I suppose I could split it among all the members who logged in and posted on a certain day, that would liven up the site!
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[Deleted member 4366]

Guys, I think you should reflect on what Indalo said. He was trying to get accross a geneneral point. I think it's good to stimulate discussion by postulating senarios, but you need to keep an open mind.

I want to ask a question: How was it that I was able to buy what I call a good quality e-bike for £520 and a spare 36v 9ah battery for £180 and my neighbour bought similar for £485 and £160 if the previously postulated facts about costs and margins are correct? We both bought from responsible suppliers in the UK from premises that provide full no-quibble support, refund, spares etc. I am very happy with my bike and find it hard to believe that a bike costing 3 times as much can be much better.

 

[flecc]

Guys, I think you should reflect on what Indalo said. He was trying to get accross a geneneral point. I think it's good to stimulate discussion by postulating senarios, but you need to keep an open mind.

I want to ask a question: How was it that I was able to buy what I call a good quality e-bike for £520 and a spare 36v 9ah battery for £180 and my neighbour bought similar for £485 and £160 if the previously postulated facts about costs and margins are correct? We both bought from responsible suppliers in the UK from premises that provide full no-quibble support, refund, spares etc. I am very happy with my bike and find it hard to believe that a bike costing 3 times as much can be much better.

I have read and understood what Indalo said and retain an open mind. I've never said that it's impossible to supply cheaper e-bikes, I stipulated that I was speaking in justification of the higher priced models. Nor have I ever said that the models costing 3 times as much were that much better, indeed I've often pointed out the law of diminishing returns in here.

If you were to read our posts again I hope you would see it's not me who is lacking an open mind, using sarcasm and making totally unsupported statements.

I can give several scenarios for much cheaper e-bikes being available, but they differ widely so I can't specify for your purchases without knowing what they are and the supplier.
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[tappy]

e-bikes not suitable for the UK market ? not attractive ? Watch this (and other) space.

I don't normally contribute to this type of forum, but I have to say there is a lot of (uninformed and) misleading twaddle posted on here.

Lighten up, there is a whole host of new exciting product coming to the UK market over the next year. Some, really high quality

Just to add, there is also some very informed posts.

 

[flecc]

I have to say there is a lot of (uninformed and) misleading twaddle posted on here.

Brave comment from someone hoping to sell e-bikes!

Our complaint is often about the misleading twaddle that suppliers post.

Storck Raddar e-bike
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[tappy]

Brave comment from someone hoping to sell e-bikes!

Our complaint is often about the misleading twaddle that suppliers post.

Storck Raddar e-bike
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Kind of agree with your first point flecc. The product will do (already is with Retailers) the talking

I have to agree with your second point

 

[flecc]

The product will do (already is with Retailers) the talking

Certainly looks promising, some of us are keen to hear of experiences with that new motor which seems to be popping up in various places in Mainland Europe.

Any reviews planned yet by A to B or Electric Bike magazines, though I suppose the present weather isn't conducive?
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[tappy]

Any reviews planned yet by A to B or Electric Bike magazines, though I suppose the present weather isn't conducive?
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There will be a steady stream of tests and reviews with cycling publications (and others) in the UK for early 2011, leading up to Spring delivery and there after. This will be just part of the 'Brand' package.

I don't want to give too much away at this stage, but I do have a strong background in distributing a 'Premium (Swiss based) Bicycle Brand' in the UK bicycle trade over the past 15 years and spent a considerable time researching the e-bike market before selecting a product that is a quality performance offering.

You are right flecc, the weather has not helped in many ways, but it will soon be Spring

 

[Mussels]

Hi

I really feel the new Kalkhoff range especially the Image Bionx model ticks all the boxes when it comes to styling and looks.

Kalkhoff Image B27 BionX Electric Bike

Please take a look and let us know what you think.

Thanks

Scott

I like the look of that and as a high distance rider I can see the extra value over a cheaper bike.

 

[flecc]

I don't want to give too much away at this stage, but I do have a strong background in distributing a 'Premium (Swiss based) Bicycle Brand' in the UK bicycle trade over the past 15 years

Of course.

I knew of your background in the cycle business and you have my best wishes for success in your new venture. There's always room for new high quality entrants and there's no doubting the way they raise e-bike standards overall.
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