Segway is planting its e-bike flag within the US with a brand new devoted electrical bike staff forward of the upcoming launch of its two hotly anticipated long-range electrical bicycle fashions, the Segway Xafari and Xyber.
The 2 spectacular (and maybe barely imposing) e-bike fashions had been first unveiled earlier this yr and are nonetheless slated for a launch in Q1 2025, which is now quick approaching.
Whereas Segway hasn’t spilled all of the beans but (that’s possible coming forward of the January 7 pre-order launch), we do know that the extra commuter-looking Xafari is rated for 88 miles (141 km) of vary whereas the moto-styled Xyber will apparently be able to as much as 100 miles (160 km) per cost in its twin battery format.
Regardless of the radically completely different designs of the 2 bikes, they’re each technically categorised as electrical bikes, sporting all the required gear (primarily the totally useful pedals) and presumably working inside the present US three-class e-bike rules.
However greater than typical electrical bikes, Segway’s fashions seem like armed to the enamel with sensible tech, offering extremely related bikes utilizing what is called the “Segway Clever Journey System”. The corporate describes it as “industry-leading know-how with options which have extra in frequent with vehicles than e-bikes.”
“In some ways, we’re a know-how firm first,” defined Segway’s head of e-bike Nick Howe. “Product conversations begin with discussions of ‘tech stacks’ and develop from there. We’re utilizing our know-how to create a extra seamless consumer expertise very similar to what has been performed with cars.”
What sort of options are we speaking about right here? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine, however we anticipate to study extra because the pre-order date approaches early subsequent yr. From the photographs alone we will see each fashions function full-suspension, hydraulic disc brakes, built-in lighting, fenders, and chunky batteries indicative of the long-range figures we’ve heard up to now, to not point out the futuristic and glossy designs. The Xafari takes on a extra recognizable cycling-focused design and features a rear rack, whereas the Xyber seems extra like a mini-moto, regardless of its pedals serving to it retain that coveted e-bike classification for authorized driving.
As a part of the preparations for what’s shaping as much as be a significant US launch, Segway has begun build up in depth operations stateside, together with a devoted e-bike division.
The corporate’s head of e-bike, Nick Howe, joined Segway this summer season, bringing with him 25 years of expertise within the biking {industry}. That features serving as the manager director of Orbea and because the world model director for Trek, to not point out having owned and operated a number of Colorado bike retailers.
Different key additions to the staff embrace Heather Henderson as senior model supervisor and Sophie Eaton as gross sales operations director. Henderson beforehand served in numerous roles at Trek, Cannondale, and Cervélo Cycles, and he or she has additionally owned and operated her personal bike store. Eaton has senior gross sales expertise with HLC, Cinelli Bicycles, Big Bicycle, and Clif Bar.
In different phrases, Segway has snatched up some key biking {industry} people for its e-bike division’s management staff, underscoring the model’s give attention to a significant rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to observe sooner or later. “These are two unbelievable but very completely different bikes and that is solely the start,” mentioned Howe. “We are able to’t wait to indicate you what else now we have in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with build up its US staff and making ready for the launch of the Xyber and Xafari fashions, Segway has additionally introduced plans to develop a nationwide supplier community within the US.
The model has shared that it’s going to give attention to unbiased bicycle retailers, devoted electrical bicycle retailers, and what it’s calling “different bicycle sellers” or OBDs—retailers that will not be bike-specific however are an excellent match for its e-bikes, comparable to motorbike, powersports, and outside retailers.
Not limiting itself to solely retail gross sales, Segway can also be providing on-line gross sales choices the place the bikes may be ordered on-line after which shipped to a neighborhood supplier of their alternative for meeting. This technique additionally helps guarantee riders know the place they’ll simply discover service for his or her bikes.
“These are superior machines,” mentioned Howe. “However they’re additionally very refined and technical. We need to make sure the buyer has one of the best expertise doable, and which means skilled meeting and repair. It additionally provides us an important alternative to assist the sellers who’re the spine of the bicycle {industry}.”
Whereas there are numerous technical particulars and specs we’re nonetheless ready for, we do have a touch on the pricing. Segway has claimed that the brand new fashions will “high out within the $3,000 vary.” The corporate is pitching that as a significant deal contemplating the know-how included within the bikes. It’s a bit arduous to evaluate that but with out realizing what that know-how package deal seems like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re possible taking a look at e-bikes that can fall someplace within the underserved hole between the funds and premium ends of the spectrum.
These aren’t more likely to compete on worth with the funds e-bikes on the market, however must also be extra reasonably priced than heading to the standard suspects of premium e-bike corporations like Specialised, Trek, Big, and others which have lengthy loved main market share on the extra premium finish of the spectrum.
What do you consider the upcoming Segway Xafari and Xyber, at the least primarily based on the main points we all know up to now? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part under.
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