Segway is planting its e-bike flag within the US with a brand new devoted electrical bike group 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 have 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 totally different designs of the 2 bikes, they’re each technically categorised as electrical bikes, sporting all the mandatory gear (primarily the absolutely purposeful pedals) and presumably working inside the present US three-class e-bike laws.
However greater than typical electrical bikes, Segway’s fashions seem like armed to the tooth with good tech, offering extremely related bikes utilizing what is called the “Segway Clever Experience System”. The corporate describes it as “industry-leading expertise with options which have extra in widespread with automobiles than e-bikes.”
“In some ways, we’re a expertise firm first,” defined Segway’s head of e-bike Nick Howe. “Product conversations begin with discussions of ‘tech stacks’ and increase from there. We’re utilizing our expertise to create a extra seamless person expertise very like what has been completed with cars.”
What sort of options are we speaking about right here? Your guess is pretty much as good as mine, however we count on to be taught extra because the pre-order date approaches early subsequent yr. From the images 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 to date, to not point out the futuristic and smooth 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 serious US launch, Segway has begun build up intensive operations stateside, together with a devoted e-bike division.
The corporate’s head of e-bike, Nick Howe, joined Segway this summer time, bringing with him 25 years of expertise within the biking {industry}. That features serving as the manager director of Orbea and because the international model director for Trek, to not point out having owned and operated a number of Colorado bike outlets.
Different key additions to the group embody Heather Henderson as senior model supervisor and Sophie Eaton as gross sales operations director. Henderson beforehand served in varied 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, Large Bicycle, and Clif Bar.
In different phrases, Segway has snatched up some key biking {industry} people for its e-bike division’s management group, underscoring the model’s deal with a serious rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to comply with sooner or later. “These are two unimaginable but very totally different bikes and that is solely the start,” stated Howe. “We are able to’t wait to indicate you what else we’ve got in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with build up its US group and getting 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’ll deal with impartial bicycle outlets, devoted electrical bicycle outlets, and what it’s calling “different bicycle sellers” or OBDs—outlets that will not be bike-specific however are a superb match for its e-bikes, comparable to bike, powersports, and out of doors retailers.
Not limiting itself to solely retail gross sales, Segway can be providing on-line gross sales choices the place the bikes could 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 will simply discover service for his or her bikes.
“These are superior machines,” stated Howe. “However they’re additionally very subtle and technical. We need to make sure the buyer has one of the best expertise doable, and meaning skilled meeting and repair. It additionally offers us an amazing alternative to help the sellers who’re the spine of the bicycle {industry}.”
Whereas there are a lot of 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 “prime out within the $3,000 vary.” The corporate is pitching that as a serious deal contemplating the expertise included within the bikes. It’s a bit onerous to guage that but with out understanding what that expertise bundle seems like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re possible 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 inexpensive than heading to the same old suspects of premium e-bike corporations like Specialised, Trek, Large, 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, no less than based mostly on the small print we all know to date? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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