Segway is planting its e-bike flag within the US with a brand new devoted electrical bike workforce 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 12 months 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 seemingly 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 labeled as electrical bikes, sporting all the mandatory gear (primarily the totally practical 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 sensible tech, offering extremely linked 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 automobiles 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 broaden from there. We’re utilizing our know-how to create a extra seamless person expertise very similar to what has been carried out with vehicles.”
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 12 months. From the images alone we are able to 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 thus far, to not point out the futuristic and modern designs. The Xafari takes on a extra recognizable cycling-focused design and features a rear rack, whereas the Xyber appears to be like extra like a mini-moto, regardless of its pedals serving to it retain that coveted e-bike classification for authorized using.
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 time, bringing with him 25 years of expertise within the biking {industry}. That features serving as the chief 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 workforce 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, Large Bicycle, and Clif Bar.
In different phrases, Segway has snatched up some key biking {industry} of us for its e-bike division’s management workforce, underscoring the model’s concentrate on a significant rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to comply with sooner or later. “These are two unbelievable but very totally different bikes and that is solely the start,” mentioned Howe. “We are able to’t wait to point out you what else we have now in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with build up its US workforce 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’ll concentrate on unbiased 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 very good match for its e-bikes, corresponding 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 may be ordered on-line after which shipped to an area supplier of their alternative for meeting. This methodology additionally helps guarantee riders know the place they will 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 the perfect expertise doable, and meaning skilled meeting and repair. It additionally offers us an awesome alternative to assist the sellers who’re the spine of the bicycle {industry}.”
Whereas there are lots 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 “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 laborious to evaluate that but with out realizing what that know-how bundle appears to be like like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re seemingly taking a look at e-bikes that can fall someplace within the underserved hole between the finances and premium ends of the spectrum.
These aren’t prone to compete on worth with the finances e-bikes on the market, however must also be extra reasonably priced 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, at the very least based mostly on the small print we all know thus far? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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