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 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 probably 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 required gear (primarily the absolutely purposeful pedals) and presumably working throughout the present US three-class e-bike laws.
However greater than typical electrical bikes, Segway’s fashions look like armed to the enamel with good tech, offering extremely related bikes utilizing what is named the “Segway Clever Journey System”. The corporate describes it as “industry-leading know-how with options which have extra in widespread 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 increase from there. We’re utilizing our know-how to create a extra seamless person expertise very like what has been accomplished 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 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 this point, 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 appears 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 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 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 workforce embrace 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 she or he 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} of us for its e-bike division’s management workforce, underscoring the model’s give attention to a serious rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to observe sooner or later. “These are two unbelievable but very totally different bikes and that is solely the start,” stated Howe. “We will’t wait to indicate you what else we’ve in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with build up its US workforce and getting ready for the launch of the Xyber and Xafari fashions, Segway has additionally introduced plans to develop a nationwide vendor community within the US.
The model has shared that it’ll give attention to impartial bicycle retailers, devoted electrical bicycle retailers, and what it’s calling “different bicycle sellers” or OBDs—retailers that might not be bike-specific however are a great match for its e-bikes, corresponding 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 will be ordered on-line after which shipped to a neighborhood vendor 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,” stated Howe. “However they’re additionally very subtle and technical. We need to make sure the buyer has the very best expertise potential, and which means skilled meeting and repair. It additionally offers us an excellent alternative to assist 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 know-how included within the bikes. It’s a bit laborious to evaluate that but with out realizing what that know-how package deal appears like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re probably taking a look at e-bikes that can fall someplace within the underserved hole between the price range and premium ends of the spectrum.
These aren’t prone to compete on value with the price range e-bikes on the market, however must also be extra inexpensive than heading to the standard suspects of premium e-bike firms 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 very least based mostly on the main points we all know to this point? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part beneath.
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