VeloRUSH VeloPOINT Motorsports Magazine Fall 2013

Hybelec, Hybrid Energy Pro, Kalkhoff, Motorino Scooters & Bikes, MyBike (formerly Pietzo), New World Wheels, OHM Cycles, Optibike, Pedego, Polaris, Prodeco, SBS ( Torker & Batavus), Schwinn, Stromer (BMC owns), Trek, Thrust Ebikes, Urban Mover, Urbana Bikes, and West Coast Electric Bikes. SPECIALIZING THEIR PRODUCTS The competition is growing and with it, differentiation. Appearance, performance and capability matter now. US consumers are becoming more discerning regarding e-bikes and manufacturers are stepping up to set them apart. Targeting commuters, baby boomers, extreme riders, green enthusiasts, and more, e-bike companies have started specializing their products to appeal to specific groups, and people are noticing. In an age where you can easily change the color of your cell phone, laptop, tablet, etc. the US electric bike market has woken up to the fact that consumers are demanding customization and personalization. Instead of shopping for an electric bike, today’s consumers are shopping for color, style, graphics, and fun accessories in order to project their own uniqueness out into a world that has become very busy. Gone are the days of all e-bike manufacturers using generic bicycle frames, you know the one: not quite a mountain bike, not quite a cruiser, not quite a road bike. E-bikes are finally showing some personality, like the people who own them. E-BIKE PURCHASERS Pedego is one of the larger e-bike brands in the US, Pedego has made a name for themselves with the unique style, color, and look of their product. And even though they have a niche product with their beach cruiser style, they’ve managed to snag a large portion of the market. Why? They appeal to the largest group of e-bike purchasers – baby boomers. These are middle-aged folks with expendable income. And people with expendable income want a product that makes a statement about who they are and what they’ve accomplished. And with a price tag for their cruiser that starts at US$1,895 and goes up to US$2,395, you can bet they are showing these bikes off. Pedego isn’t the only one either…BionX, Stromer, Optibike, Kalkhoff, EZ Pedaler, and eMoto are all successfully selling electric bikes that appeal to this age demographic for the very same reason. Each of these companies has created a unique brand that appeals to discerning, more affluent customers. BionX has brought back the high-end retro feel of the 1930s with its Styriette model which sells for around US$4,500. The original Styriette was a gas-powered bicycle way ahead of its time, created by an Austrian company. Stromer (who was acquired late last year by BMC and is now called International Sport Holding (ISH)) channels its Swiss roots marketing a top end, powerful bike that appeals to many Americans. The clean powerful look of both their standard and step-thru models are backed up by great performance. They retail for US$2,850 and up. Optibike has most obviousl H???\?YH^\?HX\??]\?H?[?\???Z[YY8?'?\??\?H?[X??X??Z?\??'K?[??]H?]Z[?X?H[?]?\?H???HT? KNMH?T?KNMK[?H?[??]Z\??\]][?]?\?\?Z\??Z[K??[?????[???]??X[??\?X[??[[???HZ^??Y[??H?[??H??[XX?[]H[??[YK??[???\????Y[??????]?Y?]X[]H??X??[?Z\??[Y\??\?[?[??KX?Z?\????\?\?[??]Z[[?????HT??T?HT? K?NHT??V?Y[\??Z?\?]?H]??Y??X?K?X?H?Y[X??][K?X?\X[??[??\?[[??\X?^H??\?H?X\??X?H?X?Y?[?\?[??\]?H?Z\?\??X??]Z[??T?KMH[?H??X?H?\??[?]??\???T?K ?MK????H??H?HHH?H?H???HH??HHHH?H?H?HHHH?0?? B??

VeloRUSH VeloPOINT Motorsports Magazine Fall 2013 | Page 59