Segway is planting its e-bike flag within the US with a brand new devoted electrical bike crew 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 completely different designs of the 2 bikes, they’re each technically labeled as electrical bikes, sporting all the required gear (primarily the absolutely 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 good tech, offering extremely linked 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 vehicles 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 broaden from there. We’re utilizing our expertise to create a extra seamless person expertise very similar to what has been achieved with vehicles.”
What sort of options are we speaking about right here? Your guess is nearly as good as mine, however we anticipate to be taught extra because the pre-order date approaches early subsequent 12 months. From the photographs alone we are able to see each fashions characteristic 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 glossy 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 using.
As a part of the preparations for what’s shaping as much as be a significant US launch, Segway has begun increase intensive 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 international model director for Trek, to not point out having owned and operated a number of Colorado bike retailers.
Different key additions to the crew 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 crew, underscoring the model’s concentrate on a significant rollout with these two new fashions and maybe extra to observe sooner or later. “These are two unimaginable but very completely different bikes and that is solely the start,” mentioned Howe. “We are able to’t wait to indicate you what else we’ve got in retailer for 2025 and past.”
Along with increase its US crew 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 concentrate on unbiased 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 very good match for its e-bikes, equivalent to motorbike, powersports, and outside 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 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,” mentioned Howe. “However they’re additionally very subtle and technical. We wish to make sure the buyer has one of the best expertise doable, and which means 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 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 expertise included within the bikes. It’s a bit exhausting to evaluate that but with out realizing what that expertise bundle appears like, or the remainder of the bikes’ specs, however suffice it to say that we’re seemingly e-bikes that may fall someplace within the underserved hole between the price range and premium ends of the spectrum.
These aren’t more likely to compete on worth with the price range e-bikes on the market, however also needs to be extra reasonably priced than heading to the same old suspects of premium e-bike firms 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, not less than based mostly on the small print we all know to date? Let’s hear your ideas within the remark part under.
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