InsideOutdoor | SUMMER 2022 25 reliability,” he told Vosper. That all could be good news for non-bicycle-oriented retailers, such as brick-and-mortar outdoor and sporting goods stores, that are interested in capitalizing on the e-bike explosion. After all, some the same pain points being addressed by D2C e-bike brands are shared by retailers that have tried to support bikes sales without a formal bike shop or the traditional bike shop experience. Nothing can change the issues around the amount of floorspace needed to carry bikes, and a “showroom and ship it” model that allows customer to “try before they buy” and order for home delivery could work for certain types of physical retailers. But for stores built on service, expertise and community, the expectations around offering bikes have always included post-sale repair services and installation of replacement parts. Likewise, the Achilles heel of the D2C model has always been the aftersale, in-person service and repairs, Benjamin pointed out. And what better way is there, asked Vosper, to minimize these service issue than to build bikes that require less service? Of course, that’s easier said than done, but the auto industry is already at this point, argued Benjamin. “Car warranties in the 1960s were 12,000 miles. Nowadays it’s 50,000 or 100,000,” he told BRAIN. “The (bicycle) industry could, if it chose, ship a bicycle to the consumer that needs little or no service, just like today’s cars,” Benjamin continued. “It’s just a matter of engineering and industry mindset.” Things are already moving in that direction, agreed Vosper. While bearings, brake shoes, spokes, tires, cables and other miscellaneous items all require service and replacement, “they all can become less serviceintensive,” wrote Vosper. “Bearings will get longer lasting. Wire spoke wheels will become rare and cast wheels are already becoming cheap and very accurate. And we’re already seeing a move away from cables to hydraulics.” “Quality batteries are now coming with a five-year warranty; there are Source: Quantum Metric Week of TrafficVolumes by Device: Nov 2021 - Feb 2022 Source: Quantum Metric Mobile Desktop 0 200 400 600 NOV DEC JAN FEB 150% 50% Traffic volume (millions) Mobile Desktop Conversion Rates by Device: Nov 2021 - Feb 2022 Source: Quantum Metric 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 12.5 Conversion rate (%) NOV DEC JAN FEB Global E-bike Market by Type Source: Triton Research, 2022 Pedelecs Throttle on Demand Scooter Motorcycle
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTg4Njc=