Medien

The bicycle sector needs buying incentives. That is undisputed. In this regard the industry provides an increasing offer in models. There seems to be a suitable bike for every specific intended purpose whatsoever. The media is not entirely innocent in the situation, that’s the opinion of an importer. And the dealers? They must make the best of it and order more bikes – or not? One of the suppliers is convinced that the dealer should oppose the "industry’s marketing activities". On the other hand, it’s actually the stronger diversification which brings a significant advantage: The customer is confused about which bike is the right for him. He therefore seeks advise in a specialist shop instead of buying from the discounter store or online dealer. Suppliers therefore advise the dealers to specialize themselves and strengthen their position. Read in our forum of today which way could be the best.

Offering bigger wheels for mountain bikes was overdue, according to suppliers. This created new buying incentives. And now? "26 inches are dead", says a representative of the industry in accordance with lots of other suppliers. Many insiders of the sector think that the smallest wheel size will have only a right to exist in the entry-level segment. But at present, no one knows whether or not the 29ers or the 27.5ers are the future size. Both sizes are available for the moment. To complete the confusion, a few manufacturers fall back on 26 inches. As the retail sector wishes no more than two wheel sizes, the confusion continues. And most of the fatbikes, the new bicycle type, roll on 26-inch wheels. Read further below which size your supplier will offer in future.

For many manufacturers the end of the e-bike demand has not yet been reached. And some of them state that already 50% of the turnover is made with e-bikes. To date one had focussed on the group of the 50 years old and older. Now younger target groups are to be mobilised for electric bikes. Commuters are another group which shows an important potential. The manufacturers of accessories also discover these possibilities and offer more and more e-bike-specific products on the market. But there are also people who have a cautionary word: "You should not forget the normal, everyday turnover providers", states a supplier. The opinions of the manufacturers on the further development are controversial, as the following SAZbike forum shows.

They're unisex, convenient, and they let just about anybody become a cyclist no matter how athletic. They are pedelecs with low step-through frames, and they have become the top sellers on the e-bike market. Even without knowing exact sales figures, it’s easy to see that this style is the No. 1 pedelec on the roads of Germany. A central tube that curves very low to the ground for an easy step-through makes these bicycles available to broad target groups. That's a welcome development, because it enables people who are overweight or have a disability to start cycling. That's healthy for them and gives them more mobility. Young mothers can reach the saddle easily and comfortably. When riding with a mounted child seat, they don't have to risk the shaky business of throwing a leg over the top tube, as is the case with conventional frames. In short, low step-through pedelecs have a lot going for them.

Following this year’s poor sales season, there are a lot of pedelecs sitting on retailers’ sales floors, and a lot of batteries sitting in manufacturers’ warehouses.

Reproach: Questionable results, arbitrary criteria, sensationalist [nbsp]headlines