Haibike USA, a division of Accell North America, will debut 44 new e-bike models next week at Interbike, including many from its more moderately priced SDURO models, which are powered by Yamaha electronic drives.
In its maiden North American season last year, the company offered 15 models, a portfolio that dwarfed most other e-bike manufacturers'. The substantial increase in 2016 demonstrates Haibike USA's bullish attitude towards the market potential of pavement and off-road performance e-bikes in North America, and reflects the enthusiastic reception of the brand thus far.
Known for its focus on performance, Haibike USA's parent company, Winora Group's Haibike Germany, started the centerdrive pedal-assist e-bike revolution in Europe in 2010 with its Bosch-equipped ePerformance XDURO line of pavement and off-road bikes. The introduction of these bikes significantly improved European retail sales by bringing new consumers into the bike market.
In the United States, Haibike quickly garnered industry attention by winning the 2014 Interbike eBike of the Year Award for its XDURO FS RX full suspension e-bike. Last month, ANA announced the formation of Haibike USA, a division supported by ANA's Electric Bike Competence Center and focused exclusively on Haibike-specific sales and marketing.
Haibike USA will bring 20 of the 26-model line up of Haibike Germany's Yamaha-equipped SDURO line to the U.S. in 2016. The SDURO line up has been available in Europe for the last two years, and has proven to be very popular. Just last month, the Haibike SDURO HardFour RX won a prestigious Eurobike Award.
Haibike USA will also bring over the totally redesigned Bosch-equipped XDURO line, which includes significantly improved frames and Bosch's Performance CX drive system. The new line is called XDURO3.
In each of the lines, every wheel size is covered – 26, 27.5, 27.5+, 29 and 700c, and Haibike will offer four women's specific models in the 27.5 and 700c categories.
“Some of the barriers to riding a bike are fitness level and affordability,” explains Ken Miner, Haibike USA's director of sales and marketing. “E-bikes are helping with the fitness barrier, but they are a little pricier than a pedal bike. Consumer demand for more affordable e-bikes is one of the reasons we are bringing over the SDURO line from Europe.”
The U.S. XDURO3 line ranges in price from $3,600 for the XDURO3 Hardseven RC to $16,500 for the limited edition XDURO Fullseven Carbon Ultimate. By contrast, the SDURO line ranges in price from $2,350 for the SDURO Hardseven SM, the company's new opening price point bike, to $6,000 for the SDURO AllMtn Pro.
The XDURO models tend to have an upper-end spec, but the SDURO's Yamaha system costs less. Along with lower price points, the Yamaha system provides 30 percent more battery life reducing range anxiety, a quiet motor with Zero-Cadence instant pedal-assist engagement, and, in all but two models, front derailleurs that provide wider gear options. Because of these features and benefits and Yamaha's unique brand recognition in the U.S., Haibike believes the SDURO line will help the brand and retailers attract more people to bicycles.
Retailers will be able to see and demo Haibikes' new line at the Interbike OutDoor Demo Sept. 14-15 in Boulder City, Nevada (Haibike booth #D3164), and at the indoor portion of the show, September 16-18, at the Mandalay Bay convention center in Haibike's main booth (#11042) and on Interbike's The Circuit demo track (booth #CIR6).
Haibike USA plans to have all 2016 XDURO3 and SDURO models in stock and ready to ship from its U.S. distribution centers in time for the 2015 holiday selling season.
For dealer sales inquiries, contact Ken Miner at ken.miner@haibikeusa.com, and for more information about Haibike USA, go to www.haibikeusa.com.
