Post by Duncan Ledingham

Product Manager specialising in the Urban Mobility/ Cargo Bicycle Sector.

𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐒𝐜𝐚π₯𝐒𝐭𝐲 πΊπ‘’π‘œπ‘Ÿπ‘”π‘’ π‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ π΅π‘Ÿπ‘–π‘”π‘’π‘‘π‘‘π‘’ 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑𝑒𝑑 π‘ π‘œπ‘šπ‘’ 𝑒-π‘π‘–π‘˜π‘’π‘  π‘“π‘œπ‘Ÿ π‘Ž 𝑝𝑖𝑐𝑛𝑖𝑐 π‘Žπ‘™π‘œπ‘›π‘” π‘‘β„Žπ‘’ π‘™π‘Žπ‘˜π‘’π‘ π‘–π‘‘π‘’. I recently had the experience of helping out at a local bike shop for several mornings, a chance to get back on the front line with direct customer contact instead of boardroom debates. I'd mainly been dealing with some mechanical repairs along with some customer contact, renting hybrid e-bikes. One thing I remarked quickly when explaining the motor systems was how we're still completely overshooting the mark with rental bikes mixed with higher performance components. Especially when dealing with aged clients who chose a more premium bike for comfort, the difficulty of explaining how to change between the modes with a 6x button remote without completely losing them. Even if the focus was on explaining the 'increase/ decrease' power buttons, the risk of forgetting or accidental pressing remains high and mix that with a mild hill climb, boom, we have a confused, stranded rider. Is it the shop's job to adapt the spec or the OEM to suggest? Rental is huge now, are companies creating specific rental lines? Gaining on margin with select correct components? Premium 𝐰𝐒𝐭𝐑 Practicality #inclusivedesign #ebikes #rental #design #cycling *picture mildly exaggerated...

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