4 ms·
I think the bike market is already in the process of being disrupted by online sales. Many shops are struggling or have already closed. There are several succes
by no_flags 9y ago
I think the bike market is already in the process of being disrupted by online sales. Many shops are struggling or have already closed. There are several successful online-only brands in the mountain bike world such as Commencal, YT, and Canyon. One difference I see between those companies and Vanhawks is that they clearly offer the best value in their market segment (in terms of price). The Vanhawks bike is not directly comparable to other bikes out there, so it's hard to know if it's a good deal or not. I also wonder how many commuters will want to spend $2k on a bike. The mountain bike brands I mentioned are all aimed at enthusiasts and are able to leverage professional sponsorships and mountain bike specific media outlets to validate their product in the eyes of potential customers.
- Finnucane 9y agoI spent $1400 on mine a few years back. A nice touring bike that is also good for commuting. And on top of that, I've added a dynamo hub, lights, reflective paint, switched out the fenders (twice), and other customizations. But then, I put more miles on the bike than I do on our car, so it's totally worth it for me. On the other hand, I'd never buy this Vanhawk unless I could be certain, for instance, that the electronics would withstand New England winters (I can tell you that ordinary cycle computers do not!). I gave up replacing them because what they tell you is not needed for commuting. I know the route, I know how long it takes, I do it every day. Also, there doesn't seem to be bosses for racks or water bottle holders, which I consider pretty essential.