So my internship is at a new startup... PublicBikes.com

[Meghan54]

Looking at Globe bikes, they seem to use normal transmissions, the Public bikes are using in-hub transmissions, i believe there is a large difference here.

Not really, just a wheel/hub change is all. That hub/wheel combo can be fit to pretty much any bike that takes shifters.

Trek uses that hub in some of their bikes, like the Cruiseliner:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/cruiser/cruiseliner/cruiseliner/

Giant also has that hub in some of their Lifestyle bikes:
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-us/bikes/model/suede.gx/3910/36606/

Specialized's Globe bike line, also:
http://www.globebikes.com/us/en/globe/GlobeBike.jsp?pid=10LIVE2


Price points are scattered all over......from under $600 for a 3-spd aluminum framed Trek to $1500+ Globe 8-spd alu. frame.

 

[MikeMike]

Not really, just a wheel/hub change is all. That hub/wheel combo can be fit to pretty much any bike that takes shifters.

Yea, but what, every day, non sport rider will be doing that themselves? Honestly, there are no real (large) non sport, in city, bikes, and associated shops (i think they are planning this, no clue, but i would bet)

 

[Meghan54]

But the market is already quite crowded with that type bike......as can be seen from the very few examples I've posted above. Every major bike maker/seller already has at least a few models to compete. I guess they're hoping the name is the hook.

 

[MikeMike]

But the market is already quite crowded with that type bike......as can be seen from the very few examples I've posted above. Every major bike maker/seller already has at least a few models to compete. I guess they're hoping the name is the hook.

Other than the globe, those bikes are ugly as crap...

There are a whole lot of issues that I am reading about in their b. plan that they plan to solve, but i can't really divulge that information...

 

[Drako]

Does Globe/Specialized make these, or are they making there own? The Globe bikes look and awful lot like the Public bikes.

Looking at Globe bikes, they seem to use normal transmissions, the Public bikes are using in-hub transmissions, i believe there is a large difference here.

Globe uses the Shimano Nexus 7 and Nexus 8 internal drivetrain on some of their bikes. I'm guessing Public uses the same thing, but I could be wrong

 

[MikeMike]

Globe uses the Shimano Nexus 7 and Nexus 8 internal drivetrain on some of their bikes. I'm guessing Public uses the same thing, but I could be wrong

I don't know much of the parts they are using... I do know that they will have some well known bike designers on board for the product...

and Globe is a well defined competitor.

 

[senseamp]

Interesting, keep us posted, but I agree the name sounds like one of those bike rental services I saw in Barcelona and Paris. I think the barrier of entry is too small, if it takes off everyone and their mother is gonna be doing the Euro look.

 

[MikeMike]

Interesting, keep us posted, but I agree the name sounds like one of those bike rental services I saw in Barcelona and Paris. I think the barrier of entry is too small, if it takes off everyone and their mother is gonna be doing the Euro look.

The name is there for a reason, it's a statement...

i now know so much more it isn't funny, i just did a "why the hell didnt i think of this" after reading the business plan...

 

[senseamp]

The name is there for a reason, it's a statement...

i now know so much more it isn't funny, i just did a "why the hell didnt i think of this" after reading the business plan...

It is intriguing. I think there is a market for this sort of product. If marketed properly, it could be positioned as the Mini of bikes. Premium Euro version of what otherwise would be an economy product.
With such positioning, prices are not unreasonable if there is craftsmanship to back it up and bikes are designed to last. Not my cup of tea, but after doing some travel, I can definitely see the appeal. I wish you good luck. One optional feature I'd urge you to consider is built in wheel lock like I saw on street bikes in Japan. Something like this:
http://austinbikeblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/defenderlock1.jpg

 

[MikeMike]

It is intriguing. I think there is a market for this sort of product. If marketed properly, it could be positioned as the Mini of bikes. Premium Euro version of what otherwise would be an economy product.
With such positioning, prices are not unreasonable if there is craftsmanship to back it up and bikes are designed to last. Not my cup of tea, but after doing some travel, I can definitely see the appeal. I wish you good luck. One optional feature I'd urge you to consider is built in wheel lock like I saw on street bikes in Japan. Something like this:
http://austinbikeblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/defenderlock1.jpg

Idea has been forwarded...
You might be on to something with your vision

Do these locks have the ability to also wrap around something like a normal lock would? I see the advantages, but i also see the fact that it doesnt actually lock onto anything but the wheel, unless i am missing something.

 

[senseamp]

Idea has been forwarded...
You might be on to something with your vision

Do these locks have the ability to also wrap around something like a normal lock would? I see the advantages, but i also see the fact that it doesnt actually lock onto anything but the wheel, unless i am missing something.

I think by default it just wraps around the wheel.
But I see here:
http://www.gazellebicycles.com.au/component/content/article/60.html
Some of them have a chain attachment to go with it.

 

[senseamp]

http://austinontwowheels.org/2008/08/06/review-axa-defender-rear-wheel-lock/

 

[MikeMike]

weight, what an enemy... I am waiting for some responses on multiple things...

 

[senseamp]

weight, what an enemy... I am waiting for some responses on multiple things...

"Light, Strong, Cheap: Pick Two" - Keith Bontrager

 

[mugs]

I don't get it. Are you manufacturing the bikes, or just selling others' bikes at a local shop, or both?

Also, Public Bikes is a terrible name because some cities have bike share/rental services (you get an account and can pick up a bike from an automated rack and then drop it off at another rack, and get charged to your account). The name implies a service, not a shop/brand.

I agree, bad name. Hipster Bikes would have been better and more accurate.

 

[MikeMike]

I agree, bad name. Hipster Bikes would have been better and more accurate.

except they aren't going after the fixie market, which has defined itself already... more of your female market, 30-50...

 

[adlep]

I thought "pubic bikes" for a sec...

 

[senseamp]

except they aren't going after the fixie market, which has defined itself already... more of your female market, 30-50...

That is a wrong demographic, you need to be going after the younger Euro wannabe yuppie crowd. The people who would buy Minis but they live in SF and don't want to deal with the hassle. ~25 year old young professionals, the techie crowd. The people who don't want to be too serious about biking, but do want get around, socialize, and express their inner European. Just go to a Mini dealership (or Apple store) and see the type of people shopping there, that is your target demo.

30-50s MILFs are generally more suburban, have a car for commuting, and are going to go more for fitness type bikes or road bikes, or whatever bikes the hubby is into, which is probably not these bikes

 

[MikeMike]

That is a wrong demographic, you need to be going after the younger Euro wannabe yuppie crowd. The people who would buy Minis but they live in SF and don't want to deal with the hassle. ~25 year old young professionals, the techie crowd. The people who don't want to be too serious about biking, but do want get around, socialize, and express their inner European. Just go to a Mini dealership (or Apple store) and see the type of people shopping there, that is your target demo.

30-50s MILFs are generally more suburban, have a car for commuting, and are going to go more for fitness type bikes or road bikes, or whatever bikes the hubby is into, which is probably not these bikes

http://7x7.com/blogs/get-out/public-bikes-aims-get-san-franciscans-out-their-cars

The Yuppie crowd want fixies... not this... and I am pretty sure these guys know what they are doing...

 

[PaperclipGod]

Add one more to the "thought it was a bike service" score.

Also: "euro styling"? My dad has a bike that looks like this sitting in his barn. It's been there for 30 years. I used to make fun of him for having such a lame bike. Granted, I was 10... lol

 

[FleshLight]

Without further details, it seems like a huge rip off to me.

 

[Homerboy]

I assure you, what the world is not asking for is yet another, small label, limited numbers, high dollars, niche-market bike company. There have been dozens and dozens and all have failed

 

[MikeMike]

I assure you, what the world is not asking for is yet another, small label, limited numbers, high dollars, niche-market bike company. There have been dozens and dozens and all have failed

The vision behind the company is different... It has a very well defined area, very well defined what they are going to do... I can see success in this

 

[Homerboy]

The vision behind the company is different... It has a very well defined area, very well defined what they are going to do... I can see success in this

You realize that same mentality was taken with EVERY company EVER started right?

 

[MikeMike]

You realize that same mentality was taken with EVERY company EVER started right?

Yea, and? It still takes a bunch of people who know what they are doing to take an idea and turn it into a successful venture...