Benno Bikes

Benno Bikes is a bicycle brand and manufacturer of electric bicycles, cargo and comfort bikes, as well as cargo accessories and bicycle parts. It was founded[1] in 2015 by Benno Baenziger (a.k.a. Bänziger) — who made a name and reputation by co-founding with Jeano Erforth, Electra Bicycle company, a modern electric bike manufacturer,[2] in Del Mar, California.[3][4][5][6] These electric bicycles are a crossover between comfort bikes and cargo bikes. A sobriquet for the concept of these bikes has been described and trademarked as "etility" by Benno.[upper-alpha 1]

Benno Bikes
TypePrivate
IndustryElectric bicycles, Bicycles
Founded2015
FounderBenno Baenziger
Headquarters
Del Mar, California
,
United States
Key people
Benno Baenziger (CEO)
ProductsElectric bicycles, accessories and related components
Websitebennobikes.com

Background

Before starting Benno Bikes, Benno Baenziger co-founded the Electra Bicycle Company with business partner Jeano Erforth in 1993.[3] Electra was "a leading lifestyle brand"[3] that was acquired by a private equity group in 2007 and later sold[9] to Trek Bicycle Company, in 2014.

Products

The company manufactures electric cargo-carrying bicycles. Some of their bicycles have racks and fenders. Some models have an optional sidecar.[4] The Company uses Shimano components, and is seen as being in the forefront of the e-bike industry.[10][11][12][13] The Benno E-bikes all use the German-manufactured Bosch mid-drive pedal-assist motors.[14]

The bikes are seen as an amalgam of being an everyday cruiser, with some cargo-carrying capacity.[10][13] This could make them a replacement for an automobile.[13][15][16]

Models

The company sells several different models: Benno 2020 The RemiDemi; and the award-winning Benno Boost E.[10] Depending on owner preference, and using Bosch Performance Line CX Electric motor, the bikes combine power and stout design. The Benno Boost E — A Cargo E-Bike has been described as a bicycle which can replace an automobile. The electric bike category works well in an urban environment as an automobile replacement. The cargo bike has a rear rack which can hold 90 lb (41 kg) and a front rack which can hold 55 lb (25 kg). The bicycle has a top speed of 20 mph (32 km/h).[17] The eJoy seeks to compete with vintage Vespas.[10]

Benno Bikes manufactured some non-electric cargo models until 2019, however non-electric bikes made up only 20% of their sales.[14]

Distribution

Benno Bikes products are currently sold by more than 200 independently owned cycling stores in the United States and Canada. Outside North America, Benno Bikes has distribution partners[18] in more than 15 countries worldwide with Germany, France, the United Kingdom,[10][19] Norway, Australia, New Zealand[20] and Switzerland[upper-alpha 2] among them.

Serfas took over sole distribution of Benno bikes in the United States, effective July 1, 2018.[22]

Recognition and awards

Bicycling magazine named several Benno models best in their category for electric bicycles. The Benno eJoy 9D was named Best Compact E-Cargo Bike and the Benno eScout was named Best All-Around E-Cargo, although both were noted to be "on the pricier end of the ebike spectrum".[23]

In 2018 the company was the recipient of the Eurobike Award for the modular concept of its Compact eUtility Bike.[24] The judges stated that the Compact eUtilityBike fills the gap between a cargo bike and a conventional bike.[5] The jury found the Benno Boost E "to be solid, strong and versatile. We are particularly impressed by the wide range of transport options. The design is appealing and with its long wheelbase the pedelec is easy to control".[25]

International efforts

Benno Bikes Swiss GmbH was founded in June 2017, by Swiss inventor Samuel Weishaupt.[3]

See also

References

Notes
  1. As Baenziger describes it: “At Benno Bikes we are driven to create bikes that provide true urban mobility and versatility. We are just as enthusiastic about running errands as other bike companies are about winning races.”[7][8]
  2. Air Zermatt has acquired a Benno bike and serves as a "brand ambassador." "The exclusively produced copy is primarily intended to serve the flight assistants as a means of transportation on flat terrain."[3][21]

Citations
  1. Beckendorff, Jo (2016-04-29). "Former Electra Co-Founder Launches Benno Bikes". Bike Europe. reprinted from Bike Europe
  2. "Electro bikes". Bicycling. 47 (4): 1. May 2006. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  3. Neither, Claudio (March 25, 2019). "Thanks to the start-up from Appenzell: The Benno Bike is now also conquering the Swiss market". Tageblatt (in German). Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  4. Strickland, Bill (March 9, 2017). "The Benno Boost E Brings Beauty to E-Cargo Bikes". Bicycling. Retrieved April 3, 2020. This highly-functional E-cargo bike is also wonderfully designed.
  5. "Eurobike Award: These Swiss brands are winning Ride". Ride (in German). Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  6. Carpiet, Lynette (April 19, 2016). "Electra Co-Founder Baenziger Returns to Bike Biz". Bicycle Retailer. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  7. "The Etility Bike". Benno Bikes. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  8. "Benno Bikes". Benno Bikes. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  9. BRAIN (2014-01-06). "Trek announces acquisition of Electra". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  10. Everett, Hayley (20 January 2020). "Ison to showcase Benno Bikes at Corebike". Cycling Industry News. Retrieved April 3, 2020. Benno Bikes prides itself on its 'e-Tility' offering; creating everyday e-Bikes engineered with a blend of ride dynamics, cargo capacity and aesthetics.
  11. Montgomery, Mike (November 26, 2018). "7-Mile Shoes And Electric Bikes: A Story Of Innovation". Forbes. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  12. Georg (May 1, 2017). "Pedelecs and E-Bikes". Pedelek-elektro (in German). Retrieved April 3, 2020. Benno Bikes - Sophisticated Pedelecs from California
  13. "2020 Benno Boost Electric Bike Review" (Video). Propel Electric Bikes. January 30, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020 – via YouTube.
  14. Hill, Toby (13 November 2019). "Benno Bikes Brings "Etility" To Electric Cargo Market". Cycle Volta. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  15. "Benno Boost E 10D Review". Electric Bike Review. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  16. Sherry, Jennifer (March 28, 2018). "The Benno eJoy 9D E-Bike Will Help You Conquer the World: MEET THE ALUMINUM STEP-THROUGH CRUISER BIKE THAT COULD REPLACE YOUR CAR". Bicycling. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  17. Housman, Justin (22 October 2019). "Meet the Benno Boost E—A Cargo E-Bike That Can Replace Your Car". Adventure Journal. Adventure Journal LLC. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  18. "Dealer Locations and International Distributors". Benno Bikes. 2020-03-30.
  19. Morley, Rebecca (December 23, 2019). "Four distributors to showcase new e-bikes at CORE". Bikebiz. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  20. "Benno bike". ebike team. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
  21. "Benno Bikes Presents New E-bike with Fat 20-inch Tires". Radmarkt (in German). September 20, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
  22. BRAIN Staff (June 29, 2018). "Serfas to distribute Benno Bikes in the US". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  23. "The Best E-Bikes You Can Buy Right Now". Bicycling Magazine. 6 January 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  24. "Benno Boost E". Eurobike. Eurobike.com. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  25. EUROBIKE Friedrichshafen (September 7, 2018). "Eurobike Award 2018: the winners". Bike Magazine Germany (in German). Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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