Part 11: Feedback from Riders and Bike Shops

Feedback from Riders and Bike Shops

Over the last three months, I have shown the bike seats to several trail riders and multiple bike shops. The feedback has all been positive.

One of the most memorable encounters happened on a trail in Lanesboro. We were riding into Peterson, MN, where they have a large gnome that is a good spot to take photos. There were two couples there riding e-bikes, taking pictures of each other, and I offered to take a group photo. After we took their picture, I asked them how far they were going to ride that day. Their response was one I had heard many times before: “As long as our butts can endure!”

A memorable encounter on the trail in Lanesboro, where we met fellow riders interested in our quick set adjustable width bike seat.

We showed them our demo seat, and they were very intrigued and interested. We exchanged phone numbers, and I told them I would update them on the progress of the seat. The next day, I received a text from one of the couples asking, “Can we buy two seats before you get your patent?” I let them know that if we take the seats into production, we will receive them in December at the earliest, and I would save two seats for them if they wanted me to. They thanked me and sent me their name and address. The next text I received from them was, “Our butts are soooo sore. We will try anything.”

Other comments we have received:

• “I can’t believe no one has thought about that before.”
• “That is so easy to adjust.”
• “When and how can I get one?”
• “What a simple idea.”

During our car ride down to Lanesboro and back, as well as around our home in central MN, I stopped in multiple bike shops and rental stores to show them our seat. The size of the businesses ranged from 2–3 employees to large box stores with nationwide presence. I did not have any product to sell, so I was looking for feedback on the design and demand.

I received great advice on packaging, warranty, wholesale pricing, sell price, and competition. One bike shop texted me an order for 20 seats from my first production run.

Comments I received:

• “That will sell. Seats are the number one upgrade for e-bikes.”
• “You don’t realize how big a feature the open space in the middle is for men and women. The air flow is a big factor, but taking away that contact area is an even bigger factor.” We literally changed the design of our packaging based on that feedback.
• “I would sell that and use that on my personal bike.”