After 1.5 years of development and engineering, we began manufacturing the Copenhagen Wheel in December of last year. The first production batches were used for a range of validation and reliability tests as well as for certifying the product for sale in multiple countries. We have successfully passed all tests required for the US and are in the final stages of certification in Europe. We are also in the process of certification in additional geographies.
The final product was presented for the first time at Eurobike and Interbike, two of the world’s largest bicycle shows, a few weeks ago. The reviews from those who tried it have been tremendous, including repeated statements that the Wheel was the best product at the show: https://instagram.com/p/78StP_ABfD
In developing our product, we have created a supply chain which spans multiple countries and includes more than 100 partners and suppliers, many of whom produce custom parts to fit within the unique form factor of the Copenhagen Wheel. Some of these components require several years of development. As a result, we depend on our suppliers for our ability to scale our manufacturing process to high volumes.
We place very high requirements on the quality of the Wheel’s components - a commitment which we will not compromise. We have been facing difficulty in finding sufficient supply that meets our specifications for several parts within the Wheel and we are facing challenges in ramping up production at our assembly facility. As a result, we are ramping up a new production line in the US and we are ensuring the supply of some of the Wheel’s internal components. At the moment, we are unable to estimate exactly how long this process will take, but we will provide updates on this as soon as we can.
We have been shipping in small volumes to early adopters. The reviews from those who received their Wheels have been fantastic. Here’s a quick video that Richard from Portland, Oregon shot of his wife riding her Wheel for the first time: https://youtu.be/ysiMBwtZ_r0
We would like to reassure you that there is a team of 30 top engineers, designers, and manufacturing experts working to bring the Copenhagen Wheel to you. It is a tough task which requires substantial time and resources. Over $9 million and tens of thousands of man-hours have been invested in the development of the Wheel to date and there is still work to be done. We are well-funded and we do not use pre-order deposits to pay for product development - they are only for the fulfillment of intended orders. To reward our supporters for the wait, units sold during this pre-order period are discounted well below their manufacturing cost. If you are uncomfortable with the wait, our policy remains unchanged: you can request a refund at any time.
We regard you as a partner in our effort to bring this product to the world and in our determination to offer a competitive alternative to driving a car. We greatly appreciate your support.
