by Larry Lagarde

The future of the Mobiky Genius is uncertain.

NOBODY has any in stock in the USA and the US distributor now redirects their website to the site of Mobiky's home office in France. What's going on???

Price.

The 12" Mobiky is still being built in France. In fact, the factory recently wrote me that they will be rolling out a 16" version and an electric version within a couple of months. Problem is, it is not currently possible to sell new Mobiky's from France for $699.

Due to the high cost of producing the Mobiky in France, the 12" Mobiky Genius (w/3 spd Sturmey Archer) is now selling in Europe at 789 Euros. Given the current value of the dollar versus the Euro, that's about $1100, pricing the Mobiky similarly to an entry level Brompton. Unfortunately, Mobiky does not have the same fame or following as the Brompton. Additionally, a crop of innovative folding bikes in the same niche (BigFish, CarryMe, Giatex, Strida LT) is coming of age, giving consumers more choices for less cost. And with the emergence of the highly superior Integrated Folding (IF) series of bikes from Pacific Cycles (see this brief video), Mobiky is being squeezed from both sides.

Despite it's higher than average weight and limitation to 3 speeds, I like the 12" Mobiky. I'm sure Mobiky has considered reducing production costs by building their bike in Asia but the design requires lots of special parts machined to a high standard - not mainland China's specialty (Brompton tried this several years ago with disastrous results).

Given that the ultra fast folding, fully suspended 18 spd IF Reach sells for $1700 and that 2 other new bikes that roll when folded will be available this month for less than $600 (3 spd, $549 BigFish & 3 spd $599 Giatex), Mobiky is facing some significant challenges. Hopefully, they will see their way through but $1100 is just too steep for most people, especially during a recession.

Labels: Mobiky-Genius