| Benno Bikes | |
| Type: | Private |
| Industry: | Electric bicycles, Bicycles |
| Foundation: | 2015 |
| Founder: | Benno Baenziger |
| Location City: | Del Mar, California |
| Key People: | Benno Baenziger (CEO) |
| Products: | Electric bicycles, accessories and related components |
| Location Country: | United States |
Benno Bikes is a bicycle brand and manufacturer of electric bicycles, cargo bikes, 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] 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.
Before starting Benno Bikes, Benno Baenziger co-founded the Electra Bicycle Company with business partner Jeano Erforth in 1993. Electra was "a leading lifestyle brand" that was acquired by a private equity group in 2007 and later sold[5] to Trek Bicycle Company, in 2014.
The company manufactures electric cargo-carrying bicycles. Some of their bicycles have racks and fenders. Some models have an optional sidecar.[3] The Company uses Shimano components, and is seen as being in the forefront of the e-bike industry.[6] [7] [8] The Benno E-bikes all use the German-manufactured Bosch mid-drive pedal-assist motors.[9]
The bikes are seen as an amalgam of being an everyday cruiser, with some cargo-carrying capacity.[8] This could make them a replacement for an automobile.[8] [10] [11]
The company sells several different models: Benno 2020 The RemiDemi; and the award-winning Benno Boost E. 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 and a front rack which can hold . The bicycle has a top speed of .[12] The seeks to compete with vintage Vespas.
Benno Bikes manufactured some non-electric cargo models until 2019, however non-electric bikes made up only 20% of their sales.[9]
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[13] in more than 15 countries worldwide with Germany, France, the United Kingdom,[14] [15] Norway, Australia, New Zealand[16] and Switzerland among them.
Serfas took over sole distribution of Benno bikes in the United States, effective July 1, 2018.[17]
Bicycling magazine named several Benno models best in their category for electric bicycles. The 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".[18]
In 2018 the company was the recipient of the Eurobike Award for the modular concept of its .[19] The judges stated that the fills the gap between a cargo bike and a conventional bike.[20] 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".[21]
Benno Bikes Swiss GmbH was founded in June 2017, by Swiss inventor Samuel Weishaupt.