Kenny Fischer wants to fatten up Denver bike commuters.
The 39-year-old founder of FattE-Bikes plans to roll out two new electric bike models, built for commuting and city riding, later this spring.
Folding bike Penalosa and cargo bike Major T, which join two existing models, come with fat tires.
It’s an unconventional move, as bikes with fat tires tend to be heavier and harder to haul around. Fischer said fat tires also tend to be more stable, and the pedal assist makes up for the bulk.
“We did not want to produce a bike that had to get hung up in the garage for a few months because it was nasty outside,” he said. “Why not have a tire that’s safer, especially if it can go faster and do more? Not only are they more stable, but they are more fun.”
Fischer moved to Denver in 1989 and briefly attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Before launching FattE-Bikes last year, he was the creator of the PalletFest, a Sculpture Park festival constructed of wooden pallets, featuring vendors selling upcycled materials.
Fischer also worked on the sales team of New York-based Conversocial. He wanted his next business venture to involve e-bikes, and started the company with personal funds.
“E-bikes are coming,” he said. “They are absolutely the next thing and they are not a fad.”
The first fleet of 22 FattE-Bikes shipped to Denver from the frame manufacturers in Taiwan in October 2017. Since then, the business has sold 35 bikes, each costing $2,000.
“We have already sold out of our entire next fleet,” Fischer said, adding that it is backed up with orders through May.
FattE-Bikes works out of coworking space Workability at the corner of East Colfax Avenue and North Emerson Street. But the core of the business involves selling bikes at festivals and other venues from a converted police van dubbed the “Fatty Paddy.”
“We’re trying to keep our price point at or below $2,000,” Fischer said, adding that FattE-Bikes are only available online, to keep costs down.
Kenny Fischer wants to fatten up Denver bike commuters.
The 39-year-old founder of FattE-Bikes plans to roll out two new electric bike models, built for commuting and city riding, later this spring.
Folding bike Penalosa and cargo bike Major T, which join two existing models, come with fat tires.
It’s an unconventional move, as bikes with fat tires tend to be heavier and harder to haul around. Fischer said fat tires also tend to be more stable, and the pedal assist makes up for the bulk.
“We did not want to produce a bike that had to get hung up in the garage for a few months because it was nasty outside,” he said. “Why not have a tire that’s safer, especially if it can go faster and do more? Not only are they more stable, but they are more fun.”
Fischer moved to Denver in 1989 and briefly attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. Before launching FattE-Bikes last year, he was the creator of the PalletFest, a Sculpture Park festival constructed of wooden pallets, featuring vendors selling upcycled materials.
Fischer also worked on the sales team of New York-based Conversocial. He wanted his next business venture to involve e-bikes, and started the company with personal funds.
“E-bikes are coming,” he said. “They are absolutely the next thing and they are not a fad.”
The first fleet of 22 FattE-Bikes shipped to Denver from the frame manufacturers in Taiwan in October 2017. Since then, the business has sold 35 bikes, each costing $2,000.
“We have already sold out of our entire next fleet,” Fischer said, adding that it is backed up with orders through May.
FattE-Bikes works out of coworking space Workability at the corner of East Colfax Avenue and North Emerson Street. But the core of the business involves selling bikes at festivals and other venues from a converted police van dubbed the “Fatty Paddy.”
“We’re trying to keep our price point at or below $2,000,” Fischer said, adding that FattE-Bikes are only available online, to keep costs down.
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