Cowboy Cross: The Sleek and Comfortable All-Road Electric Bike for the Modern Adventurer
The city streets of Europe are alive with the sleek and stylish electric bikes from Cowboy. With their distinctive pill-shaped front lights and streamlined design, these bikes are a common sight among young professionals heading to the office with their trusty laptop in tow.
But Cowboy has now set its sights on a new horizon with the launch of their latest model – the Cowboy Cross. This all-road bike is designed for comfort and long-distance trips, making it the perfect companion for adventurous riders.
A Fresh Design with Minimal Maintenance
Having had the opportunity to preview the new Cowboy Cross, I can attest to its impressive design. With its angular frame, soft matte colors, and fully integrated design, this bike stays true to the iconic Cowboy style. The absence of physical gears and hidden braking cables, along with the use of carbon fiber belts, ensure minimal maintenance for the rider.
Revamped and Ready for Anything
The most noticeable change in the Cowboy Cross is the pair of custom-designed tires. Although slightly smaller, at 26.5 inches, these tires provide greater stability and durability. The front fork suspension, positioned near the wheel, further enhances the bike’s design while hiding the front brake cable within the frame. And for navigating rough terrain, the Cowboy Cross is equipped with a seat post suspension that can be easily adjusted with a screwdriver.
The bike’s design also caters to riders of all sizes, with a lower saddle and larger handlebars for added comfort. Available in both step-over and step-through variants, the Cowboy Cross comes in three colors – light grey, dark grey, and green. It also features a rear rack that can support a child seat or various bags.
More Power for Longer Trips
Not only does the Cowboy Cross boast an impressive design, but it also packs a punch in terms of battery life. With a 50% increase in capacity, this bike can cover distances of 60 to 120km (37 to 75 miles) on a single charge.
Ready for the Long Haul
As with any long-term investment, customers want assurance that their bike will be easy to maintain and reliable for years to come. Cowboy has taken this into account, and in addition to the hardware release, has also announced a new “Check My Bike” diagnostic tool.
Get Your Hands on the Cowboy Cross
Pre-orders for the Cowboy Cross start today, with an early bird price of €3,499 ($3,800 at today’s exchange rate). The regular price is expected to be €3,999 ($4,350).
For customers familiar with Cowboy’s “classic” bike models, priced at €2,699 ($2,940), you’ll be happy to know that the Cowboy Connect pack, priced at €199, now comes included with the Cowboy Cross – a feature that Cowboy co-founder and CEO Adrien Roose believes will double their total addressable market.
“I think it’s a different customer overall. It’s a customer who’s looking for more comfort. So they’re usually a little bit older and have a bit more budget.”
In addition to the bike’s impressive design and features, Cowboy’s mobile app allows riders to access various smart features, such as turning on lights, switching between Eco mode and AdaptivePower, and receiving turn-by-turn directions. The app also features mini-games that encourage riders to push themselves without getting too distracted. These Strava-like features can even be disabled if desired.
The app’s integration with the electric bike’s features, such as the automatic power adjustment depending on slope and weather conditions, has been the subject of a recent patent suit with eBikeLabs. But Cowboy is paving its own path and making software a top priority for the company.
More Designs to Meet Diverse Needs
Cowboy primarily sells its bikes in Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the U.K. Instead of expanding into new markets, the company has opted to diversify its product range with more form factors.
Co-founder Adrien Roose explains, “
We mostly spent the first two years of the company prototyping. During the next five years, we refined our platform. Now, we want to offer our product in different form factors to meet different needs.”
So expect to see even more models from Cowboy in the future as they continue to innovate and cater to a wide range of customers.
Lessons Learned and a Bright Future Ahead
In July 2023, Cowboy’s main competitor, VanMoof, filed for bankruptcy. This had a significant impact on Cowboy as many potential customers were considering both brands. However, with a gross margin of 40% and a team of 100 employees, Cowboy is in a much more stable position than VanMoof, who reportedly had 700 employees at the time of their closure.
Roose remains optimistic for the future, sharing that Cowboy expects to break even on an EBITDA basis this year and generate a net profit next year.
So for those seeking an exciting and comfortable all-road electric bike, look no further than the Cowboy Cross – available in three stunning colors, with a sleek design, and packed with smart features for the modern adventurer.
