A Ride and a Smile with Dan Marsh
13 Questions
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Dan and Pam Marsh are true believers, having gone from skeptical observers to trial customers to “owning the company.” And now the proprietors of Pedego of Traverse City are encouraging people of all ages to stop in for a free test ride on any electric bike. They’re convinced you’ll experience a bike ride like you’ve never had before.
1. You two own Red Ginger in Traverse City. I just didn’t visualize your next venture to be an electric bike shop.
Neither did we! But two years ago we were up at Bay Harbor for a convention. One afternoon everyone went golfing, but Pam and I decided to try these Pedego electric bikes for rent instead. We weren’t even aware of the company. They were so cool. So a year later we started shopping around to buy a couple, and I test rode every electric bike for sale in Traverse City, and I just didn’t have the same experience. And as soon as we eventually got on a Pedego again, I knew that’s what I wanted. We bought two.
2. I have bikes in my garage, and I just don’t use them. Do you use your Pedegos?
Exactly! As a kid and in college I used a bike, but not much since then. We also had a couple of 15- to 20-year-old pedal bikes that didn’t get used. But once we bought these, we use the heck out of them. We take them camping with us. We ride them on weekends out to Suttons Bay. It’s an entirely new experience!
3. How so?
They just make biking a thrill. They completely solve hills and headwinds. Call me lazy, but I don’t like to ride up hills. Pedego just flattens them out. We love to ride up the Leelanau Trail, and we’ll pedal vigorously on the way there for a workout. Then we’ll go to dinner, have a few drinks, and if I’m not feeling it, I just put on pedal-assist or flip the throttle and go. It’s pretty dreamy.
4. So how do they work?
Most e-bikes out there are Class 1 or 3, which give you a boost only when you’re pedaling, which is great, but it can be hard from a complete stop for some people. That’s a bigger deal as you age. Most Pedego models are Class 2, which means they have three ways of riding: the old fashion pedal, five levels of pedal assist, and then a throttle. And that throttle is a game-changer, or it certainly was for me.
5. How did you go from owning two bikes to opening a store?
We researched the company, and honestly, it reminded Pam and me a lot of Saturn, the car company. It’s just built totally around customer service. Their value system just made sense.
6 . Did meeting the founder of the company sort of push you over the edge?
Right. Don DiConstanzo comes from an automotive background. On our first visit to the company, we went out to dinner with Don and his wife, and he told a story about if he gets a call from a dealer about an upset customer, he tells them, “you better make sure you take care of them, because if they get ahold of me, they’re getting a free bike!” Then we spent a few days just talking to other dealers and it became a no-brainer. These things were made for northern Michigan!
7. There are a lot of e-bikes out there. What else sets Pedego apart?
Yes. You can spend as much as $8,000–$12,000 on an electric bike. But I like to call Pedego the Chevrolet of electric bikes. The average price is around $3,000. They’re one of the two or three oldest American-based electric bike companies, and the only way to buy one is from a dealer. They have by far the best warranty in the business — including the battery — which is unheard of. And they have 20 different models, including mountain bikes, tandems, everything.
8. $3,000 sure can feel like a lot of money for a bike.
And we’re not at all scared to talk about prices. You can spend $800 at Walmart or even $10,000 on a traditional bike you’ll never use. Or you can even go online and find an electric bike for under $2,000, but you’ll have to put it together, and good luck getting it serviced. We now have a new model for just $1,495. And these all come with a complete warranty and service. Any concerns, just come to us —or we’ll come to you!
9. What do you say to someone who’s never been on an electric bike and isn’t sure or is even intimidated?
Listen, e-bikes are not for everybody. Our classic customer is maybe a couple; we get a lot where one is an avid cyclist, but the spouse is not. They want to buy at least one to keep up with their husband or wife so they can do things together. We’ve sold a lot of bikes to older folks, baby boomers and older. It’s fun to get folks who haven’t been on a bike in decades on one. They’re a little trepidatious at first, but you get them on it to ride around for an hour or two and they return to the store literally smiling. They sell themselves.
10. Do people use these bikes for commuting?
They do. We just sold two to our own employees who use it as their main source of transportation. We use them to cross town in the summer; with traffic, it’s quicker than driving. And some customers have ordered studded tires to use them in the winter, too.
11. How does the math add up? Are there savings?
Well, think about it. You don’t have to insure it. The energy costs are about 10 cents from a completely discharged battery to fully charged. There are no parking fees. And you know what? You’ll actually use it. It’s not just a cool novelty.
12. Do the batteries last long enough for a nice, long cruise?
Absolutely. Thanks to companies like Tesla who have invested billions into battery technology, a Pedego uses a lightweight lithium-ion battery with incredible range. Each model has battery options, but unless you’re a really high-mileage biker, you won’t have an issue. They have up to an 80-mile range.
13. Like so many other people, I’ve seen them, but I’ve never actually been on one.
I’d be delighted to put you on a bike with no obligation. In fact, I insist upon it with everyone. And we’ve sold bikes to people all over northern Michigan and even farther away. Just stop in. I guarantee a Pedego will make you smile!
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