Vintage Stokemonkey kit available
Posted 6 January 2007 | Filed under Entrepreneurship, Stokemonkey[Note: the kit sold.]
One of our earliest customers wrote us an apologetic email explaining his decision to sell his Stokemonkey. Andrew lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with neither car nor kids. He rides his regular bikes plenty, and finds that Stokemonkey is overkill. He hasn’t ridden it much. This calls for no apology! Again, we aim to replace car trips, not bicycle trips. In an ideal world of flattish, human-scale development, roads free of lethal threats to child bicyclists, relaxed schedules, great mid- and long-range transit, etc., Stokemonkey wouldn’t have much to offer anyone! Congratulations to Andrew for contentment in the simpler path.
This is a first. (One other guy almost sold under financial duress, but changed his mind.) If Stokemonkey starts to see more turnover, maybe we’ll set up some kind of used marketplace. Meanwhile, if you want a deal on a lightly used kit, especially if you’re in or around Boston, comment and I’ll pass your email address on to Andrew. I’ll replace the cracked chain guard. I will renew the standard two-year warranty on his fourteen-month-old kit. Exception is the (small) battery: reportedly it’s in serviceable condition, but it’s tough to say how much longer. A used battery is sort of like an open can of beer.
January 6th, 2007 at 16:10
I’m next door in Arlington, MA, and am moderately curious about how these things work (already have Xtracycle and am very happy with it but getting worn out by hills).
January 6th, 2007 at 16:58
I’ll put up my hand too!
Thanks, Adam.
January 7th, 2007 at 06:42
I was going to uninstall the SM kit from my bike soon, but it looks like maybe I should wait a bit, in case any locals interested would like to see it in action. I’d prefer to sell it locally, but I will ship to the lower 48 if I can’t find a local buyer.
Just to clarify Todd’s description: The kit was installed 14mo ago, and ridden no more than 10 road-hours. It has been well-maintained. The only issues with it are a cracked chain guard (which Todd has offered to replace) and the “used” state of the battery. While Todd is right about it being less-than-new, I suspect it still has a lot of life left in it, since it has been kept fully charged, and has only seen about 1/2-dozen full discharges. Since I’m expecting to sell the kit at a discount somewhat greater than the cost of a new battery, the buyer would be getting a great deal: a fully functional kit at a discounted price with a full warranty and a “free” battery.
Oh, and ditto to what Todd wrote about my reasons for selling: The Stokemonkey is a great system, and works exactly as described. It just ended up being more power than I could use.
Andrew
January 7th, 2007 at 07:29
Andrew, I’m VERY interested in your Stokemonkey. I live less than 2 hours away and
am available most of the next few days to come and check it out/buy it. Email me with
your phone number, if it’s still available, and I’ll give you a call to arrange to come
up at your earliest convenience and to talk details. Thanks, Robin
January 7th, 2007 at 19:01
Andrew, we tried to meet you last spring to check out your
Xtra and SM but ended up visiting Todd while we were in Portland.
We’d love the chance to pick up your kit to help with hauling our
kids and groceries. I work in Kendall Square and could meet you
at your convenience. Thanks.
Kevin
January 9th, 2007 at 21:10
I wonder about your comment anent development in FLAT areas. Given that I live in West Virginia, which is not called ‘the Mountain State’ without good reason, are you suggesting that we should move from Almost Heaven to someplace like KANSAS?
January 14th, 2007 at 19:54
Andrew
Is the SM gone? :(
Im in.
cheers
buddy
January 15th, 2007 at 05:35
buddy, and others.
While the actual transaction awaits, it does look like I have a buyer lined up. Thanks to all that inquired. It’s great to know that there is so much interest, and that the kit retains value over time.
I’ll be sure to post a note after the deal is done.
Cheers
Andrew