Email update this morning from nxs
<table class="wrap" role="presentation" width="640" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td align="left" valign="top" width="640">
<h1>Distribution and shipping update</h1>
Again, we apologize for the huge delays. This is very frustrating for everyone. We ran into some unexpected issues with the Android development at the last minute. This caused months of delays. The NXS system is one of the most complex systems in the cycling industry. It was put together by passionate people, not with huge funding from big corporations. But those issues are now resolved. The first release of the NXS app is available. But you won’t be able to see anything without the devices connected. Some people have said we should ship the product before the app was finished. That is just a terrible idea. There were inevitable firmware updates and bug fixes to the device firmware during the Android app debugging. Some of those updates would render the device unusable. We had to wait until the app was functioning perfectly, and properly tested.Since we started the pre-sales, market conditions have deteriorated drastically. The cycling and consumer electronics markets are very stagnant now, especially for higher end products like ours. Shipping costs have increased to the point that we cannot consider direct shipments. Especially since the war in Ukraine started, the fuel and shipping issues have grown exponentially. Dealers and distributors are afraid to commit to a new product. For shipments, everything will need to go through local distribution. But we need to have a mix of new sales and the pre-sales to support this operation. We could ship by low-cost carrier, such as EMS, but I don’t think many customers would tolerate 1-3 months shipping time, with no tracking and no insurance. We did some of that previously, and it was disastrous. Our product contains a battery, and many of these are arbitrarily rejected and discarded. Its just not worth the risk. Currently, DHL is lowest cost, but its about $70usd for a 0.5kg package even to Singapore or Hong Kong. To USA, its more than $100usd. Previously these costs were $15 - $25. You may be able to get a package delivered from Amazon for $10, but we are not Amazon. We need to pay retail shipping prices, or only small discount. Just 18 months ago, we were able to get a 90% discount on commercial air shipping, now its 20% or nothing at all. The fuel surcharges are more than we used to pay for the entire shipping cost. If it sounds like we are making excuses, yes these are excuses, but they are real operating conditions we need to find a solution to.
So, we are looking for some help from local distribution. Our biggest markets are Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. If you are a serious distributor and have interest in this, please contact paulg@cell-cycling.com.
We do have a distributor in Hong Kong (Cycle Gear HK), and he has received a small shipment of product already. These are not pre-sales, but if you are a pre-sales customer in Hong Kong, contact us and we may be able to transfer a small portion of that inventory for pre-sales.
Despite these current challenges, we are still 100% confident in the product and the potential, its just going to take a little longer to get the product into distribution, and to be embraced by customers. The NXS system offers some significant advantages over Di2 and AXS. Once a few customers start to enjoy the product, the news will spread very quickly. We expect in a few months our biggest challenge will be keeping up with the demand.
We want to assure all pre-sales customers that you will not lose your money. Eventually you will receive the product or refund. Its just not possible for us to deal with this it the moment. We cannot commit to a firm date, due to the distribution and market conditions. The number of pre-sales was relatively small compared to the sales volume once this gets rolling, but it’s a lot for a small company like us.
In addition, we ask our pre-sales customers to refrain from negative public comments. That is like shooting yourself in the foot. It only makes our challenges more difficult, and reduces our chance of success. We will definitely get through this, and we ask everyone to be understanding</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
I've asked for a refund and would advise anyone else who has ordered to do the same as there's only four weeks until chargeback deadlines hit. It's shame as it looks to be a good product for comparatively little money. If they ever do manage to launch it, I'll just buy again at full price from a shop - there's a few in aisa already have it listed on their web sites as 'coming soon'.
Anyway it was a pain to log in this am, the captcha wouldn't work and took multiple attempts before letting me through (also worrying). Looking at my previous 'dispatch' tickets on the help desk, they are still unanswered so If I don't get a response by Monday, I'll file a chargeback with my bank card.
It does seem to read that if you are outwith those few markets geographically then you can go swivel. Good idea, terrible management. To then try and blame people for negative social media posts when they have been absolutely shocking at missing deadlines and making false promises with no communication is a bit rich aswell.
Yep - for me it three promises missed / three strikes your out. Regardless of delivery costs they should have sent pre orders by now.
Got the same email. Bit of a dog's dinner (of an email, as well as of a process/organisation. They don't come across well, do they?). You'd have thought something could be done in reaction to this situation to get preorders delivered, even if it's just a one off arrangement with someone in eg the UK to receive and send them on.
You’d have thought something could be done in reaction to this situation to get preorders delivered, even if it’s just a one off arrangement with someone in eg the UK
It seems that they are only looking to get distribution sorted now, after taking preorders with no way of delivering back at the start of the year. The fact they were clearly taking preorders prior to having a product ready for delivery and didn't have a working accompany app is also very frustrating.
On a positive note I've had my refund this afternoon.....
Strangely, after getting a full refund yesterday. Cell cycling have just refunded a further £3.93 into my account today....🤔
So….”here’s all our new products, even though we didn’t ship any kickstarter orders, and didn’t ship our previous products either”?
Ah but they did sell ‘some’ stuff but not to all the people that kickstarted it 🙁
There were most definitely were units shipped but I think it was all dependent on what you’d ordered and how lucky you were.
IMHO I think he took the batch that kickstarters paid for and flogged it on the website.
IMHO think you’d be better looking at that new wheeltop Eds if it’s cheap enough or sticking mainstream with axs or di2.
At least you’ll get something you can ride with and has more support/community knowledge.
Personally my gx axs was considerably less (from shopping around) than even the best AliExpress cost (when you factor in duty and fees) on the Wheeltop mech so I can’t see it being a commercial success out of Asia – unless someone really wants wireless on a sub 12sp cassette.
Yep I think this is the problem and I suppose the biggest buyers would be the bicycle assemblers who are already in bed with sram which is a known brand.
I’d be more interested in a product which allowed mixing and matching of di2 and axs stuff but I’m sure that shimano and sram would sink that 🙂
Check your online order page guys. Looks like all the pre sale orders have been cancelled. No sign of the money though!!
Great way to get free funding for your product. Offer the product for a reduced price, use all that money to develop it, get a load of full price sales on the back of it then cancel the reduced price orders because you won't stand by your offer.
Edit: and they don't even bother to email you to say you've had the order cancelled.
Looks like all pre orders have been refunded according to the website ? I had mine within 2days.
All products are showing in stock apart from the dropper and front mech? Shipping has been updated to 70usd to the UK.
From a bit of internet digging it looks like NXS aka Cell cycling have some involvement with Bikeyolks new wireless dropper. Either selling their wireless dropper design via licences or directly selling off the property. Which is why it's dropped off their own website and is no longer mentioned..... Will be interesting if it can be removed from the bikeyolk post or if they start to sell a separate kit.
Just spotted this. Interesting comments.
Would anyone honestly be daft enough to ride around with that hanging off the back of their bike?
Go Wheeltop if you don't want Shimano/SRAM.
Although I'd not have that hanging off a rear mech, I do like the idea of a electronic unit that would allow me to run any kind of mech against any kind of cassette.
I used the other version of this, you can now get on AliExpress from LTWOO.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006502479391.html
It worked pretty well, the app was a little clunky to start with but once all paired on worked pretty well, not that it's needed much.
Had it running 10, 11 (MTB) and 12 speed road cassettes using the same 10 speed xt mech and it shifted consistently well, quick enough too.
Once I'd got over the lack of shift feeling from not having a cable it was good in use. I didn't get on with the shifter though. Thought I would, but I just couldn't position the two knobbles in the right place without the battery holder getting in the way of my brakes. A more conventional button shifter would have been better, but it may be that all of their mechs and shifters are compatible. They already have a gravel electric drivetrain and are about to release a MTB version too (seen in various vidd from the Taipei show)
