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Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

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Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#211

Post by mrkwse »

ganafagol wrote: post #205
FullNameAndy wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After staying on the site for some time, a pop-up form asking for your email in return for an additional $150 off will appear. And yes, the membership is $29/mo or $25/mo if a year is paid up front.

Sorry for sounding negative but that's half a gym membership right there. Except for a gym membership I can go 24/7 down the block (5 min walk) get access to 8 C2 rowers, a bunch of barbells, dumbbells, treadmills and spinning bikes as needed, as well as a sauna and space to train in many different ways with friends. Covid will blow over, blowing 300 bucks on a subscription for such a narrow training gear will just n…

That is an appropriate argument, but afaik it's along the lines of Peloton's subscription pricing. Peloton's shown there's a clearly established market that will pay that sort of price for a home fitness service.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#212

Post by andylynch »

cycomanic wrote: post #113
kitd wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The other challenge I is related to hardware. The reason why everyone is talking about the C2s is that pretty much every other machine is crap. The forces pulling on these machines are substantive and concept managed to make a machine that held up over time, unlike the others. So I hope you guys made those things sturdy enough. Robustness isn't the only reason C2s are considered the best. Unlike all the cheap brands,…

I'm aware of that. I would say that's the main reason why they are popular with all the rowers, but I doubt it's why they are popular with gyms for example. Note of interest, when I was a junior the concepts started to become popular. I was training mainly on the model B, which sounded like a jetplane, incredibly loud! It was such a change when they brought out the model C. I have never seen a model A in real life, b…

The other reason they are popular with gyms (and boat clubs) is twofold; they are virtually indestructible, and whenever do need to replace worn parts, their product support is ace - details manualed, schematics, and parts, even for that forty year old model A.

This support extends right across their lineup - at big regattas, they will be there doing for free oar repairs.

If you want, you can retrofit the latest PM5 monitor on every model, even including the A, and use it on Zwift and friends.

(I have a C2 from '96, and it still goes just like the new one in the gym)

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#213

Post by andylynch »

ramraj07 wrote: post #189
kitd wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The other challenge I is related to hardware. The reason why everyone is talking about the C2s is that pretty much every other machine is crap. The forces pulling on these machines are substantive and concept managed to make a machine that held up over time, unlike the others. So I hope you guys made those things sturdy enough. Robustness isn't the only reason C2s are considered the best. Unlike all the cheap brands,…

Huh I love C2s but have always felt that each rower s values were different. I'd feel the same level of exhaustion in one machine on a 3 compared to a ten on a different machine. Assumed some tolerance was off!

Yes, like other commenter said - check the drag factor when you hop on each machine.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#214

Post by andylynch »

Rooster61 wrote: post #87

C2 owner here, and an ADHD sufferer as well. I've always utterly hated working out throughout my life as sitting on a machine or out running without a goal other than "work out to maintain health" bores me out of my mind. I keep it bearable right now by catching up on TV (the little bit of time I have to actually watch anything these days), but gamification I think would get me even more into it. I'd probably be inte…

Have you tried connected it to something like Kinomap?

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#215

Post by ALittleLight »

Awesome and inspiring story.

I personally can't see paying a subscription for an exercise machine though. Why can't I just buy something and own it without needing to provide recurring monthly revenue to the company who sold me the thing? Rowing is boring, but I solved that for myself with a pair of headphones and a podcast. I have a hard time imagining rowing based games being as interesting (though I did like the concept of your pros versus Joe's).

All said, obviously people do pay subscriptions for stuff like this so best of luck to you and congratulations on your success!

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#216

Post by Grustaf »

mrkwse wrote: post #211
ganafagol wrote: post #205

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sorry for sounding negative but that's half a gym membership right there. Except for a gym membership I can go 24/7 down the block (5 min walk) get access to 8 C2 rowers, a bunch of barbells, dumbbells, treadmills and spinning bikes as needed, as well as a sauna and space to train in many different ways with friends. Covid will blow over, blowing 300 bucks on a subscription for such a narrow training gear will just n…

That is an appropriate argument, but afaik it's along the lines of Peloton's subscription pricing. Peloton's shown there's a clearly established market that will pay that sort of price for a home fitness service.

But isn't Peloton fairly unique? Like Crossfit, it somehow has gained a huge following that is not directly related to the actual product, it's much more about marketing nous.

That is much harder to reproduce than simply building a solid physical product.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#217

Post by FullNameAndy »

ALittleLight wrote: post #215

Awesome and inspiring story. I personally can't see paying a subscription for an exercise machine though. Why can't I just buy something and own it without needing to provide recurring monthly revenue to the company who sold me the thing? Rowing is boring, but I solved that for myself with a pair of headphones and a podcast. I have a hard time imagining rowing based games being as interesting (though I did like the c…

Thank you! Reoccurring revenue is just the name of the game now :)

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#218

Post by FullNameAndy »

ganafagol wrote: post #205
FullNameAndy wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

After staying on the site for some time, a pop-up form asking for your email in return for an additional $150 off will appear. And yes, the membership is $29/mo or $25/mo if a year is paid up front.

Sorry for sounding negative but that's half a gym membership right there. Except for a gym membership I can go 24/7 down the block (5 min walk) get access to 8 C2 rowers, a bunch of barbells, dumbbells, treadmills and spinning bikes as needed, as well as a sauna and space to train in many different ways with friends. Covid will blow over, blowing 300 bucks on a subscription for such a narrow training gear will just n…

I agree. But a lot of people split the cost of the machine and membership with multiple people in a household.

And a lot of people value the convenience of being able to have a fun and engaging workout any time, in the comfort of home.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#219

Post by FullNameAndy »

Mulpze15 wrote: post #207

I am very impressed with what you did, and thank you for sharing the back stories about dealing with manufacturers and the real life pains of troubleshooting customers. This is real, tough entrepreneurship, and I am very surprised by the number of implied criticisms about how not perfect your product, price, positioning... The number of issues you solved already, the fact you have a happy installed based is impressiv…

Thank you!!! I appreciate you taking the time to write this. Tough crowd but they make some valid points I can learn from.

Re: Launch HN: Aviron (YC W21) – High-Intensity Peloton for Rowing

#220

Post by FullNameAndy »

mingabunga wrote: post #208
Mulpze15 wrote: post #207

I am very impressed with what you did, and thank you for sharing the back stories about dealing with manufacturers and the real life pains of troubleshooting customers. This is real, tough entrepreneurship, and I am very surprised by the number of implied criticisms about how not perfect your product, price, positioning... The number of issues you solved already, the fact you have a happy installed based is impressiv…

Came to say the same thing. Congratulations for persevering in the face of lots of frustrations, and coming out with a winner of a product. I know how much of a PIA getting physical products designed, manufactured and shipped is. Sounds like you have a lot of happy customers for the segment you're targeting.

Many thanks!!! It has been a long and painful journey, but also extremely rewarding.
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