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Schwinn Meridian Adult 26 Inch 3 Wheel Bike

Friday, November 6th, 2009

Schwinn Meridian Adult 26 Inch 3 Wheel Bike




Cruise around in comfort and style with this easy-to-use, single-speed three-wheeled Schwinn Meridian bike. The bike features a low step-through frame, an upright handlebar, padded cruiser saddle, and front and rear brakes. Perfect for rides around town or through the park on a warm, sunny day, the bike features a folding rear basket to stash your picnic lunch or extra jacket. The Meridian also offers a lightweight aluminum frame for a comfortable and stable ride.

Key Features:

  • Frame Type: Tricycle cruiser
  • Frame Material: Aluminum
  • Gearing: Single speed
  • Brakes: Rear band brake with front linear pull brake
  • Wheels: Alloy rims with stainless steel spokes

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that has been synonymous with quality and innovation. They have built some of the best-known and best loved bikes of numerous generations–Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to be a leader in the industry with innovative bikes such as the new Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America’s most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages.

Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it’s important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a new bike:

The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:

  • Road and Racing Bikes–As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
  • Mountain Bikes–With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike–even one that you use regularly on trails–adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
  • Comfort/Cruiser Bikes–For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price
A bike’s price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.

  • Entry-level–You’ll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
  • Mid-range–Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you’re looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the “sweet spot.” Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
  • High-end–Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:

  • Stand-over Height–To find out if a bike’s overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you’ll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you’ll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
  • Top Tube Length–You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike’s posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
  • Bikes for Women–Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women’s bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don’t forget these crucial add-ons:

  • Helmet (this is a must!)
  • Seat pack
  • Lock
  • Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
  • Spare tubes
  • Portable bike pump
  • Gloves

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars ROBUST,WELL MADE, BUT NOTE
Schwinn Meridian Adult 26-Inch 3-Wheel Bike

This made in China tricycle has a lot going for it, including a very capacious carrier/metal basket, quickly and easily adjusted saddle,brakes that lock in position so that the bike will not roll away, but note the following:

It is heavy. You will need to be quite strong if you need to pick it up.

It is 28.5 inches at its widest point. It will not pass through my side door, though it will through the front door.

Will it work for my 5′3 inch wife? It is quite big.

MOST IMPORTANTLY. My recommendation is that you have it shipped to your nearest Schwinn bike shop for assembly unless you are mechanically inclined and have the necessary tools.

NO REVIEWS I HAVE READ POINT OUT YOU NEED TO USE A TORQUE WRENCH WHEN ASSEMBLING THIS TRIKE,an item not to be found in most households and which costs $45 to purchase. I suspect buyers have used a regular spanner which is highly unlikely to tighten a nut correctly.

On balance, I decided to have the trike professionally assembled using the right tools. The cost of doing this was $70. The Schwinn Cyclery who handled this task found that a bolt and two nuts were missing from the kit.

5 Stars 3 wheel schwinn meridian bike
The bike was exactly as pictured on the web page, was easely assembled, and delivered promptly. I am very satisfied, and find the bike just as it was described on the web page. I would recomend this bike to anyone who is interested in a three wheeler. Bill H. Hill

4 Stars So much fun!
I love my new trike! Hadn’t been on a bicycle since the training wheels came off my bike at age 6, so I had no preconceptions about how to ride. My daughter, on the other hand found it difficult to ride and nearly hit a pole.

The reviews on this bike repeatedly talk about how hard it is to put together. It took my daughter’s motor head boyfriend something like six hours before he finally took it to a Schwinn shop for the final adjustments on the front wheel.

He was frustrated, but I am absolutely thrilled with how fun it is to ride. The only problem is that my three year old grandson wants to play chicken with me on HIS trike. Oh, well…

5 Stars Love the Trike
Love the trike when I am good Elizabeth lets me go for a ride in the basket.

We go to the DOGGy PARK and all around our Mobile home park. She lets me look at the golf course however I can’t go on it, only rabbits can. The rabbits hold conventions on the greens, at the 5th hole. I am not allowed in the lakes either but sometimes she lets me walk on a lease beside her and that is fun as I get to read the other doggy news left on the bushes. Most of the dogs in the Park are green with envy when I go riding by their house.

I just love the bike and I think Elizabeth does also as she takes me riding a lot.

Yours Truely

Cindy

5 Stars schwinn
It is a beautiful Blue My FAVORITE COLOR Only I would like to have gotten a 24 in. instead of the 26 in. Because I am only 4′ 11″ tall. But I love it and intend to go shopping with it. Go to resturant and library,

Dont need gas so should save some money there.

Yours Truly

Barbara J. Goss

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Schwinn Coronado Womens Comfort Bike 26 Inch Wheels

Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009

Schwinn Coronado Womens Comfort Bike 26 Inch Wheels




Outfitted with an aluminum comfort frame, an SR M2000 suspension fork to absorb shock, and a soft memory foam saddle, the Schwinn Coronado 26-inch women’s comfort bike is ideal for riding around town or cruising down a leisurely bike path. The bike offers such additional features as alloy linear pull brakes for easy stopping, 21-speed SRAM grip shifters, and a Shimano rear derailleur for effortless shifting between speeds. The rustproof, 36-hole alloy rims, meanwhile, will conquer virtually any terrain, helping provide a smooth, responsive riding experience. The women’s Coronado measures 50 by 26 by 7 inches (W x H x D), weighs 37.5 pounds, and carries a five-year warranty.

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that’s long been synonymous with quality and innovation. The company has built some of the best-known and best-loved bikes of multiple generations, including the Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate, and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to innovate with such releases as the redesigned Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America’s most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom, and performance to people of all ages.

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great Inexpensive Bike!!
It’s been about a month since I purchased my Schwinn Coronado and I’m loving it. Due to the high price of gas I’m now riding my new Schwinn Coronado 14 miles back and forth to work on a light gravel bike trail (It’s also very comfortable road performing bike). The bike was delivered to me packaged with care and with a total cost of less than $240 for the bike (which included the free shipping) how can you go wrong. So far, so good… I’m a happy Amazon / Schwinn customer.

5 Stars Nice Bike
I ordered the bike on Monday and requested the next day shipping offer, which stated the bike would arrive on Tuesday. It did not. It did come the next day. My husband was out of town, so I set out assemble it by myself. (I am an older lady with no special experience in assembling bicycles.) The bicycle appeared to be in good shape, no bent or scratched items and all the parts were there. However, the white reflector for the front and the red reflector for the back had already been attached and the attachments for both were broken. What took the longest was my digging through my husband’s tool box trying to find something that would work since he did not have an allen wrench the right size. The instructions were written for a multitude of bicycles. It was a little confusing which instructions that I should use. It would have been helpful if they had included a sheet on my bike, just saying “This is the bike you have, this is what it has. When assembing the handle bars refer to Handle bar Instructions #1 B. When assembing the front wheel refer to Front Wheel Assembley instructions #3 A, etc.” In reality you get an instruction book that says “To assemble the handle bars, do steps 1, 2 and 3. Just as you are processing those instructions, the next line reads “Some models have a so-in-so, in which case you have to do this-and-that.” Which makes you have to evaluate your bike to determine just what you have and which instructions to use. This was the case with the handle bars, the seat, and the front wheel. At any rate, after getting it unpacked I was making my first trip arownd the yard in about and hour and a half. It seems very comfortable and was very easy to pedal, even accross the grass. It should be a breeze on a paved bike path, even for a little old lady who has not ridden a bicycle in over 40 years.

4 Stars Happy with purchase
I’ve been enjoying this bike for about a month now. Well-made, light-weight and comfortable - great for the price I paid of 219.99 + free shipping. The assembly was not too bad considering I’ve never assembled or worked on a bike before. I was able to adjust the brakes and shifting fairly easily as well. The bike is also pretty to look at! I did end up changing the seat to something a bit more comfortable. But my daughter was happy to have the seat for her Schwinn.

5 Stars Comfort bike is a good name for this model.
At first I thought that this bike was too easy to ride and I feared that this would interfer with my fitness routine. However, after getting used to this comfort, I became completely spoiled. While I would never ride it too roughly, it is a wonderful bike for buzzing around town and for beginning riders. Indeed, for the past three months I rode it back and forth to work and did not even break a sweat. I love the wider seat and shock system, which really cuts down on tail bone pain and other physiological consequences of bike riding. Also, changing the tire tube was extremely easy, and I could quickly switch back and forth between my racing tires and the road tires.

Too bad someone completely trashed my bike– which has me completely bummed. I guess I learned a lesson– be sure to chain both tires when leaving it outside and bring it inside when possible. While the clamp on tires are easy to maintain, they are also easy to steal– someone even stole one of my gears. As a result I had to buy a new bike, and boy I wish I could have this bike back.

4 Stars Solid Schwinn
I found the bike easy to assemble, although the instructions were generic to various Schwinns. I had to provide the Allen wrenches necessary for the assembly. The brakes needed adjusting, but I was able to do that myself without much trouble at all. An attractive, comfortable bike that is a good weight and has handlebars that allow for a little more upright riding, more comfortable for the back. Only complaint is the comfort seat, which is not as comfy as the one on my husband’s Schwinn.

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Schwinn Ridge AL Womens Mountain Bike 26 Inch Wheels

Monday, November 2nd, 2009

Schwinn Ridge AL Womens Mountain Bike 26 Inch Wheels




Hit the trail with confidence with the Schwinn Ridge AL women’s mountain bike. Equipped with an aluminum MTB frame and an SR Suntour suspension fork, the Ridge AL is smooth and sturdy. The front and rear linear pull brakes, meanwhile, provide sure stopping power while on the move. And thanks to the 21-speed drive train and SRAM trigger shifters, it’s a breeze to shift gears regardless of the terrain. Other details include rustproof alloy rims and 1.95-inch-thick tires, 26-inch wheels, a Suntour alloy crank, rust-resistant powder coating, and an adjustable quick-release seat. The women’s Ridge AL carries a five-year warranty.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good bike for the money, but not for taller women
I purchased this bike along with the men’s version for Christmas. Had no problems with assembly (accidentally got the fork on backwards and was hitting my feet on the front tire, but fixed that in 2 minutes), but it did take an hour or two. Based on online reviews, I thought it would need a full front and rear derailleur adjustment, but only some minor barrel adjustment was needed on both. So far, my husband and I have only been on one moderate trail, and there were no problems with his, but a small plastic retainer on my bike popped out on the derailleur. Reassembly without some very special pretensioning tools was not an option, and it was too late to return to Amazon. After a quick and easy call, Schwinn/Pacific Cycles is sending a derailleur at no cost. While I will have no problem attaching a derailleur, others may have to take it to a bike shop and pay for service, whereas if they had purchased the bike at a good bike shop, the part would have been replaced at no cost AND installed for free. I found you couldn’t beat the price, even if I do love the local bike shop.

Other than the problem mentioned above, we have both been very pleased. Smooth shifting after light adjusting, light frame, almost everything came preassembled. I am 5′8″, and I am probably the upper limit in height that can be accomodated on this bike. The Men’s bike is a very nice alternative.

5 Stars As a gift…
for my girlfriend. She hasn’t ridden since she was a child but loves it. She took to it very quickly and it fits very well. She even loves the color scheme which has a purple tint in the blue that is not so apparent on the laptop screen.

4 Stars Good bike, fun ride
I’ve had this bike for nearly two months now, and I think a chronological look at my experience with it would be best suited for this review, illustrating why this bicycle was just right for me and why I give it 4 stars.

I wanted a bike that I could use to commute. I didn’t know much about bikes except the very, very basics and hadn’t rode one in over 10 years. I did some research, learned about frame height, the different types of bikes, compared prices, read reviews, etc, and decided to go for a mountain bike for its upright riding position and the rough patches of the streets I’d be riding on. Of the bikes that fit my needs, I liked this one best for its choice of colors.

The bike arrived with all its parts. The instruction manual explained things as if everyone knows the anatomy of a bicycle, which made things difficult (what did I know about derailleurs and barrel adjusters?), but with my brother’s help was able to get it together in less than an hour. One of the last steps is adjusting the derailleurs (the gear shifting mechanism). The instructions say that while the bike is adjusted in the factory, one MUST readjust it before riding. Since it seemed to be shifting well enough without me on it, out of fear of messing it up I didn’t do this and went to ride the bike.

I fortunately didn’t have any accidents on account of not making all the needed modifications from the get-go. The handlebars would come loose after a while, so I began to carry an Allen key with me. But after the third time I tried positioning them so the brakes would be further down, and the handlebars haven’t come loose since. Shifting was sloppy, noisy, and sometimes missed a gear, but I figured this was due to skipping that last step in the assembly. There was also a clanking noise coming from the right pedal. I found answers to these problems online. A video helped me adjust my derailleurs, and I oiled up the joint between the pedal and the crank. The clanking noise stopped, but some shifts were still sloppy. However, I soon found this was due to poor technique on my part. I don’t know what the “proper” shifting method is, but if I stop pedaling for a second, shift, wait a second, then start pedaling again, it makes the shift quickly, quietly, and doesn’t skip gears.

As for comfort, when I went on a one-hour ride for the first time, I felt a bit sore when I got back home, but the discomfort subsided on its own. Subsequent rides of equal length leave me a teeny bit sore when I get off the bike, but it quickly goes away. Given that I probably won’t need to ride for longer than that, for me it is unnecessary to change the seat. The handlebars are comfortable, and the brakes and shifters are also easy to use.

Now that the bike is properly adjusted and not making that clanking noise, it is a totally awesome ride. No worrying about gas prices or harmful emissions here! Moral of the story: don’t think a product is faulty if you didn’t do everything you were supposed to do, and this is a great bike!

5 Stars It’s a decent bike for the $$
I bought this bike because of the price basically. Not so much because of the Schwinn name anymore because they may as well call themselves Pacific Cycle in China. This bike is made entirely there with the lower end parts to prove it. But it’s not all bad. In fact, I have a lot positive to say about this bike.

- It’s actually very light. They must use a different aluminum in this one then their other bikes carried by Wal-Mart cause those were all a bit heavier. It’s an easy bike to lift up on my roof racks.

- Welds are perfect on the frame and elsewhere.

- The pre-assembled parts were for the most part done right and tight

- Nice light aluminum rims

- Once tuned-up, the v-brakes are strong

- COMES with a water bottle

- Knobby tires are decent quality

- Shimano rear derailleur is not the best but not bad either

- Plenty of documentation on how to adjust everything (the v-brakes needed some Googling though)

- Very well packaged

Here are some things that could be better:

- Spring shock instead of gas makes for somewhat unnatural feel

- Seat is basic and uncomfortable

- No rear rim quick disconnect, only front

- Generic front derailleur

- Combined Shimano shifters and v-brake handles makes for upgrading one or the other impossible

Even though this bike is made with lower-end components, the frame is very light and solid. When it’s all tuned up, this bike operates very nicely. If you’re debating on whether to pick a Schwinn up at Walmart, Target or elsewhere, get it here instead. I’ve tested the Schwinns at those stores and they are all a bit lower-end than this one. Also, I think the $199 shipped is a good deal. Get this bike if you plan on doing light trail riding or cruising.

5 Stars great bike for the price
Had searched all over the web for a budget good bike for my wife who had never ridden a bike before. I found this one, and after reading the reviews I chose it. I don’t regret it.

Rides solidly, feels strong, and has been ridden by my sister, brothers, etc on trails following me on my Mongoose Pro Wing Elite, and the Schwinn coped more than adequately.

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Schwinn Coronado Mens Comfort Bike 26 Inch Wheels

Friday, October 30th, 2009

Schwinn Coronado Mens Comfort Bike 26 Inch Wheels




Outfitted with an aluminum comfort frame, an SR M2000 suspension fork to absorb shock, and a soft memory foam saddle, the Schwinn Coronado 26-inch men’s comfort bike is ideal for riding around town or cruising down a leisurely bike path. The bike offers such additional features as alloy linear pull brakes for easy stopping, 21-speed SRAM grip shifters, and a Shimano rear derailleur for effortless shifting between speeds. The rustproof, 36-hole alloy rims, meanwhile, will conquer virtually any terrain, helping provide a smooth, responsive riding experience. The men’s Coronado measures 51 by 26 by 7 inches (W x H x D), weighs 37.5 pounds, and carries a five-year warranty.

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that’s long been synonymous with quality and innovation. The company has built some of the best-known and best-loved bikes of multiple generations, including the Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate, and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to innovate with such releases as the redesigned Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America’s most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom, and performance to people of all ages.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Good quality for this price
This is my first bike for many years. Still it was very easy to assemble it and make all adjustments. Majority of components are pre-assembled by Schwinn - rear wheel, front and rear brakes, chain and gears. Its even not necessary to make fine tuning at bike shop. Only suspension needs greasing. This bike is good on the road and goes perfectly uphill.

2 Stars Choose a Local Bike Shop
When I had a problem with this bike, I called Schwinn directly. The customer service representative told me that she would not recommend buying a bike online and suggested using a local bike shop to avoid problems. I agree. I was completely satisfied with a reputable local business. Amazon accepted the bike in return, and I appreciated that.

What I liked about this bike: aluminum frame, styling.

The problems: the front tire was defective, the directions don’t match the way the bike is packaged when you assemble it which caused confusion.

5 Stars Great, light, and delivered well packaged
It was delivered in two layers of boxes, and, maybe because of that, there was no apparent damage to the bike.

It looked very nice and light.

With a returned GMC topkick mountain bike, I could not run up a modest slope even using the lowest gear, and was easily exhausted after a short riding.

This schwinn bike returned me a pleasure of riding a bike and allowed me to drive up the hill simply.

3 Stars Good BIke… but not great
I bought this bike about a month ago. The look and style is great. However, the seat is very uncomfortable, I had to get it replaced. Even worse, I have rode it a couple of times already, and the Front Derailleur is already damaged. I need to have this bike tuned up at the local bike shop which will set me back an additional $50.00. While I do expect for Schwinn to make good on the warranty, and send me a replacement part, it is a hassle to have to register, and wait for it. Unfortunately, I may need to come out of pocket even more if I want the part replaced sooner. Overall, this bike is okay, but I will recommend to do serious research before deciding on this one.

5 Stars Schwinn Coronado Men’s Comfort Bike
Very good product. Everything is as described, no surprises. The only thing I didn’t like was when I had to adjust the brake pads and the screws tore the moment I applied a little bit of force with my allen key. It wasn’t a big deal I was able to unscrew them from the back and get new screws before putting them back. The bad thing is that two out of two brake pads that I tried adjusting had the same problem. Other than that, frame, gears, suspension and even brakes work like a charm.

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Mongoose Maxim Dual Suspension Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Mongoose Maxim Dual Suspension Mountain Bike 24 Inch Wheels




Designed for peak performance under rugged conditions, the 24-inch, 21 speed Mongoose MGX Maxim will tackle all your off-road and in-city journeys with ease. It offers an alloy frame with a full (or dual) suspension, which adds a heavy duty shock absorber to the back wheel in addition to the front fork suspension. This full suspension provides more comfort and greater control as you attack the trails. It has 21-speed shifting with a Shimano rear derailleur and SRAM MRX shifting. Other features include a comfortable ATB anatomical saddle, lightweight alloy rims with MTB hubs, alloy linear pull brakes, chunky MTB wheels, three-piece crank, and an MTB handlebar and stem.

Specifications:

  • Frame & Fork: Dual Suspension Frame with Element Fork
  • Handlebar / Stem: ATB MTB Handlebar and Stem
  • Shifting System: 21-Speed Shifting with Shimano Rear Derailleur
  • Brakes: Alloy Linear Pull Brakes
  • Crankset: 3-piece Crank
  • Wheels: Light weight Alloy Rims with Steel MTB Hubs

Assembly of the Bike:
This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.

Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it’s important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re in the market for a new bike:

The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:

  • Road and Racing Bikes–As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
  • Mountain Bikes–With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike–even one that you use regularly on trails–adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
  • Comfort/Cruiser Bikes–For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price
A bike’s price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.

  • Entry-level–You’ll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
  • Mid-range–Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you’re looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the “sweet spot.” Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
  • High-end–Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:

  • Stand-over Height–To find out if a bike’s overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you’ll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you’ll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
  • Top Tube Length–You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike’s posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
  • Bikes for Women–Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women’s bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don’t forget these crucial add-ons:

  • Helmet (this is a must!)
  • Seat pack
  • Lock
  • Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
  • Spare tubes
  • Portable bike pump
  • Gloves

User Ratings and Reviews

5 Stars Great bike with sharp looks
I bought this bike for my son and he absolutely loves it. It has impressive features for the price and also looks awesome too.

4 Stars Good value for the money
My son got this bike for his birthday last year. It is well built and a good value. Works OK for a 4th - 6th grader who’s not quite big enough for a 26 or 27″ wheel bike.

3 Stars good inexpensive bike for youth boy
Quality of the bike was okay but be careful when trying to adjust the cables. The ends pop off really easy and then the cables fray out. I recommend crimping the caps on the cable ends before you start. Other than that pretty nice bike for my son.

5 Stars Great bike for the money
My son loves this bike. It’s well built and required only the normal assembly.

4 Stars Easy 2 Assemble, one glitch
I bought this bike for my 5′2″ 10 year old. He loves it. Granted we’ve only had it for a month. It arrived quickly and was easy to assemble. No worries about gears, they were already assembled and good to go. The one glitch; the rear tire was flat the next morning after assembling it. Had to take the gear assembly apart (argh) and replace. Wasn’t as bad as anticipated. You can get virtually the same bike already assembled at WalMart now for the same or less $$. Wasn’t the case when I bought it. But It seems to be a good sturdy bike.

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