| Overall Rating: |
|
5
out of 5
|
This is a great bike for the cost.,
07/20/2009
I want to start off by stating that I had not been on a bike in a awhile due to surgery. I bought this bike to get back into shape, (and to save a little money on gas and to help the environment a little in the process.) This is a good bike...
1. Weight - This bike comes in around 45 pounds but feels light under me. It is helping me to meet my goals and I am starting to get back into shape. (So far I have gone from 220+ down to 170 pounds.) After riding this bike for awhile you get used to the feel and the weight, if you want a lighter bike then you should get a "road/commuter" bike instead of a "mountain/trail" bike.
This bike is not heavy, it is comparable to any other bike in it's class/price range.
2. Durability - I don't know what anybody is doing to this thing to break it. Unless you participate in extreme sports this bike will be just fine. You need a more expensive bike to handle extreme jumps and big drops and/or hard trails.
It is a very sturdy bike and can handle anything a normal rider would throw at it.
3. Adjustments - As with any bike, you have to learn how to care for and maintain your ride. (I only had to adjust the derailers and brakes. Always make sure that things that are supposed to be tight are tight, and things that are supposed to move, do so freely.) If you do not know how, you can go to a reputable and trusted bike shop and usually they will do it for a very small fee, and most will show you how and what to do. Most respectable shops want you to enjoy your bike and make sure that it is safe and properly cared for to get the most enjoyment out of it that you can for as long as you can.
ANY bike straight off of the shelf, or out of the box, will probably need some adjustments.
4. Ride Quality - I ride this bike daily on a mix of road and dirt trails. The seat is hard, (the more durable the seat the more you tend to give up in comfort), and the linear-pull brakes tend to slip a little in wet/muddy conditions. This bike is not a true a "road" bike, and yet it feels fine on the pavement. And at the same time it is not a true "trail" bike, but has handled the trails I ride just fine. You can ride this bike with some confidence.
This bike transitions very well from paved/smooth roads to trails/dirt and back again without sacrificing ride quality on either surface.
I do get a lot of compliments on this bike, it does look good. (My bike is the black/red combo like in the picture.)
I have bought some other things for this bike, (most of it I got at the same time at Wal-Mart).
-Bell Sports F-20 bike computer
-Bell Sports Night Trail Light set (this lights up the trails just fine, and when on the street it allows others to see you)
-Key Cable Lock with Kevlar (Somebody broke into my back porch and stole my last bikes so make sure you buy quality locks and that you use them!)
-Bell mini/frame push/pull pump (I think they also have Beto double-head mini pumps)
-Water bottle cage (mounts to handlebars)
-Mongoose bicycle gloves
-Bell Adrenaline adult bike helmet
-Topeak Defender fenders, front and rear (durable nylon, quick release, mud fenders)
-Tamer suspension seatpost
-As I stated, I ride everyday, (rain or shine), so I am going to upgrade to disc brakes. Which, for this bike, that means a new front fork (because the current fork doesn't have the disc brake tabs, also called bosses), and new wheels to accept the disc brake conversion. I am probably going to go with Avid BB7 mechanical disc brakes.
-I also might look at a more comfortable seat when this one wears out a little more, the stock seat is a little hard.
Side note, After riding this bike awhile, I realized it is comfortable enough that I could ride it to work three times a week too. So as a benefit to getting into shape, I can also help the planet and save a couple of bucks here and there on gas. However, I will get a road bike for the longer commutes.
In summery - This is an excellent bike for the money. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this bike. Just be wary of your skill set and needs. If you are into professional riding, (cross-country, extreme sports riding, etc.), you will need a more expensive bike tailored to meet your specific needs.
| Value: |
|
5
out of 5
|
| Meets Expectations: |
|
5
out of 5
|
198 of 206 people found this review helpful.