Users who answer the entirety of SPIN’s safety quiz correctly can also receive a $5 credit, as well as the chance to order a free helmet. SPIN will be hosting tabling events and safety events where students can earn riding credit and helmets. These are typically 24” or 26” mountain bikes, but the Kent Torpedo is particularly striking because it’s a 20” bike. With 28 percent of bike-sharing systems incorporating e-bikes in 2019 (the last year for which statistics are available) according to the North American Bikeshare Association ,it seems 2021 could well see e-bike share grow even further. NABA’s 2019 figures also found e-bikes were used some 1.7 times more than traditional bikes.
At one point, I smelled burning plastic when it hit me that the smell came from the motor, which was burning hot from overuse. Not wanting to give up my precious gym time, I bought two electric pedal-assist bikes. I chose the Kent Electric Mountain Bike 27.5” from Walmart for a couple of reasons.
The Kent Electric Cruiser’s 350W rear-hub motor was more than capable on the flat roads and bike paths around my home, easily reaching and staying at 20 mph. But when the bike was pointed uphill, the performance was much less impressive. With me pedaling and the power assist at maximum, my speed frequently dropped down into the single digits on steep hills. But uncertainty that has swirled around the fate of the company’s kent bike high-end Kona mountain bike maker has caused a stir in the sector. I would like to think this will make kids ride further or keep up with their parents on longer ride (oh, not enough battery) but they will be used in the park and even if it’s pedal assist – on short rides it will reduce fitness benefits from cycling. Solving problems that don’t exist for normal kids There might be a use for less able kids.
They are a great option for students, employees, and visitors to Kent State University. My 7-year-old nephew struggles to touch the ground while my nearly 9-year-old nephew fits on the bike easily. The fact that younger kids can’t fit on it is probably a good thing. Kids should be a certain age before they are mature enough to handle the extra power of an e-bike, even a low-power one like this. Now before I start getting disgruntled comments, let me start by saying this isn’t a small motorcycle – it’s a pedal-assist e-bike.
Anyone under 160 lbs will LOVE this bike—my wife (5’7 and 130 lbs) is one of those people who is a perfect fit for this e-bike. With a few upgrades, you can confidently ride almost any terrain and the pedal assist adds just enough boost to get you up the annoyingly difficult uphills without making you feel like you’re riding an overpowered dirt bike. Shimano Tourney TX800 8-speed derailleur and shifters are paired with a no-name crank and mechanical disc brakes. Front and rear fenders and a rear rack come standard on the Electric Cruiser, which was a bit of a surprise, given its relatively low price. Most of the people buying this bike will love the wide, padded saddle and upright ride position, but adjusting the saddle angle was next to impossible. While nearly all the best electric bikes I’ve ridden or reviewed over the years have been aimed at commuters or enthusiasts, research shows that older Americans are the most frequent purchasers of motorized bicycles.
So it’s always encouraging to see new speed pedelecs come on the market and the French brand Moustache have just announced the Friday 27FS Speed with a dual battery option. One day while riding a local trail, I took a wrong turn and found myself on a black diamond trail with some huge drop-offs. My front suspension forks took the brunt of the punishment and consequently locked up. For the next couple of years, I continued to ride that bike with the broken forks because standard MTB trails—the greens and blues—don’t require high-end shocks (or apparently any shocks at all). The initial line of Panasonic-equipped e-bikes will include two Van Dessel models – the full-suspension Captain Shred e-mountain bike, with a retail price of up to $8,499, and the hardtail e-gravel bike, which will retail for up to $6,499.
I realized we could skip the gym to train a couple times a week specifically for these longer rides or we could buy e-bikes. The website also hosts a safety quiz that reinforces the messages seen in the videos about proper rider behavior, including where to ride and how to park. Scan the QR code on your phone or click on the link below to take the Safety Quiz. If riders score 100% on the quiz, they will earn $5 in Spin credit. Anyone who takes the quiz, regardless of their score, is given the opportunity to order a free helmet, shipped directly to the rider’s home. SPIN shared eScooters and eBikes must park within one of the designated SPIN GeoZones to end any ride.
Our mission is to be a catalyst for ideas and action that help our community thrive. We wisely dismounted on the steepest uphills and also walked one suicidal downhill. Other than my one crash in a deep washout, we survived the worst trail in the area and had a blast. But after going to the gym and completing several CrossFit workouts each week, the rides became harder and more tedious. Each hill burned out our already fatigued legs and around the 4-mile mark, we’d head back to the car with stiff, cramped muscles.