Unlike similarly-priced bikes at big-box stores, Btwin boasts great quality, kid-friendly geometry, easy-to-use hand brakes (that actually quickly stop the bike!), as well as responsive gears. Not only is the French sport goods giant extremely ambitious but also incredibly keen to provide a level of industry expertise that goes far beyond selling sporting goods. For the Magic Bike concept study, Decathlon brought together four developers from different industrial backgrounds and asked them to solve the riddle of what keeps the urban population from using an e-bike. What are the needs and fears of commuters and how can we address them with an e-bike?
It has since implemented the overhaul of its Triban range, as well as launching two new models. The range will now just be known as Triban, as opposed to B’twin Triban. Sports retailer Decathlon are known for their relatively priced but quality range of products, and their own bike brands Triban and Van Rysel appease the reputation that the French brand have acquired. Specification wise the Riverside 120 has 8 speeds which is changed using the B’Twin TS39 shifters and is also equipped with B’Twin Trekking hybrid road and trail tyres meaning you can venture off along city bike paths or dirt roads. It’s also compatible with many extra accessories such as kickstands and mudguards.
And I truly believe that if you are riding no more than an hour or two at a time, many of the subtleties and advances wouldn’t make any difference to you anyway. The fabrics and materials mostly have a nice hand, the breathability and performance are solid, and the styling ranges from inoffensive right up to pretty nice looking. The 100 level gear is definitely basic, but then again, the prices are ridiculously low, so it’s impossible to complain. If you’re unfamiliar with Decathlon, it’s one of the largest and most well-known outdoor retailers and product developers in Europe.
The bike also features quick-attach proprietary front and rear racks with a child seat option. There appears to be a mid-drive motor that uses a belt drive connecting to rear hub gears that are said to be fully automatic. Rather strangely the belt drive is also fully enclosed – a ‘clean’ solution usually reserved for chain drives. But now it’s exploring what looks to be much pricier and more advanced e-bike tech in the form of a recently announced concept Magic Bike(the B’TWIN CONCEPT_01 to be more precise). Decathlon has unveiled the Magic Bike, or B’TWIN Concept_01, a new e-bike concept.
Diamondback has let slip details of its two latest bikes to make their way onto bike shop stands in 2009, with the existing XTS Moto… Marin Marin’s latest bike, the Alchemist, was turning heads at Eurobike. This new model fills the gap created when the Mount Vision, previously the company’s XC… Up front there’s a RockShox Tora 302 fork complete with remote lockout. Amazingly at this price, you get a Truvativ Firex outboard-bearing crankset teamed with SRAM X-7 trigger shifters and mechs.
Unusually, Decathlon has specced SRAM’s front mech – many manufacturers stick with Shimano up front because, well, they’re better. As the saying goes ‘there is a debate to be had’ and, judging by the comments on the 30mph Van Moof story, a debate there is plenty of interest in, whether you think such e-bikes are just ‘techno-toys’ or a true vision of the future. Connectivity is mentioned, as is automatic wireless locking and unlocking decathlon road bike when the owner approaches the bike. All nice secondary security features but not a replacement for a superstrong lock… The new Mavic Cosmic Ultimate 45 carbon wheels are ultralight with one-piece construction that might put Mavic back at the top. Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves finding new travel adventures to share with his family and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter.
Mountain bikes are designed to be tough and strong while staying safe and comfortable no matter the terrain. Efficient, responsive, and powerful, these bikes are made to handle difficult trails on rough winding paths. So what’s the difference from Performance Bicycle, which attempted to grab the “value” segment of U.S. bike consumers — and failed at it?