I am 5’7″ and the bike fit me fine with the seat post in the lowest position, so it’s likely riders slightly taller could also use this size. I had my 5’3″ daughter try the bike, and she found it too tall for her. There are a few things to know about the motor itself in action. First, if you stop pedaling, after a few seconds, the pedal assist will shut down — until you begin pedaling again, which will kick it back on. Second, when you brake, same thing — the juice cuts off. These things do take some getting used to, but with repeated tests became expected, second nature behaviors of the bike.
Nonetheless, I wish there was a way to zip around town without having to pedal at all. Despite my desire to only bike for exercise, I do admit I get lazy sometimes. There are five speeds you can adjust via the bike’s thumb pad controller located on the left handle. The LED display shows you how much assistance you’re getting, as well as how much battery life is left. When you want to stop, just squeeze the brake levers and the motor cuts off. Riding this bike is easy enough, once you remember to turn the key on.
While it’s been a popular mode of transportation for decades, the Amish have caught on to how e-bikes are a great, low-cost way to get around. Schwinn has been making bicycles for over 100 years. It’s easy to see the affordable quality when you see a Schwinn. Very important to note; if there’s any part that you don’t see, please, don’t hesitate to ask through the email that is provided on the app, or website.
On a subsequent test climb, I experimented with the throttle while not pedaling at all. The throttle kept the bike moving, but as I neared the summit, the speed became so slow that I would have fallen over had I not started pedaling. That struck me as about right, for as I said before, I wasn’t looking for a free ride.
It’s surprisingly elegant, and though one friend described it as “goofy” looking, we think that its look suits the intended rider — but more on that below. For those not terribly familiar with electric bikes, the Schwinn’s battery charges up about as fast as its contemporaries on the market, and is actually much faster than many. Hold on to your handlebars because Razor has just introduced an affordable electric bicycle for adults. Say hello to the all-new Rambler 20, the retro-styled ebike that’s sure to turn heads. This Razor scooter is designed specifically for adults and boasts a retro style that is reminiscent of old-school cruisers. With this new addition, Razor continues its mission of providing affordable, high-quality products that inspire riders of all ages to get outside and play.
We found the Tailwind works largely as advertised, with a nice assist while riding around town and a battery with a high capacity that recharges quickly. On our test bike, the front brakes were too grabby, and we wondered why such an expensive bike wouldn’t have disc brakes. And the price of the Tailwind, above $3,000, puts it far beyond the realm of people who may just have a casual interest in an electric bike. I’m sure that keeping it in low pedal assist will still net riders the claimed maximum of 35 miles that Schwinn promises.
It still lets you stand if you’re trying to get up a particularly steep part of a hill or over a rough section on the trail. At level 5, the throttle propels you up to mongoose excursion 20 miles per hour and disengages if you go faster than that (for example, if you go downhill). Class 2 e-bikes are required to stop assistance past 20 miles per hour.
The pedal assist level only affects the boost you get when pedalling, not the throttle speed. Overall, given the fundamental shift I have seen in my personal bike riding habits this past summer, I very much enjoy having an e-bike. The Coston e-bike is a good example of that in a much more approachable price range than some others. But a lot of the nicer features also have drawbacks.
On my long rides on a hybrid bike, I averaged 15 mph but once I got going, I realized 20 mph isn’t a big deal. Similar to how you can change gears on a multi-speed bike, you can choose how much the motor assists you, too. If you’re having trouble going up a hill, just increase the assistance to maintain your speed. The motor assist on this bike is purely pedal assist, though it’s more fair to call it “pedals are moving, motor is on” – since that what it seems to be.
Schwinn e-bikes are also available through Dick’s Sporting Goods, where select models are available for an in-store test ride. I really enjoyed my time with Schwinn’s Monroe 250 Single-Speed Electric Bike and was sad when it came time for Pacific Cycle — Schwinn’s parent company — to take it back. It was such a joy to ride around and truly turned me in favor of e-bikes (something I never thought possible). Unfortunately, Schwinn doesn’t outfit the Monroe 250 with any accessories you’d typically want for commuting, such as fenders or racks. To be fair, not many competing e-bikes tend to come with these extras anyway, so with its comparatively low price, you’ll have extra money to pick out the accessories you want.