So, while my doctor, my therapist, and I all unpack that, this is my full review of the Coston CE e-bike from Schwinn. Schwinn has a long and storied history of making the best bikes on the planet specifically for younger riders. That youth-first attitude is fully embraced in our e-bike offerings as well.
I had already decided I wanted one, so I said I would take the gray one. There is a HUGE market gap right now, for quality ebikes that are priced between $1000 and $1500, and deliver the value needed for a would be e-bike candidate rider. Certain functionality has to be there, to get these ebikes more past the early adopter, or even past the early mainstream type of buyer. Those market ‘chasm’s’ have yet to be jumped here in the US, where bikes aren’t seen as transportation or for commuting practicality as they might be in Europe or Asia. Court – good work on the site, you have really stepped things up.
Perhaps Schwinn can help drive to jump this next market ‘chasm’ with these sorts of price points, and some decent features delivered to justify even $1200. All three of the new Schwinn ebike models have step-thru and standover versions, 20mph speed limit and 250-watt brushless geared mongoose excursion hub drive motor. I’m sure that keeping it in low pedal assist will still net riders the claimed maximum of 35 miles that Schwinn promises. I’m not about to pedal around in the lightest pedal assist setting all day, especially since this isn’t a high power e-bike to begin with.
Ignaz Schwinn was born in Hardheim, Baden, Germany, in 1860 and worked on two-wheeled ancestors of the modern bicycle that appeared in 19th century Europe. In 1895, with the financial backing schwinn electric bike of fellow German American Adolph Frederick William Arnold (a meat packer), he founded Arnold, Schwinn & Company. Schwinn’s new company coincided with a sudden bicycle craze in America.
If this doesn’t intimidate you, you live in the flatlands, and you don’t mind the style and riding position of a bolt upright bike, then go for it. $350 plus a bit of time and effort for a working 250W ebike is an amazing deal. Throw some bags on the rear, and you’ve got a great little flatland bike for grocery runs or potting around your retirement community. The motor can draw over 200 watts at peak output, so the battery pack is good for less than half an hour of full assist before it’s stone dead.
Unable to produce bicycles in the United States at a competitive cost, by the end of 1991 Schwinn was sourcing its bicycles from overseas manufacturers. This in turn led to further inroads by domestic and foreign competitors. Faced with a downward sales spiral, Schwinn went into bankruptcy in 1992.[59] The company and name were bought by the Zell/Chilmark Fund, an investment group, in 1993. Zell moved Schwinn’s corporate headquarters to Boulder, Colorado.