This skyrocketed their brand recognition, and they started aggressively marketing in the child and youth bike categories. In 1920, the United States stock market crashed and decimated many industries, including the motorcycle industry. Arnold, Schwinn & Company shuttered the motorcycle arm of their business in 1931 and went all-in on bicycles once more.
The mountain bike shape makes it easy to ride on rough trails as well. The balance with the the battery takes a bit to get used to but then it’s all fun anywhere you go. On slow steep hills or trails a lower gear with a bit of assist keeps you moving. The lowest gear is a nice big ring in the back for helping on those hills.
Select models feature a throttle, which makes it easy to get going from a stop. 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. These things do take some getting used to, but with schwinn mountain bicycles repeated tests became expected, second nature behaviors of the bike. The battery, which cannot be plugged in or charged while attached to the bike, is advertised as lasting up to 30 miles per charge. Then again — the bike is still a functioning piece of equipment once the battery is dead, so maybe we should all stop being so lazy.
For open road riding with traffic you may hit 32 km/h regularly. Nothing feels cheap, plastic-y, or vulnerable to quick failure. You also get two different frame sizes to choose from, which is a big upgrade over the single one-size-fits-all frames that many e-bike companies still offer. So to offer a full-size electric bike with otherwise nice commuter features yet with such a small battery is a bit surprising. With 2.6″ tires, you’ve got a lot of air and rubber under you to tackle more than just well-manicured bicycle lanes.
They also provide a smooth ride for added comfort – a great feature when you can ride farther than ever before. Headlights, taillights, and integrated frame lights help you see and be seen in low-light conditions. If you’re looking for cheaper commuter options, check out this wide array of electric kick scooters by Segway that are seeing massive discounts, like the Ninebot ES Series for $299. Or maybe you’re looking for an alternative brand with a little more commuting power? Check out Gotrax Eclipse Ultra Electric Scooter for $750, with clipping of the on-page $100 off coupon. And for those of the younger persuasion, check out our coverage of more kid-friendly scooters.
The features like the neat integrated lighting are rarely seen in the industry and are a definite win. And the build quality feels schwinn electric bike like it should stand the test of time. Here at Schwinn, we worked hard to develop a high-quality ride that won’t break the bank.
I mentioned the shunning of my trusty Trek bike in lieu of my e-bikes this summer, but the reason for that has been life-changing for me. I’ve been using an electric bike and a shoulder bag for most of my shopping “can you grab me XYZ from Target” runs. What makes me excited about the bike is the possibilities that it opens up, but like a lot of aspects of this bike, it’s something of a double-edged sword. Electric bikes are a ton of fun and I’ve had a great time this summer riding them. As an avid cyclist who commuted to and from the train for years in the past, I see e-bikes as a very reasonable step forward in commuting. All in all, this bike offers good performance and quality for its price.