The handlebars, while kid-friendly in terms of size, make the bike a touch less stable than other bikes we tested because they are narrower at 7 inches (instead of 8). If they were an inch wider, the bike would be more controlled when the child is turning or pedaling out of the saddle. A 1-inch narrower Q factor—the distance between the pedals—could also help the bikes almost-too-quick responsiveness.
My 8-year-old son and his neighborhood buddies (ages 6 to 8) were also naturally drawn to the bikes as they went from box to assembly, beckoning like little alloy sirens. The boys were generally beyond these bikes in terms of size, but they still helped by testing toughness and durability—blasting around our neighborhood, locking up the brakes, and launching sweet jumps from our driveway quarterpipe. Lightweight and highly adjustable in size, it comes pretty much pre-assembled, with removable training wheels, a midrange price tag, and REI’s reputable customer service. Do your research, both online and at local bike shops, to get the very best deal on vintage bikes or to restore your Schwinn to its original condition.
This is 2 inches higher than the comparably set up and equipped Trek Precaliber, meaning kids with an inseam shorter than 21 inches will have a tough time on this bike—if that’s the case, consider the Trek. Aside from its pedals, which you have to screw onto the cranks, the REV 16 comes completely assembled and ready to ride. Like many higher-end kids bikes, the Rev 16’s shape is unisex; it’s available in green, blue, and pink. The Schwinn Twinn Classic Tandem adult beach cruiser bike is one of Schwinn’s top-selling models, with hundreds of positive reviews online.
The fat, semi-knobby tires perform well on dirt or pavement, and the bike’s coaster brake engages without the need for much force. With over 1.5 inch of adjustability between spacers on the handlebar stem and a widely adjustable seatpost, this bike can fit a wide range of kids. The minimum seat height on the REV 16 is 20.5 inches and its maximum is 25 inches.
These bikes usually feature a lower center of gravity, suspension forks, hot rod paint jobs, and large rear tires. Pello opted not to equip the Revo with a front hand brake—their thinking being that especially in a beginner off-road bike, this could result in trips over the handlebars. Instead, the bike comes schwinn dealers with an easy-to-squeeze and powerful Tektro rear brake as well as a coaster brake. Not only that, the rear brake pads are made of a softer, green compound for quick stops, while the front brake’s harder black compound are less “grabby,” so the rider will be less likely to go over the handlebars accidentally.
Aluminum rims are certainly lightweight, but weight bearing will be a problem. The alloy double-wall rims are not easily deformed when encountering potholes and can last longer, and they also have the feature of not rusting easily. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions.
Checking if your new beach cruiser bike will fit you can be done very quickly. Push one pedal to the bottom, and check how your leg is extended. The important part is that your leg should be almost, but not fully, extended. If that isn’t the case, try adjusting the seat of the bike to get to the desired position.
I interviewed John Bradley, until recently the editor in chief of VeloNews magazine and a former editor at Outside magazine. Bradley has a son named Max who at the time had recently graduated from a Strider balance bike to a 14-inch schwinn dealers Islabikes Cnoc pedal bike, which we didn’t review because it was north of our price parameters. You will love the upright riding position with large back handlebars, road-taming, stylish whitewall tires, and comfortable bumper seat.
The 24-inch Cruiser is ideal for the younger rider who appreciates the time-honored qualities of riding comfort. Cruisers are popular among casual bicyclists and vacationers because they are very stable and easy to ride, but their heavy weight and balloon tires tend to make them rather slow. Pello also uses safe, Woom-like recessed Allen bolts at the front fork. We love the sealed, mudproof front hub and the lightweight but very tough 20-spoke alloy rims. (Most bikes we tested feature 28 or even 32 spokes. Only the Woom 3 had a lower count at 16.) The fewer spokes, the lighter the wheel and the easier it is to pick up and ride.