Fortunately, when riding, I can’t tell that it weighs more than my other bikes. Some of the added weight is attributed to the battery, which checks in at about six pounds. Despite my weight and the strain it put on the motor, I found that the bike really does have a 45-mile range on a single charge.
That’s surprising, considering Schwinn’s reputation for quality. It looks like a tough, no-nonsense bike that verges on mountain bike durability. The layout is also comfortable, with a seat and ergonomic setup that is suited to long rides. Regardless, the battery seemed to be securely locked into its rack, so it’s probably not an actual concern, and probably just more mounting evidence of our insane paranoia.
We didn’t clock our speeds, but the bike can supposedly top about 15 miles per hour on flat ground with the pedal-assist on, and that sounds about right to us. The Schwinn Marshall 28-inch electric bike is a hybrid electric model that assists users get over steep hills. This electric bike runs on a 250W hub-drive motor that provides plenty of power. Featuring a down-tube integrated battery, this bike is stable and neat.
Schwinn advertises the Tailwind as being rechargeable in just half an hour. However, because of the dedicated external charger, you will either need to bring the bike back home or bring the charger with you to top up the battery. We rode the Tailwind for an hour without discharging the battery completely. The battery pack has a charge indicator, useful when the pack is removed from the bike. A lock in the side of the battery pack turns the power on and off. A separate charger is included that can be plugged into any conventional AC wall outlet.
By comparison, my poor, neglected Trek bike weighs around 25 pounds. That’s a big difference when you’re picking up the bike to turn it around or put it on a car rack. On the other hand, in the time mongoose excursion I’ve had an e-bike, I have barely touched my poor Trek bike. E-biking is very powerful and addictive, and it has ruined traditional cycling for me, and I can’t decide if that’s a good thing.