Giant is the world’s largest manufacturer of traditional bicycles and is expected to become the most dominant player in the e-bike market in the recent future as well.

Apart from designing and producing its own bikes, Giant also manufactures bicycles for other major cycling brands, such as Trek, Scott, and Colnago. Therefore, it’s unlikely that you’ve never ridden a bike made by Giant.

If you’re considering adding one of its bikes to your collection, you should read our detailed Giant E-Bike review below. We’ll tell you all about the brand and the technologies it uses, as well as show you its electric bike lineup.

Are Giant bikes worth the money? Let’s find out!

About Giant Bicycles—Are They Really THAT Good?

Giant is a well-known brand that has possibly contributed the most to the world of cycling.

Giant is a member of the Giant Group, which was established in 1972, in Taiwan. It is the world’s largest manufacturer of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear and one of the most influential brands in the industry.

As an independent brand, Giant was born in 1981 when the first Giant-labeled bicycles hit the stores, first in Taiwan, and then in North America, Europe, and other parts of the world. After that, it soon rose to stardom and became the biggest player in the game.

The thing that sets Giant apart from other brands is that it has always been the pioneer of change. Giant made its frames from lightweight aluminum when the industry’s standard was still steel. It was also the first to make carbon fiber bikes widely available to the world, revolutionizing the cycling experience. Giant also transformed the look and feel of modern road bikes with its Compact Road technology, as well as improved off-road performance bikes with Maestro Suspension.

Today, Giant continues developing groundbreaking cycling technologies and manufacturing modern bikes, including e-bikes for recreational and practical use.

Giant’s Patented E-Bike Technologies

Giant has been around for almost 50 years. During that time, it has patented numerous technologies that have completely changed how we ride bikes and how we think about them.

Let’s take a look at some of the most important e-bike technologies that this company has developed so far. You can find most of these solutions on Giant’s electric bicycles. But it all depends on how much money you spend.

• SyncDrive Pro

SyncDrive Pro is a technology that provides pedaling assistance that’s in tune with human input. Therefore, Giant’s bicycles are able to produce smooth pedaling power and a natural feel that ensures good performance and an enjoyable ride.

• Smart Assist

Smart Assist technology uses complex mathematical calculations to determine exactly how much power a rider needs, based on their power input and the pedal-assist level.

• EnergyPak

EnergyPak is Giant’s latest battery system that features an elegant design and full integration. The EnergyPak batteries are placed inside the bike’s downtube, so they’re not an eyesore. These batteries also charge up to 80% in 2.2 hours and offer a better range than regular batteries.

• RideControl

RideControl is a handlebar-mounted command center that features special ergonomically designed controls. It lets you have full control over your e-bike and track important metrics such as distance, speed, battery level, and pedal-assistance level.

• E-Bike App

Giant’s E-Bike App lets you connect your smartphone directly to your e-bike via Bluetooth. The app lets you tune the motor to get the best support ratio for your needs, use navigation, and track important fitness data.

Review of Giant Electric Bike Lineups

When it comes to e-bikes, Giant’s selection is not huge at the moment, but it is pretty decent nonetheless. The company manufactures electric bicycles in several categories, including Road, Gravel, Mountain, and Lifestyle.

No matter if you are a regular rider who spins the pedals every day or if you haven’t sat on a bike saddle in decades, you’re likely to find a model that you like in Giant’s lineup.

Let’s take a quick look at each of the categories, learn about the individual model lineups, and find the best Giant electric bike for your personal needs.

Giant Electric Road Bike Series

Electric road bikes stand for everything that’s good about cycling but make it even better with a boost in power to make riding more enjoyable.

If you still want to enjoy speed, cover long distances, and look cool, one of the Giant electric road bikes is the right choice for you.

• Road E+ Pro

A drop-bar electric road bike to help you enhance your road riding experience

Road E+ Pro is a proper electric road bike made for speed and performance. These are Class 1 electric bicycles with drop bars, a mid-drive motor, and an integrated battery that sits hidden inside the downtube.

The Road E+ Pro series features Giant’s SyncDrive Pro 250W motor with 80 Nm, combined with a 500Wh battery. It’s built around a lightweight aluminum frame, equipped with high-end Shimano components and hydraulic brakes that stop on a dime.

If you wish for a high-end electric road bike to overcome injury or keep pedaling well into old age, the Road E+ Pro model is a foolproof choice.

• FastRoad E+ EX Pro

Versatile and fast e-bikes for road and off-road exploitation

FastRoad E+ EX PRO is a multi-purpose electric road bike with flat bars and wide, versatile tires. It features the Giant SyncDrive Pro 250W motor with the Giant RideControl EVO display for maximum control. The Giant EnergyPak 500Wh battery ensures a decent range and fast charging.

The Giant FastRoad e-bike sports Shimano’s gravel-specific GRX RX400 groupset and 27.5 x 2.40″ tires, so you can enjoy in on paved and unpaved roads. Accessories like fenders, lights, and a rear rack will only make the ride better and more practical.

We recommend it to commuters, bike travelers, and those who want a bike that replaces their car.

• LaFree E+

Haven’t ridden a bike in decades? Start here!

LaFree E+ is not a road bike in the traditional sense of the word, but it is built to be enjoyed on the road. Giant LaFree is a city/commuter/comfort bike built to be appreciated on a daily basis by regular people, rather than hardcore cyclists.

It has a 60Nm SyncDrive Life motor and a 400Wh battery that together provide plenty of assistance and a decent range. The upright geometry will put you in a comfortable riding position and the rear rack allows you to carry groceries, a child seat, or anything else you need on hand.

Explore the neighborhood, get fit, commute, or ditch the car, LaFree E+ can do it all.

Giant Electric Gravel Bike Series

Gravel bikes have become very popular because they give you more possibilities than any other type of bike. A gravel electric bike takes those possibilities to another level.

Ride farther than ever before, explore paved and unpaved roads, and keep pedaling even when you run out of road. Let’s see what Giant’s gravel e-bikes put on the table.

• Roam E+

Forget about the limits and start exploring more. 

Giant Roam E+ is an all-road electric bicycle that’s built to enable you to roam and explore wherever you want to. You can ride it on smooth asphalt but also on gravel, bike paths, or even trails.

Roam E+ is powered by a Giant SyncDrive Core 50Nm motor, with an automatic mode and tunable support. This Class 1 e-bike also has a 400Wh battery and a RideControl display.

The suspended fork, hydraulic disc brakes, and 700x45c tires come together to make it a comfortable and capable e-bike for all purposes.

• Explore E+

All the e-bikes you need in one affordable model. 

Giant Explore E+ is the ultimate electric bicycle for the average rider. Unless you’re a performance-oriented road or MTB rider, you’ll probably like what Explore E+ is all about.

This is a commuter bike that’s built to stray away from smooth city streets. It features a Giant SyncDrive Life motor, an EnergyPak Smart 500Wh battery, and a RideDash EVO display. It’s built around a lightweight aluminum frame with a suspension fork and features a mid-range Shimano Alivio group.

Giant Explore E+ can be ridden day or night, rain or shine as it comes with fenders, lights, and a rear rack that can carry whatever you need. Get it and forget that you own a car.

• Revolt E+ Pro

Leave no rock unturned on scenic backcountry roads. 

Last but not least, we have a proper electric gravel bike with drop bars, a gravel-specific groupset, and gravel-ready tires. Giant Revolt E+ Pro has all you need to explore gravel roads, away from the hectic traffic and busy roads and streets.

The Giant SyncDrive Pro motor outputs 80Nm of tuneable support, coupled with a compact 375Wh battery. This is a Class 3 e-bike, so the maximum pedal-assisted speed is 28 mph, perfect for hardpacked gravel roads.

In addition, Revolt E+ Pro features a full Shimano GRX groupset, including brakes, and 700x45c tubeless-ready tires.

Get Giant Revolt E+ Pro if you want efficiency, control, and versatility.

Giant Electric Mountain Bike Series

A few years ago, few people could imagine that electric mountain bikes would wiggle their way onto trails. Today, the electric mountain bike market is the fastest growing one in the e-bike industry.

Giant electric mountain bikes let you enhance your singletrack adventures, climb steep hills, and conquer high peaks. More climbs equals more descents, which comes without a recovery penalty if you do it on an e-bike.

Let’s see which models Giant offers at the moment and find out what they are good for.

• Talon E+

An e-bike for beginners to enjoy the perks of real trail riding.

Giant imagined the Talon E+ series to be a selection of affordable mountain bikes for trail beginners and those who simply want to enjoy some off-roading. Talon E+ is built around a sturdy aluminum frame and a 100mm fork, combined with massive 29″ wheels and tires for uncompromising on-trail rolling capabilities.

It uses a Giant SyncDrive Core mid-drive motor to push the rider, with 50 Nm of torque and 5 pedal-assist modes, plus automatic. The 400Wh battery is “hidden” inside the rather unwieldy down tube.

The traditional drivetrain has a Shimano Alivio 9-speed rear derailleur and a 36T chainring on the front. Tektro hydraulic disc brakes are easy to adjust.

We recommend it if you think it fits your needs.

• Trance X E+ Pro

E-mountain trail bikes for big boys and even bigger trails.

Trance X E+ Pro is a serious electric mountain bike with full-suspension, 29″ tires, and aggressive slack geometry. If you want a Giant fat tire mountain bike and you have a big budget, there’s little you won’t like about these models.

The Giant’s mid-drive motor puts out massive 80Nm of torque for powerful climbing, with pedal-assist up to 20 mph. The battery has a 625Wh capacity, which translates to a lot of climbed hills.

The Fox suspension gives you 150mm of travel front and rear, whereas the 2.6″ Maxxis tires ensure both grip and confidence to shred trails.

Simply said, Trance X E+ Pro will let you hit trails as hard as before, if not even harder.

• Stance E+

A mid-range Giant full-suspension electric mountain bike for harsh terrain.

Giant Stance E+ is designed with trail-friendly geometry and rider-friendly components. This is a purebred full-suspension trail bike with 130mm of travel and a mid-drive motor that will send you flying up steep climbs.

The SyncDrive Sport motor is powered by Yamaha and develops 50Nm of torque, whereas the battery packs 625 Wh of additional juice.

Stance E+ bikes feature lightweight and efficient 1x drivetrains and uncompromising 29″ wheels. These ensure a good attack angle on fast descents. While descending, you’ll also appreciate the hydraulic disc brakes with giant rotors.

Are there any trails and descents waiting to be sent?

• Fathom E+

Versatile trail application with 27.5″ wheels and a dynamic motor.

Giant Fathom E+ will let you take full control of trails thanks to its sport-optimized motor and versatile 27.5″ wheels with super-wide tires.

This bike excels on XC and singletrack terrain, where the SyncDrive Sport motor can help you reach a 20mph speed and the 500Wh battery can help you maintain it over a decent distance.

Fathom E+ bikes are reasonably priced, so they come with mid-range components that offer excellent value for the money. Examples of this include Shimano Deore components and Tektro hydraulic disc brakes.

This is a Giant electric bike for easier climbing and longer riding, deep into the sunset.

• Reign E+ Pro

Reign the trails, both up and down, with the help of a mighty motor.

The Reign E+ electric mountain bike is the creme de la creme of Giant’s e-mountain collection. These are premium enduro bikes with high-end components and high-end prices. The top model costs $8,500. Ouch!

We’re talking about SyncDrive Pro mid-drive motors with up to 80Nm of torque and EnergyPak Smart 500Wh batteries integrated into the down tube.

Happy owners will also enjoy the high-end SRAM and Shimano drivetrains, brakes, and top-of-the-line 170mm suspension. These are 27.5″ electric mountain bikes, so handling is nimble and precise on demanding twisty trails.

You can’t go wrong with one of these Giants if you need their performance and their price fits your budget.

Momentum Lifestyle Electric Bikes

Momentum is a newly-established brand, founded by Giant. It makes so-called Lifestyle bicycles intended for casual, everyday use. If you’re an urban commuter looking to ride their car less, Momentum is a brand you should look into. These are also great bikes for recreational rides around the block, through the park, on bike paths, or for losing weight.

At the moment, Momentum manufactures three electric models called:

• Vida E+
• Transcend E+
• LaFree E+

According to the info on the website, momentum was founded with a clear mission: “To help you move through life with happiness and ease.”

The three model lines available at the moment roughly cost between $2,100 and $2,800, which puts them in the entry-level to mid-range category. They include both step-over and step-thru frame variations, so they’re suitable for male and female riders.

Something they have in common is Giant’s SyncDrive mid-drive motors, hydraulic disc brakes, and a relaxed upright riding geometry. This makes them ideal for older riders, as well as those riders who don’t cycle too much but want to feel good when they do.

Momentum e-bikes are neither very lightweight, nor too fast (these are Class 1 e-bikes), but they look pretty and get the job done with ease. If you want a no-fuss e-solution, look into this Giant’s sister company.

Value for the Money—Are Giant Electric Bikes Too Expensive?

Giant is one of the biggest, if not the biggest bicycle manufacturers in the world. That’s true for electric bicycles as well. Big-name brands are usually more expensive than small ones because they sell you both the bike and the branding. But is that true for Giant as well?

Actually, compared to some other big cycling brands like Trek, Specialized, or Canyon, Giant is a lot less expensive overall. That’s possible because Giant does the entire production and development process in one place, which allows them to cut costs, reduce overhead, and lower production times.

Therefore, even though you can definitely find cheaper e-bikes out there, Giant electric bicycles are not overly expensive. They offer pretty good value for money. Plus, buying from a big brand means that, in case your bike has a manufacturing defect, you will 100% get a replacement or a refund. That’s not usually the case when purchasing cheap bikes off Amazon, even though you save at first.

What’s unique for Giant is that its e-bikes are fitted with proprietary technologies, such as SyncDrive motors and EnergyPak batteries. These are fitted on high-quality frames that are also built in-house by Giant. Therefore, all parts are compatible and work well as a package.

Ultimately, if you want an e-bike from a reputable and recognizable brand that offers good bang for the buck, you should probably get a Giant e-bike if there is one that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Looking for answers to some specific questions about Giant electric bicycles? Check out the FAQ section below.

Is Giant the best bike brand?

Giant bikes are very good, considering that this is the biggest cycling brand in the world. However, whether or not they are the best is a subjective matter. Giant makes high-quality electric bicycles on par with other major manufacturers like Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Canyon, and so on. Therefore, it is definitely one of the best bike brands in the world. Giant’s bikes get excellent ratings and user reviews, known to be durable, affordable, and reliable.

Where are Giant e-bikes made?

Giant has manufacturing factories in Taiwan and China, as well as the Netherlands and Hungary. Most of their e-bikes are made in Taiwan, but some are manufactured in other facilities as well.

Which is better Giant or Trek?

If you have a certain budget to spend and you do not want to go over it, Giant is the better choice. You will get better components and more value for your money. However, Trek bicycles are better designed and look nicer than Giant’s. Therefore, if your budget allows it and you’re willing to pay more for better looks, you will not go wrong with Trek either. Both companies are major players in the industry, manufacturing bicycles that last for years and ride for tens of thousands of miles.

Are Giant e-bikes any good?

Giant bikes offer the best value for money compared to all other established brands. The company has long been known as the king of budget bikes. However, Giant has also been consistently making high-end bikes that help riders win world championships and Grand Tours. Giant equips its bicycles with parts sourced from other reputable cycling brands, so you know you’re always getting high-quality gear for your money.

Does Giant make good electric mountain bikes?

Giant makes excellent electric mountain bikes. Giant’s e-mountain bicycles are equipped with proprietary SyncDrive motors and EnergyPak batteries made in collaboration with Yamaha. Giant produces electric mountain bikes in different price categories, so they are suitable both for beginners and for experienced riders.

The post Review of Giant Electric Bikes appeared first on eBicycles.

• address: Viale della Repubblica, 1231020 Villorba TV, Italy
• telephone: ++ 39 0422 420 877
• fax: ++ 39 0422 421 816
• website: https://www.pinarello.com
• e-mail: infobike@pinarello.com

About Pinarello Bikes

They aren’t cheap but if you own a Pinarello you will definitely turn heads. The people in Treviso, Italy who put together these mostly hand-crafted bicycles sure know how to make a bike look pretty while keeping it very functional.

The Pinarello is definitely more than just eye candy and is generally one of the fastest rides on the market. Most reviewers comment that their bike “tracked like it was on rails”, “wanted to go faster” and “turns at your thought”. Another said the Pinarello was like a Lamborghini compared to other brands that were more like Mustangs. Most riders also talk about how the bike “spoke to them” when they were deciding between brands. The appeal of a quality, Italian made frame (although some are made in Taiwan) also beared considerable weight in their decision to purchase a Pinarello.

Pinarello is an Italian high-end bicycle company that makes bikes for road racing, track racing and cyclo-cross. It’s also part of Italian biking royalty along with Colnago and DeRosa, who together form the “big three” of the Italian manufacturers. The Montello, Gavia and Treviso are some of the most successful frames from the 80s and 90s. The more current frames include the Dogma, Prince and FP. At between $3,000 to $6,000 USD they are still pricey enough that you might hate to mix it up too much and scratch the pretty paint.

Pinarello has dubbed their Prince Carbon bikes the “finest racing bicycle in the world”. The bike has received a number of awards from Bicycling USA (Best Racing Bicycle in the World) in 2008 and 2009 and Ciclismo ITA (Bike of the Year) in 2008 and 2009. Prince Carbon is built from carbon fiber sourced from Japanese textile giant Toray which supplies aerospace companies around the world. It is incredibly strong and handles better around bends, downhill and on bumpy roads.

The company was birthed in the early days of the first professional Italian bike teams during WWII in an economically prosperous part of the country. Giovanni Pinarello had always had a passion for bikes and had worked in a bicycle factory from the age of 15. He raced very successfully until he was given the opportunity to become part of Treviso bicycle manufacturing. He gave up cycling and began to help promote and advertise for local teams instead.

Pinarello also developed a history of sponsoring bicycle teams and their successes have aided in the recognition and promotion of the brand. In 1957 Pinarello bikes were first used in national team competitions and in 1960 Pinarello sponsored its first professional team, the Mainetti. Mainetti produced many champion cyclists and their success internationally was a coup for Pinarello. A Pinarello finally won the Giro d’Italia in 1975. In the 1980s Pinarello worked closely with Inoxpran who were considered market leaders in stainless steel products. In 1984 Pinarello cyclists won gold medals at the Los Angeles Olympics and in 1988 the first Tour de France.

Pinarello continued to partner with many professional teams including Banesto featuring Miguel Indurain. Indurain enjoyed two Olympic victories, a world time trial championship, an hour record, two Giro d’Italias and five Tour de France victories on a Pinarello. In the 90s the success of sprinter Mario Cipollini, Chioccioli and team Telekom (includes Jan Ullrich), has helped Pinarello continue as a tour de force.

Today despite market demands to increase production, Pinarello remains committed to meticulous quality control and attention to detail. They test all their own products and once they withstand those rigours the bikes are passed onto professional cyclists and the general riding public. This is the ideal bicycle for riders who want legendary Italian performance at a reasonable price. And, yes, of course, most of them get racing car red frames.

Hours of work

Monday – Friday
9 am – 5 pm

Additional Information

• Standard Frames: No
• Custom Frames: Yes
• Retrofitting old bikes: No
• Year Established: 1952
• Products Made In: Taiwan/Asia and shipped to Treviso, Italy for painting and assembly
• Availability: dealers in Italy, Europe and worldwide
• Types of Bicycles: road, track, cyclo cross, time trial, triathlon, urban, kids
• Construction Methods: CF frames in Taiwan, then inspected, assembled and finished by hand in Treviso, Italy
• Frame Materials: original frames are steel tubing and some aluminum, since 2004 carbon fiber, Torayca Carbon Fiber, Magnesium, Monocoque Carbon Fiber, Aluminum Triple Butted, Price carbon

The post Pinarello Bicycles Review appeared first on eBicycles.

• address: 1230 Avenida ChelseaVista, CA 92081
• telephone: 800-289-4276
• fax: 760-599-1237
• website: www.harobikes.com
• e-mail: bmxcontact@harobikes.com

Description

Like many things, the interest in BMX has waxed and waned. But with the recent success of ESPN’s X-Games, NBC’s Gravity Games and the 2008 introduction to the Olympics, BMX is riding on a high once more. Haro Bikes was right there at the beginning of the BMX craze in the 70’s and 80’s. Today it is again riding the wave of BMX interest to remain one of the sport’s premier brands.

To fully understand how Haro Bikes and the sport developed you have to go back to 1978 when a young Bob Haro began producing stylish BMX bike numberplates for top racers. The plates became so popular they became a BMX icon and he formed Haro Designs in Torrance, California in 1980 to keep up with the demand – sales were USD$40,000 in 1979.

Haro himself had previously been a dirt rider but found his skills soon transferred to BMX. He spent a lot of time practising tricks, largely in skate parks, which he later took on the road in a performing show. The shows were heralded with enthusiasm and so Haro became largely credited with developing the sport of Freestyle, particularly the Flatland style that is a more artistic cycling. He was also the lead stunt rider in Spielberg’s “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” (1981).

Haro then developed the Original Haro Freestyle model in 1983 to meet the rising popularity in BMX freestyle. The bike was designed to handle all conditions thrown its way and was an instant success. It wasn’t much different to other BMX bikes on the market at the time, just more heavy duty to handle additional stress. Today freestyle bikes are far more riding specific, but these early Haro Freestyler bicycles are now collector’s items worth thousands. So if you’ve got one in your garage pull it out and dust it off!

The 80’s were really the peak of the BMX boom and Haro Bikes grew to become the industry leaders. Their product line expanded and went national and international. The company was renowned for innovative, top-of-the-line bikes and accessories. The most popular models were the high-end Master and the more moderately priced Sport. Haro stopped riding in 1985 and was inducted into the American Bicycle Association Hall Of Fame in 1987. In 1998 Haro sold the company but continued as a consultant for five years. He then founded Haro Design Inc. and is producing hard-shell backpacks, laptop cases and similar products.

BMX biking went into a sharp decline from about 1988. In the mid 1990s ESPN helped push BMX into the mainstream by developing the X Games, focusing on extreme action sports. Haro riders still claim more X Games medals than any other brand. Haro Bicycles also sought to reinvent themselves about the same time along Bob Haro’s original vision of innovation and performance. By 1999 sales exploded once more and today Haro Bikes is recognized as one of the top brands of BMX and freestyle bikes.

But Haro is more than just BMX. With 25 years experience in making bikes that could handle punishing courses, Haro has now entered the mountain bike market successfully. They have also signed a number of champion downhill riders and cross country racers. They also offer bikes for entry level BMX and mountain bike rider. And while most of the Haro talk is about dirt, they do manufacture some bikes for the asphalt as well. They have a cruiser model, perhaps designed for the girlfriends of BMXers?

Haro celebrated its 30th year anniversary in 2008. It now produces 82 bicycle models in mountain, hybrid, comfort, BMX, kids and cruiser categories.

Hours of work

Monday – Friday

9am to 5pm

Additional Information

• Standard Frames: Yes
• Custom Frames: No
• Retrofitting old bikes: No
• Year Established: 1978
• Products Made In: Taiwan and China
• Availability: Local bike shops and distributors in 80 countries worldwide.
• Types of Bicycles: BMX, mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids
• Construction Methods: TIG welded, Haro Group 1 components, pain over chrome frame and forks and uniquely designed flip-up pegs
• Frame Materials: chromoly steel, aluminum

The post Haro Bikes Review appeared first on eBicycles.

• address: 7, Via Delle Valli, Albiate, MBItalia20042
• telephone: +39-0362-930406
• fax: +39-0362-930420
• website: https://kuotaamericas.com

Description

Kuota makes high-end triathlon, road, mountain and cyclo cross bikes and components like handlebars, stems and seat posts. They look good and feel good and reviewers admit to liking the oohs and aahs they get from other riders as a Kuota is definitely not something you’ll see on every street corner.

In fact, before Norman Stadler won the 2004 Ironman Triathlon World Championship in Hawaii, the brand was relatively unknown. But after his win, the Kuota Kalibur, a time trial bike, became hot property and the company could not keep up with demand. For example in the early 2000’s they were selling about 48 frames per year, by 2007 it was over 3,000.

In 2006 Stadler repeated the win and gained 10 minutes on the chase pack during the bike leg and set a course record. Kuota has since designed a triathlon and time trial bike, the 2010 KUEEN-K, and named it after the road where Stadler rode to victory.

Stadler proved a triathlon could still be won on the bike leg and bike reviewers would concur. One person said the bike descended “like a mountain bike on speed” and “rest assured, every ounce of gas you have left in the tank is taking you to the front.”

Complaints about Kuota range from not knowing how to pronounce the name “Kuota” correctly, to miss matching carbon frames with aluminum handlebars in some models and poor quality wheels they had to change. Others said their relative newcomer status also made them a little uncertain about investing in them.

The best way to find out may be to take a test ride and do some research. Do note all the bikes have names starting with K such as Kredo (I believe), Khan and Korsa.

While Kuota doesn’t have the history of other Italian companies like De Rosa, Pinarello or Bianchi, they have matched these other companies for looks without sacrificing performance elements. President of Kuota North America told one television interview that riders said the Khan was so stylish it had more curve than Pamela Anderson.

Kuota sponsor professional cycling and triathlon racing around the world including athletes like American Andy Potts, Carole Peon and Martina Dogana. They also sponsor professional men’s road cycling teams Agritubel, OUCH, Indeland and Kalev Chocolate. In women’s pro teams they’re behind Team Uniqa and Team Dila.

Kuota are made by an Italian company called Sintema in Albiate, but the frames are manufactured in Taiwan which helps bring down the price. The frames are made in the same factory as Kestrel (Martek). The brand is largely available in the US, Western Europe and Australia.

Hours of work

Monday – Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Additional Information

• Standard Frames: Yes
• Custom Frames: No
• Retrofitting old bikes: No
• Year Established: 2000
• Products Made In: Taiwan/China
• Availability: authorized retailers & online
• Types of Bicycles: road, triathlon, mountain, bike, cyclocross
• Construction Methods: Kuota Nanotechnology
• Frame Materials: carbon fiber

The post Kuota Bicycles (Overview) appeared first on eBicycles.

• address: 151 Ludlow AvenueNorthvale, NJ 07647
• telephone: (201) 768-9050
• fax: (201)768-9520
• website: http://www.jamisbikes.com
• e-mail: support2@jamisbikes.com

Description

Jamis Bicycles is a big player in two mountain bike havens. They’re an official sponsor of Ray’s Indoor Mountain Bike Park in Cleveland, Ohio. This first-in-the-world park is open in winter. Riders can demo or rent Jamis Kromo bikes to fly through the chutes and logs and other obstacles, all indoors. The second mountain bike haven, Diablo Freeride Park, is less than an hour from the company’s Vernon, NJ headquarters. Diablo is home to the US Open of Mountain Biking, and Jamis’s newly redesigned Dakar BAM II is the official bike of the Park and the international race. Riders can rent a Jamis Dakar or Parker to ride jump lines, wall rides, and downhill trails. At Diablo, bikers take the ski gondola up the mountain and wear full face helmets coming down.

Although Jamis offers a full price range of bikes, they sell some high-level road bikes, too. Frankie Andreu, who raced the Tour de France nine times, raves about the Xenith SL. “SL, of course, stands for super light,” he explains. The frame weighs 850 grams and uses SST or size specific tubing technology, where the tube diameter is fine-tuned to the size of the frame. Andreu calls Jamis, “Not one of the biggest bike manufacturers out there.” The company agrees. They say they never set out to be big but just wanted to build bikes they loved. Still, thirty years later, their bikes are sold in 52 countries and have won 5 Bike of the Year Awards, 4 NORBA Titles, 3 Bicycling Magazine Editor’s Choice Awards, and 3 UCI World Cup Titles.

The company’s Femme frames have shorter top tubes, longer forks, and angles just for women. The Xenith T-series triathlon bikes are aerodynamic leaders with the front brake inside the fork, the rear brake under the chainstays, and tubing that’s wing shaped. Kids bikes are built lighter, many with aluminum frames, since Jamis believes a 50-lb. kid shouldn’t have to struggle with a 35-lb. bike. Their Taxi, a Sport Comfort model, is designed for the heavy use of bike rental companies and resort businesses. Now there’s a situation where a bike will take a beating, so the Taxi is built to endure. The company sells many comfort and commuting models. After all, their first bike in 1979 was the Earth Cruiser, designed to cruise east coast beaches. But as Frankie Andreu says, the 850-gram Xenith SL “is a rocket ship compared to that.”

Hours of work

Monday – Friday

9 am to 5 pm

Additional Information

• Standard Frames: Yes
• Custom Frames: No
• Retrofitting old bikes: No
• Year Established: 1979
• Products Made In: Asia – primarily China and Taiwan
• Availability: Independent bicycle dealers worldwide
• Types of Bicycles: mountain, road, street, comfort, kids
• Construction Methods: Tigg welding
• Frame Materials: carbon, aluminum, steel

The post Jamis Bicycles appeared first on eBicycles.