Now they are producing electric bikes with all of the quality and value for which the brand has come to be known. Tailwind is a very apt name for this bike, as the motor gives a palpable assist when it kicks in. Because of the way the motor engages, after about five schwinn mountain bicycles seconds of pedaling, the electric assist can come on unexpectedly, at least the first few times you ride this bike. But the motor doesn’t have nearly enough power to pull the bike along by itself, and you will find you are getting some exercise while riding it.
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.
The 450-watt electric motor offers 7 different levels of powered drive or pedal assist, selected using the LCD screen and achieving speeds up to 20 miles per hour. Aluminum frame and wheel rims deliver lightweight durability while an integrated LED headlight illuminates the road for nighttime rides. The Schwinn Kettle Valley features a step-through frame that simplifies climbing on and off the bike. This model has large 700c wheels that are ideal for riders of up to 6 ft 2”. The bike runs on a 250W pedal assist hub drive motor that gives riders a boost, especially on hills. It has a 375 Wh battery, delivering power for up to 45 miles.
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.
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 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.
It’s not any wonder they have established such a solid presence in the new electric bicycle movement. In terms of pricing, this is not the cheapest e-bike you can buy. But it’s one of the least expensive ones you can buy from a bike company. Respectfully, most of the e-bikes schwinn electric bike you find online come from companies with alphabet-soup for names that may sell just as many portable batteries as they do e-bikes. If you’re using an e-bike to commute or run errands, or if it’s a particularly hot day, the throttle might be a better way to go.