Kent Trail Machine Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike Friday, October 8, 2010

Kent Trail Machine Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike Review

I got this bike back in early winter. The "manual" that comes with it is nearly useless and contains little, if any model-specific info. Some assembly is required (front wheel, handlebars, pedals) so if you are not comfortable doing mechanical work on bicycles call a friend who is, or take it to a neighborhood bicycle shop. The linear-pull brakes will also need some adjustment.

I assembled the bike and waited for warmer weather. Spring brought riding weather and out I went. Nice ride. No, it's not a 00. mountain bike, but if you don't need cutting edge stuff you'll be just as happy as the guy on the 00. bike. This is a very good value for the price. Previously I only had 10-speed racers but always wanted to try a mountain bike. After 15 years without a bicycle ride (yeah, I'm kinda old, switched to motorcycles for a dozen years or so) I took the plunge with this model. I am 5ft-9in tall and this bike fits me just fine. It's not as light as the more expensive bikes but it's not too heavy either (frame is aluminum). The swing-arm pivot joint is suspiciously large, perhaps to overcome a design weakness, but reassuringly strong-looking. At first I thought I would need a more comfortable seat but tilting it one click forward and raising it a bit did the trick. I can live with it for now. Adjust the seat post so that your knee is almost (but not quite) straight when the pedal is at the bottom of your stroke and the seat should be OK. I still may try a more comfy seat, some day.

The wheels on my bike were not quite true, and the linear-pull brakes wanted more advanced tweaking than I was comfortable doing (the return springs needed to be hand-bent for more tension), so I took mine to the local bicycle shop. Spokes were tensioned, wheels trued (tuned to spin perfectly straight, no wobble), and he adjusted the brakes to near perfection while giving the whole thing the once-over. . well spent.

On the road I was smiling. The suspension works pretty well and the bike shifts very nicely with no additional adjustments needed. Twist-click-shift. Brakes are more than adequate when properly adjusted. On pavement the knobby tires will sing to you at full speed and talk to you at slower speeds. If you go off road the knobbies will be welcome but if you ride only on pavement you might be happier with smoother tread tires.

I am delighted with the ability to go off-road and ride over most terrain, it's a blast. And I can now laugh at curbs, potholes, and pebbles that used to make me tremble with fear when riding a 10-speed racer with its skinny, vulnerable tires. I never dreamed of riding a 10-speed racer in the woods but now I look for trails to ride on off road, and this bike handles that just fine.

The poor manual is no biggie really. Even a good one would not help much more, really, since even a good one wouldn't cover everything in detail. Bikes are pretty generic in nature. If you want to do your own maintenance then buy a bicycle book with diagrams in it. A chain is a chain, and there are only a few different types of brakes and shifters. The book will show you how to do everything, but still have an expert tune your wheels for you. It probably will only have to be done once so why bother learning how?

If you want a mountain bike, but do not want the cheap kind (kid's bike, one-piece crank, cheap brakes) or the high-end (read: really expensive) kind, I can recommend this Kent Trail Machine model. I like mine a lot.

Kent Trail Machine Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike Feature

• Mountain bike with all aluminum slingshot frame
• Equipped with both front and rear suspension for a smooth ride
• Features 21-speed Shimano gearing
• Alloy quick release seat pin for fit adjustments
• All alloy V brakes, rims, and A stem head

Kent Trail Machine Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike Overview

Mens Trail Machine 26" 21 speed Shimano bike ~ For any service questions contact Kent at 1-800-451-KENT (5368) EST., for replacement parts, repair kits, tools and warranty information, (or) www.services@kentbicycles.com

Kent Trail Machine Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike Specifications

Built for trail riding, the Kent 26-inch Trail Machine mountain bike combines high-performance features with an affordable price. The Trail Machine is equipped with a full-suspension aluminum slingshot frame, with individual front and rear suspension systems that absorb shock and create a smooth ride regardless of the terrain. The bike also shifts smoothly from low to high thanks to the 21-speed twist shifters and the Shimano rear derailleur. Other features include alloy V-brakes, an alloy quick-release seat pin for easy adjustments, 36-hold alloy rims, and a stem head.

About Kent Bicycles
A family owned company, Kent Bicycles dates back to the early 1900s, when the current president's grandfather immigrated to the U.S. and got a job working for the owner of a bike shop in New York. In 1909, he opened his own bike shop on the Lower East Side. This small bike shop led to a larger store in New Jersey, where his son developed his own passion for the business. In 1947, the son was inspired to start his own company, Philkam Cycle, supplying bikes and parts to stores all over the eastern United States. In 1958, the company changed its name to Kent International and has been supplying Kent products to fun-loving parents and their children ever since.

Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:

The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:

• Road and Racing Bikes: As a general rule, road and racing bikes are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
• Mountain Bikes: With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
• Comfort/Cruiser Bikes: For tooling around on bike paths or light trails or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.

• Entry level: You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
• Mid-range: Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the sweet spot. Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
• High end: Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:

• Stand-over Height: To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want 3 to 5 inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between 1 and 1 inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have 2 to 4 inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
• Top Tube Length: You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract 6 inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about 2 inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
• Bikes for Women: Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube. Many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:

• Helmet (this is a must!)
• Seat pack
• Lock
• Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
• Spare tubes
• Portable bike pump
• Gloves

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Oct 08, 2010 23:00:21