The vintage appeal of the FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike lets you travel in style. But beyond its looks, beyond its affordable price, the hybrid bike is equipped with right components for city commuting.
Out of all the hybrid bicycles out there, why should you pick it? To answer that question, we’ve compiled the important features of the Firth Sports XDS Nadine SE 7 speed in this article.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Low-Step Aluminum City Frame
With its beautiful, classic style, the FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike will surely turn heads. To match your personality and fashion preferences, you can choose among its diverse colors: black, blue, green, pink, red, teal, and vanilla.
The aluminum frame has a low-step or step-through design, which features a top tube that’s curved downward for easier and safer mounting and dismounting. This type of frame design is not only ideal for women, but it’s also great for short people, elderly people, and those with physical disabilities.
The frame is available in two sizes: 17-inch and 15-inch. This bike fits riders who are 5’3″ to 5’7″ tall.
Quick-Release Wheels
The quick-release mechanism on the front wheel makes your life easier. With this in place, fixing flats and removing or fitting in the wheels will take only a few seconds. Not to mention, it’s a great anti-theft feature.
The 700c x 1.5 alloy wheels fitted to the XDS Nadine SE 7 have 36 stainless steel spokes. What’s so great about wheels with 36 spokes? They offer smoother and more comfortable rides and can carry more load.
The rule of thumb: The heavier you are, the higher the spoke number should be (36 and above). But, the quality of the wheels and rims are more important than the number of spokes.
700 x 32c Tires
The FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike uses Kenda 700 x 32c tires. These tires will help you ride faster on paved roads, or even on roads filled with potholes, cracks, and other imperfections.
Firth Sport went for a curved front fork for this bike to provide better shock absorption. Unlike straight forks, curved forks remove the “hum” of the road—not send it straight to your hands—giving you a comfortable riding experience.
Two Gear Systems Options
3 speeds and 7-speeds—choose the best gear system that matches your skills, fitness status, and needs. A 3-speed gear system gives the bike a minimalist look. Since it doesn’t need a derailleur or a chain, you can keep the drivetrain adequately covered, sparing you from greasy legs and pants and more frequent and extensive maintenance.
Meanwhile, the XDS Nadine SE with a 7-speed gear system is perfect for a wide variety of riding styles. You can use it for long-distance commutes, leisure riding, inclines, and rough road conditions.
Other Bike Specs
Chain: KMC Z51/Brakes: front and rear alloy caliper brakes
Brake lever: Tektro alloy brake lever
Handlebar: HL alloy 595mm wide
Grip: Velo vinyl leather grips (brown)
Rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney RX-TX35 7 Speed
Pedals: VP 9/16” alloy body
Shifter: Revo Shifter SL-RS35-R7 7SP
Freewheel: Shimano Freewheel MF-TZ21 14-28T 7SP
Saddle: VL-8024 Comfort Saddle (Velo)
Assembly: 85-percent assembled
Bike weight: 30 pounds
Load capacity: around 230 pounds
Accessories: fenders, rear rack, faux leather bag, kickstand, and XDS wire basket + cane basket
The Good
Not Just a “Woman’s” Bike
Unlike popular belief, a low-step frame is not gender specific. Men can also ride any bike with that type of frame design. It makes it easier and safer to hop on and off the bike. That’s why it’s also an ideal choice for older people and people with mobility problems.
Affordable Bike with Decent Components
The FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike is a budget hybrid bike. So, we don’t expect it to have components that are found in high-end, step-through hybrid bikes. However, like the basic 7-speed Brilliant Bikes Brilliant Bicycle Co – l-Train, it performs well on different terrains.
Great for a Wide Range of Riding Styles
The XDS Nadine SE 7 performs great on paved roads, flat roads, light to moderate hills, and bumpy roads. However, unlike the Murtisol 26” Hybrid Bicycle, Firth Sport didn’t design this bike for tackling tricky mountain trails.
Go far and do it in a stylish way with the FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike. Get it here today.
The Bad
May Need More Repairs
This issue depends on the gear system you pick. Luckily, bicycles that use a 3-speed gear system don’t generally require more repairs. A 7-speed gear system is the opposite—it could need more mechanical repairs, especially if you frequently take it out on rough terrains.
Be sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each gear system before buying this bike.
Susceptible to Damage
We’re referring to the frame material of this bike. Aluminum is susceptible to damage or failure. One small dent on the wrong part of the frame could automatically mean the bike is unfit to ride. This is not new information, of course, but it’s still something you should keep in mind when shopping for bikes.
A Few Components Issues
Some of the components of the FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike that are problematic are the brake pads, fenders, and front fork. Although you shouldn’t ignore this, it’s also good to know that most people who bought this bike didn’t encounter the same issues.
Who Is It For?
The FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike is an entry-level hybrid bike that’s marketed to beginners. (Most experienced cyclists would go for higher gears, such as 9, 10, and 11 speeds, because of the smoother transition to different gears.) If you’re just going to use this for commuting or leisure riding, then this is a good option.
Conclusion
The FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike isn’t outstanding, but it works well for city commuting and leisure riding. There are a few issues with its components, but overall, they’re decent for the price.
A 3-speed or 7-speed hybrid bike like it obviously has its downsides. If you want a hybrid bike with more gears, there are affordable options, such as the Giordano RS700 Hybrid Bike.
Take something different for a spin. Try the FIRTH SPORTS Nadine SE Women’s Aluminum Step-Thru City Bike today.