Dubbed as The Invincible, the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike is a men’s commuter bike that’s built to survive the city jungle. It also has other interesting features that set it apart from its competition.
Before you move on to other men’s hybrid bike reviews, consider reading the rest of this article to know the full features, advantages, and disadvantages of this solid, theft-resistant commuter bike.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Anti-Theft Components
Bicycle theft (of the entire bicycle or the parts) is a common problem worldwide. At Fortified, they pride themselves for making “the only bike 100% guaranteed against theft.” And it’s evident in the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike.
The handlebars, seat, stem, and water bottle holder of this bike are secured in place with proprietary anti-theft bolts. It also comes with with a solid U-lock for added security. Only you, the owner, can remove these parts using the two wrenches provided to you by Fortified.
Rust-Resistant Frame and Chain
Rust is another thing you can remove from your list of things that make bike maintenance a pain. The frame of The Invincible is made of rust-resistant 6061 aluminum alloy. Its chain is a KMC Rustbuster, which is coated with zinc and chrome to protect it from rust.
Not only that, the frame is light and strong at the same time. The total weight of this bike is 26 pounds and can support up to 270 pounds of rider and cargo weight.
Puncture-Resistant Tires
The Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike have 700 x 32c tires for road use. With proper pressure (80 psi), these tires offer a fast and comfy ride on surfaced roads and paved roads in different kinds of weather conditions.
No need to worry about sharp objects puncturing your tire. Fortified fitted these with tires that are resistant to punctures, so you can ride over rough, imperfect roads with confidence.
An 8-Speed Drivetrain
This bike is made specifically for people who commute daily. Equipped with an 8-speed drivetrain, this bike has a single front gear and eight gears in the back. The gear numbers are clearly marked, so you know exactly what speed you’re at.
It may not have 27 speeds like the Tommaso La Forma Lightweight Aluminum Hybrid Bike, but the gears in this bike are sufficient for commuting on flat roads and perhaps on slightly elevated roads(less than 5% grade).
Assembly and Sizes
The Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike is available in three sizes:
- Small (50 cm frame size): 5’4” to 5’6”
- Medium (54 cm frame size): 5’6” to 5’11”
- Large (58 cm frame size): 6’0” to 6’2”
Reminder: When choosing the best size for you, consider your riding style, too. For instance, if you’re 5’5” and an aggressive racer, you might want to get the medium frame size instead of the small one.
This bike is already 80-percent assembled. It comes with the tools you need, including the specialized wrenches for the anti-theft bolts, to put it together. Fortified also included an extra tube, a saddle bag for the tools, and a small tube of grease.
Spec List
- Fork: Fortified 700c 6061 Aluminum Fork
- Brakes: MD-280 − Tektro Mechanical Disc Brakes
- Brake lever: Tektro R360 Road Lever
- Chainring: Prowheel Steel Chainring 42T, alloy guard and arm
- Crank: Prowheel Square Taper Crankset, 175 mm
- Derailleur: Shimano Rear Derailleur
- Fortified security bolts: stainless steel screws for water bottle, S/S bolts, stem faceplate bolts, and top cap bolt
- Gear shifter: trigger thumb shifter
- Headset: 1-1/8” semi-integrated headset
- Rack and fender mounts with clearance for bike fenders
- Wheel locks: Delta Cycle Fort Knox locking hub nuts
The Good
A Lightweight Bike
Lightweight bikes, such as the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike, are great for longer rides. Of course, they’re usually faster and easier to transport.
But if you want a lighter 8-speed bike, the Raleigh Bikes Alysa 3 Women’s Urban Fitness Bike is an affordable option.
Dependable and Easy to Maneuver
It’s comfortable, fast, sturdy, and easy to maneuver on narrow streets, imperfect roads, and around cars. Although it’s not suitable for climbing steep hills or riding off road, unlike other hybrid bikes, such as the sixthreezero Pave N’ Trail Women’s Hybrid Road Bicycle w/Rear Rack.
Equipped with Anti-Theft Features
This is definitely one of its major advantages. Sure, it’s not completely thief-proof, but because of its special security bolts, thieves would easily get discouraged and just move on to another bike that’s easier to steal.
The Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike is the worry-free and efficient way to commute. More details here.
The Bad
Not for Hilly Areas
The Invincible is not built for hilly areas or for hobbyists who like to take their bikes on rough terrains. Fortified designed it for flat, smooth roads, with occasional potholes, cracks, and bumps.
Factory Tires Not Durable
Some say that the tires of this bike are low quality and not puncture resistant, as what was advertised. One customer complained that the inner tube exploded after a month of light riding on city roads.
Comes with Plastic Rim Tape
It’s okay to try to save a little, but it’s not always recommended, especially when it comes to rim tapes. A plastic rim tape, even if you put layers of it, could give you unnecessary flat tires. When you buy The Invincible, it’s a good idea to get a cloth rim tape.
Who Is It For?
The Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike is for beginners and daily commuters who live in areas with relatively flat, paved roads. It would also make a good bike for an all-season rider because of its rust-resistant and sturdy components.
Conclusion
The defective factory tires are a cause of concern, but this issue is not something that can’t be fixed. You should also expect to spend extra on a few basic parts (e.g. fender set, commuter bike bag, and rear rack), which we expected to be already included in the cost of the bike.
However, the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike is still worth the consideration. Some people may have issues with an 8-speed bike, but overall, this is a well put together bike and offers comfortable and smooth rides. The anti-theft components are also great to have, especially if you live in areas where bike theft is rampant.
Enjoy comfortable bike rides with the Fortified Theft-Resistant 8 Speed Disc-Brake City Commuter Bike. Learn more about it here.