Good hybrid bikes that don’t cost a fortune are hard to find. But with a little digging, you can find promising hybrid bikes that exactly fit your needs. If you need a basic hybrid bike with a good braking system, try the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes. Read on to find out what it has to offer.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Sure Stop® Braking System
You won’t normally find the Sure Stop® Brakes in hybrid bikes at this price range. So, what’s so great about this?
Ease of Use
The left hand controls the front brake, while the right hand controls the rear brake. This is usually how traditional bikes are sold in the United States. To make your life easier and your rides more enjoyable, Kent International specifically designed the Avondale to have one lever for the front and rear brakes.
More Controlled and Safer Rides
The Sure Stop® braking system is designed to engage the rear brake (right) first before the front brake (left), while making sure the braking power is evenly distributed. As a result, you can stop faster in shorter distances and avoid over-the-bars crash and front tire skidding.
Aluminum Alloy Frame Size
The dark blue aluminum alloy frame with a straight blade fork and strong 36-hole rims is suitable for adults who weigh 250 pounds or less, between 5’6” to 6’2” in height. The quick-release seat post, quill stem, and 24.5-inch riser handlebar are adjustable to make sure the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes fits you perfectly and allows you to comfortably assume an upright position.
Gear System
The KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is equipped with 21-speed gears, giving you a wide range of speed options for riding just about any environment. It has 700 x 38c tires with dimpled sides and a tread pattern in the middle that offers good traction on both paved roads and dusty trails.
Bike Assembly
The Avondale men’s hybrid bike comes almost completely assembled. All that you need to attach are the front wheel and handlebar, which is relatively easy to do, even for the beginner cyclist. Some of the tools you might possibly need for putting this together are wrenches (socket wrench and 6mm and 15mm Allen wrenches).
Dimensions and Specs
- Frame: 69.8 (length) x 24.5 (width) x 38.8 (height) inches
- Head tube: 5 inches
- Top tube: 22.5 inches
- Bike weight: 30 pounds
- Standover height: 30.5 inches
- Seat tube length (center of the BB to top of top tube): 19 inches
- Wheels: 700c
- Rims: 36-hole high profile alloy
- Tires: WD 700 x 38c
- Brakes: linear pull aluminum V-brakes with slide stop technology
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Tourney RD-TX35-SGS, 7-speed
The Good
Clever Braking System
Others might think the Sure Stop® Brakes 1-lever braking system of the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is an odd feature (because they’re used to two levers). However, as what most customers discover later, it allows you to safely and quickly stop without being afraid of falling forward and injuring yourself.
Lighter Than Expected
Most of the people who bought the Avondale were surprised at how relatively light it was, claiming they were able to pick it up with only two fingers or effortlessly carry it upstairs. That’s probably because of the material used for building this bike—all aluminum.
But if you’re under 5’5” and have an average or skinny body, you might have a hard time carrying a 30-pound bike like this one.
No-Sweat Gear Shifting
Don’t let the multiple gears discourage you from buying the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes. It won’t take long before you get the hang of it. Once you do, it’s easy to shift and find the best gear combinations for every road surface.
Clever, safe, and affordable—these are what the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is all about. Get it now.
The Bad
Doesn’t Ride Well on Soft Grounds
Apparently, it’s difficult to ride the Avondale on roads with loose soil, unlike the Schwinn GTX 1.0 Men’s Dual Sport Bicycle, which works well on or off road. When riding this bike, it’s a good idea to stick to roads that have hard dirt surfaces or made of concrete or asphalt.
Not for Short Guys
Even if you’re 5’5”, you won’t still find this comfortable to ride. In fact, guys who are 5’6”are barely able to reach the pedals. This definitely built for tall guys.
If you’re under 5’6”, you might want to skip this and look for an alternative. For instance, the Mongoose Reform Comp 700C Wheel Hybrid Bicycle is suitable for those who are under 5’9”.
Requires Adjustments
Like with most new bikes, the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes requires a few adjustments out of the box. It’s not difficult to do if you know how to follow instructions and use Google. The 1-lever braking system is probably the only part of this bike that’s tricky to fine-tune.
Who Is It For?
The KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is ideal for casual riders, newbie cyclists, and less aggressive cyclists. Since this doesn’t have fenders, like the Kent Northwoods Springdale Men’s Hybrid Bicycle, it would be a good choice for a “fair weather” cyclist. It rides well on dirt roads, but it’s more for commuting on smooth and hard road surfaces.
Conclusion
The KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is a budget hybrid bike, but there’s nothing cheap about it. The Sure Stop® braking system is a great safety feature. Except for the small and hard seat, it has functional and good quality parts. Once properly adjusted, it offers smooth and enjoyable rides.
Quick yet safe, affordable yet functional, the KENT Men’s Avondale Hybrid Bicycle with Sure Stop® Brakes is the perfect ride for the daily city commuter.