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. The throttle is a thumb lever on the left side of the bike, next to the LED panel. It has about an inch of travel between off and full, and you can push the throttle part way down or all the way down. Overall, I think Schwinn needs to better balance its approach when it comes to the motor and how hard it pushes, especially when it has a full charge. So, if you commute, or you frequently run errands, an e-bike can save you a lot of gas, and get you outside more. So now that we’ve waxed philosophic about e-bikes, let’s get to the Coston CE.
It was such a joy to ride around and truly turned me in favor of e-bikes (something I never thought possible). Instead of fumbling with it myself, I go to my favorite local bike shop, Spin Bicycle Shop, in Lansing, Michigan. For $70, the shop put my new Schwinn e-bike schwinn ebike together and offered to make any tweaks after I rode it for a little bit. The first thing you’ll notice about the Coston CE e-bike is that is built like a tank, which is both good and bad. It’s good because everything on the bike feels solid and borderline rugged.
Putting the Marshall together takes about 30 minutes and isn’t difficult. It might take you a bit longer if you aren’t familiar with ebikes. There’s a port in the side of the frame where you can charge it without removing, or you can use the keys to pull out battery and charge separately. The 280Wh battery gives enough juice for up to 25miles, which might not seem much, but it’s perfect for weekend adventures. Now, the Healy Ridge bikes are not what we’re used to seeing when it comes to electric mountain bikes, but they are perfect for beginners.
The Coston and Marshall e-bikes also have lights along the battery for additional visibility and a sleek, modern look. I like how the Marshall is a bit more upright than a standard mountain bike but in a better position for standing than a cruiser. So on my comp day off, I decided to swing by Skate Escape, a bike shop near Piedmont Park in Atlanta. A few months ago, after some calling around, I concluded that they were the only bike shop in town that appeared to be interested in carrying the upcoming line of Schwinn Electric Bikes. I guess the other sporty-bike shops couldn’t spare the floor space with all the racks of fluorescent spandex. ? In any case, I had received an email from them letting me know that they had the basic model in the store for test rides.
The controller is what you use to turn the motor on/off, select your level of assistance or throttle, and monitor battery level. On slow steep hills or trails a lower gear with a bit of assist keeps you moving. The lowest gear is a nice big ring in the back for helping on those hills. The “Campus” is the most basic in Schwinn’s 2008 electric bike line, but the term basic does not do it justice.
It looks just odd enough for drivers to take a second look in a “what the heck is that thing? A second look is invaluable as a rider, where we’d often even be grateful for a first look from drivers. It’s basically the Goldilocks option, schwinn beach cruiser offering enough performance and functionality for everyday commuters without pushing the price too high. Take on greater adventures with our e-bikes, which stay true to the superior quality that’s made Schwinn famous for over 125 years.