Retrospec is your respected budget brand and it is always aiming to produce a better product every time with a tight hand on the price.
The Speck 7 is worth every penny. Literally. There are not many bikes which will offer you the specs loaded in the Speck and still be economical. The Speck 7 can be considered as an upgrade to the Speck SS, which is a single speed version with very similar features. The machine is reliable and has power, with a stylish outlook. The cycle will perform on the roads and is mainly for city usage.
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Rating:
3.50 / 5.00
Price:
$$$ on Amazon (September 12 2015)
Warranty
Retrospec backs its bikes with a one year warranty. The frame and fork are guaranteed to be free from any manufacturing error, and will be replaced with no questions asked if they have any fault in them. All other parts are warranted to be free from any damage for sixty days from the day of purchase.
For any more information you may contact the Retrospec customer service.
Pros and Cons:
Seven Speeds Can’t Handle Heavy Cyclers
Light Weight No Fenders / Rear Rack
Very Durable No Locking Mechanism
Adjustable Handle Bar
First Impression:
The bike does not have the greatest looks and have a toy-ish feeling to it, as if it is meant for the kids.
Detailed Review:
The Speck 7 comes in three color schemes: Graphite Matte, Matte Black and Navy. All the three colors are available on Amazon as of now. If you do order it from Amazon, you will receive the bike under a week, or under 3 days if you have Amazon prime. Shipping is free and only across the United States.
The bike arrives in good packing. It does require some assembling and tuning. You need to get your wheels and derailleur adjusted. If you are not used to it or not confident about it you can indeed get the bike done by a professional mechanic.
If you purchase the bike from your local shop you will probably get it pre assembled.
The bike itself is very well built. The frame is made from aluminum, which naturally makes it lighter than steel or chromyl frames. The bike parts are built in china, however they are hand built and very solid. You will probably not see a sturdier frame in this price. The paint is also very professionally put on and should never wear off. All three colors complement the bike parts well.
The Speck 7 features a seven speed system. While this may not be a very attractive option, especially for the speed enthusiasts but considering it is an economical machine, the speed variety is still very convenient. You will not need the low gears usually when you are on the streets and will usually shift between 6 and 7. The shifting is smooth and quick, with Shinamo Revoshift grip shifter. The foldable will even climb small inclines without much hassle. However, if you take it on a steep hill prepare to hop out of it and take it on feet.
The Promax brakes are installed on the front and rear wheels. These brakes are durable and even though they are not the most premium but they do their job very well.
The Kenda West commuter tires might not be very attractive to the eyes and if you are used to the Schwalbe and Continental tires you might not be pleased at all. However, these tires are thick with smooth rounded tread and large water dispersion grooves (prevent slip), which are all the features you really need while driving on the city roads. Since the tires are 20 inch, they are easy to control and although you need to paddle more to cover the same distance as a full bike, you have the advantage of better control and nimbleness which will allow you to go through the tightest of spaces with ease.
The seat of the foldable is comfortable and even for people with big butt it will suffice. However, the seat post is not extendable and if you are a big person you might need to buy a seat post extension which can cost you around 50 bucks.
The folding of Speck 7 is easy and quick, taking only fifteen seconds. The folding process requires wrapping the handle bar tube, top tube and pedals and within a minute you will have a small size ready to carry or keep safely in your car truck, closet or under the table. There is no locking mechanism to hold the bike which is a bummer. You will need to get a bungee string or Velcro strap for this purpose.
You can customize the Speck 7 with a lot of upgradable. These are available at the Retrospec store and include lights, bottle holders, cages, baskets, racks, etc. You will also find some really nice upgrades on the Amazon web store but you must make sure they will fit your model.
The only real problem with bike was the chain which had no chain guard and come off at unexpected time. This can be an issue if you are riding and it happens midway.
There are also no fenders and racks pre-installed and you need to buy them individually.
Specifications:
- Lightweight durable hand-made aluminium frame
- 20″ Kenda West Tires
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Folded dimensions: 10 Inch x 30 Inch x 22 Inch
- Rear and front Promax Brakes
- Quick Folding
- Frame: Hand-Built Aluminium Frame and Fork
- Speeds: 7
- Ideal for riders between 4’8 and 6’6, under 240 lbs.
- Colour: Graphite, Matte Navy, Matte Coral and Matte Black.
- Wheel size: 20 inches
- Available for shipping in other countries, not only U.S.A
Conclusion:
The Speck 7 is an amazing bike for its price. It is good for riding in the city and will usually show a consistent performance all around the year. It is a 7 speed bike which is a rarity for the amount you give for it. However, the Dahon Vybe is a close competitor to this bike. If you are really short of the budget you should go for it or else go for the more reliable Vybe, with a bigger brand backing.
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