Yesterday I got my first, hands-on look at the fruits of Shimano’s new Coasting product initiative.
Only three manufacturers (Raleigh, Trek and Giant) are licensed to make bikes with Coasting and I gave Trek’s offering, the “Lime Light” a closer look.
The bike I rode was a more manly-looking version of the green Lime model I’ve shown pictures of before. This one, a Lime Light model ($469), was black and gray and is a pared down (and $80 less) version of the Lime.
First thing I noticed were the bulbous, futuristic looking, Jetsons-inspired hubcaps.
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Besides that, on the surface, the bike looks like a standard cruiser (albeit with a smaller frame). But once you start pedaling you notice something very different…it shifts for you!
With power generated from a front hub dynamo, the system smoothly changed gears as necessary. On a mild grade in front of the downtown Bike Gallery (going south on 10th Ave), I pedaled hard and cycled through all three gears. The shifting was quiet and smooth.
Here are the brains of the system:
Belying its cruiser appearance, the bike had a lively feel (my 18.5″ tester weighed in at just over 31 pounds). The seat tube is relaxed and the bike has a comfort feel, but the top tube is noticeably shorter than some of the more tankish cruiser/comfort/city bikes on the market.
The coaster brake left a bit to be desired, it seemed like too long before it engaged.
It was raining, so I kept my test ride short. Overall it was a solid, easy to ride, good looking bike. Will it (along with a massive marketing campaign) help get the 161 million non-cycling Americans back in the saddle? That remains to be seen, but after riding it, I think Shimano’s marketing push will be just as (if not more) important to its success.
Check out the complete gallery for more photos. And for more coverage, view my Shimano Coasting archives.