May 23, 2012

Nirve Wilshire Mixte City Bike Review

The Nirve Wilshire Mixte is a speedy ride decked out with commuter essentials such as fenders, rack and chainguard.

Nirve Wilshire Mixte – Price $649.99 USD

find it at nirve.com

Three-speed rear hub with internal gears, Euro-style frame, three main tubes 4130 chrome-molybdenum, hand brakes, twist-style gear shifter, integrated rear rack, polycarbonate chrome fenders, kickstand and 700c wheels. Available only in a 17-inch frame and golden green color.

Pros

This bike is lightweight but sturdy, and handling bumps was a breeze. The grips and seat are very nice. The chrome fenders and integrated rear rack are thoughtful inclusions. I enjoyed the twist-style gear shifter.

Cons

As a five-foot-eight-inch-tall person, I had fit issues that were hard to shake. I also felt that the first and second gears were very high and the third gear is quite low.

Ideal Rider

Commuters under five feet eight inches tall who want a nimble bike that is also a smooth ride.

Overall

My first impressions were of how thoroughly this bike was decked out: with front and rear racks and a very nice seat and grips. Second, I noticed how light it is, which is important if you’re a city dweller and have to deal with stairs. I was blown away by how smoothly it went over the bumps that usually jar me on my commute. I also had fun playing with the speed this bike is capable of.

This Nirve Wilshire Mixte was generously put together by Kickstand Bicycles. kickstandbicyclesnyc.com