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November 23, 2007
Cycling Dude Review: XYZ 26in. Man Deluxe Beach Cruiser
In early October I was approached by a representative for a company called XYZ BIkes, out of Hermosa Beach CA. by way of a Las Vegas Headquarters, an Internet based company selling "great looking beach cruisers for very low prices."
They are a relatively new outfit.
Hello,
I am contacting you on behalf of my client John Vanhara with XYZBikes.com.
XYZ Bikes is an internet-based manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor, designer and retailer specializing in beach cruiser bicycles. The company offers over forty beach cruiser and beach bike designs in its online catalog.
In an effort to put the word out about their bikes and website, they would like to generate interest through select bicycling-oriented websites to review their beach cruisers and write a review on their website, along with a link to the XYZ Bike website.
Would you be open to reviewing one of the beach cruisers (DUDE: A link was provided to a page on the website.)? If so, we would send one to you at no charge. XYZ Bikes will pay all costs to ship as well.
In exchange, they are just asking that you try out the bike, write a review on your website/blog, and additionally post a link back to the website.
Feel free to email or call me if you have any questions.
Thank you for your consideration.
Diana Heeb Bivona
When I first began this blog almost 5 years ago I never thought of having advertising, much less reviewing products.
As blogging has evolved and as interest in my blog has grown I became an Amazon Associate, accepted Google Ads and BlogAds as well.
This review marks the first time I've accepted the offer of putting a product through its paces and expressing my opinion on the item in question.
They apparently think the effort on their part to be worth it (Any company that does this sort of promotion obviously is taking a big risk that the reviewer might not like the product.).
We don’t intend to spend big money on advertising or other promotion. Our goal is to keep very low prices and if we have big advertising budge we couldn’t do that. We want to keep operation expenses very low and pass the savings to our customers. We don’t want to use classic retail resellers like most of our competition. Retail resellers usually add 50% mark up and customer must pay too much for their bikes. Our goal is to sell cheap directly to customers.
After checking out the website and taking a few days to consider it, I accepted.
Maybe I will get some reciprical publicity out of this if they like what I have to say, who knows?
So let's get this show on the road! ;-D
I will do 2 things, here: A product review and thoughts on the company website.
PRODUCT: XYZ 26in. Man Deluxe Beach Cruiser. (New for 2007.)
REGULAR PRICE: $145.00
CURRENT SALE PRICE: $95.00
The bike came well packed in a sturdy cardboard box.
Even though the bike takes the cracks and bumps of the most unkept city street, like a mountain bike, it truly shines on what it was designed for: The paved Cycling Trail.
You want to take a leisurely 10 to 30 mile ride on the trail of some nearby public beach, some river trail from the mountains to the sea, around a lake, in a regional park, or around a city?
A path designed to be shared only by cyclists, walkers, joggers, and maybe the occasional horseback rider?
This bike is a comfortable and cheap way to introduce yourself to the pleasures of this activity.
It is not designed to be used as a night time ride, though a headlight can be added.
I'd like to thank the guy who helped me take the above 2 pictures.
See, see! I DID ride the bike!.;-D
About 25 miles overall. ;-D
One more thing: This is not a mountain bike, but there are no doubt some out there who ride such steeds and even those bikes with no brakes at all, on unpaved trails. ;-D
You want to know how this baby performs on such trails, you are on your own.
If you live to tell about it stop by and leave a comment. ;-D
Now, for the person who, like me, relies on Mass Transit the question of the suitability of the bike for transport on a bike rack is of the utmost importance.
Most Bike Racks found on the front of most busses are of 2 types.
Some have sloping ends on the back end.
The oversized tires make the bike a little long, but the wide wheels fit snugly into place on these type racks.
Some racks do not have the above slope, thus making the rack seem a little short.
Even though the back tire "sits up" a little the front wheel is snugly secure, as is the bike.
At least it appears that way.
I prefer the other rack because it's remotely possible that if the bus hit a bump, or dip in the road, your trusty steed might come loose. ;-D
When it comes to using bike racks in front of businesses and government facilities...you take your chances. ;-D
Not all such racks are made to accomodate all types of bikes.
The company website sells fenders and baskets appropriate for this model bike if the buyer is interested.
In short: This bike is an ideal starter ride for someone interested in sticking to paved Bicycle Trails of many different locations and varying lengths.
With proper adjustments of its parts, to fit the rider, a comfortable, leisurely, ride can be a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
What about the website?
I like it. It is easy to navigate and has enough info to help you make a purchase, not to mention ways for you to ask questions, comment, and leave your own reviews of products.
The Home Page has a nice little introduction to the History of Beach Cruisers, and their place in Cycling Culture, past, and present.
The Home Page has a clickable directory to the other parts of the site, divided into 10 sections:
THE BIKE CATALOG (Store): You can log in, and create an acount, for starters.
Here you can learn which items are most popular, such as the above model bike, and click on any bike, or other product that you you want to learn more about before purchasing.
You can find sales and read product reviews by people who have purchased items.
There are seperate links that take you to store pages for Classic Beach Cruisers, Women's Cruisers, Men's Cruisers and something called a Chopper Cruiser.
Their most expensive bike, this baby must be seen to be believed. ;-D
This Low Rider is like a Recumbent, except that a few things are, um, missing. ;-D
Of course this just means it will be tempting for the, um, more adventurous, cyclist to take it for a spin where it ain't meant to go. ;-D
THE CONTACT PAGE: This page has info on where to by a bike in Lomita, Ca. (See Local Pick-up page for more info, and directions.), and has an easy to fill out form for submitting inquiries to the company.
THE INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING PAGE is quite helpful in that regard.
THE FAQ PAGE is an informative, though evolving, section with new info being added all the time.
THE BLOG: Part promotional tool, part personal observations related to products, testing, How to's, FAQS and more, it makes for fun reading, including the comments to many of the posts, and is a relatively recent addition to the site.
There is an interesting section that explains the Affilliate/Reseller Program the company hopes to encourage.
There is a growing Product Asembly Section, and all the info you need for Shipping and Returns.
The company has a good, uncomplicated Motto: XYZ Bikes = Good cheap bikes
To learn more about the specifications of the bike I have reviewed, and see more photos, go here and here.
As for what plans I have for my new bike?
I paid a visit, this afternoon, to Santa Ana Fire Sation 1:
The 15th Anniversary Spark of Love Toy Drive.
California Community Foundation.
November 23, 2007 in Product Reviews by an Ordinary Cyclist | Permalink
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Comments
Liked the confidence exhibited by XYZ in having you test their bike.
We carry high capacity bikes and trikes for the plus sized community.
Generally they are expensive because of how strong they are built.
Some models can safely transport 500 pounds.
With the 40 models XYZ carries, do you happen to know if any modlel(s) have a high weight carrying capacities over 300 pounds?
Do you have any suggestions for bikes that carry high weight capacities, 250 pounds plus?
We would like to offer a few more on our site.
Posted by: Gary | Nov 25, 2007 10:28:23 AM
You've set the bar high, C. Dude. Extremely conscientious and detailed product review.
I want to echo Gary's question about "Heavy Metal Dude" capacity. I know of a bike here in Europe sold by USED called the Big Boy Cactus:
http://www.used-hq.com/used-website/english/products-2008/cactus10/bigboy/bigboy-overview-en.html
And, as you know, we'll be producing our own Mobility Transport Vehicle that will assist this market--but does XYZ have any thing in this niche?
Posted by: Randy | Nov 29, 2007 1:51:11 PM
I checked with the folks at XYZ, on the weight question, and this was the reply:
"I don't think our bikes will handle the weight, but it is good niche to focus on.
Thanks for the idea and comment."
John
Posted by: Kiril, The Cycling Dude | Nov 30, 2007 12:21:05 AM
The XYZ bikes are pieces of crap.
I bought one 6 months ago
Only used it to ride down the strand at the beach, and the back sprocket already broke.
Not to mention it is the squeakiest bike I have ever ridden in my life.
I do not recommend these bikes.
Posted by: paul wade | Feb 2, 2009 7:37:36 PM
I wish I was in them too, seems so fun ...........
Posted by: Cruiser Bikes | Mar 4, 2011 12:19:11 AM
I think the style of this bike will appeal to many people. I also think they are making a wise choice with advertising and keeping cost low while making a name for themselves. Your review was outstanding and I hope to see more from this bike manufacturer. Getting back to basics is always good.
Posted by: Dave Hill | Jul 8, 2015 12:31:57 AM