The Eaglebear Black Hybrid Bicycle offers a great blend of performance, versatility, and value at $1,300. Built by a team known for designing excellent kids' bikes, the Eaglebear Black is carefully crafted to ensure it’s lightweight, durable, and high-performance, all while maintaining a reasonable price. This bike excels in both urban and off-road environments, making it an excellent choice for riders seeking a do-it-all solution. Thanks to Eaglebear for providing a bike to facilitate this review.
Key Features:
- Lightweight Design: The bike weighs 24.4 lbs (size medium), making it easy to handle whether you're cruising through the city or exploring trails.
- Dual Tire Setup: It includes Kenda Alluvium Pro 700x45C tires for everyday riding or Kenda Booster Pro TR 27.5x2.20 for off-road adventures, offering versatility for different terrains.
- Shimano Deore 1X12-Speed Drivetrain: The Shimano Deore 6100 12-speed groupset ensured smooth, reliable shifting and excellent performance during climbs, descents, and flats. No dropping chains here with a clutch derailleur and a narrow wide front chainring.
- High-Quality Components: Equipped with Shimano MT201 hydraulic disc brakes, a carbon fork with 3 mounting points, and tubeless-ready double-wall rims, the bike is built for durability and high performance.
- Family-Friendly Design: As an offshoot of Prevelo, a brand known for kids’ bikes, the Eaglebear Black is ideal for parents. It's adaptable with racks, trailers, and child seats, making it perfect for family outings.
- Shipped Direct to Your Door Pre-assembled: Purchase at www.eaglebear.com
From Pavement to the Woods
Sizing:
The Eaglebear Black Hybrid is available in four sizes, ensuring a comfortable fit for riders of different heights:
- Small: 5'1" to 5'6"
- Medium: 5'5" to 5'10"
- Large: 5'9" to 6'2"
- Extra Large: 6'1" to 6'4"
At 5'8 the size medium fit me perfect
Geometry Chart
Performance and Comfort:
The bike’s geometry is designed for all-day comfort on mixed surfaces, providing a neutral and predictable ride. It’s not built for the snappy responsiveness of a road racer, but rather for comfort and stability, perfect for mixed-surface rides and long days in the saddle. I stuck to the well matched Kenda 700x45 tires for the mixed pavement/light trail riding I used the bike for but riders can also switch to the off-road 27.5" wheelset for added versatility.
The Shimano brakes worked phenomenal, never needing an adjustment or bleed in my 3 months on the bike. The dependable Deore drivetrain was flawless as usual leaving me more time in saddle and less time adjusting derailleur limits and cable tension. Cranks, Seat, Cockpit...everything is set and forget leaving a comfortable and dependable ride experience.
How about 27.5 and a dropper?
More on Versatility:
The nature of the Black is that almost anyone from the enthusiast to the recreational rider can find great utility in the bike. For me, I have a full suspension MTB so the Black filled my need for a gravel grinder/grocery getter/road commuter bike that can pop into the light trails for a bit of fun. Others may want to overland more on back packing adventurers. Moms and Dads have the ability to run a child front seat for family adventures. Want a gravel bike but not keen on drop bars? The Black has you covered.
Front Rack
Bike Pack?
Child Seat
"The Eaglebear Black is an excellent choice for those looking for a bike that balances performance, comfort, and versatility. Whether you're returning to cycling, taking on family adventures, or exploring new trails, this bike has all the essentials. Its thoughtfully selected components and affordable price make it a solid investment for riders of all levels." - Colin