The Schwinn Hurricane is back. Only this time, it’s as a low-cost eBike, and it’s marketed to young riders.
Hold on, doesn’t it seem like a bad time to release a bike named the Hurricane? On the surface, yes, but most bikes are in development for years before they are launched, so Schwinn likely named this bike long before the devastation of the recent hurricanes. Schwinn also has a history with the name. Following the success of the Tornado and Typhoon, Schwinn’s original 1978 Hurricane took naming inspiration from natural disasters, but styling inspiration from Motocross.
Although the new bike shares the same seat type, it’s substantially different than the Hurricane of yesteryear. Now, that was a bitchen bike.
Long gone are the fillet-brazed glory days of Schwinn Bicycles. Instead, this new Hurricane is a compact eBike with tiny 14″ wheels aimed at teens.
Schwinn Hurricane
Here are some pertinent details:
- 250-watt motor with a top speed of 17.5 mph
- Up to 30-mile range
- Throttle or pedal assist
- 3″ wide tires
- Throttle display
- Front and rear mechanical disc brakes
- Built-in fenders
- Automatic LED lights
Fits Some Riders
The long seat (like the OG) is designed to let you slide back (for pop-a-wheelies, I guess) and forth (for whatever else isn’t a pop-a-wheelie). But, it also allows you to find the right fit on the bike. Schwinn says it’s for riders age 13+ and up to 260lbs.
Look, I’m not trying to be a curmudgeon, but I think this age bracket should be using an actual bicycle to get around. When I was 13 I had the lungs and the legs to take my Schwinn Stingray anywhere I wanted. That was also in 1978. Kids these days.
It’s OK, I’m just saying what you’re thinking. Now get off my lawn.
Hurricane Retails and Specs (from the website)
Retail: $600
- Durable steel frame
- Aluminum rims
- JAK mechanical disc brakes
- “Moto-style” seat with foam padding
- Weight: 56lbs (seems very heavy for such a small bike)
- Steel dual crown, rigid fork
- 14″x 3″ tires
- Steel, 680mm wide handlebars with a 22.2mm clamp
- “Soft comfort”, single density grips
- Kickstand and front and rear fenders
Don’t get mad at me, check out the bikes at the link below.
