Aluminum cruiser frame provides lightweight durability with a vintage-inspired look that never goes out of style. Plus, the comfortable upright riding position makes riding a delight. From dirt paths through the park to rugged trails, these mountain bikes are built for exploring. Front or dual suspension lets you ride over rough terrain while mountain tires provide the grip and stability you’re looking for.

Then again -- the bike is still a functioning piece of equipment once the battery is dead, so maybe we should all stop being so lazy. The Schwinn Tailwind uses a Shimano eight-speed gearset in the rear hub, its limited gear ratio making the bike mostly suitable for flat areas. Cantilever brakes grab the rims for stopping power, although with the price of this bike, we would expect disc brakes. Front and rear lights that run off a traditional tire-contact generator are included. Of course, some of that weight is in the 288-watt battery which Schwinn adversities as being good for up to 35 miles of range.

We tested the Marshall electric bike on pavement, gravel and dirt to see how Schwinn’s new models stack up against the growing number of ebike options. Regardless, the battery seemed to be securely locked into its rack, so it's probably not an actual concern, and probably just more mounting evidence of our insane paranoia. And at the end of the day, we’re talking about an affordable cruiser, so I didn’t expect to find high-end shifters, hydraulic disc brakes, or suspension on the bike. The Shimano Tourney shifter, mechanical disc brakes, and plushy spring saddle are enough for me. I’ve seen this level of components on electric cruisers that cost nearly twice as much. Schwinn advertises the Tailwind as being rechargeable in just half an hour.