REI is known for its top-notch customer service, and its bike department is no exception. The retailer offers free tune-ups for a year after purchase at any of its locations, as well as a lifetime warranty and free returns for a full year after purchase for REI Co-op members and 90 days for non-members. Our testers were magnetically drawn to the look of the Guardian bikes. For an added price, Guardian offers cute accessories such as bells, colorful handlebar grips, and water bottles with holders. His partner Adolph Arnold could see that bicycles were no longer agrowth industry. In 1908, he agreed to sell all his shares in the company toIgnaz Schwinn. On his part, Schwinn never gave up on the bicycle side of hiscompany but he recognized that to survive his company would have to diversify. While the limited Paramount productionrepresents a reflection of the Schwinn and Waterford history, the launch ofShinola represents a significant opportunity for its future. Financed by TomKartsosis, the founder of Fossil watches, the company opened in Detroit two yearsago, making high-end watches and bicycles and focusing on the American-madeappeal. The bankers perceived the trouble atthe Greenville factory and the misadventure in Hungary as a hit to theirconfidence that Schwinn could manage its financial woes. This combined withlower Schwinn bike sales set in motion a series of actions that put the companyunder financial stress starting in the 1990s. Schwinn’s “Made in America” reputation undermined itsability to pivot its entire production offshore. They understood that Schwinn bikes made in Asia were justlike all the other imports. The factory in Hungary was partially successful in producingthe Schwinn Woodlands, but many of the imported bikes had to be warehoused dueto quality issues. For a companystruggling with cash flow and being supervised closely by its banks, this wasnot the time for Schwinn to gamble on becoming a global player. Schwinn pulledthe plug on the unsuccessful venture in 1991 just one year before bankruptcy. Debates raged inside Schwinn about whether to abandon its“Made in America” identity. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time). This top-notch bike weighs only 16.9 pounds, despite its seven gears, which makes it super easy to maneuver and fun to ride. A bigger frame and the addition of six gears make this bike a great choice for most 6- to 9-year-olds who are ready to learn the art of shifting gears. Notice that the distance between the child’s knees and the handlebars is much greater on the Prevelo. As a result, the rider feels much less cramped on the bike and it is easier for her to maneuver. If the bike seat and the handlebars are too close (the cockpit), a bike will be significantly harder for a child to ride. If a bike’s frame is poorly designed, it will be very hard for a child to ride. The 20”, 24” and 27.5? geared bikes are all available with an optional suspension fork. While greasy bike chains typically require regular maintenance and can easily fall off, belt drives are grease-free, maintenance-free, and will almost never fall off.