The Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike is a working woman’s best friend. It’s the best choice for taller women who want a simple solution to their everyday commute. And let’s not forget about the excellent blue color that comes with the retro design that truly makes this bike stand out from the crowd.
But what exactly makes it so special? We take a closer look at the bike and write down our final thoughts in this review.
- Easy Maintenance
- Nice Grips
- 7-Speed Bike
- Seat Has Suspension
- No Suspension
- One Color
- Simple Design
Vilano Retro City Commuter Women’s Hybrid Bike Review
Who is the Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike made for?
The Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike is for urban dwellers. It’s highly for:
- Women whose heights range from 5’7” to 6’
- Those who want a lightweight option
- Women who have to face hills and obstacles in their daily commute
- People who want more control of their bike’s speed
- Those who want a long-lasting product
- Women who love a cute retro design
- Women who look for a simple solution to a complicated commute
Technical Details of Vilano Retro City Commuter Women’s Hybrid Bike
To give you a better understanding of this bike, we did complete research. And here’s our comprehensive Vilano ladies’ hybrid bike review.
Simple Frame & Retro Design
One of the primary reasons why we love the bike so much is its simple yet effective frame. The configuration isn’t anything too fancy. This urban-style frame is 50 cm in size, big enough to support women as short as 5’7” and as tall as 6’.
It’s the perfect choice for ladies who are sick and tired of bikes, only for stereotypical short women. The bike features a step-through design to make it easier to mount, much like that on scooters. And to top all that off, the design is retro and pretty classic than other commuters.
Parts Are Built to Last
The Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike uses a steel frame to withstand high levels of stress and pressure. Admittedly, steel is not the lightest. But it’s undoubtedly corrosion-free. Considering how strong it is, your bike will most likely survive a bit of impact.
And even if you’re not using it, this bike can withstand years of sitting in the garage and not rust. The strong yet lightweight aluminum rims only add to that strength. Aluminum, as we all know it is not prone to rust or corrosion. It’s quite a stable metal that doesn’t lose its structure or integrity.
Brakes & Tires
This retro hybrid bike for ladies spares no expense at keeping braking as safe as possible. It uses linear-pull brakes, which are improved versions of the cantilever brakes. The main advantage they provide is twice as much power as the cantilever brakes. This means more abrupt braking and lesser failure.
As for the tires, they’re your average 700c tires seated on 700c wheels. 700c tires provide better traction as they’re able to roll over obstacles with more ease. This makes them highly suitable for a short off-road detour, especially with their slight tread pattern.
Gearing System
For its gearing system, this vintage ladies’ city bike uses a 7-speed twist grip shifter. A simple twist-shift allows you to change gears right from the handlebars in this type of transmission. And since it offers 7 speeds, you get more customization.
The lower speeds are incredible for general commuting. And the higher speeds are more suited for when you have to walk through dirt paths or go uphill. You can even use the higher gears for when you need to reach your destination faster, albeit staying within legal limits.
All in all, the gearing system is relatively smooth and doesn’t jitter, unlike other cheap transmissions we’ve tried.
Comfortable Ride
The Vilano Retro will give you quite a comfortable ride. While writing our Vilano hybrid bike review, we noticed how soft and cushy the bike seat was. And it rests just above your hip level when you’re standing. Hence, mounting it is never difficult, especially with the step-through design.
Speaking of the step-through design, it’s a neat little addition. The design makes it easier to mount and dismount.
In addition to that, the handlebars have a classic swept-back design, akin to retro women’s bikes. This allows your posture to stay completely upright, reducing that slouch that sports bikes produce.
Perfect For Ladies Lightweight Hybrid Bike
The Vilano Retro City Commuter is the perfect choice for women for many reasons. Bike makers take into account the physique and proportions of the intended rider when designing the geometry. This is why most women’s bikes have a shorter reach and stack.
However, in our Vilano Women’s Hybrid Bike 700c Retro City Commuter Review, we found it’s best for tall women. Its stack and reach are quite long for a women’s bike. But the other geometric aspects remain the same. Plus, the design fits what most women are looking for: a lightweight hybrid bike that gets them through the day.
Weight And Everyday Practicality
One of the biggest problems commuters face is dragging the total weight of their bike. The Vilano Retro Commuter works around that problem by making its chassis extremely lightweight. Yes, it’s not as light as an aluminum chassis would be. But it’s still significantly lighter than other steel frames.
More specifically, the steel frame on the Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike weighs about 32 pounds. This means hauling the bike to secure it in a rack or park; it is as easy as ever. People with weak hands, in particular, will benefit from the lightweight frame.
Assembly Instructions
The Vilano women’s bike comes partially assembled. You’ll need to flip the stem to install the front wheel. Then, you’ll need to install the handlebars, saddle, and pedals in that specific order.
You’ll need to “true” them for the wheels, which means ensure that they’re perfectly aligned. Finally, you’ll need to tune the suspension and brakes depending on what type of terrain you’re riding on.
All this can be scary for a first-timer, especially the truing. Hopefully, the wheels on your bike will come true. But in general, the assembly has a few extra steps.
Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike Specifications
| Gender | Women |
|---|---|
| Brand | Vilano |
| Wheel Diameter | 28 Inches (700 cm) |
| Tires | 700c x 35c |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Brake | Linear pull |
| Suspension | No Suspension |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Number Of Speeds | 7-Speeds |
| Saddle | With Suspension |
| Weight | 32 Pounds |
| Size | 50 cm (19.7 inches) |
| Colors | Blue |
| Riding Position | Leisure & Comfort |
Comparison Vilano Retro City Commuter Women’s Hybrid Bike vs. Schwinn Wayfarer Hybrid Retro-Styled Cruiser
That concludes our Vilano commuter bike review. It’s undoubtedly a good choice for taller women. But how does it stack against the Schwinn Wayfarer?
Well, for starters, the bikes are quite similar. They both feature steel frames that look almost the same. And the brakes are linear-pull brakes. In addition to that, both these bikes feature 700c rims that can accommodate people with heights ranging from 5’7 to 6’.
But the similarities stop there. The Schwinn Wayfarer uses a 7-speed Shimano derailleur along with SRAM twist shifters. Both of these are more advanced than the technologies used on the Vilano Retro. Now, this doesn’t mean they work better. But it will affect performance and durability.
However, there is one feature that the Vilano executes better than the Schwinn: the weight. The Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike weighs 32 pounds, whereas the Schwinn weighs 44 pounds. This weight difference not only makes the Schwinn harder to transport. But it also means it’s harder to ride uphill and downhill. This is furthered by the thick tires that are ultimately very bulky and harder to steer.
Is there a male version of this bike?
Yes. For the couples, there’s a male version of this bike. If you want to buy one for your partner and commute with them, the Vilano Men’s Hybrid Retro Bike Commuter is a perfect choice. It’s not an exact copy. But it features the same functionality.
Boasting 700c rims, it can accommodate riders of heights from 5’7” to 6’. This makes it the perfect choice for most men. But if your partner is shorter, you should look for a different size.
Why should you buy Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike?
Simply put, the Vilano is the best women’s hybrid bike for commuting and running everyday errands. It’s lightweight and portable. And the step-through frame allows you to mount and dismount at will. Equipped with linear solid pull brakes and a 7-speed derailleur, this bike is made for most city terrains.
FAQs About Vilano Women’s Bike
Is Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike fit for taller women?
Yes, the Vilano Retro City Commuter is perfect for taller women. It can fit women whose heights range from 5’7” to 6’. But it’s not the best hybrid bike for petite women.
How hard is it to assemble a Vilano Women’s Hybrid Retro Bike?
The assembly required is quite similar to other hybrid bikes. However, you will need to true the wheels yourself. And it’s highly recommended to adjust the suspension and brakes on first use.
Can a baby seat be attached to the back of this bike?
Yes, it is possible. However, you must ensure that the child is properly secured. Given the weight threshold of this bike, it is possible to carry a baby on the bike.
What is the Vilano Women’s Hybrid Bike weight limit?
The weight limit for the Vilano Women’s Hybrid Bike is about 250 lbs.
Conclusion
The Vilano Retro City Commuter women’s hybrid bike is an excellent opportunity for taller women to try out a retro-style bike. It’s lightweight and easy to carry. With its powerful brakes and 7-speed twist-shift, you’ll have complete control of your bike wherever you go. And to top that off, it comes in an exciting blue color.
