Btwin Riverside 120 (2018) - Review

The Btwin Riverside 12 has a traditional steel frame. Though often heavier than alloy frames, steel frames are known to be sturdy and long lasting. The frame has been ergonomically designed with a lowered, sloping top-tube, enabling easier mounting and dismounting. Btwin has classified this bicycle as a unisex hybrid bicycle. The ergonomically designed bicycle frame allows for an upright, open-chested, comfortable riding position. The bicycle has a rigid fork. The Btwin Riverside 12 is available in three sizes - Small, Medium and Large. The Small bicycle weighs 13.9 kgs, the medium is 14.1 kgs and the large is 14.3kgs.

The Btwin Riverside 12 is an eight-speed bicycle that has 8 Indexed Speeds controlled by Microshift TS39 Grip Shifters. The Rear Derailleur is an 8-Speed, Btwin by Microshift ‘RD M25’. The shifting was quite efficient when tested. The response of the shifting was quick, except a slight lag when upshifting to the higher gears. The range of gears is adequate for city commuting and leisure riding. Being classified as a hybrid bicycle, I feel that the absence of a front derailleur makes a difference, and takes a toll on the overall performance of the bicycle, as a part of the said category.

The Btwin Riverside 12 has been designed keeping in mind simplicity and clean aesthetics. The bicycle's primary color is a grey, and the frame houses minimal branding in black. The overall look of the bicycle is simple and neat. It is available in a single color option. It would have been a bigger plus point had the bicycle been available in multiple color variants.

The Btwin Riverside 12 comes equipped with V-Brakes at the front and back. The Brake levers are well placed on the handlebar to ensure comfortable reach to use them. The stopping power is adequate for a city bicycle, and is sufficient to bring the bicycle to a complete stop without requiring extra effort. The braking was adequate in both dry and wet riding conditions.The semi-raised, 62mm wide handlebar on this bicycle ensures supreme control when on the saddle. Additionally, a wide handlebar allows for an ‘open-chested’, comfortable riding position.It also allows for easy maneuvering in crowded riding conditions. The handlebar on this bicycle is welded to the stem, enabling even more superior control and stability. Furthermore, the stem is height adjustable.

The Btwin Riverside 12 is equipped with Btwin Versatile tires for roads and trails with their dimensions being 7x38c. The tires are fast rolling and lightly threaded. They are slightly broader than traditional tires on hybrids, but this is considerably helpful on rugged, bumpy roads and on flat trails. These tires allow one to shift from road riding to flat trails and rugged paths effortlessly. Additionally, both the front and rear wheels have a quick release option which makes detaching them from the frame quick and easy. The Btwin Sport 1 Ergofit saddle is made using foam. The saddle is soft ensuring a comfortable ride. The saddle will be comfortable for city commuting as well as leisure riding on a regular basis. Longer duration rides, over an hour long, might have one feel slight discomfort on the sit bones. Additionally, the seat post comes equipped with a quick release option, which makes it easy to adjust the seat height within seconds, and at any point of time, without the hassle of requiring additional tools.