Firefox Rapide 21s (2014) - Review

The Firefox Rapide 21S felt great from the word go. It gives the rider a very aggressive riding position (for a hybrid) and does not compromise on comfort while doing so. The Frame looks great and uses an unusually shaped top tube which I personally think works for it. I didn't get a chance to have a look at the other colours, but the black model that we got was spectacular. The Frame, being alloy, was very light and made it easy to carry the bicycle around. The grips on the bicycle were pretty comfortable and made my 3 Km test ride much easier.

Not often do you find an Acera Rear Derailleur on a sub INR 2, bicycle and this is what sets this bicycle apart from the rest. At a very economical price tag, the Firefox Rapide 21S comes equipped with an Acera Rear derailleur and a 7 speed cassette hence providing you with 21 gear combinations to handle anything you might experience on your daily rides. <br/>This is an Entry/Mid-level component and is normally installed on bicycles that are priced higher. Needless to say, the shifting was spot on. (click here for Shimano component Hierarchy)

The Brakes on the Firefox Rapide 21S are standard Alloy V Brakes. Nothing fancy here. It does its job just fine and is more than enough for the beginner cyclist. The Shimano Integrated brake levers are awesome. We've always been a big fan of these shifter/brake lever combination. They felt just right and responded well.

As far as the ride quality is concerned, this bicycle really means business. I wasn't kidding when I said the Firefox Rapide 21S has an aggressive riding position. It makes you want to belt out all your energy and just fly away. With soft grips and a cozy saddle to certify this bicycle's comfort, the ride was nothing short of impressive.Firefox Rapide 21S 214 SaddleThe (only) downside to this bicycles is the limited sizing. You don't get this bicycle in more than 2 sizes currently (as of June 3rd 214) but hopefully this will change soon. As long as you've got the right frame size, you should feel almost zero discomfort while riding. The customizability with the handle bar height and stem ensures the bicycle covers a solid range of rider builds.