Frog Manchester 27.5" - Review

The Frog Manchester 27.5"" has been made using an Alloy frame which is lightweight and durable. The welding on the frame is smooth at the edges denoting good quality work, thereby ensuring durability while not compromising on performance. The geometry of the frame enables a comfortable upright riding position. The frame houses a mounting option for a single bottle holder. Additionally, it has mounting options for mudguards in the front and rear, and a pannier rack. The bicycle comes with a side stand. This bicycle is available in a single frame size - 18.5"". Furthermore, Frog offers a lifetime warranty on the frame. This bicycle comes equipped with a front suspension fork with suspension lockout. The Zoom 389 Suspension Fork worked well to absorb vibrations felt from rugged, bumpy terrains. The bicycle has a relatively narrow head tube, thereby decreasing the load bearing capacity of the fork. Additionally, the stem is on the longer side, which hinders quick handling, thereby restricting its usage to mild trails that require less precision and tricky maneuvering. This bicycle is sure to perform well on uneven, rugged city roads and on basic trails requiring less technical riding.

The Frog Manchester 27.5" is a 21-Speed bicycle that is equipped with Shimano Tourney (TY-5) front and rear derailleurs and the shifting is controlled by Shimano EZFire 21-Speed shifters. This componentry is fairly standard when it comes to bicycles at the said price point. However, the combination of Shimano Altus would have been great! That said the derailleurs worked smooth, enabling efficient shifting. The Shifters are well placed and functioned crisply, enabling quick and responsive transmission. The shifting was crisp with no evidence of a lag.

The Frog Manchester 27.5" has been designed keeping bold yet appealing aesthetics in mind. The theme of the Bicycle is based on one of the most popular Football Clubs in the world – Manchester United. The bicycle comes in a primary colour of Black with bold Red and Yellow decals and graphics. The combination of Black with bright colours makes this bicycle bright and interesting while not being overpowering. Another aesthetic addition worth mentioning would be the colour coded cabling to match the frame.

The Frog Manchester 27.5"" comes equipped with Zoom Alloy disc brakes at the front and back. The brakes worked efficiently, ensuring powerful braking while staying stable. Both interval braking and abrupt braking felt stable and safe. The Brake Levers were placed well within reach, requiring only two or three fingers to operate. The brake levers required only a light pull to ensure effective braking. These brakes work effectively on both wet and dry surfaces. The Zoom Alloy handlebar on the Frog Manchester 27.5"" ensures a comfortable ‘open-chested’ riding position. The width of the handlebar enables enhanced stability on rugged flat trails and rough surfaces. I feel that the handlebar grips could do with a bit more cushioning to provide that extra comfort while handling the bicycle on rugged trails or paths.

The Frog Manchester 27.5"" rolls on a pair of 27.5"" x 2.2” tires that are attached to Alloy double wall rims. The tires are well treaded, providing additional stability and grip when on uneven surfaces. When tested on a smooth surface, the tires were fast rolling with enough traction to provide stability in wet riding conditions and on turns. The biggest advantage with 27.5” wheels is the ease of handling the bicycle on both on-road and off-road riding conditions. Only the front wheel has a Quick Release option, which could be slightly time consuming when tackling a puncture while on a ride (if on the rear tire). Though, I would not view this as a significant hindrance given the specs and price point of this bicycle. The Frog Saddle that comes on this bicycle is wide and comfortable. When on the test ride, we found the saddle to be extremely comfortable, without any unnecessary bulk. The seatpost has a Quick Release, which is beneficial to adjust the saddle height while on the go. The saddle on this bicycle is colour coded with the bicycle, and is a bright and bold red. The overall ride quality of this bicycle was pleasant and satisfactory.