Benjamin Franklin said that there are only two things in life that will remain constant-death and taxes. Well, he forgot to add Kent and Standard Raleigh bikes. But we can’t blame him because, by the time he died, both companies had not been founded.
Ever since its establishment, Kent has provided its users with the best bikes ever without charging ridiculous prices. Even today, they dabble in high-end pieces that cater to the needs of extreme racers and athletes.
A Brief History of Kent Bikes
After emigrating from Poland to the US, Avram (the forefather of Kent) put down a shop in New York City’s Lower East Side for restoring bicycles. Prior to the launching of the shop in 1909, Avram worked for a bike store where he got both the knowledge and finance to start his own.
When Avram’s son (Philip) took over the business, his limitless passion led to its expansion in 1947. The shop (branded Philkam Cycle) sold both bikes and biking accessories to thousands of consumers.
In 1958, the company responded to its massive success by switching the name to Kent International Inc. with its main production store in New Jersey. In 1972, the current chairman and CEO of Kent, Arnold Kamler, took over the business and has kept it going ever since.
For over a century, Kent has produced phenomenal rides of all classes like Jeep bikes, Cadillac, razor bikes, GMC, Little Miss Match, beach cruisers, and Genesis (sold at Walmart only). Currently, their latest offers include mountain, road, hybrid, hardtail, full-suspension, tandem, folders, portables, and other unique bicycles.
Since there are many Kent bike reviews out there, this one will focus more on helping you find a solid deal without having to burn a hole in your pocket. We will also guide you through the buying guide process, so you don’t have to get confused during the actual purchase.
If you’ve got very little time on your hands, then check out our top recommendation-Kent Pomona Dual Suspension Comfort Bike. It’s an affordable 7-speed ride that has garnered plenty of lustrous customer reviews.
Kent Bike Reviews
After many hours of digging into Kent Bikes and customer feedback, here a few tops offers that we believe will take care of your riding needs:
1. Kent Pomona Dual Suspension Comfort Bike
If you are in the market for a bike that is comfortable, reliable, and versatile, look no further than Kent’s Pomona Dual Suspension Comfort Bike. A slim, relaxed design with 7-speed gear for clearing hills and speeding on slopes.
As if the dual suspensions were not enough, Kent threw in a wide plush saddle, so your bottoms have nothing to complain about. The rear suspension is pretty unique. It joins the rear fork to the frame giving your ride a one of a kind appearance.
Most of its parts, including the frame, are lightweight. This means the bike is light enough for making sharp turns and dodges in busy streets. Kent Pomona comes with a chain guard to prevent oil from rubbing on your trousers. As for the fenders, you might need to buy them on your own. Assembling is very easy once you have all the key tools.
Most of the negative reviews you’ll encounter about this bike are about poor shipping service, not inferior parts. However, judging from customer feedback, Kent bikes are some of the cheapest on the market.
Top features
- Full suspension
- Quick-release seat post
- Enclosed chainguard
- Pull brakes
- Comfortable saddle
- Custom-design cruiser tires
- 7-speed twist shifters
- Shimano rear derailleur
- Ergofit steel handlebar
Kent Pomona Dual Suspension Comfort Bike is fairly advanced to be enjoyed by both the beginner and seasoned riders. However, like any other full-suspension bike, it might need a lot of maintenance when used often. However, buying it may not be a hurdle because it comes with a motivating price tag.
2. Kent Oakwood Men’s Cruiser Bike
If you have so many miles to crunch every morning, afternoon, or evening, you need a solid bike. To be precise, you need a cruiser. Among the few reliable choices, Kent Oakwood Men’s Cruiser Bike seems to be a good grab.
Why this cruiser and not any other MTB? Because it’s designed for recreational purposes. This could be a trip to the beach, streets, and other light trail adventures. The 7-speed gear gives you a few selections for smooth uphill rides.
Because of the few gears and a clean, minimalistic look, Kent Oakwood Men’s Cruiser Bike is ideal for those who are a bit into fitness and weight loss workouts. This ride’s frame sits pretty low to accommodate both you and your better half. The frame joins to a handlebar that sits high to promote a healthy, upright posture.
Oakwood pops around with a quick-release seat post for adjusting the seat height while on the go. The enclosed chain cover and fenders will keep your classy trouser in a spotless condition no matter how many hours you pedal.
Top features
- Rust-resistant aluminum frame
- Front and rear pull brakes
- Enclosed chain cover
- 7-speed gear components
- Rear and front fenders
- Quiet Light in weight (40 lbs only)
Why pick Kent Oakwood Men’s Cruiser Bike? Because it has a lower maintenance cost. The absence of so many gears and suspensions means you can focus more on riding and not breaking any part.
Additionally, the low-placed structure of the frame can accommodate both genders comfortably and, therefore, no need to spend money on two bikes.
Still, if you are looking for a cruiser bike from Kent, which is most suitable for women, then take a look at the Kent La Jolla Beach Cruiser Bike review.
3. Kent KZ2600 Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
The sweetest deal you can ever get from a reliable mountain bike (MTB) is the dual suspension. With this, no road will be too rough to ride-you spin around your neighborhoods, to the caves and all the way into Mach Chicken harsh paths. All through, you won’t feel much pain in the butt, but on other bikes, your bottoms take part in absorbing the impact.
If you are physically fit or even feeble in a way, then the chances are high you don’t want to break too much sweat while riding. This bike comes with Shimano powered 21-speed gears for a smooth, hustle free ride. Switch to lower levels while on a hill, and you will comfortably hold a conversation without panting.
Both the front and rear Shimano tourney derailleurs are handy when moving the chain from one cog to another. Like most standard mountain bikes, Kent KZ2600 Dual Suspension Mountain Bike comes with a stability-enhancing and impact-absorbing 26-inch wheel.
It’s hard to know what people prefer in terms of brakes. That’s why Kent KZ2600 bears both pull brakes (at the rear) and mechanical disk at the front. The bike arrives partially assembled.
Top features
- Full suspension
- Aluminum frame
- 21-speed with Shimano shifters and derailleurs
- 26-inch tires
- Both disc and pull brakes
- Alloy wheel rims
- Quick-release seat post
Kent KZ2600 Mountain Bike takes hard work out riding so you can break less sweat than is necessary. Of course, you can still realign the gear to give you a challenge in case you want to toughen up your muscles.
However, for a $100 to $200 bucks, this bike is nothing short of a steal. It has a bunch of cool and practical features. The catch? Yeah, there’s a small issue. The parts might not last very long as this is a lower-end bike. However, if you are as cautious as grandparents, you’ll have no complaints.
4. Kent T-29 Men’s Mountain Bike
The good thing about Kent is that even their cheapest offers last longer than mid-range offers from top-end brands. However, many online buyers try so much to avoid budget products because they feature substandard components. If you want a far superior but still affordable bike that doesn’t compromise on durability, check out Kent T-29 Men’s Mountain Bike.
T-29 means it comes with a large, 29-inch tire for impressive performance. The tire bears huge knobs for better traction on wet, muddy, or slippery floors. Within the wheels, this ride sports alloy rims that are lightweight. This makes for faster rotations compared to the heavier steel counterparts.
All the offers in this kent mountain bike review feature pure aluminum, which is most reliable. However, Kent T-29 comes with 6061 enhanced aluminum frame for supporting plus size riders. This should be music to large riders in need of moderately priced MTBs.
Let’s talk about speed. This bike is a bit of a speed freak given the vast number of gears it carries. The gear is put in action by the Shimano RS25 shifters and Shimano derailleurs. In case you didn’t know, Shimano parts are usually of the best standards.
This bike is a hardtail mountain bike. This means it only comes with one suspension on the front. Before you frown, not that suspensions need so much maintenance, so having one is a relief.
Top features
- 6061 enhanced aluminum frame
- 29-inch knobby large tires
- Shimano RS25 shifters
- Alloy rims
- Linear pull brakes
- Front suspension
- Quick-release saddle
Kent T-29 Men’s Mountain Bike is an enhanced piece that bears the sturdiest frame and gigantic tires in this review. So if you are a fan of those two features and don’t need to spend anything near $500, then you better try out this ride. It’s one of the best Kent bikes worth investing in.
Read also: Take a Look at the Mountain Bikes Under 500 Bucks
5. KENT Northwoods Dual Drive Tandem Bike
One of the best ways to have fun with your wife or husband is through riding. However, if one of you is a beginner rider or you need to be close to each other, then you need a tandem bike. One such machine is Kent Northwoods Dual Drive Tandem Bike.
This is one of the most affordable tandem rides you will ever come across. The handlebar, crankset, and saddle come in twos. The nature of a tandem is that it holds two riders. Given their combined weight can be too much. That’s why this bike bears a durable cruiser-style frame.
While all of you will have access to the crank and pedals, only the front rider will have access to the 21-speed Shimano Revo shifters. This is a stand-over bike with the front saddle placed at 29 inches high and the hind at only 20 inches. This makes it possible for both of you to have your feet on the ground while still seated.
Kent Northwoods Dual Drive Tandem Bike lacks suspension. Luckily, that’s taken care of by the spring-loaded saddle and the 1.95-inch tires. In case you have a long ride ahead, make sure to keep water bottles in the dual bottle holders.
Top features
- Cruiser style frame
- 21-gear options
- Extra-wide tires
- Dual water bottle holders
- Spring-loaded and gel-cushioned saddles
- Shimano Revo shifters
- Stand over height
- Linear pull brakes
- Available in two beautiful colors (Green, Red)
Kent Northwoods Dual Drive Tandem Bike is a solid ride for lovers who are looking for better ways to spice up their relationship. It’s well built to handle two people while giving them a choice of 21 gears options. Still not excited? Well, here is the good news-it’s just as affordable as other reasonable single-person mountain bikes.
If you have a bike and looking for a way to ride with your kids or your spouse, then our review on tandem bike attachment might help you. The attachment will fulfill your desire to ride with your kids or your other half and will let them have the fun of bike riding.
Top Features of Kent Bikes
Before you shove out your credit card to purchase a bike, it’s ideal for studying the core features of the brand you want to buy from. While most of them tend to share a lot, there are a few nuances that can make a huge impact.
Here are the top features of Kent bikes worth knowing:
Frame
Kent prefers to equip their rides with an aluminum frame because it can accommodate large riders. Such frames are lightweight and allow extreme bikers to perform complex stunts without being held back.
High-end road bikes come with enhanced versions of aluminum like the rare 6061 kinds. Once in a while, it’s possible to bump into a few of their robust steel bikes, which are usually far cheaper than aluminum counterparts.
Kent does use carbon too. However, this high-cost frame can only be found on premium bikes, which happen to incorporate sophisticated parts as well. So basically, only your needs and financial muscle will determine what you should go for. However, if the statistics are anything to go by, most buyers opt for the aluminum frame.
Tires
Like most companies, Kent has a wide variety of tire measurements besides the standard 26-inch. Ordinary road, cruiser, and mountain bikes may feature either 26, 28, or 29-inch tires.
Advanced fat bikes and cruiser bikes can have far larger wheels that enable them to glide through sands and other strenuous terrains. Since bigger wheels create so much difference in how a bike feels, they do stretch the price a bit as well.
In case you are wondering which is better between small and large wheels, well here is the answer-it depends. If you live near a beach or do most of your rides on a beaten path, bigger wheels are better. They are supremely gifted at boosting traction and absorbing the impact of bumps.
However, if you reside in urban areas or places where the roads are paved and occasionally dabble in speed racing, smaller tires are preferable. They rotate pretty faster, and that speeds up your ride. This means they can give you a competitive edge during a contest.
Gear components
Kent is so generous with the gears. Sure some of their models may sport fewer gear options, but the parts are reliable. Most of the derailleur and shifters you see on Kent rides are from Shimano. This means less problematic shifting for many months.
However, you should not obsess too much with gears. If the components are of good quality and you have all the best ranges, then anything between 10 and 18 will suffice. One last tip about gears; when riding, make sure the chain is straight and not diagonal.
Suspension
There are Kent bikes with a single, double, and zero suspension. Those with a single suspension are usually called hardtails and are ideal for urban cruising. Full-suspension bikes come with dual shock-absorbing suspension and are incredibly comfortable.
Some commuter, road, and cruiser bikes from Kent have no suspension. Such a design keeps the bike on the ground all the time, and that is why racers prefer zero suspension rides.
So if you want the best comfort, a single or dual suspension bike will do. However, if you are into racing and fitness workouts, it would be better to spin those without.
Brakes
Kent bikes can come with linear-pull brakes or disc brakes. Their budget bikes generally feature the later given that many riders are used to them. A few of their bikes combine both brake types for improved braking.
Additional accessories
While browsing through various Kent bike reviews, especially the FAQ section, you will realize that many people love the addition of multiple accessories. For instance, those tiny indicators at the front or rear and the lamp can save your life when night riding.
The kickstand will enable you to park your bike by the roadside to catch a breath. There is also the fenders and chain guards-vital in keeping clothes mud-free in case you ride in the rain.
Most of the time, a bike will not come with all these accessories. You get only a few and sometimes nothing at all (minimalistic bikes). Nevertheless, you can buy them from any bicycle store near you.
So How Do You know The type of Kent Bike that Fits you?
First, it shouldn’t be hard to know what you need if you are an experienced rider. However, if this is your first time to buy a Kent bike, then there are a few things that will help you make a better choice.
The first one is money. How much are you willing to spend on a bike? If your budget is around $100 bucks, then you may not have the freedom to be so picky. However, you can still make a better choice in a pool of cheaper rides.
If you wish to spend $200 or more, then you will have to put your need in mind. If you do racing, avoid fat bikes, full-suspension, and hardtails. Their design should also be super minimalized to keep weight within manageable levels.
If you love cruising on sandy beaches and rough roads, consider comfort-enhancing features like fat tires, cushioned saddles, and suspensions. The presence of the absence of gears will also depend on the terrain and the king of riding you do.
Check out any reliable Kent mountain bike review to unearth some of the best but cheapest MTBs for uphill riding.
How To Maintain Kent Bikes
Without proper maintenance, no bike will be able to last longer. After a while, you would be expected to oil Kent bike chain, suspension, and other moving parts. Here are all the pointers on how you can keep your ride in good condition:
- Keep your bike clean always. This shouldn’t be rocket science. You only need clean water, some soap, and a rag or sponge.
- Replace broken brake pads with an Allen wrench. If they were loose, then tighten them, so they stop moving or squeaking.
- Tighten saggy breaks. You can do this by adjusting the barrels next to the brake levers. If this doesn’t help, use Allen wrench to open the brake nut and remove the cable. Pull it taut and tighten the nut to keep it in place.
- Unless you know how to deal with gears and tires, it would be best to leave that to an expert. The usual DIY maintenance should be greasing, oiling, cleaning, and tightening a few basic parts. The rest should be left to a professional.
If you insist on fixing something you can’t and end up breaking some key components, your warranty will become void. Rides that arrive with so many parts broken or missing should be returned to the supplier for a replacement.
Conclusion
There are many bike brands out there. We have Trek, Specialized, BMC, Giant, and many others. While most of them are famous for producing high-end bikes, they, too, are known for keeping prices at the rooftop.
Kent, on the other hand, manages to bridge the gap by manufacturing bikes that are affordable on so many levels. However, many Kent bike reviews advise users to tune-up their rides a little bit for the best experience.
So if you don’t have a lot of money to throw on costly models, Kent might come to your rescue. Make sure to pick a bike that matches your riding activity for the best results. Feel free to check out some of the offers we have reviewed at the top-we know you will like a few of them.
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