B'Twin Vitamin user review

Just for fun, I decided to write a review:

After losing my Lemond Reno to thieving scumbags, I picked up the £70 B’Twin Vitamin as a hack.

In bright orange, the bicycle certainly is an eye-catcher. The Easyjet colour scheme certainly suits its no-nonsense approach to travel, and three layers of the lurid paint should ensure it stays that colour for a while. The frame features holes for fitting a rack, but no bosses for a bottle cage. Unbranded black v-brakes and black cranks turning a sturdy-looking brass rear sprocket and plain aluminium wheels complete the utilitarian style.

Being used years of riding a snappy aluminium road bike, this handles like a boat. A long wheelbase and wide, wide handlebars, combined with the 14kg weight makes for slow manoeuvring, mitigated by the acceleration provided by the relatively low single-speed gearing, which can surprise the odd roadie. I spin out frequently on the flat, and descents are strictly freewheel-only affairs unless you can comfortably maintain a spin-cycle cadence. At least small hills are easy to overcome. My regular commute involves going up Peckham Rye, and it’s a rare occasion that I’m overtaken there. High-volume tyres at 60psi and the perceptible spring of steel contribute to a reasonably smooth ride, but not as much as I expected. Brakes are decidedly spongy, but just strong enough not to induce fear.

I am a big believer in the virtues of quality tyres, and unfortunately the boots on the ‘Easybike’ are hopeless. They offer good levels of grip for braking, but are heavy and draggy, and cornering at moderate speeds has them squealing like a hungry piglet. But at £20 a pop for decent slicks, an upgrade hardly seems worth it. Some may say you can’t put a price on safety, and this has often been my tenuous reason for an upgrade, but in this case I’ll just wait for the stock ones to go bald.

So is the bike good value? Emphatically, the answer is yes. Well-chosen, low maintenance components and the warranty (5 years on the frame and 3 for the components) see to that. For short rides the bike is comfortable enough, although note here that I have replaced the squishy stock saddle for the one that came with my Reno. The wheels have remained true despite plenty of punishment from London roads, but I can’t comment on rust, as (thankfully) there has been very little rain this summer. If I have one major gripe, it’s that the saddle angle tilts back over time no matter how much a tighten it. But remember, this is a £70 bike – it isn’t going to be perfect. Also, the handlebar grips are horrid and supplied quick-release front wheel is an easy target for casual thieves and ne’er-do-wells, which I feel is at odds with the bicycle’s intended use.

In conclusion, the Vitamin is a decent bike for the money. If you want bling, speed or more than a modicum of enjoyment in riding, look elsewhere. But if you want to just get from A to B on a bicycle, this thing is perfect.