by Tai Lee

Feature

Jango 7.1 Bike: Lifestyle = Life + Style!

Many cyclists are already familiar with Topeak’s well thought out line of bicycle accessories (racks, bags, locks, lights, computers, etc.) Now they bring that attention to detail to a complete bike designed for the lifestyle cyclist. The top of the line Jango 7.1 test bike we received for review is suitable for commuting, leisure riding and light trail riding, all while oozing a German-inspired sense of style (think VW Beetle). The Jango line also includes a vast array of optional proprietary accessories designed to meld nicely with the bikes.

Out of the box the Jango 7.1 is well-equipped. A full Shimano Alivio 24 speed (3 x 8) drivetrain is more than adequate for city riding. As a nod to rider safety, Topeak also throws in a set of front and rear LED blinker lights and a handlebar bell. Other urban-friendly features include a kickstand, flat pedals and semi-slick 700c x 38c tires.

The geometry of the Jango line is stable for city riding, but not too far off from 29er mountain bikes. The taller headtube and riser handlebars allow for a more upright riding position without excessive use of spacers. On Seattle’s pothole infested roads the suspension fork is a huge bonus. I particularly appreciated the easy-to-reach lockout and damping dials on either side of the crown, which means ride quality can be adjusted on the fly. I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Jango on gravel trails like the John Wayne Pioneer Trail (somewhat open as of early June), however, there isn’t sufficient tire clearance in the back for much more than the stock tires, which may rule out any sort of technical singletrack riding.

There are some very nice features designed into the 7.1 that deserve applause. Topeak has designed a mechanical front disc brake with a built-in lock, which doesn’t replace the need for a conventional lock to secure a bike to a rack, but does demobilize the bike. A button on the front brake caliper housing activates the lock, which has a small cylinder that mates with the proprietary 160mm rotor. While this means you’ll always have to replace with Topeak’s own rotors, it’s a small price to pay for an easy-to-access security feature that ensures no one rides off with your bike while you’re a few yards away playing hoops with your friends (yes … it happened to me). Topeak includes their fantastic ergonomic handlebar grips, which I already use on my own bikes. These are shaped more like a paddle than a cylinder, which helps with hand numbness on long rides.

Topeak also sent us some of the most commonly used accessories in the Jango line. I particularly love the Panoram computer with its easy to see numbers on a large display. The computer’s handlebar mount also has a built-in bracket for a very nice two watt LED headlight. The battery pack for the light mounts functionally and oh-so stylishly to a bracket on top of the headset cap. These are items that I would likely get for my own bike. The Jango 7.1 also has a proprietary rack mount that allows for quick installation and removal of Jango’s own rear rack and can be used with any of Topeak’s trunk bags that slide directly into the quick-release-equipped channel. The Jango MTX TrunkBag was big enough to fit a business/casual outfit of slacks and polo shirt, with room to spare for some fruit and frozen burritos.

The Jango 7.1 retails for $1,200. While other Alivio-equipped bicycles can be purchased for less, the thoughtful design, high-quality construction, and ease of use compensates for the upcharge. For more information visit www.jangobikes.com.

Tai Lee is a former BP staffer and continues to promote the cycling lifestyle at the Arthritis Foundation as the Joints in Motion cycling coach. Find out more at clubjimseattle.blogspot.com.