Ever since Guardian Bikes cruised onto the scene by way of Shark Tank, the direct-to-consumer brand has been steadily gaining momentum. Positioning themselves as a more affordable option that is still lightweight and feature-rich with plenty of color choices, Guardian has primarily focused on kids’ bikes – until now.
Taking a similar approach towards adult bikes, Guardian is now selling a bike for the whole family. The unimaginatively named Guardian Adult Bike joins their range as a single option that sells in two sizes. The Adult Small is said to fit riders from 5′ to 5’7″, and the Adult Large takes that from 5’8″ to 6’3″. Compared to something like the Trek Verve, you’re getting half the sizes and will have to make more compromises to your fit, but at least the Guardian Adult Bike is not one size fits most.
The most unique feature of the Guardian bike would have to be its SureStop braking system. The single-lever brake system has been around since at least 2015 on their kids’ bikes, and now that technology is making it easier to brake for adults as well. Instead of a traditional brake system with separate levers for the front and rear brakes, the SureStop system only has a rear brake lever on the right side of the handlebars.
Squeezing the brake lever activates the rear brake, and once the pads start squeezing the rim, the wheel’s motion pulls one of the rear brake pads forward. That brake pad is attached to the front brake cable, and as the brake pad is pulled forward by the rear wheel, it activates the front brake.
The result is a system that claims to offer safer braking without the ability to go over the front by accidentally grabbing too much front brake.
The rest of the Adult Bicycle build includes a “high-quality frame” in six colors, though no information is provided on the frame or fork material. Nor is there any indication of the wheel and tire size used for the bikes. They do, however, call out the bike’s 30lb weight, though it seems unlikely that the small and large bikes are the same weight. You also get a 7-speed drivetrain with a twist shifter, a threaded headset and adjustable quill stem, high-rise bars with ergonomic grips, and a kickstand, wrench, & tool kit are included.
Guardian Adult Bicycle Pricing & Shipping
Pricing for the Guardian Adult bike is currently listed at $399, though the brand is offering $50 off one adult bike with the purchase of a kid’s bike, or $150 off the purchase of two adult bikes with the purchase of a kid’s bike. All Guardian bikes are assembled in Seymour, Indiana, and ship with a $29 flat rate shipping fee. Guardian claims you can go from the box to the pavement in 10 minutes thanks to their professional pre-assembly, and the 365 Smooth Ride Guarantee supposedly gives you a full year to test out the bike to make sure you like it – and the bikes aren’t even returned to Guardian, they ask you to donate them to your community.
