Customer Reviews

Columbia Journey DX Men's Comfort Bike

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought this bike a couple weeks ago and paid only $99 during one of Amazon's sales. I couldn't resist that price and I was in the market for a bike for commuting 6 miles round trip daily.

I was very impressed with the bike after doing the minor assembly, which was easy.

Brakes work very well, tires are good for city, everything seems pretty above average quality(compared to a walmart schwinn or what not); not the best of course, but good enough for most people.

The only problem I had was the seat. It wasn't very comfortable and I changed it out with another I had on hand. Other than that, it is solid.

Also, the fenders and rear rack are a very good item to have for commuters. I would recommend this to anyone considering a comfort bike, or a commuter bike if they aren't too worried about speed. The highest gear on this bike still isn't very fast compared to my mountain bike. But I'd say you should be able to get along at 15-16 mph w/o any problems.

I would pay the current $170 for this bike, maybe even $200. All the components really go together, the style, the fenders everything seems like it belongs on this bike.

(1) The 20-inch frame is actually 26x20, and is too large for me (I am 5'10").

(2) Assembly was not rocket science, however ...

I was 2 miles into a 4-mile ride this afternoon. I shifted gears for a hill, and the gear change mechanism moved into the path of the rear wheel spokes, bringing the bike to a sudden and untimely halt. Various parts were entangled. I spent 20 minutes on the side of the road re-positioning bent and broken metal so I could push what was left of my bike home.

If you're going to buy a bike on Amazon, I strongly suggest you take it to a bike shop for adjustments and a safety inspection after you've assembled it. If you insist on doing what I did (i.e. figuring it out on your own), be sure to spend some time making sure everything is properly adjusted. I'm not the most mechanically inclined person, but neither is the average consumer buying a bicycle online.

Overall, not a bad bike for $200. I wish I could have gotten more than 15 minutes of riding out of it.

I purchased this bike recently when on sale. It turns out to be a solid bike that rides well. All the components seem of decent quality for its price. It is a good deal if you can put up with some assembly work.

I purchased the Columbia Journey DX 20-inch for $179 and I've had it for 3 weeks.

I will repeat what previous reviews have said: The bike is poorly packaged, with little to no padding material. There were several holes in the box, but thankfully no damage to the bike. The color of the bike I received is blue, not the green color that the picture shows. It's a nice color though, so I wasn't disappointed. Also, there still quite a bit of assembly that is required. It seemed to me that the way it was packaged and the fact that there were NO INSTRUCTIONS on assembling the bike, the amazon buyer receives it the same way a bike shop or other retailer receives it.

Overall, I think it's a decent value. The components are okay and the accessories (rear rack, fenders) are a nice addition.
However, I won't buy a bike through Amazon again. In my opinion, it's worth paying a little extra for a well pre-assembled bike at a local bike shop. You can always add the accessories later, if you need them. Not to mention, you have someone to complain to if something goes wrong when you take it home.

I've had this bike for a couple weeks and I've taken it out quite a few times and pulled a child's trailer behind it, here are my thoughts:

1) Packaging: Not the best. My rear rim was bent slightly, but nothing terrible. Adjusting the spokes will bring it inline.

2) Assembly: No instructions. Not the hardest thing I've ever assembled, but not the easiest. The little things like adjusting the brakes and gears is the hardest part. I still don't have the gears right, I will be taking it to a bike shop and having everything adjusted.

3) Look: The bike that arrived was blue/purple, not the cooler greenish color on the website The fenders didn't initially fit over the wheels very well, but a little adjusting and they were fine. Still, a nice looking bike. No kickstand though.

4) Comfort: Very comfortable, and easy to ride. Many of the gears overlap, this probably has 10 true gears. I am 5'11" and the 20" bike is a good size for me, but it was too tall for my friend that is the same height, I have longer legs and a shorter torso than he does.

5) Final thoughts: Well, the bike is a good buy, but figure in an extra $50 and have a bike shop either assemble or tune up your assembly, you'll be glad you did. I tow the Instep Quick N EZ kids trailer behind it and the two of them work together well.

I would recommend this bike, and if the ladies version goes on sale, I will probably but it for my wife. I really recommend having someone that knows bikes either look yours over after you put it together or take it to a shop and let them do it.

BIKE CAME WITH NO ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS. HAD TO BRING IT TO A BIKE
SHOP FOR ASSEMBELY. HE TOLD ME THE AXEL WAS LOOSE AND HAD TO BE PRESSED
ON. THE BOLTS HOLDING IT ON THE FRONT WHEEL NEVER WERE TIGHTENED. THE
SEAT IS UNCOMFORTABLE COMPAIRED TO MY OTHER BIKE. I SPENT A LOT AT THE
BIKE STORE TO GET IT USABLE. I WILL ONLY BUY FROM A BIKE STORE IN THE
FUTURE. I CAN THEN TRY IT AND CHECK THE BIKES CONDITION .THE TIME AND
$80.00 AT THE BIKE SHOP ELIMINTED THE COST SAVINGS ON THE INTERNET.

I had to bring this bike into bike shop for a tune-up ($40). It did not switch to speed #6 out of box. (BTW, the shop owner asked me where i got this bike as it has VERY comfortable smooth ride). I think I'll learn tune-up procedure myself and fine tune it late as it's hard to find a good, honest mechanic to do such a job. I'm 5'10" and 18" frame bike is just right for me. I'm using it to commute to work -- 21 miles round trip daily and it's very comfortable (I'm 215 lbs). the longest non-stop trip i had was 18-19 miles and it was hard for my "behind" but accaptable. i'll think lighter person will have no problem make 20-25 miles trip at once. (edited on 05/25/2006: I got used to the saddle and had several trips around 30 miles each -- the bike feels evem more comfortable now, then right after i got it 3 weeks ago -- highly recoment). The pedals are plastic and were slippery, while changing gears, so I had to replace them. For $150 paid (on one day sale) it's a great deal. Similar quality bikes in local shop cost from $250 to $350. BTW, very basic accessories cost me another $250 (good helmet - $80, $25 for a lock, $25 + $25 for rear and front lights, $11 for kickstand, $11 for water bottle and holder, $23 for bar ends, $23 for pedals, rear view mirror -$14, add air pump ( I had one luckily). I do recommend it, but be aware that you might need to do a tune-up. BTW, cost of tune-up very often is the same as tune-up and assembly. Assembly is very simple. Just ask you local shop about it. And be aware, that even though bike alone cost $150/$180 the total invesment might be $400 or more on a conservative side.

The bike rides & looks great. There were no assembly instructions so that was annoying, but I got it put together.

I bought this bike from a store, so no shipping and handling problems (I don't think that ordering a bike on-line is a good idea...) The bike is excellent. Very comfortable, quiet, smooth gear transitions, fast acceleration. And, my favorite... fenders!

Prompt free shipment. Easy assembly, although some instructions would have been helpful. Very good value compared to other brands. Rides well on the road. Well equipped for add-ons - panniers, lights, etc.

I am very satisfied with this bike; an equivalent bike at a local dealer would be over $300 to $400.