BORELLI CONSULTING: Recreational Equipment Reviews

Magna Excitor Series Dual Suspension Mountain Bike
16 July 2007

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Magna is a well known name in the bicycle industry and delivers a wide variety of products to suit most recreational bicycling needs. Not that long ago my wife and I decided we needed some new wheels and since a new Corvette is out of the question, I had to settle for a bicycle. My 19-year-old boy has been riding a 24-speed Magna for quite some time, and my 9-year-old boy has recently learned how to ride a bike, so the wife and I definitely needed to get something moving. Together we did a little shopping around and we found the Magna 21-speed "Excitor Series" bikes to be both cost effective and suitable to our needs. More than a month ago we purchased them and they've seen quite a few miles since. Let's take a look at how they've done so far.

The Magna Excitor Series Dual Suspension mountain bike shown above is a typical example of the bike model. Althoug this one has different handlebars, the bike's frame and suspension system is what we really need to focus on. The bikes my wife and I have are both 24" models. Why? Because that was what was available the day we were shopping. The seats are decently padded but we still felt they were a bit hard, so we purchased gel seat covers that easily attached and have stayed secure.

The bike is a 21-speed model with the gear shifters built into each grip. Rather than having levers that have to be pushed or pulled (like the old days) you simply turn a smaller part of the grip. On the left side is the front controller - 1, 2 or 3 - and on the right side is the back controller for 1 - 7. It's important to make sure that the cables for gear adjustment are properly measured and tightened in. Nothing is more annoying than riding along in a given gear only to constantly hear either the front or rear changing arm grating against the chain as it turns.

As mentioned in the title and previous information, the steel frame is supported on a dual suspension system. The front forks have integrated shock absorbers, and the rear tire actually pivots on an arm cushioned by a single shotck absorber (circled in red on the phot to the right). To be honest, I've not noticed any difference in the way this bike rides over bumps and terrain than previous bikes I've owned that didn't have the rear suspension system. Maybe I've just gotten too old or insensitive to notice the fine differences. On the other hand, the bike was super pricey - as we paid about $80 for each bike. Now if that rear suspension system had made it a $280 bike, we'd have been looking at a different model.

My wife and I have ridden the bikes on various types of terrain: sand, gravel, packed dirt, pavement, etc. The bike didn't seem to react in any way to the various terrain types with the exception that every bike is harder to peddle through sand. The seat height adjusts quickly and easily and locks in with just the push of a lever. There isn't any place convenient to put a water bottle, but we wear hydration systems so we identified that as a non-issue when we were shopping.

While riding there is a little bit of lean into the bike for your seating position. It's not one of those old fashioned looking "mom's bike" you're used to seeing with the handlebar bell, tassles, basket and wide load seat. The tires are definitely more comfortable on softer terrain than on pavement, but the bike has no issues with performing on paved surfaces.

For the price I consider this an excellent bike. It's not a lot, but in the past month I've probably put a couple hundred miles on the bike and I'm REALLY being thankful for that gel seat cover. Aside from having to adjust my gear cables and break cables (they were loose) when I first bought the bike, I've had to do no maintenance on it. So, if you're looking for a "cost effective" return to bicycling that won't restrict you to a road surface, check them out. You may actually have fun while you exercise. Don't forget the helmet and gloves!!

BE SAFE!

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