Price: $599

Weight: 12.8 lbs. (frame)

Components: Shimano Altus shifters derailleurs, Shimano C101 cranks,
Shimano Altus brakes

Frame & Fork: 6061 aluminum frame with DSA

Rear Swingarm, Zoom 650 fork

Geometry: 63.3º head tube, 70º seat tube, 58.6cm top tube

Sizes: 18 inches only

Comments: “Rides over anything.”

www.leader-minelli.com

Canadian Pride: Some Victoria Precision bicycles are completely made in
Canada and some are designed and assembled in Canada. The Minelli Kisco is
designed and assembled in Canada.

Probably one of the first things that struck me as I assembled the Minelli
Kisco is that it is a dual-suspension bike. Not that I haven’t seen,
ridden, or heard of dual suspension, but the fact that the Kisco is an
entry-level dual-suspension bike, costing just less than $600, warranted a
further look.

I must admit, it is a sharp bike. A bright yellow Y-style frame with a big
beefy black rear swingarm and a massive front fork certainly do remind one
of a more expensive downhill bike. Manufacturers are naturally getting
better at designing and building inexpensive bikes that resemble higher-end
models. Certainly, these companies are producing a wider range of bikes
that are of a much higher quality than in years past, and the trickle
down-effect is paying even higher dividends with more inexpensive models.
Initially, one might assume that the dual suspension is really more of an
aesthetic.

Like its more expensive brothers, the Kisco is a heavy but
sturdy machine. I hopped on and, I must say, I felt like I could ride over
a small car, much like a monster truck in a monster truck rally at SkyDome.
The handlebars are perhaps one of the more expensive additions to the
machine, a generic black riser that is nice and high, clad with Shimano
Altus 8-speed and good-quality Pro grips. The other simple addition that
makes this bike a step up from similarly priced bikes is the saddle: it’s a
narrow-style Selle Bassano Vuelta USA. Definitely not five feet wide and
super-squishy.

So how does it ride? I took the bike out on a few trails, riding over logs,
roots, rocks, and boots. It felt nice. But I was still hesitant to really
test it. I mean, I was riding an entry-level machine, right? In the end, I
did try some small drop-offs, and it actually felt quite good. The rear
suspension is surprisingly similar to some higher-end versions. Of course,
the true test is durability over time, but with only a few test rides
available, I am unable to comment on this.
Now to the rest of the bike. The shifting is crisp; the Shimano generic
black V-Brakes stopped me on a dime.

As noted before, it is a heavy
machine, and I didn’t feel like Marco Pantani climbing up some small hills,
especially when I had to resort to the ol’ 34 cog at the rear. But some
compromise is expected.
The bike comes equipped with attractive-looking Vuelta Airline rims.
Despite the bike’s robust appearance, the generic Vee rubber black-wall
tires are not especially aggressive. My guess is because this bike is also
intended for light recreational use, such as a grocery store jaunt, where,
instead of taking the main roads, you take some mild trails.
If you’re a recreational rider who wants a flashy bike to ride around town,
or on milder trails with the odd jump, this bike could have your number. Or
perhaps you’re a novice downhiller who wants to try a robust bike on local
runs. If so, I’d recommend upgrading the tires at some point. There’s a bit
of a paradox here, as this type of bike would not be the fastest machine to
use to get to the grocery store and back (although you’d look flashy), and
it’s not certain how many summers of real bashing it could stand.

All in all, it is a nice bike, exemplifying the progress that entry-level
bikes have made over the years. Whoever the customer, I’m confident that if
you’re going to the grocery store, you might as well ride the flashy Kisco.
And if you happen to take the rocky road there, you’ll have a cushy ride.