sixthreezero Women's Around the Block vs Relaxed Body | Comparing Bike Models

Hey guys, Dustin here, CEO of sixthreezero. I'm joined with Peter, our head of Customer Experience and Quality Control. Today we're going to talk to you about the differences between the Around The Block, and the Relaxed Body. So stay with us.

As I said, I'm here with Peter today, our head of Customer Experience and Quality Control. Peter has over 20 years of experience in the bike industry, all the way from a mechanic to a store manager, to a sales rep, to here with us now. He knows everything in and out of bikes. So he's going to help me explain the differences between these two models. As I said, we have the Around The Block and the Relaxed Body. Now the Relaxed Body frame is the same for men and women. We have the matte black color here, but it's the same across gender. So I will jump in and start us off with a couple of things. I think at just first glance, it seems pretty obvious that there are some major, major differences between these two models, but I'll get into the explanation. First and foremost, the riding position on these bikes is going to be similar yet different.

Both of them are set up to allow for upright riding, so that's one similarity. But in terms of everything else, it's completely different. You can see just by looking at it, different handlebars, also different pedal positions, and way different frame lengths. The Relaxed Body has a stretched-out frame. We call this semi-recumbent. The Around The Block's a traditional cruiser, triangle frame design. So the pedals sit directly below the seat, which sits directly below the hips of the rider. On the Relaxed Body, the pedals are moved eight inches forward. Now what this does, is it's going to take pressure and tension off the hips. The rider is going to have their leg a little bit out in front of them when pedaling. What this also allows for, is easier on and off the bike, while still getting ample leg extension when riding.

You can have that seat low to the ground, step through the frame, get on and off easily, but still be able to get your feet flat on the ground when stopped, because you're getting the leg extension with the forward peddling design. A difference there really is, you're not going to be able to get as much torque and efficiency per pedal, or power output per pedal, on the Relaxed Body, but you're going to get way more comfortable, way more relaxed ride than you will on the ATB. And that's kind of funny saying that because the Around The Block is a relaxed position bike, but you're going to be able to get more power out of each pedal stroke on the Around The Block because of the crank being directly below the hips. So that's a lot, Pete. I don't know if you can jump in and kind of take it from here and point out some other major differences.

Yeah, that covered a lot of it. But it's fun to compare the Relaxed Body to the Around The Block, because the Around The Block is the classic beach cruiser, and so we can show how this one departs from that. And the main thing is what Dustin talked about, is that it is a much longer frame, and that's mostly because the pedals have been moved forward about eight inches or so. This bike is probably the most versatile we have in terms of positioning it for your body because the seat can go quite high, actually, with the seat that comes with it. Or also we can swap it out. If you want the seat to go all the way down, this seat post that it comes with is too long, so we can get it down to about here. But we could send you a shorter one and you can get the seat down here, which is the lowest that we can get on any bike.

And the reason why we're able to do that is that the pedals are pushed so far forward, that you can still get the correct leg extension while you're sitting there, but you'll be quite low to the ground. However, we also have these style handlebars, which are called ape hangers, and these can be pulled way back to reach where you are on the bike if you were to have the seat lower or higher. Also, if you raise the seat higher, you can even move the ape hangers more forward. So this bike can open up for a much larger rider, or it can also close down for a shorter rider. So there's a lot of versatility on that bike.

It's a very relaxed bike. It's easy to step over the step over right here, like Dustin was talking about, there's a big wide room here. That helps if you have some problems with your knees, or your joints, don't want to bend them too much. Again, also the riding position itself will also lend to that, to taking pressure off the joints and things like that. With this bike too, you can get the sort of positioning that you want with your back. You can sit directly upright, which is nice on the back, or you can learn a little bit forward if you like.

Yeah. I mean, looking at the Relaxed Body, it's not going to be conducive to super fast riding or hilly riding. Because the pedals are so far forward, hills are going to be challenging, especially steep hills. And even though this is a seven-speed bike, you're going to have some range with the seven speeds. Riding distances wouldn't be an issue, but I think the flat ground is the best option with the Relaxed Body. On the ATB, hills won't be as difficult. You'll be able to get way more torque. You can stand up on the Around The Block. Standing up on the Relaxed Body isn't going to be an option.

You could do it. I don't suggest it or condone it because it's going to be a very awkward riding position. But as Pete said, the interesting thing about the Relaxed Body, is we've got several adjustment points on the stem, and I would say, ballpark height range, this bike can probably accommodate height ranges from about 4'9", 4'10", all the way up to about 6'4", with the seat being down. And again, for riders that are more comfortable staying low to the ground, it's a great option. Anything else you want to add?

There are a few similarities. This is still a cruiser-style bike, so we have cruiser-style tires. These are a little smoother, but they still have almost the same width as the Around The Block has. So giving you a cushy ride, this one with the smoother tread, maybe a little bit more efficient on smooth ground. This one comes with fenders, and also the cruiser saddle. Nice big cushy cruiser saddle, similar to the Around The Block.

Yeah. Saddles are similar. Although the Relaxed Body is upgraded, which brings us to another point. We're not talking about trim levels today. As it is today, the Relaxed Body only has one spec level, which is our highest level of specs. So quality level, this is going to be a nice bike. The Around The Block only has two spec levels. And so the Around The Block that you're seeing here is a spec level below the Relaxed Body in terms of how we spec. Now, whenever you may be watching this video, it's quite possible we've now released a new Relaxed Body trim level. But yeah, and so this frame is aluminum on the Relaxed Body, and this ATB frame is steel. But again, that's more specific to trim levels. We're talking about general use cases and riding position differences more than anything else.

But yeah, I mean, one thing also to point out about riding position, on the Around The Block, you're going to be sitting like this. Handlebars are going to sweep into your body. It's going to be very relaxed. Now in the Relaxed Body, it's going to be relaxed as well, but the handlebars are different. They're going to be kind of here, but the benefit is you can bring these close into your body, or far away. So if you want them out here, you can do that. If you have longer arms, but as you bring them in, you're also going to be super relaxed. So it's just going to be the difference between here, on the Relaxed Body, and sort of here, on the cruiser. Different, but still both comfortable. And you don't have quite the versatility and adjustment that you'll have on the... You won't have the same sort of versatility adjustment on the Relaxed Body on the ATB. So you have more ability to really, really fine-tune the Relaxed Body for you. What do you think?

That about covers it. The cruiser has been around, this style has been around for almost 100 years. And the reason why is because it's a very comfortable bike. This Relaxed Body, maybe even more comfortable. It's a cool ride.

Yeah.

Really sweet ride.

And I would say, so use cases, actually very similar across the board. Just avoid hills on the Relaxed Body, that's a major difference. But I would say paved trails, casual rides, you can use the Relaxed Body for exercise, just again, avoid the hills. And if you want something super comfortable and easy on your body, great choice. So if you have any other questions, please comment below. We're happy to get back to you. Or you can send us an email, theteam@sixthreezero.com, or call us, (310) 982-2877. We're happy to answer your questions. And most importantly, take the body fit quiz on our website. We've developed a proprietary algorithm to help fit bikes specifically to your lifestyle and your body type. It's going to make a suggestion that's specifically right for you. And we have a 365-day return policy. So at any point in 365 days, if you don't love your bike, you can send it back, no questions asked, no money out of your pocket. So thanks for sticking with us today. And don't forget. It's your journey, your experience, enjoy the ride.

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