What the pros racers ride in mountain bike races is often unlike any bicycle most consumers will ride. But another type of pro rides a very serious bike – namely the patrol officer. This year Safariland and Kona introduced a Patrol Bike 29er for bicycle patrol officers. It was unveiled earlier this year at SHOT Show in January, and officially introduced at the International Police Mountain Bike Show Association Conference in May.
Troy Gielish, Safariland Bike Team Trainer and LE officer tells us what’s special about this bike.
KineticShift: Police on bicycles is nothing new, but today’s patrol bikes are quite different. What needs to go into a patrol bike today?
Troy Gielish: Quality, comfort and performance: Police bikes take a beating with all the heavy gear that is used on them including the officer with 30 extra pounds of equipment to be carried. Traditional bikes are not made for this type of use and are designed more for light weight and low cost. Better frame design that can comfortably accommodate different size riders, unlike traditional frame geometry with flatter top tubes are thing of the past. Good quality components are what make a happier end user. Not only because it cuts down on trips to the shop for repairs but also because it is more efficient.
KS: And the new bike is also a 29er. Does this give the patrol officers advantage over the 26-inch versions?
TG: The biggest benefit of larger diameter wheels is their efficiency and performance. They roll well in regard to kinetic energy and can clear obstacles better such as stairs.
KS: How does the Safariland/Kona Patrol Bike 29er differ from past bikes for police or even the military? The Swiss Army for years utilized bikes, but has the technology improved for officers?
TG: The Safariland/Kona Patrol Bike is the first to combine a major mountain bike manufacturer with a company that is known for designing and building some of the best police equipment in the world. The bike was designed for public safety by public safety professionals. Other bike companies use their existing frame line-up and morph a police bike from their existing designs by simply changing a paint scheme and adding a couple low coat accessories. These bikes are not made to the abuse public safety bikes do.
This is the not the case with Safariland/Kona bicycle. This bike has unique characteristics that are specifically and uniquely designed for the demands of public safety. This starts from the frame design, to the type of material the frame is made of, to the components and finally to the accessories that included.
Thanks to Tony for talking with us.