Cosmic Entourer Alloy 24SP 27.5 (2016): ChooseMyBicycle.com Expert Review

The Cosmic Entourer 27.5 is built on an alloy frame. A 27.5 inch tire sized MTB needs a strong frame to support the bicycle through the rough trails. Cosmic have done a commendable job in making a frame which can handle the beatings of tough trail and helps support the rider with perfect amount of rigidity to absorb some vibrations of the surface.

The Entourer 27.5 comes with a pair of front suspension forks which helps get through trails without much difficulty. The travels on these suspension forks are up to 70mm comfortably and worked well during the test ride. The suspension pistons are heavy but that does not add any extra effort while pedaling. The lockout feature in the suspension is a key feature for a bicycle at this price point and will be useful on flat city roads. The suspension forks are entry level and will need constant servicing to keep it functioning smoothly.

Cosmic bicycles always score well on the design front. This is mainly because the manufacturer wants the bicycle to look visually more expensive than it actually is. The Entourer 27.5 which I test rode came in a dark grey/yellow combination of colours with a bit of colour coding on the saddle and rims as well which aesthetically uplifted the design. The matte finish paint job makes the colours stand out and the slight decline on the top tube makes the bicycle look comfortable to ride. The fonts used for the brand name, model name and number are different and refreshing.

Any mountain bicycle meant for trails will need good quality gears at both the front and rear to get you up to speeds and also climb and descent on the trails. The Cosmic Entourer 27.5 comes with Shimano Tourney/Altus derailleurs at the front and rear. These components are ShimanoÍs entry level gearing for MTBÍs and this was evident in the lag in the front derailleur while shifting. Nevertheless the rear derailleur worked well and helped accelerate quickly during the test ride. Shimano EF-51 24 speed trigger shifters control the derailleurs. These shifters were in comfortable reach from the handlebar grips. The trigger shifter felt comfortable to use but the thumb shifter required an extra push to engage the gear shift which was not pleasant while shifting rapidly.

The Entourer 27.5 comes with a pair of Zoom mechanical disc brakes at both the front and rear. These are the most basic type of disc brakes which can be found on any MTBÍs. These brakes were efficient in functioning during the test ride on both tarmacs and off-road mud surfaces. Braking on turns and also sudden braking felt balanced and safe. Downhill braking is something one should be aware of on the Entourer 27.5, mainly because of the effectiveness of interval braking which lacked during the test ride.

The alloy handlebar on the Entourer 27.5 had a slight curve from the middle making the rider sit open chested and comfortable. Whilst this may be good for amateurs and city riding, a completely flat handlebar would have made the bicycle more aggressive, which is exactly what a trail will demand.

The tires are the main differentiating factor on all the Entourer models and it is the same case with the Entourer 27.5 This bicycle comes with a 27.5 inch x 2.10 inch which made sure the ride is faster and yet comfortable to roll over any hurdle on a trail. The tires were well supported by stock alloy rims which ensured the weight of the wheelset isnÍt on the higher side. The treads on these tires were bulky and spaced out well.

The saddle on the Entourer 27.5 is a simple recreational bicycle saddle with enough cushioning to escape saddle soreness. But a more ergonomical shape to it would have made the ride even more comfortable. The overall ride quality was comfortable on flatter tarmac and mud surfaces.