What we think about the new cottage toy hitting the water this summer
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When I first saw a Red Shark Bike in person, propped up on its display table, I was immediately struck by the size of it. Later, I was hit by the price. But when I finally stepped onto the almost comically large water toy, I suddenly got it. This product is fun.
Red Shark Bikes are a paddleboard-bike hybrid. This Spanish water toy just launched in Canada a couple of years ago, and comes in three styles: fitness (for the fitness buffs), adventure (perfect for anglers), and enjoy (for everyone else). The main difference between the three are the propellers, which essentially operate as the gears on a bike, that create different levels of tension on the pedals. The bikes are also fitted with storage compartments specific to the style—for example, the adventure bike has built-in rod holders and nets to store tackle.
The first question I had for Jean-François Riendeau, the head of Canadian distribution who graciously let me grill him with questions about this pricey toy, was about the sheer girth of this thing. How would one get it to and from the lake?
Size-wise, I would compare the bike to an average kayak, but with its seat hovering a few feet in the air, it feels so much bigger. The base is an inflatable paddleboard, while the bike itself is made of two pieces of hollow plastic. Inflated, the board is about 70 pounds and can hold up to 450 pounds in weight. When disassembled and packed up, the whole bike fits into a hockey-bag-sized carrier that can be stored in most trunks or back-seat areas.
Photo by Cottage Life
To get the fully assembled bike to the dock, you can either hoist it up and carry it, or pull it with a small dolly. I was surprised at the ease at which Jean-François pulled it to the dock. At the end of the dock, he gently dropped it into the water. He recommends either lining it up with the dock to easily step on, or walking it into the water until about knee-height and pulling yourself up.
Before we get to the bike ride, you should know that I’m a fit-enough person, but by no means an athlete. I enjoy the occasional ride on the trails, and my SUP experience is limited to a handful of successful attempts at friends’ cottages. That said, I have good balance granted to me by years of practicing yoga.
As we lined up the board with the dock, I was a bit nervous. Jean-François held the board steady as I stepped onto the back, then I pulled myself onto the seat. (When he demonstrated it for me, he easily got on by himself—with a little practice, I think it would become easy to get on without help). The first second was wobbly, but as Jean-François encouraged me to pedal, the board seemed to right itself.
That day, a looming storm and its accompanying wind were throwing a bit of a wrench into my intended calm day out on the water. But, just as Jean-François told me, the more I pedaled, the more stable the board felt. If you slow down in the wake of a passing boat, or turn the bike too sharply, you’re more likely to tip over.
Here’s an extra bonus: the Red Shark Bike is extremely customizable. Not only can you easily unscrew the propellers to swap them out for more or less of a workout, but you can even turn the bike into a whole different water toy. Take the bike off and it becomes a standalone inflatable paddleboard, add a motor to the back to create a water scooter, and attach another board to the side to create a side-by-side tandem bike or paddleboard sidecar.
Now, onto the sticker price. The basic comfort model starts at $5,499. This is similar to an upscale solid paddleboard, and significantly more expensive than an inflatable board. Adding an electric pump and additional accessories bumps the price up by thousands.
The bike is expected to last from five to ten years, depending on how well you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions, and returns are not accepted unless the product is deemed defective. But if you have the money to spend on a new water toy, this bike is a great way to get around the lake while working up a bit of a sweat.
Overall, if you want to splurge on a fun, unique water toy that will certainly capture your neighbours’ attention, I would recommend trying out Red Shark Bikes.
Want to grab one of these bikes for yourself? Check out Cottage Vibes to see the bike we tested, along with the other Red Shark models.