Fifty Plus (50+) - Found a bike I rather fancy...

Stopped by a Performance LBS today, thinking I'd have a look-see at a Fuji, when I was steered toward this bike: Schwinn DBX (http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=607). Took it for a spin and I really enjoyed the bike. It has eyelets for racks, can accommodate nearly any size tire, and has in-line brakes which I really liked. It comes with disc brakes, but I don't know whether that's an advantage or not. It also can be retrofitted with regular brakes. It was comfortable, no hand pain, and I liked how it handled.

The deal looks pretty good as well: it's a 2006, so it's marked down to $949.

Anyone familiar with this bike?

Dunno about this one in particular, but we have a Performance shop in town, and they've got a number of nice-looking well-equipped Schwinns on the floor. Seems like the brand, after all sorts of ups, downs, and ownership changes has really gotten its act together.

What I like about the bike: it fits, it's comfortable, and its in the budget. It's versatile, so I can use it for lots of different kinds of riding, from every day fun, to commuting, to light touring. The components are decent. I even like the color, even though Bicycling Magazine says it's "not sexy." What do they know anyway? It appears to be pretty much exactly the bike I'd have designed for myself at this stage of my life and riding experience.

What i don't like: Not as comfortable with the Schwinn name, perhaps that would affect a resale value, but who knows, and I'm not as delighted with this LBS as my personal favorites. Then again, this particular LBS has really done nothing to put me off, I think I'm responding to some dim memories of being ignored in the showroom one day. And of course, they're a distance from me (but still under 10 miles).

Performance also has some kind of "club" you can join for $25 that gives you $100 in store credit (so net $75) which would pay for a computer and a couple of water cages, which is nice.

Beware the Performance Club. I'm a member, and find that with the coupons, discounts and store credit deals, there always seems to be a very good reason to pop in "for just a few seconds, dear."

Beware the Performance Club. I'm a member, and find that with the coupons, discounts and store credit deals, there always seems to be a very good reason to pop in "for just a few seconds, dear."
Got that right!

DG, only Brits fancy something. You might like it, groove on it, bond with it, get tite with it, be cool with it, and think it's saweeet, but that's the extent of it. Bl##dy w*nk+r.

Can I take a hankerin' to it?

Hankerin' should be OK.... cotton to it would certainly be acceptable.
Ahhhh Schwinn... the biking equivalent of comfort food. My boomer heart is a'beatin

:D That's more like it, nuthin like Merikin Redneck. Y'all were makin me as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rockin chairs.

So...back to the original questions...anyone with comments on the bike or the brand? :)

Sorry. I don't know a thing about it.

I don't believe there's an advantage with disk brakes on a road bike, that's what my son in law keeps telling me. While I finally agree with him, I wouldn't have bike retrofitted with calipers. Maybe if they had a model with same specs but caliper brakes for less... just saying. Other then that the bike appears to be like so many others. Aluminum frame from Taiwan, carbon fork with aluminum steerer, good. Shimano components. I do think price is high for a 2006 model. But then I'm not looking for a bike so I can wait.

Beware the Performance Club. I'm a member, and find that with the coupons, discounts and store credit deals, there always seems to be a very good reason to pop in "for just a few seconds, dear."

That's the truth! I'm just wondering how crazy I'm going to go when they open the new Performance shop in town:eek:

I don't believe there's an advantage with disk brakes on a road bike, that's what my son in law keeps telling me. While I finally agree with him, I wouldn't have bike retrofitted with calipers. Maybe if they had a model with same specs but caliper brakes for less... just saying. Other then that the bike appears to be like so many others. Aluminum frame from Taiwan, carbon fork with aluminum steerer, good. Shimano components. I do think price is high for a 2006 model. But then I'm not looking for a bike so I can wait.
Disc brakes have the advantage of letting you ride on wheels whose rim sidewalls will look forever new.

I don't believe there's an advantage with disk brakes on a road bike, that's what my son in law keeps telling me. While I finally agree with him, I wouldn't have bike retrofitted with calipers. Maybe if they had a model with same specs but caliper brakes for less... just saying. Other then that the bike appears to be like so many others. Aluminum frame from Taiwan, carbon fork with aluminum steerer, good. Shimano components. I do think price is high for a 2006 model. But then I'm not looking for a bike so I can wait.
That's pretty much what I was thinking.

Although disk brakes are a fine idea in general, it's kind of overkill for a road bike.

It doesn't look like there is an option for a triple crank. For some riders this would be a minus.

It's probably a well made bike.

Disc brakes have the advantage of letting you ride on wheels whose rim sidewalls will look forever new.
Good point.

If you would go back and search my old threads when I was trying out road bikes, you'll find a post or two of where I tried out a 2006 Schwinn Super Sport DBX and liked it. It fit me very well. It's a nice slightly ruggedized road bike.

Bicycling Magazine gave it a very good review as an all-purpose road bike.

Some nice components on it ... 105 rear derailleur & BB7 disc brakes.

Schwinn isn't making it in 2007. As it is discontinued, some are heavily discounting it. There's one in my size at a nearby LBS for $850. That particular LBS has a good rep and they really liked the DBX.

If I had decided to buy a road bike, my final three would have been a Trek Pilot 1.2, Schwinn SS DBX and Giant OCR2. Can't say which I would have picked in the end.

;) Wake me when DG actually signs the check.

Yet, it may be that a crossover roadbike like the DBX may be just the thing for your "first" roadie, DG.

Gary,

FWIW, there is one review of a similar bike here...........

http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/latest-bikes/road-bike/schwinn-bicycle-company/PRD_290716_5668crx.aspx

I should have added that the nearby LBS that likes the Schwinn DBX is a higher-end shop that carries Cannondale, Merck, Bianchi, and other pricey brands. Didn't want to leave the impression that it was a small little shop where Schwinn was their #1 line.

From the specs, it looks similar to my Atlantis--as somebody else said, a "ruggedized road bike." I've had it almost four years, and even though I have other bikes, that's the one I get on at least 75 percent of the time. One of the best things about it is versatility. With no more than a tire swap, I can do fairly fast group rides or take it out on the fire trails behind my house.

Swinn name used to be top rate in the MTB world but then they hit problems. Only two things I do not like about the bike. The disc brakes are going to be overkill and add weight- and no weight listed to the bike. If it is heavier than another similar priced model in the shop- then forget it. Couple of points about Disc brakes. The pads touch the disc on most so you get the feeling, or sense, that the brakes are dragging. I do not notice it on the Tandem but it might be a mental thing. The other point is that it saves Rim wear, but do any road riders have problems in wearing out Rims with conventional brakes? I do on the MTB's and have to replace them about every 2 years.

Thanks to the recent reputation of Swinn- I would be inclined to look very carefully before commiting. No-one seems to know the ridability of the bike or the components but that may change with a report by an owner. Then at the same time it does seem a good buy and the price drop puts it in line with the OCR2 that you enquired about the other day.

Unlike an automobile, disk pads on a bike have a spring to pull them back. They should absolutely not rub if properly adjusted.

Disk brakes hold other advantages not mentioned before. They have vastly superior braking in the rain and they concentrate the braking heat at the caliper/rotor far, far away from the tire and tube. Try touching your rims after stopping from a 40mph downhill run.

Discs will be more common on road bikes in the future. A few years of experience by the manufacturers has done wonders on the MTB side of the fence. The biggest obstical on the road bike side will be rider perception.

One last note, it would appear that cyclocross bikes will be going to discs in a big way (mud, mud and more mud). This will lead to newer better equipment being available for the 700c wheel crowd.

Well howdie, ya,all, 'nother good ol Merican redneck chekin in her'', well I'll be dipped ...,,,,,,,@#$^&

I have a great LBS here, have dealt with him in the past. I went with the Fuji Newest 2.0 which I got yesterday YES !!!!!! Bike Flies compared to the Hybrid, but back to story. This LBS carries Schwinn too, no doubt nice looking bikes, I was looking at the new Le Tour, very nice bike. For a rec. rider I doubt there is much difference. A road bike is a frame and components, all pretty much the same at this price range. So if you like it, GET IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

T Bone

psst....over here.......Jamis Satelite!

The disc brakes will add a little weight. The Schwinn DBX is not a super lightweight racing bike - but it is "light'ish" as it does have a carbon fork and saves a bit of weight by using a compact double. As I said above, it is more rugged and can be used for touring or even cross.

The disc brakes are Avid BB7, which are very nice and receive high ratings in MTB forums. These aren't top line MTB brakes, as they are mechanical, not hydraulic. But they are regarded as perhaps the best mechanical discs and can be found on mountain bikes like the $1600 Cannondale Rush 600.

The riding position on the DBX is a bit on the upright side. It's a compact frame with a bit of a shortened top tube. I rode more upright on it than I did on a Lemond Reno, a Felt, a Bianchi, and a Cannondale. I don't think it was quite as upright as a Trek Pilot, but I didn't come back and ride the DBX after riding the Pilot. I did switch back and forth at that LBS between the DBX, a Felt Z80, and a Bianchi and the Schwinn was a little more upright and thus more comfortable for me.

Stopped by a Performance LBS today, thinking I'd have a look-see at a Fuji, when I was steered toward this bike: Schwinn DBX (http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=607). Took it for a spin and I really enjoyed the bike. It has eyelets for racks, can accommodate nearly any size tire, and has in-line brakes which I really liked. It comes with disc brakes, but I don't know whether that's an advantage or not. It also can be retrofitted with regular brakes. It was comfortable, no hand pain, and I liked how it handled.

The deal looks pretty good as well: it's a 2006, so it's marked down to $949.

Anyone familiar with this bike?

"Took it for a spin???"

Around the block> one mile> 20 miles???

I can never trust my impressions of a bike, until I have ridden it on familar roads for at least 20 miles. Thats about when all the aches and pains start emerging :)

Well OK, I might know a litle something. I went out riding with another fellow yesterday, both on mountain bikes outfitted with slicks. We got caught in a rainstorm. My bike had V brakes, the other fellow had Avid BB7's. On the road it didn't seem to make any difference. Mine squeeked a lot, his didn't, and that was about it. I think if you were in mountanous region with lots and lots of braking, it might be nice. I like disc brakes, but maybe for a road bike it ain't necessary.

BTW, the Queen was in town. I told her to "Lighten up, Lizzy baby". I think she thought it was funny.

Schwinn isn't making it in 2007. As it is discontinued, some are heavily discounting it. It looks like for '07 they've painted it red, thrown fenders and a triple on it, and are calling it the World DBX (http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/bikes_detail.php?id=748). And thanks to this thread, I may have found my next commuter rig. I even stopped by my LBS to look at one on the way home from this morning's ride. They were too busy. I'll have to go back during the week.

Well OK, I might know a litle something. I went out riding with another fellow yesterday, both on mountain bikes outfitted with slicks. We got caught in a rainstorm. My bike had V brakes, the other fellow had Avid BB7's. On the road it didn't seem to make any difference. Mine squeeked a lot, his didn't, and that was about it. I think if you were in mountanous region with lots and lots of braking, it might be nice. I like disc brakes, but maybe for a road bike it ain't necessary.

BTW, the Queen was in town. I told her to "Lighten up, Lizzy baby". I think she thought it was funny.

I ride MTB's and although disc brakes are nice- They are only when they give an advantage to you. Most XC riders prefer V brakes. They are lighter for one thing and they work. There is no need for the extra braking that top grade disc brakes give you. Now on Downhill Bikes or offroad Tandems- I would say that disc brakes are necessary- but not cheap ones and not cable operated.

I ride some aggressive tracks and the speed downhill is at the limit. I have never found Disc brakes on the solo are necessary. Only problem I have found with V's is the rim wear- anbd they only last 2 years- but by that time the wheel is kaput in any case.

Disc brakes have the advantage of letting you ride on wheels whose rim sidewalls will look forever new.

That's fine so long as you don't mind that constant "scrape, scrape, scrape" sound that the ever-so-slightly-bent disc makes every time that it passes the caliper.

That's fine so long as you don't mind that constant "scrape, scrape, scrape" sound that the ever-so-slightly-bent disc makes every time that it passes the caliper.

That is the bug bear I have with the Tandem on top of the range Hope Brakes- And the discs are about as true as I can set them up.

DG, are you visiting in Madison right now???

http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/325734537.html

DG, are you visiting in Madison right now???

http://madison.craigslist.org/bik/325734537.html
:roflmao:

Well, I really did like this bike, but to be candid, I was not sold on the brand name or the disc brakes. The components are fine, and it's probably a great bike, but I felt uneasy about buying a bike that I've never heard anyone talking about, or talking up.

And, at the end of the day, I wanted to buy a bike that I would be proud to own, not one where I was rationalizing this or that. So I concluded that although this appears to be a fine bike, it's not the one for me. It didn't sing to me.

And that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

And it was hundreds of dollars less than what you really wanted to spend!!!