[karshanmu]

Hello,
I am a newbie to biking as well as to this forum. I am looking to buy a Schwinn Voyageur GS for recreational biking (planning to stick to bike paths and some street riding for now). I was wondering if someone has used this bike and/or has any opinion on this one? It's currently on sale at Performance bikes (http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23244&subcategory_ID=3060). Looks like very few hybrid bikes are under $300.
Any other general tips on what to look for in such Comfort/Cross bikes are also appreciated.

Thanks,
Sankars

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

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- The BikeForums Team
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[Fibber]

As you may be aware, Schwinn is one of the better known brand names manufactured and marketed today by Pacific Cycle. Near identical products in the sub $200 range with the Schwinn name can be found in some Target (and even occasionally WalMart) stores, and as an entry level bike (sub $300 range) at many local bike shops. The basic componentry on the Voyageur is at least name brand (ProMax, Suntour, SRAM), but at the lower end of each of these mfgrs line. Some of the other bikes sold at the chain stores contain parts from God only knows where.

For your intended purpose, this bike should do just fine. At $269, the price is below similar units from the big guys like Trek & Giant made up of similar componentry. If you have the support (sizing, assembly & adjustments) of a nearby shop, you should be in decent shape.

[andrelam]

I bought the Target version for my Mom a few months ago. Please note that if you do that route you better know how to tune-up the bike as it most likely will not come adjusted correctly. The brakes for instance were so poorly adjusted, the rear ones pretty much didn't work. After a little time with a wrench my mom now has a very nice bike that is perfect for her kind of riding. We did transfer over her 37 year old Brooks B66 saddle that she used a lot when we were younger... we lived in Holland and her Raleigh 3 speed WAS the equivalent of the family car. Nice bike for $180. My wife's $275 LBS Schwinn is pretty much the same except is came properly adjusted from the store. Component wife these bikes will be fine for light weekend rides. They are much better than the $100 Wallmart or Target bike, those I've seen experience major mechnical failures in as little as $100 miles. Just make sure you are the right size frame. The Target Schwinn fit my mom just fine a 5'8," but would be useless for my 5'2" wife.

Happy riding,
André

[karshanmu]

Thanks Andre and Fibber for your replies! I finally bought this bike last week and have put a few tens of miles on it. So far I seem to like it. Compared to many other low end bikes, this one is light and the 700C tires seem to provide a somewhat efficient ride. So far, so good! The only complaint I have at this point is that the brakes are too soft. I did get my bike from a bike store with supposedly good assembly and all. Is there a way to tune or replace the brakes for better performance?

Thanks once again and happy riding!

- Sankars

[Fibber]

"Brake feel" is a combination of rim material and finish, brake pad material, surface area (size of pad and exact position on the rim for max contact), cable adjustment (hand lever travel before pad to rim contact begins), lever length (force applied per degree of hand travel), allowable stretch in the cable and it's jacket, cable routing and friction from sharp bends, and the like. In short, there are plenty of variables. Sounds like you need a trip back to the bike shop!

Steve

[flliggie]

I am a newbie and happy to see this information posted. My husband and I recently purchased bicycles from a local Schwinn dealer who has been in business forever (we each got our very first bikes here as children). The sales person took a lot of time with us and gave us the names of the other bike shops in the area to check out and compare. We each had had inexpensive Walmart bikes, but really enjoyed our travels on bike paths/trails, and decided to upgrade just a little. I bought the Voyageur GS, and my husband got a Raleigh C40 (I think)--service/tune ups included for the first year free, and 10% off all accessories in that first year. I know we could have spent a lot more, but I think for our 30 - 40 miles per week of recreational biking, it sounds like we did okay.

[Jacob J]

I bought my son a Schwinn Voyageur from our LBS this spring and the brakes are deffinitly not soft. (He about went over the handle bars the fist time out.) I agree with Steve, "Sounds like you need a trip back to the bike shop!"

Jacob