Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Schwinn Excursion Hybrid

I weigh 230. Have not biked in years, Looking at the Schwinn 700c Excursion Hybrid. Probably is exclusively marketed by Walmart for $249.96. Seems like it has good features but I am unfamiliar with the "Sturney-Archer 3 spd Internal Shifting System" on it. Is that a plus and if so, how? Will be doing just local road and bike path recreational cycling. Any suggestions? Many thanks. Jackru, Cary, NC

Personally, I would not spend $250 for any bicycle sold by Walmart. You could find a nice name brand bike with name brand components on Craigs List all day long for that kind of money. Just one example, right now on Charlotte Craigs List there is a Trek 7500 hybrid bike for $250.

Here is how the 7500 is equipped: http://www.bikealog.com/Bikepedia/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=1999&Brand=Trek&Model=7500&Type=bike


Note, I have no financial interest or knowledge of this particular bike. But it serves as a good example.

You will quickly need a lot more than three speeds (like by the end of your first ride). Multi speed (7, 8, etc) Hybrids usually have the grip shifters which are real easy to use.

I bought two nice name brand hybrids last week at the local Salvation Army for very little $$.

Walmart really offers you nothing. You are not getting a professional bike fitting (like you would get at the local bike shop), you are not getting a desirable bike with decent resale (important if you find out you like riding and want to move up to a better/different bike). Even if you do not think you will move up, consider this: you are looking at entry level bikes. There are so many variables to bikes any more that you will likely be riding something different a year from now.

So, they're bringing back the three speed, huh? Cool! OK, how's the terrain where you are? If it's pretty flat, the 3 speed will do you well....

Less maintenance than a dérailleur system. A little more resistance though because of the hub though. gearing.

Other than that, the standard objections apply, with possible improper assemble and poor fit possible.
I weigh 230. Have not biked in years, Looking at the Schwinn 700c Excursion Hybrid. Probably is exclusively marketed by Walmart for $249.96. Seems like it has good features but I am unfamiliar with the "Sturney-Archer 3 spd Internal Shifting System" on it. Is that a plus and if so, how? Will be doing just local road and bike path recreational cycling. Any suggestions? Many thanks. Jackru, Cary, NC

Many thanks for the input. I am totally confused with all the tech talk. Seems like one has to be an engineer to understand the complexities of recreationsl pedalling. The Schwinn 700c Pathway Comfort Bike was the one I was leaning to when the Excursion Hybrid is now promoted.

Relatively flat terrain and I will not be on the wheels for other than a few miles at a time because of limiting health problems

Many thanks for the input. I am totally confused with all the tech talk. Seems like one has to be an engineer to understand the complexities of recreationsl pedalling. The Schwinn 700c Pathway Comfort Bike was the one I was leaning to when the Excursion Hybrid is now promoted.

The tech talk can be confusing, as well as the automatic assumption you have to spend a lot of money to be a "real cyclist." I suggest you look at some bikes in local bike shops before deciding to give your money to Wal-mart. When you buy new, you aren't just buying the bike, you are buying the shop too, and all the bike shop offers. You don't get a bike shop with a Wal-mart bike.

As a number of people have pointed out, you can get good second-hand bikes relatively inexpensively through the Internet and other places. The bike you are considering might be a fine machine, but it might not. Researching here is a good idea, but look around elsewhere as well. Consider the bike as transportation; would you buy a car without doing any research?

Relatively flat terrain and I will not be on the wheels for other than a few miles at a time because of limiting health problems

I told myself the same thing when I got my first bike. I'd only ride a few miles on a bike path on Sundays if the weather was good and I felt up to it. Here's me a year later:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2141/2135586877_2ae8daa238_b.jpg

That was in traffic, during a cold rain, on a four day 120 mile tour over Christmas. A week later I finished the year with over 3000 miles. Not bad for a 41 year old guy with a bad back, bad knees, and no experience riding a bike as a child. You too might be surprised at what you can do.

The thing about flat terrain, once you get on a bicycle, particularly at first, you will notice every hill, every incline. I found out that streets in my neighborhood that I thought were "flat" in fact had some significant grade. Slope that you would not notice walking, you will notice on a bike!! Initially, I could not ride a bicycle as far as my short morning walk... And then you have the impact of wind. A slight grade into the wind can feel like the Swiss Alps (at least at first). The more gears you have, the better you can adjust the force needed to turn the pedals.

I have 24 gears on my road bike, and most of them in a relatively short ride through the neighborhood. I have 21 gears on my hybrid. I can't imagine relying on just three speeds.

And if you are going to buy new, you should get the full benefit of it, which is a knowledgable dealer who can carefully, patiently and thoroughly explain the bike to you, and professionally set it up. And if the first dealer does not suit you, just try another one. They will educate you quickly on styles, types, sizes, brands, etc.


So to me, the choices are either a thorough introduction at a knowledgable bike shop, or a private used sale (Craigs List is your best option, as you can look at the bike in person, talk to the owner, many of whom will provide you at least some of the basics you would get a bike shop). Ebay is sight unseeen and best suited for someone who knows exactly what they want, and what it is worth (so they don't overpay). I see bikes on ebay often/usually going for more than Craigs List. Walmart knows as much about bicycles as they know about anything else they sell, which is nothing. Notice they sell bikes in the toy department? And imagine the "care" they take assembling your bike.

Historian - Research is what I thought I was doing but like with ANY topic one starts at square one. (Went thru the same frustrations when I bought this machine that is talking to you and still haven't understood everything about it - bicycles and the options that attend them are just too much for this inexperienced mind to comprehend - OK??)

I think the problem with Wal-Mart bikes is that even if they're of decent quality, they're probably poorly assembled.

I think it's generally a better idea to spend another $50 at the local bike shop which properly assembles their bikes and then takes the time to fit you to them.

Historian - Research is what I thought I was doing but like with ANY topic one starts at square one. (Went thru the same frustrations when I bought this machine that is talking to you and still haven't understood everything about it - bicycles and the options that attend them are just too much for this inexperienced mind to comprehend - OK??)

I seem to be drawing more heat in the past two days than I intend, or deserve for that matter. BTW, I was probably more inexperienced than you when I made my first bike purchase, since I never rode as a child. However, I didn't begin to overthink until AFTER I got the bike. :D