Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Schwinn Madison

Anyone have one of these. I searched around and I didn't really find much of anything. Post up any pictures, thoughts, reviews, or whatever about this bike. I'm really thinking about picking up either the 08 or 09 model this weekend and just wondering if it's worth the money. I can get it for about 530 either model. Thanks in advance.

did you even read any of the threads? or just search and not see "Schwinn Madison" in the tittle and not bother to do any work yourself?

yeah man use the ****ing search, this newb **** is getting old, quick. there are threads about everything especially bikes/models.

did you even read any of the threads? or just search and not see "Schwinn Madison" in the tittle and not bother to do any work yourself?


I did search, most of the threads had very few responses and even less pictures. Sorry I was mainly looking for pictures of peoples Madisons and how it's held up over time. Thanks for the help.

dude here's my opinion on them. for the money you could easily get something better. i hate the madison, i hate schwinn, i hate the colors, the components everything about them.

http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=6318861

learn to search by thread title.

The majority of those threads don't really give any info as to whether people liked it, it's a good buy, how it's lasted so on and so forth. But thanks I'll look through them.

I am a novice, I have only being riding a fixed gear for a few months. I like my Madison but if I had the chance to buy again I would look at other options, including building it myself. I chose my Madison because it fit well and it has a flip-flop hub. This allowed me to start single gear and then learn to ride fixed.

The pedals are pure crap, they started coming apart on the ride home. I also switch the handlebars to bullhorns because personal preference. I personally like the San Marcos saddle.

After spending a little cash I have a bike that is similar to a friend's who had his custom built and save $150-200. Plus you have more choice in components.

Consider building yourself or spending $100 to get a bike with better components and save in the long run.

I hear ya, thank for the info. My main concern is the frame and fork, I have a wheelset already and I'd get new bars and a stem. And I hve a nice set of pedals. I'd sell off all the stuff basicaly besides the frame fork cranks (for now) seat and seatpost. Im still weighing my options before I the plunge on anything but I'm really liking this bike.

frameset is heavy as anything, but it's holding up fine. mine tips over daily, gets thrown into poles, etc. small dent, lots of scratches in the clearcoat, but nothing too serious.

i'm still not sure how i like the way mine rides. the headset's shot, so that's probably a large problem. bar/stem combo is probably contributing, too. started with the stock drops; was also riding promenade bars. those snapped today, so i threw on some flats. still, eh. i mean, it is what it is. it's all preference. test ride one.

I love my Madison, but i will have to add that i never had a chance to ride it stock.

I got an 08 madison frame for a hundred bucks, i then had it bead blasted and powdercoated gloss white

Chris King headset
Kore stem
Chro-Moly mini bmx style bars
Oury grips
FSA seatpost
Kashimax saddle
SRAM Omnium cranks and GXP bottom bracket
Phil Wood high flange hubs on veeps
Vittoria Zaffiro tires
Double straps and cages
And on and on.

Really i built the bike to take the abuse of a 225lb rider (thats me) jumping off curbs, wheelies, bunny hops and such.

Is it the lightest bike in the world? NO Is it bulletproof? YES

I also have a Bianchi Pista concept and truly i love this bike more. I cannot recommend the madison frame enough, i cannot speak for the rest of the stock components though...

Here is a pic:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k138/mikewoodkozar/photo2-2.jpg

If you are going to buy it just for the frame, go to bikeisland and pick up just a frame.

Save two hundred bucks.

^perhaps, but i dont think he was asking about that, i was vouching for the straightness and solidity of the Madison frame regardless of how or why i have it.

I don't want a BI frameset I do like the kilo frameset but I more so like the Madison frameset alittle more. I don't have everything to build a bike from a frameset up so I would kinda need a complete first. Then just swap out the compnents as needed. Thanks for the info and your bike looks awesome.