Commuting - Schwinn Bikes any good?

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New Schwinn? Old Schwinn? LBS Schwinn? Walmart Schwinn?

Yes. If you buy a Schwinn from a Walmart, just check to make sure it was assembled properly. You can't get a Schwinn road bike from Walmart, you'll have to go to a LBS for that.

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:rolleyes:
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I can almost assure you the Schwinn he's talking about is the one in Toys R US for $129.00 dollars.

Here's a better option.

Go to Ebay and type in the search text box "SCHWINN" and see what appears. If you find any used Paramounts from the 70's, buy that bike instead.

"Schwinn Bikes any good?"

It's all relative.

I can not comment on new Schwinns, but I consider older Schwinns to be fairly good bikes. They are usually very reliable, but often heavy unless you have a chromoly model. For example, I have two early 90 Schwinn hybrids. With one being a hi-ten and the other a chromoly model. There is almost a 8 lb difference between the two. Of course now with added fenders and baskets on the hi-ten model for commutting, the difference is even higher.

I was looking at a Schwinn bike their website. the reason I ask is I see them at Wal Mart yet people here ride them. Thus I was curious. I assume they are two different bikes with a low end models sold to department stores and a better versons sold to bike shops. Again just wanted people opinons.

As for Raiyn it's a message board. If I want to ask a question of current posters what the **** is it to you? Now get back on your lightning bandwagon until something else comes along.

Schwinns/Mongoose's (ie Pacific Cycle bicycles) at Walmart are pretty good bikes if you aren't planning on riding with a bunch of roadies dressed like a fashion show at 20mph or doing 30 foot jumps while mountain biking. They make for good bikes for touring, commuting, family rides, and trips to the store.

Again, check the assembly carefully before buying although Walmart has an outstanding return policy. Another alternative is Dick's Sporting Goods which will put the bike on a stand right in front of you and confirm that all gears, brakes and such are working fine. Dick's will also adjust your bicycle for you for free up to a certain period of time (the one in Harbison in Columbia,SC it's one year).

Again, if you are planning on wanting to ride with a group of roadies, these bikes are not for you. But they make for great exercise and commuting. The Hybrid Mongoose I bought from Dick's has worked like a charm and since I don't need to ride at 20mph in a peloton, it is a perfect bicycle for my needs.

Regardless of what you buy, I hope you get many miles and hours of enjoyment from cycling.

Cheers & Happy Miles,
BLake

Westman,

Schwinn still does sell high end bicycles that are only sold to LBS's and not to department stores.

If my Mom will give it up, you can buy my old single-speed cruiser from 1970, Chicago-made still with the deep green metallic paint....

Y'know, never mind. I'll keep it. ;)

PainTrain,

You be surprised at what that bike would bring on ebay today. My neighbor has two really old 1950's bikes in great shape sitting in his garage not been ridden in 40 years. I would love to be able to get my hands on them to restore them.

Cheers,