silly to put clipless pedals on Walmart Schwinn?
 

I bought a Schwinn "Skyliner" at Walmart - I guess it's what they call a comfort bike. Straight bars, 26" x 1.96" tires, 21 gears. Originally got it to do family rides on bike paths and the neighborhood, but have gotten more into it that the rest of the family. I've been riding a hilly 7 mile loop several times a week that includes a good bit of climbing.

I have replaced the tires with 26x1.5 "city slicks", but everything else is still stock. Does it make any sense to add clipless pedals to such a cheap, heavy bike?

Right now I'm just riding for fun and fitness, so the weight and clunkiness of the bike don't bother me, but if I wanted to commute (11 miles each way) or try longer trips, I think I'd want something lighter and better fitted to my body.

Thanks for your thoughts.

I don't think you can put clipless pedals on a cruiser bike, but if you can, why not. When you upgrade to a different bike, the pedals can follow you.

you would have to change the cranks unless you can find 1/2 clipless pedals

Well I figure you'll spend a good $100 going clipless. Why not take that $100, ditch the mart bike, and go buy a used bike that suits your riding style more. Heck you can pick up an old road bike for a few bucks at a thrift store, toss a few bucks at it, and maybe still afford a pair of shoes and pedals!

Isn't it sort of like putting lipstick on a pig? :)

Can you explain further to the newbie?

I actually very much considered this very bike before I got my TREK 7100. I was taken by the curved frame and the color on it. A very pretty green and silver combination. However, my bike [at that time] was quite heavy, and when I discovered the weight of the Skyliner, I opted against it and went with an aluminum frame bike. The Skyliner is still a nice looking bike! :)

Oh, about the pedals, I can't comment on that. No expertise there. Just commenting on the bike. ;)

well, that's exactly what I was asking...on the other hand, maybe I can get through the clipless learning pains and do all my falling down on the Schwinn before I upgrade to a less porcine ride

It seems to me that most new quality road bikes don't come with pedals so if you decide to upgrade then you will have a set of pedals so it's not that bad of an idea. I think what tech may have been saying is that the spindal on the clipless pedal won't fit on the schwinn???

In decades past, I recall most *-mart bikes having 1/2" pedal-to-crank threads, and most LBS bikes having 9/16". I just assumed that by this time in history, the industry would have standardized on 9/16. From this thread, it appears that 1/2" is still around. Pray, does that Steamrol...er...Skyliner have a single-piece crank?

I don't know about that one, but the *mart bike that is now in parts in my garage took standard pedals. I've used the same pedals on 3 or 4 bikes by now...

I had to pick up some platform pedals so I could introduce a friend to cycling. K-mart carried them and they fit fine on my newer road bike. I'd guess you have to check, but that should be easy enough.

No harm in trying them out if you have them on hand or can get them cheap. I like the "buy a used bike instead..." suggestion myself.

Check if the threads are 1/2 or 9/16. I think if it's Schwinn, it probably is compatable w clipless systems. In the past, cheaper bikes used 1/2. The fact that the new tires fit is a good sign, some cheaper bikes used to have a different size rim, though still "26 inch". If the pedals fit, go for it. You like the bike now, you'll like it better clipped in. If you need a different crank, just use toe-clips until you're ready for a new bike. I don't think it's worth $ for new cranks. If it's a single-piece crank, you can't put a standard crank in anyway.

As Orion says - I think it's a good looking bike. A little on the heavy side - and I have the seat post at the minimum insertion mark but still don't get full leg extension, so I think I need a bigger frame.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...id=15312&stc=1

I think that if you can take the pedals with you when you upgrade, then there's no reason not to get them now. OR, there are those $7 toe clips that you could put onto those pedals there.

A note about the *mart bikes. When I was about 16, I got a Schwinn 10 speed, and man I rode that thing for the next three years all over the place in all kinds of weather, and I loved it. Heck, I probably did a couple of centuries without ever intending to, all without Power Bars or Super Goo Gel or $80 t-shirts - wow! :eek:

I think those bikes are a very good value when you're starting.

if i were you i would just save your money, and start looking for a used LBS bike. Just the fact that you don't get enouph leg extension because of the size of the bike is reason enough to dump it. You will get tired way to easy, and it is simply bad for your body.

Oh yeah, that's a good point. I change my opinion. I'd save my money for a better bike that fits better.

Wait, you do not need a bigger frame! Get a longer seatpost. Unless it makes your saddle more than a couple inches higher than your handlebars, it should be an improvement. This type of bike is designed for people who think they need to be sitting upright. In fact, experienced cyclists like the saddle to be 1 to 4 inches higher than the bars. How much depends on low back strength, arm strength, and hamstring flexibility. The more you have of these, the higher your seat can be relative to your bars. Average rider is best with a position that puts your back at 45 degrees from vertical. No harm going with a more upright position if you prefer, except aerodynamics.

the crank is the arm that the pedals are in
the hole in the arm is either 1/2 or 9/16
most of the bike that come from department stores are the 1/2 sense it cheaper because they usally have a one peice crank if your are 1/2 then you have to find 1/2 clipless pedals ( not sure anyone even makes them )
or change the cranks (to multi peice) so you can use the 9/16 clipless pedals
which involes changeing the Bottom Bracket more than likely
and that can add up quickly if you dont watch and with instaltion charges
unless you know how to do it
I am currently changing from a one peice to a multi peice on my old Schwinn
but it's a desent steel frame and of a large size

like the others said you might want to look at geting a used bike and fixin it up
cause the convertion for me is goin to run about $100 and I went with the cheapest desent parts I could find, Shimano Sora and I think most here will say they are probably the bottom line worth owning
but some will say 105 is and others the higher grades
but I dont race and went for long lasting

I hope it's not as bad as all that. I don't have any particular discomfort. It looks like my full extension knee angle is in the low 40's instead of the low 30's.

Its 9/16 already.

cool easy then huh :)

You'll hurt your knees if you ride a lot with the seat so low. The saddle should be close to 90% of full leg extention.

Getting back to the question, is it silly to put clipless pedals on a wall mart bike?

The answer is, of course yes. It is silly to put a pedal/shoe system on that will cost more than the entire bike costs. Especally, as one poster mentioned, for a few bucks, you can attach toe clips to your existing pedals.

I mean no disrespect to anyone here. Hey, if you have the $100.00 plus to put into pedals and that will make you happy, then don't go by anything I say. But from a does this make sense point of view, well you get my point...

Tom

My advise buy toe straps and attach them to your Schwinn, you will notice an immediate difference in energy transfer from your legs to the drivetrain! Then depending on your budget purchase a road/ entry racing bike with clipless pedals. Also keep your Schwinn different bikes for different rides. Good luck. :)