xoxoxoxoLive

Thought it looked like a good entry level Hybrid, then came across this video on YouTube .. for 250.00
dollars. Richard

AdelaaR

Great song but a bit silly in this video.
Very nice bike ... for $250

NormanF

Cheap one size fits all Big Box Store Schwinn.

I'd stick with the LBS Schwinn. Much better quality.

You do pay for what you get.

qmsdc15

Oh man, we so need a "Post a Video of Your Hybrid" thread. Haha

Talldog

Hmmmm ... how so ? Unless the LBS Schwinn even remotely close to that price level has much better wheels and hubs I would fail to see any significant difference, except for price of course.

NormanF

LBS Schwinns are made with lightweight material, come in different size frames and are of course significantly more expensive.

That's why they are quality bicycles.

What was Schwinn thinking in devaluing the brand by selling a cheap-knock off to the masses?

Talldog

Do you mean aluminum ? Being more expensive does not automatically make them higher quality. LBS Schwinns are not "real" Schwinns either. The original Schwinn company has been out of business for many years. Others basically bought the rights to the name along the way. I suspect that all of them are made in China (not necessarily a bad thing) except maybe their highest end ones, if they have any.

himespau 

Wait, 28 inch wheels? Is that a new wheel size?

NormanF

Schwinn's Select Series sold in LBS are better made than the Schwinns of their heyday. Good value for the money and I suspect Ignaz Schwinn would have approved. They may be made overseas yeah but then so are 99% of the world's bikes today.

As for the Big Box Schwinns, I think its a terrible strategy on Dorel's part and just cheapens the reputation of a great bike brand.

xoxoxoxoLive

Mistake in the video, there 700c Star rims, and are a great rim for the price ! Richard

big_al

definetly has the look but thats about it......

NormanF

Never heard of them.

On the higher quality LBS Schwinns, you have Jalco Rims. To sell at a certain price point, you have keep ALL production in Taiwan.

If you need brand name rims, you can always upgrade later.

Talldog

That's nice, but irrelevant to the question.

mikeybikes

That Schwinn Tourist looks decent.

In general the, the difference between an LBS schwinn and a big box store Schwinn is components and fit. Most big box store Schwinns I've seen all come in a "one size fits all" kind of deal whereas the LBS versions come in different sizes to suit different folks.

Also, you get better components. I can't recall too many LBS bikes that come with Shimano Tourney components which is just about all you find in big box stores.

Understand that there is a real difference between LBS Schwinns and big box Schwinns. Also understand that if you're happy with your big box Schwinn then there's no reason to regret your purchase. It is very likely a serviceable bike that will ride well.

P.S., I can't imagine those wheels with that few of spokes lasting too long for most people... Road racers pay big money for strong wheels with that few of spokes. They have to sacrifice something somewhere to include them on a $250 bike...

xoxoxoxoLive

I'm sorry that you and normanf are so uninformed about bike parts and quality. And how manufactures build things, first of all
the obvious, Shifters same, rear DR the same or maybe better, LBS still might have the Tourney, 24 speed, brakes I seen in person
and are No different than Tektro in quality, Suntour crank, not plastic pedals, bike weighs around 27 pounds, quick release
front and rear, hubs are decent, and probably same as the LBS Schwinn's, seat nice, grips nice, and I could go on...And price,
( come on ) , There is no such thing as one size bike fits all, either does fit you or not, If you are around 5'9' to 6' 1'' this
size is for you...It would need a nice tune, ( probably ), free if you know anything about bikes. Or has a friend like me who would do it for free...HA HA ! And the old saying, ( You get what you pay for went out decades ago ), The new saying is, ( You get
what your informed enough to understand about, after that the price goes up with ignorance. )..Just because a bike comes in
more than one size does not make it better components or quality, only less in demand for certain sizes which raises the
price...The more you can mass produce, the lower the cost, the less demand, higher price, ( this is not a new concept, and applies
to almost all industries. Sorry to bust anyones bubble here, but if the bike was at an LBS, tuned to perfection, 500.00 dollars
minimum. Consultation fee free, I worked at a bike shop for a few years, and one of my best friends is lead mechanic at a
local LBS, and he is the one that services the 5000.00 dollar road bikes, I'm not going t say what he rides, you would be surprised. But it is tricked out a little, and been a bike mechanic now for 15 years, and is a avid commuter to work..I
understand the price and marketing, and he knows the parts...This was not to under mind anyone, just help inform them..
Richard : )

xoxoxoxoLive

And I know racers pay huge dolars for rims, but the average rider. And We are posting on the hybrid forum, where a lot of beginners look. You do not need a 1000.00 dollars to start
off biking, just my opinion, ride less than 5000 miles a year and you would be surprised at
the bikes availably for sub 500.00 dollars that you would love..Link to wheels, https://www.stars-rim.com/english/product1.asp?id=26 , if this is not a quality level entry Hybrid nothing
is.....Unless your a per performance rider with the money to spare, or an expert, you would never notice the difference between any bike tuned correctly, and fitted you right..

xoxoxoxoLive

I think we need a new forum ! Beginners Wanting To Ride...Not my bike is better than yours, Richard

NormanF

Big Box stores can't properly assemble, service or maintain your bike.

There is a difference in the quality in what's offered in LBS and in the Big Box stores. Plus the key things I just mentioned that are important to having a good bike that will last you for a long time.

No one is talking about a high-end bike. Few people buy one.

If you want to buy a quality bike, you can either buy it used or you can buy an entry level one at your LBS.

That's how people should approach that purchasing decision.

qmsdc15

"No different than Tektro in quality, Suntour crank, not plastic pedals, bike weighs around 27 pounds..."

Why did my bike cost almost three times as much, weighs a lot more and has plastic pedals?

NormanF

It wasn't carbon fiber, was it? It sounds like a bike with a you know what movement!

xoxoxoxoLive

Because you did not consult with me first.. But really, my post was for people who
might be on a tight budget looking for a decent bike...Like this one also..https://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/1...m=PaidShopping....

Talldog

That's not much of a big deal. It isn't rocket science. And, you should see some of the stuff I have seen at various LBS stores. Properly assembled is not a phrase I would use. I suppose they will fix and adjust it if you mention it. However, someone buying an entry level bike in this price range probably doesn't even know what to ask or what to have adjusted. In fact I have ended up adjusting and tweaking every bike I have ever bought from an LBS so that is not deal maker in and of itself in my opinion. In fact, it is easy to maintain one's own bike unless you like giving money to the LBS for mundane stuff like DR adjustments, wheel truing, and such.

Of course there are crappy bikes at the big box stores. But this is not one of them. As far as entry level bikes in the price range we are talking about there is no quality differential in the The Schwinn Tourist referenced above or an entry level Schwinn at your LBS. The biggest difference is that you will pay almost twice as much at the LBS and probably get inferior components, eg., 7 sp versus 8 sp, Tourney DR versus Altus DR, crappier grips, etc., etc. I don't know why that is hard to accept. The single sizing has nothing to do with intrinsic quality. It has to do with fit, and that is a different issue from quality of manufacture. No one is advocating buying a bike that doesn't fit. But yes, you can get a better bike at an LBS by paying lots more for higher models not carried by a big box store. But that was never the question here. I buy my bikes at an LBS because they are higher end ones not available at a big box store, but as you said, that is that is not the question here.

xoxoxoxoLive

Normanf, used bikes do not always come tuned, nor do sellers offer service or maintenance to the buyer. Please post me
a link of a bike with the same components or equal at a LBS and for the same price 250.00 dollars. My post was never
intended to start a heated debate, just a decent bike for the price...Richard

xoxoxoxoLive

Thanks TallDog, and for the record, that is probably the best quality bike I have seen at a Big Box Store, after that I'm headed
to the local LBS. I have nothing against them, ( can barely drive past one without stopping, ( LOL ), I,m looking for that next
bike that SCREAMS buy me ! And there have been a few calling my name, just not loud enough yet....Richard : )

Timber_8

The Hybrid forum is no more a beginner forum than any other forum. I'm not sure why you think that but it doesn't really matter. You never going to see acceptance of Box Store bicycles in any forum because they are almost always junk and a bad place for a beginner to start. There is no support before or after the sale, most are poorly assembled. You are only going to find resistance pushing this as a good idea. I think they are fine as a throw away bike for a young kid that will grow out of it quickly or will take it apart but for someone to use it as a commuter or a utility bike or for any serious riding your never going to see support from any forum. The Hybrid forum is a forum full of very serious riders, I don't think it is fair to categorize them as beginners. It is closer to a utility or commuter than a beginner. Beginners can start with any kind of bicycle. There are newbies in every forum asking the same questions as newbies in this forum. Just because they chose a Hybrid to start there journey doesn't make the Hybrid forum a beginner group