Originally Posted by
Esthetic
$150more? Nice alternate reality maths. The Schwinn is a $300 bike RIGHT NOW, has mounds of parts with no name or manufacturer data , and the aluminum fork doesn't exactly scream quality you know.
Its a solid looking bike but its crazy what a few bucks more gets you, for instance:
The $349 GT Transeo i posted is a $500 quality bike, has:
Shimano 8-speed drivetrain offers 24 speed gearing vs 3x7
Shimano Altus 8-speed rear derailleur vs Tourney
Shimano Altus EF-51 Rapid Fire plus shifters vs bottom barrel
Brakes: Tektro Mechanical vs No Name
GT and name brand finishing kit vs the Schwinn's no name generic that will be rusting in no time
KMC chain vs No Name
75mm (WITH LOCKOUT) makes it more comfortable on trails and more versatile IMO.
You end up with a pretty hydroformed GT frame.
The Fuji comes with SRAM X3 parts which is comparable to Altus/Acera, and Oval Concepts finishing kit.
Nicer put together bikes for not a lot more money. PERIOD.
Its just an example on what you can find. Its 2018 and the internet is a wonderful place to find great deals with fully transparent specifications, no need to pay hundreds of dollars for a box store bike with mystery parts.
You realize the Schwinn was on sale for $225, not $300?
All the parts are crap, on all the low end bikes. Cable brakes still are cable brakes, a 3x drivetrain still is 3x... with the bikes you listed you get slightly better outdated crap, but sill needs to be thrown away.
I'm not recommending to buy the Schwinn to actually use as is, but also can't recommend paying $150 more and buy those low end bikes. To each their own. Obviously some people are buying at those prices.