wmt3rd

My mountain bike that I've been commuting on for years was stolen on Wed. I went to the local LBS and asked for his advice. This is my situation. I commute year round on a bike, run errands, go for long weekend rides (2-3 hrs) and would like to go on short overnight trips (big maybe here). The probability of going on self supported tours, even though I like the idea, is very low. My right knee is telling me to not even think about it. His advice was to get this bike, https://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=749. I've got to admit that this wasn't what I had in mind when I walked into the shop, but I'm thinking that this might be a good choice. I was originally thinking of a sport road bike or a light touring bike. Now, I'm not so sure.

Does anyone have an opinion on this bike?

THanks

WilliamK1974

I don't claim to be an expert on the subject, but the bike shop Schwinns seem to be a step up from the Schwinns found at WallyWord and Tarjay. From the spec sheet on this bike, it sounds like it has some good features. When you said Schwinn World, I got a bit excited because I have one that's been on the road for about 18 years. Not quite the same thing as what you're looking at though.

bugmenot

Where did you see it? Was it a local LBS?

I'm asking b/c I saw it at performance at about $400. It seemed to have all the basic necessities for a commuter. The only thing that was different on the performance one was that it had a full-on chain guard. It reminded me of those amsterdam bikes.

It looked very nice, but I didn't test ride b/c I as afraid I'd buy it. too many bikes

wmt3rd

I didn't get to see one. The LBS sells Schwinn along with other brands and he showed it to me in a catalog.

georgiaboy

https://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/SMOKE/index.html

https://www.diamondback.com/items.asp...=20&itemid=228

KLW2

If you have a local REI, this was just rated the top commuter by Bycycle mag...same price, internal gears in rear hub...Novara Transfer

michaelalanjone

I have bought several LBS-style Schwinns (they're better than Wally-World bikes); they are good bikes, at a reasonable price. I used to commute on a Schwinn MTB (with slicks) for 16 years, with great luck, and recently I bought a folding bike, a Dahon Jack. It was $350 (on sale), it is a 26" 7-speed. I stick it under my cube desk at work. Now, I don't have to constantly sneak out and peek at my bike, to see if someone stole it - it's at my feet! Dahon also has some 20-inch folders that lots of people commute on. Those 20 inchers will fit anywhere (but they are probably not what you want for really long rides).

If you aren't interested in a folder, though, the Schwinn World is designed specifically for commuting, and it should be perfect for you. I sometimes max out on only 7 speeds, and the World is a 24-speed. It's a rockin' commuter. Plus, it has the disc brakes. I don't know how fast you travel, or if you live in a hilly area, like the mountains, or San Francisco, those disc brakes might save your life. The Jack just has V-style rim brakes. I have been flying down hills on my old commuter bike with the older caliper brakes, and not really been able to stop quickly (or at all, sometimes!). My current commute is pretty flat, though.

M_S

I'd still look at sport touring/ entry level cyclocross/ touring bikes. Probaably the first thing you'll want to decide is whether to get drops or flat bars. That decision leads you down two different roads in terms of bike purchases. You may want those drops for the weekend rides.

Also, if you're carrying big loads up hills, the internal hub may not have as good a gear range as a 9 speed cassette in back. Then again, it may be perfectly adequate, and will be more reliable, which is good, since you appear to orely heavily on your bike as a mode of transportation.

For what it's worth, I can't think if any internally geared bikes that come stock with drop bars.

Here are some common reccomendations for bikes in both the drop bar and flat bar categories:


Drops:
- Bianchi Volpe
- Binchi Axis
- Specialized Tricross line
- Surly Crosscheck
- Surly Longh Haul Trucker
- Fuji Touring
- Jamis Nova
- Jamis Aurora
- Trek 520
- Lemond Poprad
- Novara Randonee

These bikes range from about 900 to 1600 dollars, with the Cross Check, Aurora, Randonee, and Fuji on the low end, and the Axis, Poprad, and mid range Tricrosses on the high end. Most are steel framed, though the tricross series is aluminum/carbon (so is the Axis) and the Poprad and Nova are steel/carbon. The ones marketed as cyclocsross will probably be a little "sportier" than those marketed as tourers, but the boundary line is shaky at best. I'm sure I've left some out some similar offerings from other manufacturers.

Flat bar
- Specialized Sirrius
- Bianchi
- Anything from Breezer
- Bianchi castro valley (same frame as Volpe)
- Bianchi Backstreet
- Trek Fx series
- Jamis Coda line
- Kona Asphalt series

Well shucks, there's a lot more here. Every major manufacturer is going to have some sort of bike like the ones I posted. These are all basically hybrids that lean towards the road bike side of things (no suspension, for one). You can spend about as much as you'd ever want to on one of these bikes, but the minimum is less than drop bar bikes, generally. For example the Kona Smoke is 300 dollars MSRP.

In your case, whichever route you go, I'd urge stretching your budget, and buy as much bike as you can afford, because it sounds like you use it quite a lot.

bhtooefr

The Dynamic Sprint does, I think... (we weren't requiring a chain drive as well, were we? )

tacomee

For the money, the Shwinn World City is a good choice (and it's selling for under $500 street price). Yeah, there are better bikes and some bike snobs will turn their nose up at your ride, but the Shwinn linked to above is a real soild bike. Sram sx4 sucks, but whatya want for $500? It's easy to upgrade when the parts wear out anyhow.

I'd take a look at the Kona Smoke as well....

M_S

Depending on the OPs budget, I might even reccomend buying the kona smoke for commuting duties, and a more expensive bike for times when you may not be beating up the bike/ will be taking longer rides, etcetera. Also, more than one bike means a mechanical failure on one gives you a backup bike. This is really only a good option if you want to spend around 1000 dollars (or more) though.

bugmenot

Has ANYONE seen this at an LBS? Now that I think about it, the performance one didn't have disc brakes. That would be a nice extra.

wmt3rd

I just went to order one and there are no more available. I won't be able to get one until the 2008 models are out. Bummer to the max!

tsl

Only the bottom-of-the-line World GS does not have discs. The World GSD, World Street and World DBX all have discs. I'm considering a World DBX to replace my hybrid winter bike. My LBS will be ordering one in so I can check to see if my 700x35 Nokian Hakkapellitta W016 studded snows will fit on it. We think so, but want to be sure.

bhtooefr

I think bugmenot is referring to the Schwinn World Avenue One that Performance Bike sells.