Just paid $319 for a 2017 Schwinn Frontier..good deal? Advice?
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Just paid $319 for a 2017 Schwinn Frontier..good deal? Advice?
My POS box store "bike" (Mongoose Spire) that has been my main source of transportation for the past 5-6 months (bought it used for around $50) has been deteriorating for a while now. Even though it held up MUCH better than I ever thought it would considering what I put it through, last night the bottom bracket practically fell off. A host of other things needed to be repaired..new tires, back wheel trued / overhauled, new brakes, etc. I couldn't justify getting anything repaired on it and needed a ride for tonight/tomorrow, so today on a whim decided to just buy a new bike.
My budget was $400 max. I originally wanted something used but stock at 2 places I tried was light or out of my price range. I stopped in my closest my LBS last (i first tried 2 other well known LBS's in the city) and a red/charcoal 26 inch 2017 Schwinn Frontier immediately caught my eye. (can't post pics since i don't have 10 posts yet, or else I would). Less than 10 minutes later I walked out with it. $319, $345 after PA tax, 1 year Schwinn Warranty through the LBS...decent deal right?
Loving the bike so far. Was it a good choice? How much better is it than a box store bike? I'll be doing a lot of commuting, around 10-11 miles a day, give or take. Guy working there said it will last a long time. Any advice on maintenance, etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks
My budget was $400 max. I originally wanted something used but stock at 2 places I tried was light or out of my price range. I stopped in my closest my LBS last (i first tried 2 other well known LBS's in the city) and a red/charcoal 26 inch 2017 Schwinn Frontier immediately caught my eye. (can't post pics since i don't have 10 posts yet, or else I would). Less than 10 minutes later I walked out with it. $319, $345 after PA tax, 1 year Schwinn Warranty through the LBS...decent deal right?
Loving the bike so far. Was it a good choice? How much better is it than a box store bike? I'll be doing a lot of commuting, around 10-11 miles a day, give or take. Guy working there said it will last a long time. Any advice on maintenance, etc. would be appreciated.
Thanks
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If you're happy with the deal, that's all that matters so don't even ask. There will always be somebody who wants to rain on your parade.
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Retro is right if you ask long enough you're gonna find somebody that knows where you could've gotten it for a hundred dollars less,,, you saw it you liked it you bought it ,, now just go ride it ,,, its good,,,,,
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'Signature' series Schwinns are sold thru independant bike dealers, the others are box store stock.
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First of all it looks like you got that bike at a good price, and with an LBS to assemble it and stand behind it. I notice the Schwinn Frontier is a steel frame mountain bike with modest components and a front shock fork. Now, let me tell you about modest steel mountain bikes and commuting.
In 1997 I bought a Nishiki Blazer, with 3x7 gearing like yours and modest components. 20 years later I still have it and ride it. In fact, until two years ago it was my main commuter. For 14 years it was my ONLY bike. Some years I ride more than others, but allowing for some slack commuting years (got married, got lazy) that bike has at least 20K miles on it and possibly 40K.
I acquired an old 12-speed road bike in 2009 which took riding time away from the Mountain bike. And in January 2015 I bought a new main commuter and put studded snow tires on the Mountain bike and made it my snow and ice bike in the winter. In the warmer months I take off the studded ties and ride use it as a back-up bike and for variety, and as utility bike as it has foldng basket in the rear.
Last year one of the the Shimano Cross-fire shifter broke and three or four years ago I repacked the rear bearings after accidentally spilling them out attempting to replace a spoke. This winter I replaced the cantilever brakes with V-brakes (which is what the Frontier has), because at 55 years old I have issues with cramping hands. I think I've been through three chains and I'm on my third seat. The bike has some bare metal on the right chain stay where slipped chains have gouged it, but no major rust issues.
While the bike had been ridden in snow and rain, it gets parked inside at the office and in an unheated shed at home, but only since 1999. The first two years it sat outside on a patio under a tarp...sometimes.
The usual replaceable parts have been replaced, tires, brake pads, cables.
I wouldn't say it's been abused, but it's certainly been used. Even though it's steel like my other two bikes, it has no discernable flex like the other two (especially the 12-speed).
I don't know what kind of commute you have, but mine is mostly pavement and hilly (Colorado Springs). Twenty years ago when I bought it I added a larger front chainring to give me higher gearing for faster cruising (I'm a low cadence kinda guy). And about 12 years ago I put on longer cranks and decided I liked them on this bike. It also came with very low gearing, which is nice.
The hardest thing for me to do was admit I'm not an off-road guy and get street tires. 26"x1.9" smooth, with no knobbies. I did try hybrid tires with knobs on the "shoulders" but that just made cornering dicey. With the street tires, the longer cranks and the taller gearing I have managed to ride it faster than my other two bikes about 41mph vs 36mph downhill, and it is more secure feeling. Even on the flat sections of my commute, I cruise around 21 mph, vs 23 for the other two bikes.
I am telling you all this to let you know that despite modest components, your bike will probably last quite a while, like mine. The only thing I can't speak about is the suspension fork. I never had one. My wife's comfort bike has one, and with her suspension seatpost and seat with springs, it's comfortable, but soaks up some of the peddaling energy as it bobs up and down. But it's not really geared for my 9-mile ride, so I haven't ridden it more than a mile or two.
So congratulations on a decent purchase of a competent bike. Be sure to check out the commuting forum here. I discovered it after commuting for years and it has made my commuting safer and more enjoyable.
In 1997 I bought a Nishiki Blazer, with 3x7 gearing like yours and modest components. 20 years later I still have it and ride it. In fact, until two years ago it was my main commuter. For 14 years it was my ONLY bike. Some years I ride more than others, but allowing for some slack commuting years (got married, got lazy) that bike has at least 20K miles on it and possibly 40K.
I acquired an old 12-speed road bike in 2009 which took riding time away from the Mountain bike. And in January 2015 I bought a new main commuter and put studded snow tires on the Mountain bike and made it my snow and ice bike in the winter. In the warmer months I take off the studded ties and ride use it as a back-up bike and for variety, and as utility bike as it has foldng basket in the rear.
Last year one of the the Shimano Cross-fire shifter broke and three or four years ago I repacked the rear bearings after accidentally spilling them out attempting to replace a spoke. This winter I replaced the cantilever brakes with V-brakes (which is what the Frontier has), because at 55 years old I have issues with cramping hands. I think I've been through three chains and I'm on my third seat. The bike has some bare metal on the right chain stay where slipped chains have gouged it, but no major rust issues.
While the bike had been ridden in snow and rain, it gets parked inside at the office and in an unheated shed at home, but only since 1999. The first two years it sat outside on a patio under a tarp...sometimes.
The usual replaceable parts have been replaced, tires, brake pads, cables.
I wouldn't say it's been abused, but it's certainly been used. Even though it's steel like my other two bikes, it has no discernable flex like the other two (especially the 12-speed).
I don't know what kind of commute you have, but mine is mostly pavement and hilly (Colorado Springs). Twenty years ago when I bought it I added a larger front chainring to give me higher gearing for faster cruising (I'm a low cadence kinda guy). And about 12 years ago I put on longer cranks and decided I liked them on this bike. It also came with very low gearing, which is nice.
The hardest thing for me to do was admit I'm not an off-road guy and get street tires. 26"x1.9" smooth, with no knobbies. I did try hybrid tires with knobs on the "shoulders" but that just made cornering dicey. With the street tires, the longer cranks and the taller gearing I have managed to ride it faster than my other two bikes about 41mph vs 36mph downhill, and it is more secure feeling. Even on the flat sections of my commute, I cruise around 21 mph, vs 23 for the other two bikes.
I am telling you all this to let you know that despite modest components, your bike will probably last quite a while, like mine. The only thing I can't speak about is the suspension fork. I never had one. My wife's comfort bike has one, and with her suspension seatpost and seat with springs, it's comfortable, but soaks up some of the peddaling energy as it bobs up and down. But it's not really geared for my 9-mile ride, so I haven't ridden it more than a mile or two.
So congratulations on a decent purchase of a competent bike. Be sure to check out the commuting forum here. I discovered it after commuting for years and it has made my commuting safer and more enjoyable.
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I think you did O.K.
Thought I would provide a link for waxing your new chain. I did this to my new bike in the fall, and 4 other of my bikes as well now. Great results in the wet salty winter conditions. Should you try it, and find oil easier after, simply oil your chain and carry on.
Hope you enjoy it.
-Snuts-
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As others have said, enjoy your new bike. Having a Bike shop bike is a good thing/experience.
I think you did O.K.
Thought I would provide a link for waxing your new chain. I did this to my new bike in the fall, and 4 other of my bikes as well now. Great results in the wet salty winter conditions. Should you try it, and find oil easier after, simply oil your chain and carry on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-frEbqoUTY
Hope you enjoy it.
-Snuts-
I think you did O.K.
Thought I would provide a link for waxing your new chain. I did this to my new bike in the fall, and 4 other of my bikes as well now. Great results in the wet salty winter conditions. Should you try it, and find oil easier after, simply oil your chain and carry on.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-frEbqoUTY
Hope you enjoy it.
-Snuts-
#9
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Eleven dollars under MSRP, so I wouldn't call that a flaming-hot deal, but you did OK.
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