Mike321

Ok, so what is the story?

I've heard a few different things... That all Schwinns totally suck and are run by Pacific(or something like that)

and that most Schwinns are not good, but some of the newer models are still designed to high standards

which is right?
I am thinking of getting a Schwinn road bike, trying to compare it against the Trek 1000. I love both brands. My BMX bikes are Schwinn and my Mountain bike is a Trek

someone please give me some input on what happened to Schwinn

56/12 and 22/28

Schwinn is legit, now.

Don't worry.

Mike321

please do explain.

56/12 and 22/28

They got sold and resold a bunch of times before Pacific bought them. During those years the company lost its direction and sucked real hard for awhile.

Pacific now owns Schwinn, and as a result, Schwinn has gained an immense amount of wholesale buying power. Pacific is, quite simply, LOADED.

The people who run Schwinn are trying to rebuild it, and have done a bang-up job, because sales are up.

Why are sales up?

'Cause they are putting together some high-quality bikes with high-quality components for not a lot of money, that's why.

56/12 and 22/28

Oh, and the Schwinn Fastback frames are friggin' awesome.

Perhaps one of the most upgrade-worthy frames out there.

twahl

Schwinn went bankrupt a couple years ago and the brand was bought by Pacific Cycles, who also own GT, Mongoose, Dyno, Roadmaster, and PowerLite.

The Schwinn brand has been spread out among different markets. The ones you see in Target and Walmart are not the same quality as what you'll find in the LBS. The Fastbacks are indeed nice bikes, and I'd say are comparable with the same level of bike pretty much across the different manufacturers. The Fastback Sport is spec'd pretty much the same as the 1000 and it's about $100 less, so it's a bargain and a great way to try out road cycling.

56/12 and 22/28

See?

I'm not made entirely of crap.

Mike321

LOL, I didn't say you were, all I wanted was to know what happened, hahaha

Waldo

Only catch with this is that Schwinn (actually the investment group that owned Schwinn at the time) had purchased GT prior to their most recent bankruptcy. In fact, they overpaid for a company that was larger than them, setting the wheels in motion for the bankruptcy.

Some people like to make a big deal about it, and things were definitely sketchy during the first few years of the transition into Pacific ownership. The fact of the matter is that Schwinn wasn't making any bikes prior to the bankruptcy, and that their bikes are coming out of the same Giant, Ideal, and a couple other Asian factories as they were before. They have largely the same people working on the product end of the spectrum as well.
There's definitely some crappy Schwinns but there's also some pretty decent ones, and pretty decent values.
Ride both bikes you're considering and choose the one that you think rides better/fits better. That's all that matters.

CastIron

These days the Schwinn brand name is nothing more. Just a name. No Schwinn family. No Factory/HQ in Chicago. No skunk works of craftsmen in Waterford.

Jj51Biker

Mid last summer, I picked up an 04 Schwinn Fastback Comp with Shimano 105 components. I usually ride between 85-110 miles per week. I have had no issues at all with the bike. It has replaced my old faithful - an early 90"s chrome moly Schwinn Prelude. As said, it has fit my needs, no problem.