hey just wondering what is the difference between the bikes on the schwinn web site and the ones they sell at target and other dep stores? are these some type of specialized crap they send to dep stores? why are they so much cheaper?

There are several brands that have different, crappier models that they sell to dept stores just to get a well known brand name on there. Mongoose and Schwinn are examples. Shimano also makes low end components that only go only dept store bikes so they can say "shimano equipped." What are the specs of the dept store Schwinn you're looking at?

26" frame
• Hand-built Trail-Tuned 6061 AL dual-suspension frame
• Shimano C050 front and Shimano Altus rear derailleurs
• Pro Max Alloy linear-pull brakes and 3 Finger levers

The 26" Men's Schwinn S-25 Bike handles wonderfully on all terrains. The hand-built Trail-Tuned 6061 AL dual-suspension frame with rear swing arm and Mozo M30 suspension fork are extra rugged and can take almost anything you dish out. Features MTB riser handlebar and Schwinn-quality threadless stem with 2-bolt faceplate; Shimano EF-29 trigger shifters; Pro Max alloy linear pull-brakes and 3-finger brake levers; WTB 26x1.95" Velociraptor tires; 36-spoke Aero V hard-anodized rims with ground . . .
• Return policy : Standard
• Catalog # : 536721 ASIN: B0001M2AV4
• Item can not be gift wrapped.
• Imported

• Shipping & Delivery Information
• Standard delivery only. Flat shipping charge per item: $19.99
• Estimated Ship Dimensions : 52.0 inches length x 29.0 inches width x 8.0 inches height
• Estimated Ship weight: 44.0 pounds
• This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. A separate shipping charge will also apply.

sorry bout the shiping info and all that, also why does it say 26 in frame? I thought that was huge

26" wheels??

Because for dept. store bikes, the 'frame size' is in fact the wheel size that the frame was designed for.

That sucks! It can't be gift wrapped?

Its a good bike, but BE SURE if you buy it to get it professionally assembled at your local bike shop. The biggest difference between a Target bike and a bike from your local bike shop is the assembly. You may pay $40-50 for assembly but its well worth it and the bike will be built properly and most importantly, SAFELY.

On the bike size, generic Walmart bikes are typically around a 17" frame it seems. 26" is the size of the wheels, which these knowledgable people at Target seem to think is also the frame size.

well thanks for clearing that up, so as far as the components on this bike, are they good or ar they shimano's crappier version?

well generally the components ARE shimano's crappier things. you might see Shimano TOurney and Altus on there, most likely generic wheels. Remember, the name schwinn is now put on Pacific bicycles products, pacific bicycles owns a lot of the dept store bikes out there

That Schwinn is not better than the Huffy at WalMart. Buy it and it will probably fall apart withing a year.

From what I heard, Schwinn was bought out only to have the label be put on department store bikes. The Schwinn company that made my Schwinn peloton (853 steel, 105 components) is definately not the same schwinn at Target.

my 200 dollar db came with an altus shifter and I hate that shifter it isn't cool

Wrong, they do use better stuff than Huffy, Magna, etc.

This is true. You can squeeze more life out of a PROPERLY assembled X-mart Schwinn than a Next, Huffy, or Magna. However they still pale in comparison to a bike store bike's usable life span.

If you look around you can find a good used bike for less. I have been looking for a bike for my daughter. After putting the word out that I was looking I went into the LBS and a friend ask if I had found anything. He had a G.Fisher Mamba that had hardly been ridden. We took it out this morning and she loved it. Cost, 135.00 thats a good deal. I have an Ironhorse outlaw I picked up from a guy that won it, got it for 50.00 and it was still in the box. I rode it today,in two decent bikes I have 185.00. If you bide your time, you can get good deals on good bikes.