Hello everyone, I've been lurking here for a while and learned a lot over the years, but now I have a question and would like some opinions. A few years ago I bought the Walmart schwinn. I know most of you don't approve but that was all I could afford at the time. I just finish a season of triathlons on it and would now like to upgrade it. I only have about $400 and am trying to decide if I should get a bikes direct bike or upgrade my own. All opinions and thoughts are welcome.

There is nothing redeemable about the Schwinn from Walmart to upgrade. (I'm going to assume this is actually one of the $200 Walmart bikes and not one of Schwinn's real road bikes that aren't bad but sell at normal prices).

So you're better off trying to sell the Schwinn, add the money to your $400 and buy something else. Let's say you have $500 after selling the Schwinn. There are some pretty good used bikes with 105/Tiagra you can get for that money, or if you look around at sales/closeouts you can get a nice new bike with sora/2200 mix.

If you do go the bikesdirect route, and don't already have aero bars for your Tri races, the Dawes Lightning comes with the aero bars. However, I really don't think you want a triple and you can't get a compact or regular double from bikesdirect at your pricepoint.

agree, dont put another penny into the schwinn, unload it and keep your eye on ebay / CL for a nice deal in your size to pop up.

At that budget level you could check CL or EBay for used options.

Yes it is the 200 dollar bike and for the record, I've had no problems except for a bent rear axle and constant tuning . If I put 105's on it how would be different then a bikes direct with 105's?

It would still be junk. The frame is probably heavy, not very stiff, and overall just a low quality frame. It's not worth it to put any money in the frame.

I recommend buying something used. $400 won't give you much bike if you're buying new... even from Bikesdirect.com.

Good bikes here for your budget:

https://www.roadbikeoutlet.com/road-bikes.html

Good luck.

2ndGen, thanks for the link. The bikes look good. I know its not the best frame in the world, but its only 22-23lbs(on a fish scale), 25 with aero bars. Yes its cheap. But what makes the difference between this frame and another entry level bike frame? My main objective is long term riding. I'd like to have 105's, but how long will tiagra or sora level components last?

A new 105 set costs around $600 and up....I bought a used Trek 1600 (now 2.3) for $500 off CL already had 105 with ultegra rd. I think everyone is saying it isnt worth upgrading. On the used market (if it sells) a wally bike is worth $50. You are wanting to invest 3x its new price in components and your wheels are gonna be crap.

Upgrade? No. Craigslist? Yes.

What bike do you have exactly? I was assuming it's the Schwinn Varsity.

It's not worth putting too much money in a cheap bike. If you decide to sell, the value will be low.

If it is a varsity, the only upgrade that I think would be worth it are some used STI shifters, so that you don't have to deal with the cheap grip shifters.

If you are able to save $400, then you should be able to save some more. You stated that you have been lurking and learning, as such, you should be able deduce that upgrading the Schwinn is advice that will not be doled out in abundance on BF. Save more money for a bike that you will not feel the need to upgrade for a while. The key word being "need" as opposed to "want".

For what you're willing to spend, I think it's the best bang for the buck and Tiagra/Sora will last you thousands of miles.
By the time you're ready to upgrade from it, you should have a healthy no-compromise budget.

All frames at that pricepoint will be very similar. The main differences will be in geometry.
Compare the geo on the Gavins to better bikes and see how they match up.

Personally, I'd suggest you save another 2 or 300 and buy something like a Trek or a Spec or CAAD8,
but you know what you have to work with better than us, so if 400 is what you can do now,
I think that link has the best bikes for the money.

OK, I think you're still trying to understand why you shouldn't upgrade the frame.
Here is a walmart Schwinn, which may or may not be yours:


This is 7-speed, so the rear dropout spacing may only be 126mm.
The seatposts on some of these cheap bikes are often odd sizes like 25.8mm.
The geometry of that bike is likely terrible.
Yes, it is in fact much heavier a frame than a $400 bike, and flexier, with weaker welds.
Is the headset 1-1/8", or is it 1"? (either way cheap bike always get absolute junk headsets)
Are the brakes on yours attached with recessed bolts, or are they exposed nuts?
It has a quick release for the seatpost collar. That needs changing.

In order to upgrade that frame to something similar as a $400-$500 bike you can get used, or even new, which still won't ride as well due to the heavier frame and piggish geometry, you will need: wheels, tires, cassette, R. derailleur, F. derailleur, crank, chain, bottom bracket, cable set, shifters, and brakeset. Then, the parts like your saddle, seatpost, handlebars, and stem are super heavy on the Schwinn and may even be steel. A $400 bikesdirect bike will have better parts for those too.
You simply aren't going to get all these parts for $400.

Last spring my neighbor new to cycling bought a brand new 2009 Jamis Ventura Sport for $350 total. Or for example, for under $500 you likely can find a Cannondale CAAD5 with Shimano 105 used. Just don't try to upgrade.

Thank you to everyone. These are all valid points and I am considering all of them.

teterider, yes that is the one.

I think I'm sold on not upgrading it, but there are some points I feel I should clear up for all my fellow Wally Schwinn Varsity riders.


It does not have grip shifters. It has lever style shifter on the handle bars not the stem(which annoy me).
It does have 130mm spacing on the rear drop outs.
It has steel fork, steel stem, and al alloy drop bars.
The handle bars are the 26.0mm
It took me a while to initially adjust everything to operate smoothly.
I don't know what size the headset is.
I have put on several thousand miles on it.
I did bend the &$%$!! out of the rear axle while sprinting( 2 weeks before a race)!!
I do have to tune it and I meticulously maintain it.
I just went on a extremely difficult 30mile climb in eastern San Diego County and it held up fine.
If you cannot wrench on a bike... This bike is not for you.


I feel the biggest thing I'm not understanding is the fact that I don't know what it feels like to ride a decent bike. I've taken a few 'test rides', but you can't get a good feel for a bike going around the block.

Thanks again to everyone. I enjoy reading all the post and love to ride

Got to your local bike shops and test ride a crap load of $1000ish bikes. Then hunt CL and Ebay for a good deal on something used