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Posts Tagged ‘schwinn’

Who wouldn’t love a modern Romeo and Juliet story? This book turns my heart inside out each time I reread it. I’m a lover of great books, and I think this book will be around for decades to come—it is magical!
Schwinn 405 Full Suspension

I purchased this bike as a first big girl bike for my daughter’s 4th birthday, graduating from the tricycle. She loved the color, and even the streamer handlebars, which were an extra pleasant surprise for her. Stability is excellent; she successfully rode almost instantly. Yes, you can save $[...] (or more) and purchase a less expensive bike, even with the Schwinn name, as I did for my older son, but the quality construction comparison is night and day. The other bike is only two years old and has had reflectors brake off, connected by plastic instead of metal. When he’s ready for a bigger bike, I’ll definitely spend the extra money.
Schwinn Jasmine Girls Bike

Very good for the price. Please note that my 5-star rating is based on value.

History: I have been riding a Road Master mountain bike for the past several years just following my children in the neighborhood. I have registered to ride BP MS 150 (from Houston to Austin) in April 2009. I took my bike to training rides and noticed that I was going slower than other riders even though my cadence is same as that of theirs. Further observation revealed that the front gear on my bike was much smaller than the road bikes other people are riding. It was clear that I need a new bike even though the existing bike is still functional.

Research: I spent a lot of time looking for a bike. Local bike shops don’t carry any road bikes that cost less than 600 USD. Then I found this bike and ordered it. I didn’t want to invest a lot of money on a bike as I plan to reduce my riding frequency and duration after my MS 150 ride. I can alway upgrade (if necessary) if I change my mind and continue to bike long distances.

The bike:

I just want to confirm other reviews that the bike came mostly assembled. Instruction manual is mostly useless. The manual is a generic road bike manual – not Prelude manual. I had trouble assembling the front calipers (brake). I had to remove Schwinn Prelude Mens Road Bike afterwards because I figured I should have put white reflector between the calipers and the frame. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to raise the handle bar.

Other reviewer is correct. Their help desk is very quick and responsive. Turns out the handle bar can not be raised.

Bike weighs only 25 lb (my road bike weighs 40 lb). Gears shift fine. Overall the bike is good.

Don’t consider this bike if you are shorter than 5′ 9″.

Pedals are clip and strap type pedals. I am not used to these, so I have replaced them with plain pedals (from the mountain bike) for now.

Spokes are stainless steel and rims are made from alloy metal. Apparently rust-proof.

Problems with the bike (as you can see, they are all minor):

1) There is no room to place the red rear reflector after I assembled the under-the-seat bag. I have fitted the reflector on the rear fork with additional padding.

2) There is absolutely no room on the handle bar for the trip computer. I have currently put it on the handle bar rod; I have to read it sideways!

3) Rear wheel arrived slightly bent. Hopefully I can fix that by adjusting the spokes.

4) I wish the bike came with water bottle cage. Frame has holes and screws for a cage that you can buy.

5) Rear break wire runs along the side of the frame bar. I suspect it causes problems when putting the bike on a carrier.

Overall, I am very pleased with the bike considering the price I paid.

Update 3/3/’09:

I have ridden this bike for more than 110 miles so far. I have replaced the seat (saddle) as the supplied one is hard and doesn’t have anatomic recess. I am yet to find any significant problem. Still happy with the product.

Update 4/27/2009:

Over 500 miles on this bike so far. Still in great condition. I have had 3 flats on the rear wheel. Two are inexplicable (2 – 3 millimeter holes on the rim side), and one was due to a thorn. Biggest problem I have observed is that the lowest gear (highest mechanical advantage) is not low enough to climb steep hills. I am talking about hills where people with expensive bikes are also struggling to climb. I just have to get down from the bike and walk up. This bike has only two gears in the front. A 3rd smaller one would have been very helpful.

Update 12/02/2009:

I have begun inflating the tubes to less than the pressure suggested on the tires. Not a single flat in more than 6 months! I am still using the same bike and I am still very happy with it. Also, see the comments section for suggestions related to flats.

Oh, BTW, I have registered to ride BP MS 150 in 2010 and I going to use this bike again

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Excellent bike for the price. I read many reviews about this bike and other bikes. For the price, one couldn’t go wrong. From ordering to assembling the bike, I haven’t had a complaint. I did however, have a missing seat quick release, and when I contacted the CSR, she was most helpful and even got a laugh when I told her the seat wouldn’t stay in place. I have since received the missing part, and am able to ride without the threat of getting literally turned around. With that said, I do have two issues with the bike. First, as previously stated in several reviews, the seat is not comfortable. GET A GEL SEAT, or at least a cover. It is a very nice looking seat, but after the first week of riding 8 miles round trip to work, I was saddle sore. Secondly, the shifting is only so-so. I have had at least two times where the chain wouldn’t go into the gear, and I had to flip gears around. This is a light weight, very smooth bike. I look forward to many more rides on the Volare.

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Okay helmet.. This is the first bike helmet I’ve ever owned. It fits comfortably, the straps are soft and don’t scratch your face. The easy dial at the back of the helmet to adjust the size of the helmet is a big plus. My only complaints about the helmet is that the plastic covering the helmet is cheaply glued to the Styrofoam. Also, the Styrofoam feels kinda cheap/flimsy. I kind of dented Schwinn Thrasher Adult Micro Bicycle Helmet accidentally when it hit the side of my desk. I don’t know if this happens to other helmets as I have nothing to compare it with. But overall, for the price its nice. Wish I spend 10 dollars more for the gyro though.

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GREAT entry level bike. I had been wanting to get back into cycling or a while, but couldn’t justify spending [...]+ on something I might find I didn’t enjoy. I was able to get this bike free through a rewards program at work. It has definetly been a great starter bike. I’ve got about 500 miles on Schwinn Katana Road Bike so far. I’ve had to replace one tire tube, but that was due to riding through glass on the road.

It was easy enough to put together, but having it tuned by some one who knows what they are doing will make a big difference.

I would also recommend the Schwinn cycling computer as a great add on (http://www.amazon.com/Schwinn-SW654-17-Function-Bike-Computer/dp/B000DZD3FQ/ref=pd_sim_t_1)

Only complaints are the bar mounted shifters which can hamper add-ons like aero bars and computers (I moved the left shift over to fit the computer). The front derailure leaves a little to be disired. Got it tuned by a friend who is a serious cyclist and it has stopped the chain from jumping off. But still doesn’t shift very quickly. The back derailure by comparison shifts VERY quickly.

All and All a VERY goot starter bike and well worth the investment. Once you put a couple of thousand miles on it, then look to upgrade.

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