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Home > Schwinn Prelude Men's Road Bike (700c Wheels)
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Schwinn Prelude Men's Road Bike (700c Wheels)
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Show more by Schwinn
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- Men's road bike with comfortable and responsive 700c wheels
- Lightweight and durable aluminum frame and Schwinn road-bend bar and stem
- Shimano A050 7-speed shifters for up- and downhill adjustability
- Promax dual-pivot caliper brakes for sure stopping power
- Aero 36-spoke alloy wheels with radial-laced front toe clips and straps
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Product Description:
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The Schwinn Prelude Men's Road Bike offers Schwinn quality and performance at an affordable price. With comfortable and responsive 700c wheels, a lightweight and durable Schwinn men's aluminum road bike frame, and Schwinn road bend bar and stem, the Prelude handles well and is fun to ride. The Prelude has seven-speed Shimano A050 shifters for adjustability so you can maintain your speed as you ride up and down hills. The Promax dual-pivot caliper brakes offer sure stopping power. Aero 36-spoke alloy wheels maintain balance and alignment, and radial-laced front toe clips and straps keep you comfortable and moving on the road.
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The Schwinn Prelude Men's Road Bike offers Schwinn quality and performance at an affordable price. With comfortable and responsive 700c wheels, a lightweight and durable Schwinn men's aluminum road bike frame, and Schwinn road bend bar and stem, the Prelude handles well and is fun to ride. The Prelude has seven-speed Shimano A050 shifters for adjustability so you can maintain your speed as you ride up and down hills. The Promax dual-pivot caliper brakes offer sure stopping power. Aero 36-spoke alloy wheels maintain balance and alignment, and radial-laced front toe clips and straps keep you comfortable and moving on the road. Specifications: - Aluminum road frame and fork
- Schwinn road bend bar and stem
- Shimano A050 seven-speed shifters
- Promax dual-pivot caliper brakes
- Alloy road crank
- Aero 36 spoke alloy wheels
- Radial-laced front toe clips and straps
- Assembly required
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Customer Reviews:
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 Good bike for the price, with quality in the right places, May 3, 2007
By B. Sanders (Champaign, IL United States)
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The Schwinn Prelude is a lot of bike for $199. The wheel hubs are aluminum (not stamped steel) so the bearings will stay tight and roll smooth with little or no maintenance. The cranks are aluminum, with replaceable chainrings. The rims are aluminum, in the international standard 700c size (not the old 27" size). The frame is aluminum, just like more expensive road bikes. Aluminum parts are lightweight, do not rust and should provide many years of trouble-free service. Those are all "must have" features. The 14-speed (7 x 2) thumb shifters are simple to operate while keeping your hands on the bars. The Shimano Tourney derailleurs should provide years of trouble-free service.
However, I was disappointed to see that the frame does not have threaded holes (braze-ons) for mounting a cargo rack or fenders. Also, the stock saddle looks a little slim for some riders; but is easily replaced (I recommend a Terry Liberator or Velo Plush). Conclusion: This is a capable road bike, worthy of upgrades. The lack of rack and fender mount points limits its usefulness for commuting (though handlebar bags and seatpost-mounted pannier racks are decent options). I estimate that the Prelude will comfortably fit riders from 5' 10" to about 6' 2" (I only saw one size offered). If you are in that height range, looking for a great deal on an entry-level road bike, give this one a try. By not having the overpriced Shimano STI shifters, you'll save hundreds of dollars, and you'll hardly miss them.
76 of 78 people found the above review helpful.
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 schwinn prelude: decent bike - stellar price, May 21, 2008
By brue (columbus, oh)
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First off I do not give this bike a 5 star rating based on how wonderful it is. You need to spend Several thousand dollars for that bike. This gets a 5 star rating because it is not several thousand dollars yet it is an acceptable entry level road bike.
At just under 28 pounds it is 10 pounds heavier than a $4000 bike. Of course it is only a pound or 2 heavier than a $500 bike. And I argue that anyone riding an entry level bike has that on their own midsection anyway. If you are new to cycling you can get this and ride for a year before investing the big bucks while you decide if you like cycling and what you like and don't like about a bike.
I bought mine directly from Target (on sale!) so I could get an idea of the size rather than buy on line. I noticed another reviewer said a person 5' 10 - 6'2" would be comfortable. I somewhat agree with the top end but I am 5' 7 3/4" and am comfortable on it. The seat post could still be dropped an other inch and a half but I would say that I am about as short as you could be to have the right body to bike geometry. Someone 5'6" could ride it but I would not recommend it. I would say the same for someone 6'2".
I have put 300 HARD miles on it. I bought it to train for my come back into triathlons (My last tri was in '87) but I have wound up using it as my daily driver pulling my 2 daughters in the bike trailer 280 of the 300 miles.
I store it the garage but it has been aloud to get wet frequently on rides. The dérailleurs have begun to rust as a result of wet conditions.
It has only had one problem since I bought it - the crank bearings began to click. This probably is a result of pulling 100 pounds regularly.
These bikes have a LIFETIME warrantee on parts!!! - I called the 800 number in the owners manual. They sent me a new bearing set and I installed them. The down side of this is that if you don't have the tools you are in need of paying upwards to $50 for this repair.
If I continue to ride it next year I would upgrade the apt yet clunky bottom of the line shimano derailleurs. I would probably also get a lighter seat and possibly seat post or pedals.
EDIT:
I have had it a year and 4 months now. I have decided that though it is rideable at 5'8" it is too big for me. I also have become too competitive in triathlons to ride a low end bike. I have upgraded to the Schwinn Prologue (about 4 times as much $$$). The Prelude has given me no mechanical problems after releasing it from trailer pulling duty. It has a little less than 1000 miles on it. I did 2 triathlons on it 13th overall / 190 in my first and 2nd overall / 104 and in the next -both were age group wins. So you do not need a $4000 bike to compete.
EDIT 2: I have had this for 1 year and 11 months. Because I bought the new bike I haven't put a lot more miles on this, but it has continued to do well with no further problems. I also realized the stem has a height adjustment. After moving the handlebars down and moving the seat forward this thing really fits my 5'8" frame well. I put some new tires on it because I was upgrading my other bikes. The 700x23 schwalbe tires are a big improvement. I also replaced the rim strips with cloth because the cheap rubber protectors were shot allowing the rim to puncture the under side of the tubes.
Edit 3: Over 3 years of use and it still holds up well. It has over 1000 miles on it. I have had no further issues. I did replace the handle bar tape with some nice blue cork tape for ten bucks. My 6'5" nephew moved in with us and now uses it more than me.
74 of 76 people found the above review helpful.
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 Good bike for the money, not for heavy use, May 10, 2008
By Chris Churchill (Illinois)
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I have had this bike for a year now, trying to use it on the occasional 10-mile commute. I can say the following things after putting it through at least 500 miles:
sizing - I am 5'10 and it was just fine. The geometry is comfortable, and the ride a little stiff but bearable. It is very fast because it is so light (for this price range), about 24lbs.
brakes - barely adequate, quite spongy. The calipers flex so it is hard to put full force on them. This works fine at low speed, but if you're trying to slow down on a big downhill going 40mph, its going to be a little scary.
drivetrain - rear = good, front = bad. It is impossible to tune the front derailleur so that it doesn't throw the chain and rub like crazy. This is because of 3 reasons: a crappy derailleur, a chainring that isn't quite true, and a loose bottom bracket (pedal bearings). I think the bottom bracket got loose over time, and I don't have the tool to tighten it back up.
wheels/tires - great! They arrived pretty straight, and I trued them just for fun. I have had no problems at all with them.
I must add that even though many components are aluminum, it still has lots of steel parts that will easily rust if left outside, just like any other bike.
Overall, you get what you pay for. This bike has a good frame/fork but pretty low quality components that will wear out in less than 1000 miles. I would only recommend it for occasional recreational use that wouldn't hit that kind of mileage.
51 of 53 people found the above review helpful.
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Very good for the price, February 13, 2009
By Sudarshan Karkada (Missouri City, TX USA)
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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 it 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 :)
Update 04/20/2010:
I have finished the 2010 BP MS 150 bike tour with a 152-mile ride. Not a single problem with the bike. A saw another man with Prelude at the finish line.
20 of 21 people found the above review helpful.
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great starter bike for me, February 10, 2009
By Brian Kelley
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Background:
I came from a background of BMX trail-riding in the late 90s when I was a teenager. I sold off the bikes I had at the turn of the millennium and have been bike-less since.
Pre-purchase:
Now that I'm in my 20s, I've recently decided to buy a bike to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, and I did hefty research before purchasing. I originally wanted to spend as little as possible, under $150 for a bicycle. I went to Wal-mart to take a gander at what they offered, and nothing really wow'ed me, so I went on Amazon. I didn't want to fool with Mongoose or any of the generic brand names. I rode Haro in my glory days, but I always wanted a Schwinn. I saw the prices and decided to spend a little more since I'd be using it a lot. It was a toss-up between this one and the Ridge-AL Mountain Bike, which is $35 cheaper than this one. I ordered this bike finally, at a $235 price tag with free Amazon shipping.
Shipment and Setup:
I got this bike in a cool three days, and it came in a big box. The setup was pretty easy. I set it up by myself but it would have been a big help if I had asked for help. One thing to note is that it does have the quick-release front wheel, so I'm telling you now so you don't act like an idiot (like me) sifting through the box for bolts. The front brakes take a little fidgeting to set just right, but the back gearing and brakes are already set up for you. Overall, everything is solid and exactly what you'd expect from Schwinn.
The ride:
This is my first road bike, so I had to adjust alot of things before it became comfortable. I'm about 5'8" and it's okay; I think the ideal height for this bike however is in the 5'10" range. Everything is smooth and shifts smooth,
Cons:
Handlebars - You can't adjust the handlebar height because of the threading system. It's not really a big deal, but if you want it changed you have to take it to a licensed pro, or risk it by doing it yourself.
The seat - The best for last. The seat is like riding on your household iron, metal side up. This thing is so uncomfortable, I can't even ride for extended lengths of time. If you ride in a crowded neighborhood, you'll be thinking to yourself on how to look cool while being really uncomfortable, but most people can see through this technique. This is one thing you absolutely must replace if you purchase the bike (in my opinion).
10 of 10 people found the above review helpful.
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great starter bike for me, February 10, 2009
By Brian Kelley
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Background:
I came from a background of BMX trail-riding in the late 90s when I was a teenager. I sold off the bikes I had at the turn of the millennium and have been bike-less since.
Pre-purchase:
Now that I'm in my 20s, I've recently decided to buy a bike to help maintain a healthy lifestyle, and I did hefty research before purchasing. I originally wanted to spend as little as possible, under $150 for a bicycle. I went to Wal-mart to take a gander at what they offered, and nothing really wow'ed me, so I went on Amazon. I didn't want to fool with Mongoose or any of the generic brand names. I rode Haro in my glory days, but I always wanted a Schwinn. I saw the prices and decided to spend a little more since I'd be using it a lot. It was a toss-up between this one and the Ridge-AL Mountain Bike, which is $35 cheaper than this one. I ordered this bike finally, at a $235 price tag with free Amazon shipping.
Shipment and Setup:
I got this bike in a cool three days, and it came in a big box. The setup was pretty easy. I set it up by myself but it would have been a big help if I had asked for help. One thing to note is that it does have the quick-release front wheel, so I'm telling you now so you don't act like an idiot (like me) sifting through the box for bolts. The front brakes take a little fidgeting to set just right, but the back gearing and brakes are already set up for you. Overall, everything is solid and exactly what you'd expect from Schwinn.
The ride:
This is my first road bike, so I had to adjust alot of things before it became comfortable. I'm about 5'8" and it's okay; I think the ideal height for this bike however is in the 5'10" range. Everything is smooth and shifts smooth,
Cons:
Handlebars - You can't adjust the handlebar height because of the threading system. It's not really a big deal, but if you want it changed you have to take it to a licensed pro, or risk it by doing it yourself.
The seat - The best for last. The seat is like riding on your household iron, metal side up. This thing is so uncomfortable, I can't even ride for extended lengths of time. If you ride in a crowded neighborhood, you'll be thinking to yourself on how to look cool while being really uncomfortable, but most people can see through this technique. This is one thing you absolutely must replace if you purchase the bike (in my opinion).
9 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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"Hey, nice bike!", October 16, 2007
By Dion Rides (San Jose, Ca.)
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I bought this bike for my lady for a 1 year anniversary gift; as an entry level road bike. I'm an avid cyclist/urban commuter, but being that she only rode a MTB at the time, I didn't want to commit to any road specific bike over $500 since she may not like the skinny tires and crouched stance. I stumbled upon the Schwinn Prelude, liked the price, and went for it.
She rode it for about 3 months before we replaced it with a Schwinn Super Sport. The reason for replacing it was because of the geometry and sizing, which would be my only beef with this bike, along with no rack mounts as said before. My lady is about 5'9", but has long'ish arms and legs - and in this case, a properly fitted bike would be the correct way to go as opposed to trying to fit on a "one-size-fits-all". Even after replacing the bars with MTB/hybrid flat bars, it still caused her pain in her neck and wrists.
She's very happy with her current bike and instead of selling this bike, I took it (which fits me just fine) and converted it to a second urban/commuter bike, adding fenders, platform pedals and a singlespeed conversion (there is no conversion kit for the type of freewheel cassette that comes on the bike, so I had to use a little ingenuity to make it work). I kept the flat MTB bars and it works just great for me - in the asphalt jungle, sometimes bunnyhopping a curb is necessary! The freewheel is a nice break from my fixed gear bike that I mostly use.
I would definetely recommend this bike to anyone in the upper 5' to lower 6' height range: the parts are of very good quality and the frame is solid and light. However, I would also advise that any buyer should SIT on the bike and make sure it fits properly. Even after making bar and seat height adjustments, the frame just may not be right for you.
9 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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Great for recreational road riders, March 4, 2010
By Pedro Quintero (Bogota, Colombia)
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After being an avid road rider in my school and college years i completely stopped after i got married. As a result and being 34, my belly started to grow and my cholesterol levels started to increase. For this reason and to improve my health, I decided i wanted to re-ignite my cycling habits but didn't want to break the bank for a high performance road bike. This is when i came across this Schwinn Prelude. I remember my father to have one Prelude back in the 80's and it was a top bike back then. At USD$ 219.99 (which is the price the bike was back in august 2009 when i bought it) i decided to go after this bike and i'm glad i did it.
I've been riding this bike during 7 months now and i think that's enough time to make an accurate review of this product. I'm not an everyday rider, i just use this bike on sundays for recreational road rides. Normally between 80-120 Kilometer road rides. To make it more confortable and safe on long rides i made a couple of upgrades to the original bike: Changed the stock pedals with Clipless Shimano Pedals, Changed the stock wheels with a pair of GW racing wheels, changed the stock tires with a a pair of Continental puncture resistance tires, changed the stock chain with a Shimano top end chain, changed the stock saddle with a Anti-prostatic Selle Italia saddle, bought a Cateye wireless computer, installed a flashing red safety light and a small saddle bag.
Of course, all these upgrades ended up costing as much as the bike itself, but they were definitely worth since the bike now is faster, lighter and most importantly... safer on the road. The stock group altough is not top class has performed well during this time. It comes with a Crankset with two sprockets and a 7-speed screwed freewheel. In order to install the new racing wheels, i had to change the freewheel for a 8-speed cassette. I also had to block one of the gears of the new 8-speed cassette in order match the 7-speed shifters on the handlebar. The Promax stock brake systems works perfectly if adjusted properly.
The frame is beautiful, strong and well built in aluminum. The fork is made of steel. The bike is a little bit heavy for a road bike but is light enough to make your ride confortable. I'm 1.77 (5' 8") and the frame fits just fine. I have the seat post adjusted to the middle, so it should fit people shorter and taller than me.
The bike performs well but this is not a racing bike. This is a very confortable and light bike to use to go to college or work or even recreational long weekend rides which is for what i use it. As other reviewer said, You won't win the Tour de France on this bike... but its still fast enough to keep or set the pace on the road with other recreational riders.
The stock wheels look fine but the stock tires look really cheap, and altough i never had a puncture with the stock tires, i felt i had to upgrade them for puncture resistance tires in order to be more confident away from the city.
One think i didnt like is that the shifters are in the center of the handlebar (Thumb shifters). They're not in the brake levers as modern road bike does. If you want to change gears on high speed rides or steep climbs, you will have to move your hands from the normal position to the center of the handlebar in order to shift gears and then move the hands back to the normal position. This can cause to lose a little bit of momentum while riding, but again, this is not a competition bike so you might live with this issue, not to mention, the price of the overall bike would increase too much with this "Ergopower" system.
All in all this is a great bike for the value, it doesn't look cheap at all. I know Schwinn is not the top name that once was, but it is still one of the most recognized bycicle builders in the USA and that makes you confident in the product.
I will try to post some pics later so you can have a better look at it, but i can guarantee you that you will hardly find a better road bike option for this budget from a "Brand" standpoint.
Hope this helps.
8 of 8 people found the above review helpful.
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Better Options Avail - Low Quality Parts, March 26, 2010
By Hank (Detroit, MI)
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I've put on about 600 hard miles on this bike. I'm also an engineer so hopefully that warrants me some credibility.
Pro's:
Cost - It's cheap and relatively light (aluminum frame, steel fork, aluminum wheels).
Warranty - Schwinn will send you replacement parts free of charge.
Rear Derailleur - Not toooo bad to adjust (IMHO).
Wheel True - They were alright. Minor adjustment made them on the mark.
Comfortable - I'm about 5'9 - 5'10, 150lbs and feel comfortable on it.
Con's:
Overall cheap parts / difficult to maintain
Wheels:
REAR - TIRE and TUBE blown after the first 10 miles. I was going downhill a bit quick, came up a curb a couple inches tall and when i came down, it let lose. The appearance of the rip in the tire/tube did not indicate puncture but more like a catastrophic burst. I replaced the REAR tube with a sunlite thorn resistant tube ($5.00) and a 23mm Continental 700 bontrager ($40) tire and haven't had problems with it yet. I did not replace the rear rim tape.
FRONT - OEM tire blown (popped similar to REAR due to small pothole). The tire was torn similar to the REAR(not just a small puncture). I replaced it with a Michelin Dynamic Wire Bead 23mm tire ( ~$15).
My problems didn't end there. I've gone through 6 tubes (one of which being a sunlight thorn resistant tube). I finally decided to order new rim tape (many complaints exist on the rim tape) and apply it to the front tire. I also filed down small burs on the rim which may have caused the puncture. I think with better rim tape the burs would not have been a issue. About 50+ miles later I think it did the trick. Factor in another $35 for a low end tire and tubes.
FRONT DERAILLEURS
FRONT - IMPOSSIBLE to tune. It's junk. I found a cheap out of box low end shimano for about $20. Out of the box it rubbed on the chain causing a metal on metal rubbing sound / wear. Figure you'll spend about $30 for a new one.
Skipping chain under high torque - Cause still unknown. Suspect chain or chain ring wear. This skipping is forcing me to buy another bike and make this a spare as i use it as my primary form of transportation. I got about 600 miles out of this bike in 3 months with a lot of headache. I purchased a Campagnolo 52T chainring as a replacement ($20).
Customer Service:
I asked to have a detailed specification sheet sent (so i knew various features and dimensions) so i could order upgrade parts however got the response essentially to just "call customer service and get the spec you need". I thought this was somewhat unprofessional as they could have just sent me the same document (or similar) to the CST rep has.
Conclusion:
You'll be adding about $125 in parts if you're serious about riding this bike. If you do buy it, also purchase 2 spools of 10mm Zefal rim tape. Check/sand any fine burs on the tire and replace the tape prior to riding it. I would recommend not trying to mess with the front derailleur unless you really have to. If you're paying a bike shop to do all of this work FORGET IT! Probably double the cost I've incurred due to service time.
For that cost I would recommend trying the lowest end road bike at [...] such as the Windsor Wellington 1.0. If you go with some of their Shimano Tiagra level 500 - 700 bikes as I'm about to, I would highly doubt the same problems will be present. Good luck catching your one in stock though.
Product Links:
[...]
7 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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Decent bike for the price, April 24, 2009
By A. Bryer
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So I got this bike for a birthday present. Shipping was a lot quicker than I thought it was going to be. The bike came 3 days after ordering on the free standard shipping. It came in a huge box, basically the size of me. The bike came partially assembled. The back wheel and back brake were already attached to the bike frame. I had to attach the front wheel, front brake (which was a huge pain), and the gear shifters onto the handle bars. I also elected to put the front and rear reflectors on.
I brought the bike to a bike shop that one of my friends recommended to get a complete tuning before I even tried to ride the bike. When I picked it up they said there were a few of things wrong with it. The front brake was working but was very lose and was sticking. The guy who did the tune up recommended I replace the front brake eventually. He also mentioned something about some of the gears not working properly. But he fixed everything and replaced the front brake cable. The front brake is still a little loose, and I will replace it eventually. While I was at the bike shop I also picked up a water bottle holder which they attached to the frame and a one of the holding pouches which go under the seat.
So I tried out the bike for the first time. All the gears worked properly and smoothly. The strap pedals are a little annoying. You basically have to start peddling with one foot in one of the peddles, and then try and catch your foot in the other one while moving. I may look into replacing the pedals to ones without straps. The front brake was sticking a little bit but it works. Back brake works fine. I was able to get good speed with it. The ride was smooth. After about 30-40 miles on the bike, I got my first flat tire. The back tire went flat from what I'm 99% sure was a puncture flat (basically I hit a bump too hard). This is the most common problem to happen to bike riders so I'm not looking to much into it. I took the bike to another bike shop to get it fixed. It took all of 5 minutes to do, nothing terrible. I am definitely looking into getting some spare tubes and a flat tire kit because this particular one happened at a very inopportune time.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the purchase. For a little over 200 bucks, its definitely a deal. Some of the components are a little shoddy, but you can't expect to get the same quality as a 600-700 dollar bike. My first replacement will probably be the front brake since there is no way to solve the problem of it being slightly loose. I would definitely recommend getting the bike tuned right after you put it together at a bike shop. [...] Do some research, call around to local places to get prices. You could end up saving a lot of money. One of the places I called, which happened to the be the closest to my house, was a 70 dollar full tune up.
UPDATE 6/6/09: Well I have had this bike for about 3 months now. I took this bike on a 42 mile bike tour through the rain and it made it through. Although the brakes started to stick about half way through. The brakes are the biggest problem on this bike and have been a nuisance since I got the bike. My back brake is basically shot. I think it's something with the wiring. I'm gonna havta bring the bike in to a shop yet again to see what the problem is. The brakes are the only thing I can really complain about. Everything else has held up fine.
7 of 7 people found the above review helpful.
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A great Start, November 16, 2008
By James P. Tingle (New Jersey)
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After a stressful day of going around with an Avid cyclist, trying to find a good road bike to fit my budget, we gave up on going to all the local cycle stores and took our hunt online. We came across this bike and my friend was hesitant with giving it the o.k, however it turned out to be a good call. I'm around 5'10 200 lbs, and the bike fits me great, though as previously stated the handle bars are a bit iffy, but you get used to it pretty quick. After riding about a year I'm now ready to upgrade, but it's definitely a great bike for any starter. I've put at least 500 miles on it and I stress at least, and its held up great.
6 of 6 people found the above review helpful.
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Great Road Bike!!!!, March 17, 2009
By Hawaiian Triathlete (Honolulu, HI USA)
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I was skeptical at first, but I decided to get this bike due to my tight budget. I'm training for a triathlon and I needed a road bike that would do the job. After looking at several local bike shops (the cheapest road bikes from $600.00+), i decided to take my search online. Amazon was my first choice. I looked at several road bikes and my decision came down to this bike, the Schwinn Prelude!
The bike comes partially set-up, you only have to attach the seat, front wheel, front brakes, shifters, handle bar, and the petals! If you do not know how to set up a bike, I highly recommend having someone that does to set it up for you. The instructional guide is unacceptable, because it does not tell you anything about how to set up the bike, it only provides a few pictures that have been taken with a camera phone (joking, but it really looks like it). Once you're set up, you're ready to hit the streets!!!
I have put about 75 miles on this bike and so far, it hasn't given me any problems. The shifters however are in a weird, awkward spot (in the middle of the handle bar). The petals are strap-in, but personally, I prefer strap-less petals.
I would not recommend this bike to anyone with short legs or anyone who is under 5'7. I am 5'9 and my legs are normal length. The bike fits me perfectly. If you are taller than 6 feet the seat raises higher but, unfortunately, the handle bar does not. This might be cause back problems, because usually, the seat and handle bars should be around the same height.
The MAIN POINT:
If you're looking for a great road bike that won't cost you an arm and a leg, you should definitely pick up the Schwinn Prelude!!!
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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Novice Cyclists Review, February 13, 2009
By Mark Twain (Tennessee)
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Here an experience from the point of view of someone who is not a big time cyclist, probably much like yourself if you are looking at this bike. I bought this bike to ride to and from work. I have owned a number of mountain bikes and 2 other road bikes before. It arrived and I started assembling it.
The instructions are terrible, but if you are even a little mechanically inclined and have a few tools it isn't bad at all to assemble. Note that it does not ship with the tools you need to assemble it so you may find yourself having to buy a set of hex keys and a pair of crescent wrenches (you need two to put the back wheel on) if you don't have them. It comes with an extra reflector that I still have no idea where to put.
I got my bike assembled and spun the back wheel and noticed it wobbling. I made sure I had everything on tight and decided that, yup the back wheel was bad. Probably not Schwinn's fault, it must have happened during shipping. I called Schwinn and they immediately sent me a new back wheel, no questions asked, no hassle at all, English speaking phone operator, it was very nice. I got the wheel after about a week and...it had been mislabelled, it was smaller than the original. I called Schwinn back and again, no questions asked they sent me another (proper) wheel and a return label for the too-small one.
All that being said, once its assembled and proper, its a very nice bike. Its not the smoothest thing ever on changing gears, but it does well enough and the chain slips off very rarely compared with other bikes I've owned. Its also very very light compared to the other road bikes I've owned, which were much older and probably cheaply made. I know it isnt very light compared to a more top of the line (expensive) road bike.
Overall I'm very happy with it and it more than meets my needs for commuting. There was a little hassle when I first got it as far as the crummy instructions and the situation with the wheel, but the people at Schwinn were very nice and made that process a lot more painless than it could have been.
5 of 5 people found the above review helpful.
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 Not What I Expected, May 26, 2009
By hellomoto (Auburn, ME USA)
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I had seen of lot of my comments in other reviews, but am nonetheless disappointed. For an item averaging above 4.5 stars, this bike does not meet expectations.
The shifters are indeed in an awkward position, and the brakes are only in the lower handles, which is also annoying. Most reviewers comment on being at least 5'9", and I'd add...don't buy this bike if you're 6' or taller. The petals and most of the time, my feet, hit the ground if you turn sharply.
Furthermore, the gear range (14) isn't wide enough...the lower gear isn't enough to climb steep hills and the highest gear isn't enough to sustain pedaling once you have some real speed.
Overall, I learned I shouldn't have been so cheap to buy a bike. If you want one, spring for the $400+ bike. The extra $200+ or so is well worth your happiness and willingness to ride the bike.
5 of 15 people found the above review helpful.
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Save some grief -- replace the rubber before riding, September 13, 2009
By dasunst3r
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It's a great bike for the price, but I would highly recommend going to a bike shop and getting the rim strips and tubes replaced. These two components are of poor quality from my experience:
1. As soon as I inflated the tires to the proper pressure, one of the tubes popped before I even started riding.
2. After a hundred miles of riding or so, the rim strip failed, which caused the tube to have pressure points all over the inner part of the wheel. This is NOT good because these tires are inflated to 100psi. While I was fortunate enough to not have this issue on the road, I did get a rude awakening at around 4 AM one morning as I heard a sudden explosion of air. Diagnosing this issue caused a lot of grief as well because I would put in a new tube, and it would pop the moment I go to remount the tire.
These two repairs/upgrades should cost you approximately ten dollars if you can do it yourself.
3 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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Just get it, September 30, 2009
By Brady (Greensboro, MD)
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Aight. Here's the deal. Greatest bike you could ever get for this price. Very fast. Awesome looking. Smooth ride and smooth gears. The brakes will give you a little trouble trying to figure them out... Fiddle with it a bit, bike stops on a dime. First time riding it, did a good 40 mph smooth as butter, no shakes. People say they popped the tires cause they hit a pothole... How bout this.. don't hit a pothole. I hope when you buy a bike you plan on being able to see where your going. If not, then you probably shouldn't be riding. Tires and rims are excellent in my opinion... So don't listen to the people who probably didn't even inflate them... Yeah so, all in all, great bike, quality of something you'd pay [...] bucks for. So just buy it. You won't regret it.
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Solid road bike, April 15, 2008
By Jessijane (Paradise, CA)
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We got this for both my husband (6'1") and myself (5'6") and it fits fine for both of us. My seat is almost lowered all the way and his of course is higher. One of the front tires exploded in the first 2 minutes of the ride, so that was discouraging, but the others have held fine. Nice looking bike. Don't forget to get a water bottle attachment!
3 of 4 people found the above review helpful.
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Overall not a bad bike, but..., June 18, 2010
By Oldnavy1988 (New Jersey)
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I bought this bike from Amazon in June 2010. My intention was to ride on weekends for recreation and exercise up to about 50 miles a day. While this expectation remains unchanged, the bike does not. It arrived in a typical large bike box and took about 30 minutes to assemble. The manual is worthless and commonsense will once again win the day.
Having read many reviews here on Amazon as well as on other sites, I replaced the bike seat before I even rode it. No complaint there. I also purchased a helmet, gloves, waterbottle holder, rack, paniers, and pump. Total: $111. The rack I purchased requires that the bike have holes in the frame to accept it. This is a common attribute on bikes as I understand, but not on this bike. Had to send the rack back and buy a seat post rack. OK, no big deal. The other accessories were just fine.
The first ride was wonderful. About a 15 mile loop to my sister's house and back. Nice trip overall. The bikes shifts well, rides quite smooth and the brakes work as they should (and yes the bike seat was nice).
The second trip just around town on the usual paved roads punctured both tires. Oddly, I found to foreign body puncturing the inner tubes and nothing protruding from the tires themselves. I attempted to inflate the tires to no avail. Both tubes were shot. This is a common finding with this purchase as you might have read in other reviews. So was the case here. Now it's off to the LBS. Two touring tires with innertubes and tire tape= $90. Hmmm. This is adding up. OK, Im waiting for the Prelude to come back from the LBS (he did not have the touring tires on hand) and I look forward to riding once more.
If you're looking for a bike to ride for exercise in a more than casual but less than Lance level, consider this bike. It needs a few mods to make it the reliable product it should be at the point of purchase but for the price and relative to its competition, I would recommend this bike provided the consumer is fully aware of its shortfalls and advantages. Hope this helped.
Pros: cost, ride, looks, overall value.
Cons: tires, seat, does not accept 'standard' racks.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Prelude, April 18, 2010
By Zachary A. Holbert
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I did not shop around too long after reading reviews of this bike, and I think I made a good decision. The bike shipped in 3 days with super saver shipping, which I thought was pretty amazing. Putting it together was somewhat tricky for me because I am mechanically challenged, but it only took about 45 minutes to figure everything out and put it together. I am 5'8" or 5'9" and I think the it fits me well when the seat was down to its lowest setting. First time riding it, I noticed a huge difference in weight between this and my old bike (1970's road bike), but I wouldn't say it is light for a road bike. I ran over a rock the first time riding and got a slight hole in the tube. The tubes that come with the bike are cheap, but they're only $5 to replace so no big deal. The gears seem to shift smoothly, but the brakes seem somewhat inadequate. I actually like the clipless pedals because it makes pedalling a lot easier and you don't have to buy special shoes and take the shoes on and off. Overall, a nice bike for beginners in the price range. I couldn't imagine finding a better new bike for $225.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Worth buying, October 21, 2009
By C. Clements (Texas)
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This is my first road bike and I bought it at Academy for 130.00 on clearance. I did read the reviews here and took it to a bike shop to have the liners replaced. no big deal. I have put over 300 miles on it in the month I have had it. So far, no flats(I ride in the country) Hills were tough but I suspect it was lack of experience, much easier now. I did replace the seat with a Serfas reactive gel and comfort is not an issue anymore. Most of my rides are 20-30 miles. I have needed to adjust the front and rear derailer a few times but other than that it has been problem free. It seems to be a pretty strong bike and has carried this 260 pound (and falling) rider without a hitch.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Great bike for the price, February 7, 2009
By Compulsive Shopper (SF Bay Area)
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I received the bike today and wasn't sure what to expect from a $235 road bike. I was pleasantly surprised. The bike has an appealing look with its blue and silver paint job. These colors don't combine to have the most expensive look to them but it looks better in reality than the pictures on the internet which I didn't think were to bad in the first place.
The bike was a good size for me and I am 5"11. The parts that were already assembled needed tweaking, tightening and checking. The additional parts like the front wheel, front caliper, handlebars and shifters you will have to install. This is easily done by following the easily explained steps in the manual. Getting the wheels to turn smoothly without catching the break pads is what took most of the time setting up the bike.
When I was assembling the bike I found the positioning of the shifters to be inconvenient, they just take up too much room on the handlebars and would require a whole body straightening movement to get to them from the normal riding position. The shifters are attractive with there thumb up and down plastic control switches; they also shift smoothly; these are not the worst Shimano have to offer. The aluminum band that ties them on to the handlebars looks cheap. The other cheap looking parts of the bike are the pedals and the seat is cheap. It has little to offer in padding and I will upgrade that this month.
For now the Schwinn is the most reasonable bike on the market. In a year or two if I get into road biking more I could see myself upgrading because there is a noticeable weight difference between this bike at 25lbs and a $700 Trek 1000 which I just know by lifting it is lighter. However, this bike is 3 times cheaper and all I need to get myself fit.
2 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Love this bike!, September 9, 2007
By .:Love and Peace:. (on planet EARTH)
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I love this bike. It is amazing! It's very lightweight so you could ride very fast without pumping the pedals (much). I absolutely love it- it's very comfortable, although the seat isn't that great. I'm 5'6" and a 1/2 and it feels great. I recommend this bike. However, the handle bars are annoying if you want to place a basket there.
2 of 3 people found the above review helpful.
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For beginners or people living on very flat terrain., July 9, 2010
By Chris
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Ok here's the deal; I'm a newbie to biking, i merely do it for the triathlons. I got this bike 2 weeks ago because i couldnt borrow a bike from anyone and i didnt feel like spending a ton of money at the local bike shop (also because the people that work at LBS's were extremely rude and arrogant). So i got the bike, it took me about 2 hours to put it together, it wasnt too difficult. Only one problem, i couldnt get the front brake off of the the tire, i ended up tying a piece of yarn from the steering wheel to the brake in order to keep the tire frictionless with the brake, but hey, it works.
My biggest problem with the bike is that the gears are terrible, i actually can't even get the gear to stay on the handlebar (if i push the bike into high gear from low the entire gear know shifts downwards, making me unable to push the bike into high gear--its a pain). Eventually i put duct tape underneath the shifter and used some gorilla glue on the joint, keeping it in place. But that's not all, when i try to go into high hear it's extremely sensitive, if i shift too fast it goes over and the chain comes off, forcing me to stop. I have to shift ever so slowly... Wait there's more, when in low gear, after i've shifted, the gears jolt violently against me randomly. It sucks big time when going up hills.
When on flat terrain, the bike is pretty enjoyable i must admit. I'm 6'0 and it fits perfectly. It's sleek, faily light weight (i'd say around 26 pounds), and hopefully it will get the job done for my triathlon. IT'S NOT THE FASTEST BIKE. But overall, I'm satisfied with the bike, it should be able to last me at least 4 years, at which point i'll go for a bike between $500 and around a $1000. It's a good beginners bike, definitely, but i highly recommend that if you purchase it have a LBS put it together, i think that's why my gears are as messed up as they are. Call around to find a good bike shop, and ask people around you for help too, many people are eager to help newbie bikers like us.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Good enough, April 28, 2010
By Mutt
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I purchased the bike as a means to shed my winter coat and nothing more. I'm a bit shy of 5'10, 220lbs(hence the bike), and have a 30" inseam. I have about a 1" space between the top tube and my stuff. Overall the bike fits me quite well, couldn't imagine any better. I took the advice of others and replaced the rim tape with Zefal (cloth) before I went riding. After the first 10 mi ride I replaced the seat as my sit bones were a bit tender. Really the only gripe I have (since I knew what I was buying) is the front tire has a flat spot, apprently from resting nearly deflated on the ground/bottom of the box for too long. I've put about 50 miles on the bike(bumpy, rut filled, backroads), and have yet to encounter the first problem. For my intended use, I am well pleased with the bike.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Better Tires Needed, April 13, 2010
By Justin (Staten Island,NY)
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As everyone above has stated you will get a flat. I don't think it has anything to do with the rim casting but rather a poor quality tire. I got a flat and discovered that there was a 1/4 inch tear in the sidewall of my tire. Glass would not tear the tire that far up so I think the defective part is the tires. Having replaced the tire I have had no further issues. As far as overall quality, not bad, but keep in mind the gearing is not comparable to a "real" road bike, it is geared for recreational use. Just something to keep in mind depending on who you plan on riding with, I can't pedal fast enough to keep up with the guy I ride with. Overall, worth the money just plan on buying new tires, which cost 24 bucks a piece at my local bike shop. Oh yeah, the brakes are poor to non existent so prepare to stop well in advance of any obstacles.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Very Nice Bike!, February 2, 2010
By Green Martian (Mars! Outer space)
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OK well i bought the Schwinn Prelude, i was a bit skeptical at first because some of the reviews said it is too small for someone around 5ft 11inches, and the target review says that the rims are equivalent to a 24inch rim..I've had the bike for about a month now. The only complaint i have with the product, is the way they package the bike for shipping. I received my first bike put it together and the front rim was bent..I called and they sent me another one asap.. Also I'm 5ft 11 inches and this bike fits me perfectly, of course everything doesn't fit exactly as a expensive bike would..But for a beginner like myself who is on a budget this bike is exactly what i need and what i could afford..I'm happy with it so far and give it 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Great entry level road bike, January 31, 2010
By Brian K. Bollow
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I have had no problems with this bike since purchasing it. The only difficulty was that the instructions weren't the most detailed when assembling it. Took me a bit to figure out if I was putting the front brake on right. I would reccomend this bike to anyone looking into road bikes who doens't want to spend $700 or more on a road bike at a bike shop. I added a water cage, spare pump, and a light on the back. Slimed the tires too, which seems to have prevented any of the flats that some other reviewers have complained about. I am 5'9" and it fits me fine.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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cheap, good quality, cool color, September 13, 2009
By Wu Yu Nong (mountain view ,CA)
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I searched in Amazon for all bikes and at last chose this one. After having been riding it for one month, I find that what a right chosen I've made. You may spend a thounsand bucks on a road bike which is like this one.
Anyway, I'm very satisfied with this perfect product.
I'm an international student:)
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Love this bike, July 13, 2009
By M. Peck (Pennsylvania)
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I had no issues with the instructions and I love the bike. I have added Aerobars, gel padding for the handlebars and a new seat but other than that, this bike is very nice for the money. I'll be using it in an Olympic Triathlon in Sept.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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very well, April 26, 2009
By Eric Von Paulus (Rocky Face, Ga)
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i bought this bike recently. it is a great bike and rides real smooth compared to older road bikes. the parts seem high quality and their easy to adjust if needed especially the brake calipers. it took me just a little bit to put it together, but thats because i took my time. if you purchase this bike you will not be disappointed. i haven't rode a bike in years and one of the reasons was to get this bike was to help my diabetes. my first rode trip i was trying to take it easy and end up riding 14 miles. it felt really good i couldn't wait for my next ride.
1 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Good looking bike but.., January 9, 2010
By Abdol Hajipour
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I like the look and the quality of the bike, but the rims where not adjusted to have a smooth ride.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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bike, December 27, 2008
By karens3 (Dix Hills, New York United States)
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The Bike was a good price.Easy to assemble The only thing I would like to have known when I ordered it was the color.
1 of 2 people found the above review helpful.
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Very light weight and easy to ride, October 20, 2010
By ciecel flow
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I purchased this bike in 2007, it sits on a patio when not in use.
No rust yet.
This bike is very light weight because of its Aluminum parts. I can carry it up and down the stairs of my 2nd floor apartment with ease (sort of like carrying up a few grocery bags); contrary to our 23" Schwinn Ranger that has a steel frame I dread lugging that up and down. I have to ride on sidewalks where I live because the roads are too dangerous- The bike handles sidewalks smooth enough considering no suspension or beefy tires. I'm glad I purchased this bike because it is fast and requires little effort to get the thing moving at a decent speed from a stop, a safety feature in my opinion. A more cushy seat is in order though. It feels solid and well built and is very attractive looking, it looks fast. This bike loves a flat road though it has handled some bumps pretty good over the years. I would purchase this bike again, it has been my favorite bike I have ever owned.
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great deal, September 7, 2010
By Antonio
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I have this bike for 4 months now and I love it. It`s light, fast and I use both for commuting and exercise.
con: the break is not very good
If you don`t look for a pro bike and don`t want to spend a lot of money, you should definitely buy this bike.
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More than Happy!, August 22, 2010
By mrplow732
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I needed a decent yet inexpensive road bike for training in my first sprint triathlon, and it worked great! I wanted a bike that was big enough to fit my height of 6ft2 and i couldn't be happier with my pick. It only took about 20 mins to set up out of the box and although its not nearly as light as the $1000+ Trek bike that my friend has, its 3 times as cheap and ill take the extra 3-4 extra pounds any-day. It looks clean, slick, and worth more than it actually is...although I did wish the stickers that they attach for UPC codes weren't put on the frame of the bike (pain to get off) and that some of the brand name stickers on the tire rim weren't there at all (starting to fall off). Bike has had little to no tuning out of the box and i have about 200 miles on it so far...although it does have a tendency to not want to reach the 7th gear time to time, but its not that much of an issue for me as it is mostly used for going downhill. Did pop my first front tire about three weeks ago after hitting a sharp rock on the street, but no real problems with the tires, tubes, brakes, chain, etc. The fella at the bike shop said that the tire size was not very common (aka you wont find it at target) and that most new bikes come with Presta Valves not the standard valves that you have on your car and on this bike. It frankly does not make a big difference to me. Also, before you decide to spend tons of money on a Trek, Giant, or Cannondale bike...most of how fast you ride is all up to you! This seems like a quality product and I should be using it for years to come.
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Great bike for starters!, July 29, 2010
By mith23 (Boca Raton, FL)
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So far so good, had it for about 1month and it has delivered good riding quality!
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round 1 bicycle purchase, February 6, 2010
By Ernest Loveday III (West Berlin, New Jersey United States)
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When the bicycle arrived the box was undamaged but the rear wheel was bent.Amazon was fantastic about sending a replacement.We thought that they would send a replacement rear wheel, instead they resent an entire new bicycle.Great customer servive and support it arrived in 2 days. Great job !
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Commuter and first road bike, October 27, 2009
By Jonathan Chung (Irvine, California)
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I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm a college student and I use this bike to commute. It's a little heavy, so going up hills is pretty tough. I'm not a bike fanatic either so having a decent, affordable bike that I could get from point A to point B and maybe run around the university town with was crucial. This bike fit that criteria. This is a great ride, but once I get some money I might go for a better performance bike.
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Really good road bike, September 6, 2009
By Jonathan
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I got this bike for $219.99 and let me tell you that I am really happy with this purchase. It took 30 min to put it together and I didn't have any problems. I really like this bike and I would recommended to everyone who wants to get a good and inexpensive road bike.
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Great bike for the money, August 28, 2009
By T. Kunz (Moscow, ID USA)
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This was my first actual bike after a number of years being on a crappy walmart bike that ended up falling apart while riding it. Anyways, being that this is my first road bike, I'm not going to be a very good judge of everything, but this bike seems to definentally be worth the $200 I have invested in it. It looks great and goes fast for costing as little as it does. People had mentioned making sure to go and get your bike tuned right off the bat which would be a very good idea, but what I ended up doing was just watching a bunch of youtube videos to figure out how to do it myself. After watching those, I was able to tune the bike myself fairly easily and for free since I already had the tools available. I think that watching those videos also helped with installing the front brake caliper since you get to see how it should work on other bikes and other people mentioned having trouble figuring out how to put it on. I have already encountered the problem of getting flats and happened to have both tires go flat on one of my first bike rides. I think it is more attributed to me going over a bump to fast, but noticed when I took the old tubes out that they had been pinched by the tire. I would recommend just making sure that the tube is correctly put into the tire and wheel assembly so you don't have to "flintsone" your bike home. Overall, a great bike for the amount of money that it costs. I am sure that you could get a better bike by spending $600, but for what it's worth, I'm just going to stick with this bike.
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Need a translator for the directions!, June 29, 2009
By b2mustang
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Ok, this is my first road bike, and I like it a lot...now that I have it built. The directions that come with the bike are p o o p! There are things not specified in the directions that are crucial in order to put the bike together. Like the lever that has to go through the front wheel in order to attach it to the front. Also, you have to install the front brake (which in not hard once you know what to do) that the directions presume that it is already installed. Just un-screw the end off of the bold (you can do this with your hands), and put it through the hole in the front of the frame, and tighten appropriately.
Besides the assembly, this bike rides great! I took it on a 23-mile ride the next day and absolutely no problems with it. Also, it is super light! My friends own GMC Denali bikes that are a size smaller and I own the large size in the Schwinn Prelude. There is no comparison that the Schwinn weighs significantly less. In conclusion, this bike is awesome!
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Great Entry Level Road Bike, December 28, 2008
By pbakez (St. Charles, MO)
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About 7 months ago I was getting into road biking and thought this bike would be a great start. I am 5 10 and this bike fit me pretty well. The frame is a bit longer than other road bikes, but you will not notice the difference if this is your first bike. I have put about 500 miles on this bike and have had very minimal problems. The biggest downfall to this bike would be the lack of a quick release skewer on the rear wheel. This bike is a bit heavier than a more expensive entry level road bike, but again, is a great bike to start out on. I have stepped up to a Bianchi Nirone C2C, and this is now my campus cruiser. Highly recommended for a first road bike. If you are into biking though, I would step it up to the $700+ range.
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Great Beginner Bike, December 7, 2008
By Ming Wang Wong (Union City, CA United States)
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Great Bike for beginner, best value on the market and light weight. strongest recommend to all bike beginner.
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Wow! This is EXACTLY what I wanted!!!!, April 15, 2010
By liveSTRONG (phoenix, arizona, US)
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Ok, so first things first......I got the bike in 2 days! Did the Amazon Prime trial for free 2 day shipping. Gonna cancel asap so I don't get charged $79 bucks for free shipping for a year. I don't do a lot of online shopping. Anyways, I put the bike together in about 45 mins. It comes assembled up to about 75%. The other stuff is easy if you have a good head on your shoulders or a really helpful apprentice. I'll say this, the quality for $200 bucks is amazing! I don't plan to race Armstrong himself so I'm ok with him having a custom $15k bike. I rode it after I inflated the tires and blew the front with in the first 2 mins on it. Lol. I hit a pot hole. The other stupid part on my account was it was really under inflated. Only about 40 psi. I replaced the tube and inflated to 80 psi front and back. Unless you get better tires and tubes don't push the psi to 100. As far as the pedals go, yes they are the strap/click kind, but is easily resolved by unscrewing 2 screws on each pedal that holds the foot cover on and then just unthread the strap. Very easy and will save you the headache of buying different ones or adapting to the race style. As far as the brakes, they are kinda weak, but adequate. I will be upgrading the pads.
As far as the ride, I gotta say, I was totally impressed. My derailleur and gears needed no adjusting, shifted smooth like a schwinn should. The bike rides like butter on an even pavement. Also, this thing is fast and light! I didn't even use the high front gear, just the low one and it moves. I'm only used to mountain bikes, until now. So, if you're gonna get into cycling, or just be a casual rider, get this one first. Also, buy it online. It's usually cheaper and you get to make sure it's built completely and put together right. I wouldn't put my life in someone's hands who's only making $8 and hour, would you? Also, customer service is way better with Schwinn than dealing with Wal-mart or target, though I do like target way better than wally world. Target also has a slew of Schwinn products, even tubes for this rim and tire size. Anyways, I've only riddin it a few miles thus far but am so happy with this bike.
Also, just so you know, I am 170 lbs and about 6'00" tall so, I wouldn't get this bike if you're shorter than 5'9". My girl friend got on it and road it and said it felt very uncomfortable. She's about 5'8", but still tall enough to be able to get on it. Anyways, I hope this was helpful. Remember, this is only a $200 bike so don't expect to win championships from the get go. Remember, it's the operator not the equipment unless you get a really cheap bike like a huffy or roadmaster. Lol.
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Great bike for the price!, February 26, 2010
By Bill Delong
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No, this is not the best bike out there, but it's definitely the best bike for the price!
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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Brake required disassembley, February 13, 2009
By E. aaron
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The bike arrives semi-assembled. Which was a pleasant surprise since I was expecting it to need complete assembly.
The only tools required were monkey wrench and an allen wrench set.
The whole assembly probably requires about 45min or less.
However, I had an issue with the front brakes.
It required me to completely dissasemble the brake and reassemble.
It seems one of the joints were too tight and the brake was not releasing (no spring action).
I had to have a freind help because one person needed to hold the tension on the brake and the other put in the screws. (unless you have some kind of brake assembly jig).
Also on the 1st ride the front tire went flat nearly immediately. I looked from something that caused the flat but couldnt find anything. Pinched tube from the factory? maybe...but who knows.
0 of 1 people found the above review helpful.
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skinny wheels or not skinny wheels, October 28, 2008
By pingpongkid (San Francisco CA)
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im not actually writing a review but i have a question? are the wheels on this bike considered skinny because i want skinny wheels and im a starter in cycling so i dont know if the wheels on this bike are skinny so can someone please tell me if the wheels on this bike is skinny i would greatly appreciated thank you
0 of 9 people found the above review helpful.
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Great beginner bike!, October 11, 2011
By David Cabrejos
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Not too long ago, I bought this bike so I can get in shape again.
After ordering from Amazon, the packing of this bike came in a bad condition, and after mounting the bike, the front brake was broken. I requested a replacement, which was sent promptly.
This time, the front fork was bent where you place the front wheel, so it would not fit. Since I did not want to return this bike once again, I unbent the part (some paint cracks showed) and was able to mount the bike properly.
On my third day riding this bike, my front derailleur somehow touched the crankset and got completely destroyed. BTW, this front derailleur is horrible, and doesn't even appear to be branded. I bought a "Shimano FD-M412 Alivio Dual Front Derailleur" for $16.07, also had to get a chain tool for replacing the front derailleur. I got the "Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Tool" for $31.78, and wow!! Love this tool. Super compact and can fix any type of bike problems!!
Also, make sure you apply the correct tire pressure. According to the tire is should be set as 100 psi. I have riden about 300 miles with it, and so far no flat tires.
Another thing that I changed and improved my bike a lot was the handlebar tape, and also got a gel under it which improved the road comfort considerably. I purchased the "Fizik Bar Gel with Four Pieces (No tape)" for $22.11 and the "Planet Bike Comfort GEL Road Bike Handlebar Tape with Reflective Bar Plugs" for $16.08. Now the road vibrations does not hurt my hand as it used to anymore. It was a great relief!
Got a "FoxFire 5-LED Wide Tail Light" for $14.20, which I liked a lot more than the planet bike one. Several modes and nice looking. I also got a "Schwinn 17-Function Bike Computer" for $16.41, which I mounted in my bike stem with the help of several zip ties. When budget permits, I'll upgrade the computer to the "Wahoo Fitness Bike Pack", so I can use my iPhone in the bike stem.
I also bought new pedals and shoes. I really don't like the ones that came with the bike, and want to try clipless pedals. I bought the "Shimano SPD-SL PD-R540 Clipless Pedals (White)" for $46.98.
The bike shorts however is one of the best items I ever bought! Never had one before, but makes a huuuge difference!!
After doing all those enhancements to the bike, it is performing a lot nicer, and I feel really safe.
In summary, if you are purchasing this bike, expect to make enhancements to the bike and yourself.
The following items is what I got and think it's a must with road cycling!
For the bike:
Computer - Schwinn 17-Function Bike Computer for $16.41
Tail Light - FoxFire 5-LED Wide Tail Light for $14.20
Front Derailleur - Shimano FD-M412 Alivio Dual Front Derailleur for $16.07
Toolset - Topeak Alien II 26-Function Bicycle Tool for $31.78
Pedal - Shimano SPD-SL PD-R540 Clipless Pedals (White) for $46.98
For myself:
Helmet - Giro Venti Bike Helmet, White for $27.04
Jersey - Pearl iZUMi Men's Select Long Sleeve 3/4 Zip Jersey,True Red,Small for $29.41
Short - Pearl iZUMi Men's Quest Cycling Short,Black,Medium for $35.34
Glove - Giro Bravo Cycling Glove (Red/Black, Medium) for $20.03
Shoe - Shimano SH-TR31 Triathlon Shoes - Men's White/Black 44 for $102.89
Hydration - Camelbak HydroBak 50 oz Hydration Pack, Racing Red/Charcoal for $37.66
Total for bike: $125.44
Total for myself: $252.37
Grand total: $377.81
Without the pedals and shoes it's also a great bike. I got it for my preference after riding for a while. Without those items, it'd be grand total of $227.94.
I hope this helps someone trying to get this bike. I would really love to know what I needed to buy beforehand and have a complete set for a nice road cycling experience. The prices I placed above includes tax and S&H and were all purchased from Amazon.com.
When I bought this bike, I paid $256.18 and thought that would be all I needed. After some time now, I have spent quite some more, but think it was completely worth it. I've spent so far $633.99 with the bike and all my accessories.
In the long run, the bike is paying for itself, since I'm going to work with it, and it's a 20 mile roundtrip ride per day. ;)
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Commuter and first road bike, October 27, 2009
By Jonathan Chung (Irvine, California)
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I was pleasantly surprised.
I'm a college student and I use this bike to commute. It's a little heavy, so going up hills is pretty tough. I'm not a bike fanatic either so having a decent, affordable bike that I could get from point A to point B and maybe run around the university town with was crucial. This bike fit that criteria. This is a great ride, but once I get some money I might go for a better performance bike.
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