RockiesDad

Are modern lower end Schwinn bikes from local bike stores of the same quality as those from Walmart/Target? How can you tell if a used bike from Craigslist is from a LBS or Walmart? Is it pretty obvious? Are the newer higher end Schwinn bikes any good? Can they compete with the big brands? Just curious...

jefnvk

From my walking in the store and having to pick up bikes just to know how mine compare in weight to them, I'd venture a guess that even Schwinns from Wal-Mart differ vastly from Schwinns from somewhere like Dicks Sporting Goods, let alone Schwinns from the LBS (not that I have seen any Schwinns beyond cruisers in a LBS in a while).

Other than that, price point should give you an idea. A dozen or two bucks would indicate the same level of quality, a few hundred not. As far as CL, I can't say I browse that section of bikes often, but I'd think you'd want to look at the components to determine level of quality.

dr_lha

Schwinn have a "Signature" line which are sold exclusively at bike shops. They are better than the ones sold at Wal-mart/Targets, if for no other reason that they'll likely be assembled by someone who understands how a bike works.

7up

You took the words right out of my mouth.Especially that they are put together by someone competent.lol

Craptacular8

Just saw an article on a new road bike from Schwinn, offered only at LBS. Was nicely equipped SRAM components, and at the $1500 mark, but I haven't seen one in person.

The LBS I frequent carries them (and their sister company GT), though the Schwinns are almost exclusively cruiser style and kids. In the LBS they come in sizes, at the box stores they seem to be one size fits all? I haven't more than glanced at them though.

I have a mid-90's Schwinn hybrid I bought new at a LBS. It is a CrMo frame, decently equipped bike that I subsequently outfitted with fenders and racks and turned into a commuter. It was originally priced at the mid 300's at that time, and similarly equipped to today's $600 hybrid, it is still a nice bike. When I first started looking for its upgrade/replacement a few years ago, I thought for sure the newer aluminum clad hybrids were going to be its replacement, and I was shocked when nearly every model I picked up was heavier than my Schwinn (pre racks/fenders), aside from the Trek Fx line, which was possibly about the same weight. I'd estimate that without accouterments, it is around the 22lb mark, and the ones I've sort of tried to pick up in the box store are more in the 27-28 pound range or higher. that's probably at least one "tell" on the cheap ones versus the better ones.

MRT2

2 years ago, I bought my son a used Schwinn Moab mountain bike from the early 2000s. I bought it privately from a bike mechanic after I inquired whether the shop he was working in sold any used mountain bikes. He said they did not currently have any bikes, but said he had a few projects he was working on and if I came back in a couple of days, he would have a bike built up and ready to ride.

The Moab came with Shimano Deore XT and LX components. I don't believe Wal Mart Schwinns came equipped with XT and LX components.

travbikeman

I too would like to see this bike when it comes out this fall. I had emailed Performance Bikes asking them if they will sell this bike since they sell Schwinn's, they told me they don't have any plans on offering it. It seems like a nice bike.

First Look: Schwinn Vantage RX1 Adventure Bike | Bicycling

kzin

I think if the model is on here its a real bike -

Home | Schwinn Bicycles

Otherwise it may well be a wally BSO

I'm perfectly happy with my Cutter though I probably overpaid compared to some other possibilities

Tundra_Man 

I think the Schwinn name is tarnished to the point where I probably would avoid buying one simply because if I ever wanted to sell it the potential buyers would be having the same dilemma: "Is this one of the good ones or one of the X-Mart bikes?"

I still wouldn't mind grabbing a nice vintage Paramount if I stumbled across a deal though.

RockiesDad

So being a potential buyer of a Schwinn bike off of CL, I could probably get a pretty good bike if I knew what I was looking at. I then could tell the seller I saw this at Wally World for $100 and bargain down from there. Could be a win situation for me...

RockiesDad

If I were Schwinn, I would start a "Signature Premium Plus" line of bikes and have it be "made in America". It would be marketed as an exclusive line of high end premium bikes to bring back the Schwinn brand name that been tarnish as mentioned above. Go to all the biking events and start sponsoring up and coming riders to get their name out again as a brand to be reckoned with. Their new $1500 adventure bike is headed in the right direction though...

Just my thoughts...

dr_lha

They kind of already did that, for a cost!

Schwinn Paramount Bicycle 75th Anniversary Project

fietsbob

What Schwinn bikes in Bike Shops? the Name was Sold and now they are more found in Mass Merchant stores.

Competence of the person removing it from the shipping carton and putting it on the sales floor is a Big Unknown..

Some people do Itinerant assemblies for a Lot of stores on a circuit, they get paid Piecework, so bring Power tools .

dr_lha

Yes, Schwinn still sells bikes through LBS. The Schwinn Signature series is exclusive to "IBDs".

fietsbob

Owner of the other bike shop Died , No More Schwinns Here . He doubled as the Locksmith in town.

ramzilla

Most all bikes are built by robots in Taiwan or China. There's only a few large bike manufacturing companies. Brand names are meaningless. You have to develop a keen eye for quality. Remember, never confuse price with value.

NormanF

I have a Schwinn LBS bike. Top of the line tubing, quality Shimano Tiagra components and a sweet handling ride... not in the same league as the Big Box Store Schwinns.

I wouldn't compare them.

GP

That's kind of what Waterford has done.

JonathanGennick 

Yeah, but the ratio of premium models to dept store models is probably like 0.000001 / 1.