Looking for a bike in stock for my gal for under $400. How's the Mikko 7 by Schwinn?
04-19-20, 07:37 AM
#1
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Looking for a bike in stock for my gal for under $400. How's the Mikko 7 by Schwinn?
She's working within a tight budget and doesn't care too much about speed. She does, however, want something with gears rather than a single speed bike to take on some light hills. This would mostly be for leisurely riding.
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
04-19-20, 08:00 AM
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https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/mikko-7 $349.99
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...isers_al-7.htm $299.99
Let me suggest the Mango Macaw simply because, with an aluminum frame, it is likely to weigh a bit less, which won’t affect performance but will make the bike easier to move around when not riding.
Also it is 50 dollars cheaper.
The bikes are otherwise very similar as far as I can tell …. I have a friend who has one of the more upscale Mangos and she loves it.
Anyway, just an alternative.
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...isers_al-7.htm $299.99
Let me suggest the Mango Macaw simply because, with an aluminum frame, it is likely to weigh a bit less, which won’t affect performance but will make the bike easier to move around when not riding.
Also it is 50 dollars cheaper.
The bikes are otherwise very similar as far as I can tell …. I have a friend who has one of the more upscale Mangos and she loves it.
Anyway, just an alternative.
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04-19-20, 08:03 AM
#3
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Let me suggest the Mango Macaw simply because, with an aluminum frame, it is likely to weigh a bit less, which won’t affect performance but will make the bike easier to move around when not riding.
Also it is 50 dollars cheaper.
The bikes are otherwise very similar as far as I can tell …. I have a friend who has one of the more upscale Mangos and she loves it.
Anyway, just an alternative.
I thought lighter=faster? Is that not true?
04-19-20, 08:17 AM
#4
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Hmmm .... Lighter can equal the potential for more speed ..... but mostly when climbing. On the flat, a lighter bike will accelerate more easily, but once the mass is in motion, the top speed potential will be about the same.
But all that really only matter when climbing a lot of hills, or when racing, where a second or two over a 150-mile ride makes a difference. The couple pounds difference is pretty meaningless for a comfort-oriented bike.I mean, I could pull the fenders off the Schwinn, replace the seat with a racing seat, replace the seat post with carbon fiber, drop every ounce of unneeded weight ... spend twice the price of the bike, and I would still have a heavy bike. it is not designed to be a lightweight performer.
I have a few bikes, and of the two I ride most, one weighs about ten pounds more than the other. yet on any given day my times over the same route are going to be almost identical---my lack of performance far outweighs any performance difference gained from losing the bike-weight.
Unless your GF is planning on racing this bike, i doubt she would notice the minuscule differences. When she might notice it is if she ever had to drag the bike up a flight of stairs, lift it onto a car rack, or up onto a high curb for some reason.
But all that really only matter when climbing a lot of hills, or when racing, where a second or two over a 150-mile ride makes a difference. The couple pounds difference is pretty meaningless for a comfort-oriented bike.I mean, I could pull the fenders off the Schwinn, replace the seat with a racing seat, replace the seat post with carbon fiber, drop every ounce of unneeded weight ... spend twice the price of the bike, and I would still have a heavy bike. it is not designed to be a lightweight performer.
I have a few bikes, and of the two I ride most, one weighs about ten pounds more than the other. yet on any given day my times over the same route are going to be almost identical---my lack of performance far outweighs any performance difference gained from losing the bike-weight.
Unless your GF is planning on racing this bike, i doubt she would notice the minuscule differences. When she might notice it is if she ever had to drag the bike up a flight of stairs, lift it onto a car rack, or up onto a high curb for some reason.
04-19-20, 09:00 AM
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Are any of the local bike shops (not a big box store) open in your area, for sales? Or can they have a bike shipped to them that you could go and pick up ? I think, unless you work on bikes and have the knowledge and tools, that a bike shop is worth the extra dollars you might spend, compared to one of the online bike "warehouses". Most, if not all, bike shops will offer some form of free tune-ups for a time, and if you would have a problem, they are there for support. If you are comfortable with adjustments and/or replacing parts, then an online shop, or Craigslist (or similar) would be fine for a bike. Lots of beginner bikes available in your price range from Giant, Fuji, Trek, Specialized, and others. If there is a bike co-op in your area (and they are open), might find a good deal on a used bike there, and it should already have been looked over and any issues fixed.
04-19-20, 11:41 AM
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She's working within a tight budget and doesn't care too much about speed. She does, however, want something with gears rather than a single speed bike to take on some light hills. This would mostly be for leisurely riding.
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
Besides the bike needing a going over to true wheels, adjust brakes, etc. the biggest problem IMO is how far the handlebar sweeps back. This means the handlebars will hit the side of the rider while trying to turn the front wheel tightly, such as making U-turns in a small area.
On my wife's bike, I figured out how far forward I could slide the controls onto the bars, made measurements, and hacksawed about 4" off each end of the bars to make turning easier. Eventually, I put on an even shorter bar from another bike, which still provides an upright ride, and makes tight turns easier still.
Below is the bike with the shorter handlebar from another bike. Compared to the Mikko, you'll notice the two main frame tubes have two thick braces, which might weigh about the same as a pair of sheet metal fenders.
Last edited by FiftySix; 04-19-20 at 11:55 AM.
04-19-20, 11:55 AM
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She's working within a tight budget and doesn't care too much about speed. She does, however, want something with gears rather than a single speed bike to take on some light hills. This would mostly be for leisurely riding.
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
Thoughts on the Mikko 7 by Schwinn? If not this bike, is there another that would serve her better?
She doesn't care if it's a real "women's" bike or not. She just wants something enjoyable to ride for a low price, that can ship as soon as possible. That's important too. Any suggestions?
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04-19-20, 12:51 PM
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https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/gtx-2
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/gtx-2
Bike weight: 38.8 pounds $429.99
https://www.innovationbikeshop.com/s...-sport-review/
https://www.schwinnbikes.com/products/gtx-2
Bike weight: 38.8 pounds $429.99
https://www.innovationbikeshop.com/s...-sport-review/
04-19-20, 01:40 PM
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If i was to get a comfort bike now, i would buy a Specialized Roll. They have listed a couple of models for around $450 on their website including one that has disc brakes.
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