Buying guide for Best men’s Schwinn bikes
With a history dating back to 1895, you’ll struggle to find a more iconic brand than Schwinn bikes. Though no longer made in Chicago where it all started, the bikes remain part of American culture. The company’s reputation for style and quality is unrivaled, and today its men’s bicycle range is among the most comprehensive in the industry.
That means you’ve got a huge choice when you’re looking to buy your next bike, and with something for every kind of rider and every type of journey, the only challenge you face is deciding which one suits you best!
We’ve been looking at the current selection, from folding bikes to retro classics and hybrids to the latest high-tech road racers and e-bikes. Our recommendations underline the wide variety offered and provide solutions for many different cyclists. The following comprehensive guide looks at the specifications in more detail, answers a number of important questions, and provides some recommendations.
Key considerations
Riding style
The kind of cycling you do obviously has a big impact on the style of bike you choose, but with Schwinn’s extensive range of bikes for men, the choices aren’t always as straightforward as they seem. Let’s look at your options.
Mountain: If you’re a committed mountain biker, you’ll be pretty focused on what you need, though many urban riders favor this style as well.
Road: The same is true if you’re a keen road racer.
Casual: If you want something to throw in the trunk, a folding bike is pretty obvious, and Schwinn make several. You might also like a cruiser
Commuter: You might prefer a classic cruiser for pedaling to and from work.
Touring: Hybrids have very broad appeal. The upright stance is comfortable and well adapted to touring. Dual sport bikes are another type of hybrid, appealing to the more energetic rider.
Assisted: Schwinn’s e-bikes offer assisted pedaling, rather than full electric power, and are perfect for those who have reduced physicality but still love to cycle. There’s also a range of Schwinn tricycles, ideal for those who want more stability and/or load-lugging ability.
For Your Safety
According to the safety organization Helmets.org, 74% of fatal bicycle crashes involve head injuries, and 97% of those riders are not wearing a helmet. Always wear a helmet. It could save your life.
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Features
Frame
The frame material is a key issue. Steel is robust and extremely durable, though it’s comparatively heavy. That’s not really a problem if you’re a casual rider, and it’s a good, low-cost choice. If you’re a more competitive rider, you’ll be looking to reduce that weight. Aluminum alloy is lighter, still very strong, and an excellent choice for mid-range bikes. Carbon fiber gives the best combination of weight and strength, but it’s expensive, something for serious amateurs and pros.
Gears
The gearing on all Schwinn men’s bikes comes from Shimano, the market leader. A number of Schwinn models come with a choice of one, three, or seven gears. If you ride on level city streets, you don’t need the complexity of multiple gear sets, and you can save yourself a few bucks, too. The type of shifter varies — either paddle or twist grips — but all are positioned on the handlebar or brake levers where they offer the best ergonomics.
Brakes
Again, Shimano. Rim brakes (also called caliper brakes) or disk brakes are used, depending on the cycle style. Which is best is a common question, and we’ve answered that below. We’re confident that Schwinn has plenty of experience in knowing which works most efficiently to stop a particular bike!
Seat
The style of the seat, or saddle, can vary considerably, too, from ultra-thin lightweight supports on the carbon-framed road machines to comfortably padded and sprung models on retros and hybrids. Bear in mind that if you buy a cheap men’s bike, the saddle is an easy and relatively inexpensive item to upgrade.
Mudguards
If you’re using a bike for commuting to work or going out with friends, you might want to think about a model that has full mudguards, though bikes supplied without them still have fender mounts, so you could add them if necessary.
Rack
A built-in rack is also useful for small items like a backpack and makes it easy to add a basket or panniers if you want more carrying capacity.
If you’re buying a bike for town or touring use, a rear rack can be useful as a support for a basket or panniers.
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Accessories
Bike lock: Titanker Bike Cable Lock
A good bike lock is vital for keeping your Schwinn bike safe when it’s unattended. This PVC-coated steel cable is flexible enough to make it easy to attach, there’s a combination lock so you don’t have to worry about keys, and it comes with a convenient bracket for on-bike storage.
Helmet: Schwinn Thrasher Lightweight Bicycle Helmet
Protect yourself from potentially lethal head injuries with a stylish and comfortable helmet from the same brand that makes your bike. There’s a quick and easy dial adjustment system for fit and comfort, air vents to keep you cool, and a choice of a dozen colors to match your ride.
Trailer: Pacific Cycle Schwinn Trailblazer Double Trailer
This clever trailer holds two kids (or pets) and doubles as a stroller. The simple universal coupling fits any Schwinn bike. When you’re not using it, the whole thing folds flat for easy storage. The canopy features both a bug screen and a weather shield. Perfect for family days out.
Did You Know?
Can’t get outside as often as you’d like? Schwinn also sells high-quality upright and recumbent exercise bikes.
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Men’s Schwinn bike prices
Inexpensive
Given Schwinn’s reputation for high quality, you might be surprised to find that its men’s bikes start at around $250, and there are several mountain, cruiser, and folding bikes for under $300.
Mid-range
Between $300 and $800 you have an enormous choice: any style you can think of, including trikes and high-performance road bikes.
Expensive
Schwinn’s carbon-fiber framed racers cost around $1,500, and the men’s electric bikes range from $1,500 to $3,500. Quite an investment, but still very competitive.
FAQ
Q. How do I know if a Schwinn men’s bike is going to be big enough for me?
A. Bikes with 26-, 27.5-, or 29-inch or 700C wheels are designed for adult use. Seat height has plenty of adjustment, and if you’re particularly tall, extended seat posts are available. On some models Schwinn quotes a “suggested rider height” to assist you, and on others a variety of frame sizes are offered, with charts to assist you. If you’re concerned, you might also want to check customer feedback, which often answers questions related to an individual’s height and weight.
Q. Why do suburban/city bikes have fewer gears than mountain or road bikes?
A. Gears allow you to maintain a comfortable cadence (pedaling speed) whether you’re going along the flat or up and down hills. Road racers and off-roaders are likely to come across a greater variety of inclines or terrain, so, in general, they have more low-gear options. Urban riders don’t need so many choices. Fewer gears can often mean reduced cost, too.
Q. Are disk brakes better than rim brakes?
A. It’s not really a question of “better” but of which is more appropriate to the kind of bicycle. The big advantage of disk brakes is when it’s wet, because they clear water more quickly. As a result, they’re popular on mountain bikes. In competitive road racing, they make changing wheels quicker in the event of a puncture. However, they’re complex and heavier than rim brakes. Rim brakes are cheaper and are still an efficient way of stopping a bike, so they remain popular.
