700c Men's Schwinn Varsity Road Bike 4.1 5 185 197
Amazing value I was a little hesitant to consider this bike after reading a few reviews, but I went to the store to check it out and decided to buy it.You really can't go wrong for the price. Basically a bike is a frame and components, and most of the complaints I read here were related to the components. The frame is very light and seems to be very well designed and built. For just above $200, you really can't complain about the components. They are cheap, but that's why the bike is a value.Some people had complained about the shifters being separate from the brake levers, but the ones they describe retail for more than the price of this bike, so you won't see them on anything that sells in this range. Also, someone mentioned cables stretching? You need to adjust a bike occasionally so don't condemn the bike because you don't maintain it.When I got this I had to tweak a few things at home, although they are all part of my weekly maintenance routine anyway. I may be a bit more handy than some people but I don't think anything I did is beyond the abilities of the average person.The wheels needed mild truing and the tire pressure was way below 100psi, the rear derailer cable needed slight tightening, the front derailer limits needed to be adjusted and cable needed tightening, the brakes needed a mild adjustment, and the handlebar stem needed to be tightened. I found instructions on how to do all this online and check these items every week, very easy to tighten a cable, you just twist the barrel adjuster a few clicks.The bike runs great and I couldn't be happier with it. I have to say that once the brakes, shifting, and wheels are all dialed in this is a very nice riding bike that is really easy to put the miles on. Will I upgrade at some point to a high end bike? Sure, but until that point I'm really happy with this because it allowed me to get into the sport for fairly small money.I probably average around 20 miles a day on it and in the month I've owned it have probably clocked close to 500 miles on it. The only issue I have is the seat. This bike absolutely should come with a prostate friendly seat. I put one on after the first day. Schwinn should not be shipping these with any other seat design, period. 04/08/2010
This really is an incredible value for $200. The fame welds are beautiful. Rims are quite sturdy and fairly true. The weakest link is the shifters but they do work. I wanted it as a commuter and there isn't a rear lug for mounting a rack so I just drilled the frame and everything is fine. It's a really nice bike for $200. 12/14/2007
Great Bike! I just rode this bike in the Tour de Tucson 2008 and I loved every mile. I currently have about 45 miles on it. I had the bike delivered on the Monday before the ride and flew it out with me in the shipping box on Friday morning and rode the 35 mile Saturday. The only thing I would change on it would be the seat. I was very nervous riding this bike for the first time in a ride. I loaded up with extra tubes and prepared for the worst, but I didn't have a single problem! Sunday morning, I boxed the bicycle up, again back in the Schwinn box and flew it back home with me. I was really pleased with the shifting and my overall experience. I got used to the foot straps very quickly. My top speed (downhill) was 33 mph and I averaged about 15-19 mph on the flats. I did remove the kickstand for the ride. As far as negatives: The assembly instructions are really terrible. Schwinn really could do better for such a nice bicycle. Also, because of the poor instructions and pictures, I could never really tell if I had the front reflector on properly and it interfered with some cabling, so I just took it off in frustration. Otherwise I loved the quick release brake mechanism, the weight is nice, I felt it was very fast and I'm really very satisfied with my first road bicycle. I think this is a great way to try the sport. By the way, I did the tour with regular gym shorts, so I'm sure if I had padded shorts, the seat would have been a little less rough on my bottom. Again, thanks Wal-Mart for helping me try a sport that I thought I was priced out of! 11/25/2008
seadog goes riding. the reason i bought this bike from wal-mart was the value. i know this bike well, and iam highly satisfied with the product. you can spend more money, but i doubt you can buy more bike. thanks wal-mart.seadog. 07/12/2007
