Feedback of Schwinn bike

[Sumit]

Hello All,

One of my friend has decided to buy Schwinn Searcher sports hybrid
bike. Does anyone in our group owns the mentioned model or any of the
schwinn's model? If yes please provide the feedback as I could not
find it in the net.

Regards
Sumit

[deepakvrao]

I went with a friend when he bought the entry level Schwinn [without
shocks], on my recommendation for small commutes and short excercise
rides. His budget was 10 and he stretched a bit. It looks like a nice
bike for the price and he has about 300km or so on it and is happy.

I have not ridden it long myself though.

[Ranjan Kulkarni]

Hi Sumit,
I'd bought Schwinn Sporterra and after 100kms of riding, I'd have to say that it is simply great. The feeling is just brilliant. The only differences I believe b/w sporterra and searcher sport are with the number of gears (8 *3 in Searcher Sport  where as 7 * 3 in Sporterra) and front suspension ( searcher sport has one where as sporterra doesn't, which might be useful for off-trail riding, ask experts here, they would shed light on it).The only gripe I have is to do with the comfort level of the seat.I am not sure how it is on other bikes but an hour or so after rides, my bum usually begins to kill me. The first couple of days were literally pain in the ... . ,you know where. but as days have gone by, I have got used to it either due to numbness (which is not good) or the seat has accepted me as a Toruk Makto. Anyways, I enjoy it so much so that I've been visiting relatives who I haven't seen for ages just so I get to ride to their homes. If a 13k bike is so comfortable I can't imagine how a 25k bike would feel. I am not making any prentensions but I really feel this is an awsome bike at such a affordable price. If I were your friend's friend, I'd drag him to the shop and will get him one.

--
biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)

are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?
Visit www.bangalorebicyclechampionships.com for more details

[Georg Leuzinger]

Hi sumit and Ranjan
i had recently looked at the Schwinn Sporterra at RR cycles Y'Pur and found it a good bike and can recommend it very much as entry model for its price and specs and the way its made.
saddles and pedals:
these are 2 items no brand gives good pieces as they are the components which every owner will  and must change first to suit his/her personal taste. in other words, these 2 items are usually crap in any new bike you buy form a store, you simply have to find out what suits you , your taste and requirement. you just cant find a saddle that is comfortable for all types of riders and you cant find pedals that suit all riders, each  will personalise and customize very soon. this is one of the tricks of the trade  every where in the world.
so dont judge a bike by its pedals and saddle!
Georg

[Ranjan Kulkarni]

Thanks for confirming it Georg.

[Sumit]

Thanks Deepak, Ranjan and George for their feedback and advice. It is
really helpful as there are not much discussion about this bike,
atleast I could not find, I will forward this to my friend.

Thanks again,

regards
Sumit

On Mar 7, 9:37 pm, Ranjan Kulkarni <ranjankulka...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks for confirming it Georg.
>
>
>
> On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 4:16 PM, Georg Leuzinger <gk.l...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > Hi sumit and Ranjan
> > i had recently looked at the Schwinn Sporterra at RR cycles Y'Pur and found
> > it a good bike and can recommend it very much as entry model for its price
> > and specs and the way its made.

> > *saddles and pedals:*

> > these are 2 items no brand gives good pieces as they are the components
> > which every owner will  and must change first to suit his/her personal
> > taste. in other words, these 2 items are usually crap in any new bike you
> > buy form a store, you simply have to find out what suits you , your taste
> > and requirement. you just cant find a saddle that is comfortable for all
> > types of riders and you cant find pedals that suit all riders, each  will
> > personalise and customize very soon. this is one of the tricks of the trade
> > every where in the world.

> > *so dont judge a bike by its pedals and saddle!*
> > Georg

>
> > On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 9:16 PM, Ranjan Kulkarni <ranjankulka...@gmail.com>wrote:
>
> >> Hi Sumit,
> >> I'd bought Schwinn Sporterra and after 100kms of riding, I'd have to say
> >> that it is simply great. The feeling is just brilliant. The only differences
> >> I believe b/w sporterra and searcher sport are with the number of gears (8
> >> *3 in Searcher Sport  where as 7 * 3 in Sporterra) and front suspension (
> >> searcher sport has one where as sporterra doesn't, which might be useful for
> >> off-trail riding, ask experts here, they would shed light on it).The only
> >> gripe I have is to do with the comfort level of the seat.I am not sure how
> >> it is on other bikes but an hour or so after rides, my bum usually begins to
> >> kill me. The first couple of days were literally pain in the ... . ,you know
> >> where. but as days have gone by, I have got used to it either due to
> >> numbness (which is not good) or the seat has accepted me as a Toruk Makto.
> >> Anyways, I enjoy it so much so that I've been visiting relatives who I
> >> haven't seen for ages just so I get to ride to their homes. If a 13k bike is
> >> so comfortable I can't imagine how a 25k bike would feel. I am not making
> >> any prentensions but I really feel this is an awsome bike at such a
> >> affordable price. If I were your friend's friend, I'd drag him to the shop
> >> and will get him one.
>

> >> On Sun, Mar 7, 2010 at 1:38 PM, deepakvrao <deepakv...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >>> I went with a friend when he bought the entry level Schwinn [without
> >>> shocks], on my recommendation for small commutes and short excercise
> >>> rides. His budget was 10 and he stretched a bit. It looks like a nice
> >>> bike for the price and he has about 300km or so on it and is happy.
>
> >>> I have not ridden it long myself though.
>
> >>> On Mar 7, 6:24 pm, Sumit <sumit.fig...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>> > Hello All,
>
> >>> > One of my friend has decided to buy Schwinn Searcher sports hybrid
> >>> > bike. Does anyone in our group owns the mentioned model or any of the
> >>> > schwinn's model? If yes please provide the feedback as I could not
> >>> > find it in the net.
>
> >>> > Regards
> >>> > Sumit
>
> >>> --
> >>> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> >>> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> >>> Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details

>
> >>  --
> >> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> >> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> >> Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[Ramanan RV]

Hello All,
Well a quick introduction about my biking habits!.
I have been hooked to this group for the past 2 years after I bought a Firfox Target and enjoyed using it quite a lot.
I had been mainly using it for fitness rides (no off roads) in and around marthahalli ORR and varthur. Now the bike is sold and am looking for a new bike.
 
Now coming to my query/issue/confusion....
I am looking for a hybrid because I dont see a need for a MTB. Now initially i had shortlisted Schwinn seacher sport which comes to around 17k approx. On paper the bike looks impresive but could not get any user reviews for the same.I had almost decided on it, then I came across this beauty called Trek 7.1 FX, a perfect hybrid bike which is just 2k or so more.
Well, when I decide to get this home, our friends from BOTS say that it wont be available untill May this year (shucks) and firefox showroom (near forum) has one but the frame size does not match me and the person there claims it would be available in a couple of days (its been 2 weeks already) and I am sure I would be made to wait untill May, in which case I would happily pick it up from BOTS. In short I just cannot stand this waiting game any more.
 
So now,experts out there, please tell me..should I wait for Trek 7.1 OR get this "unproven' Shwinn. This thread was defintly helpful in knowing about the later, but still I am confused.
Or is there any other good hybrid I should consider apart from the mentioned?
 
Thanks a lot,
Venkat

[Shashi GK]

Hi venkat... I would just you to wait.. and until then try to get a
bike for a rent.. I am sure BOTS or wheelsport might help you on
this... cheers... shashi..

[Ramanan RV]

Hi Sanjeev,

Since it is only for commuting, hybrid bikes are best suitable for Bangalore road conditions (my perception). Much lighter, faster and should be effortless compared to a MTB. Again a good quality hybrid is recommended and I belive that Trek 7.1 fx or 7100 should be ideal.

 

Hybrid bike rentals? any pointers?

 

Regards,

Venkat.

[Padiki Manjunath]

On that topic ... for city condition how would one compare an MTB with
slicks to hybrid of similar quality.

I am referring to Crossway 20v Vs Merida 40v/md ... OR ... Trek 7100
Vs trek 4300/d.

since i am not looking at any major adventure in the coming few months
... thanks to a change of job ... was in two minds on going ahead with
an MTB and was considering a hybrid.

While heart still gravitates towards MTB (with slicks) ... need inputs
for the head to take a stance.

I am looking at commuting to office at Ulsoor lake from Hosakerehalli
... around 13kms one way. Been doing this distance once a week on Hero
Thunder ... but is a little tiring with a backpack and all.

Peace

M

> --
> biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

[Pradeep Murthy]

I ride a trek 6000 with semi-slicks and my wife has a 7100. I havent seen major differences between the two in normal riding conditions (road). The 7100 has larger wheels though, so it can cover more ground theoretically. The tyres are also pumped up to a higher PSI, so some difference there too. on the other hand, the 6000 has 27 gears as opposed to 21 on the 7100, so I can reach higher speeds assuming I pedal enough.
nothing major in use though,

PM

[Pankaj C]

> difference there too. on the other hand, the 6000 has 27 gears as
> opposed to 21 on the 7100, so I can reach higher speeds assuming I pedal
> enough.

A higher number of gear combination does not necessary mean more speed
for the same pedal rpm.
Max speed depends upon the number of teeth on your chainring and
cassette.
I am guessing that the Hybrid should have a bigger chainring than a
MTB and hence Hybrid should be faster for the same cadence helped by
less weight and less rolling friction.

Cheers
Pankaj

> > On Thu, Mar 11, 2010 at 5:16 PM, Ramanan RV <ramanan...@gmail.com> wrote:
> > > Hi Sanjeev,
> > > Since it is only for commuting, hybrid bikes are best suitable for Bangalore
> > > road conditions (my perception). Much lighter, faster and should be
> > > effortless compared to a MTB. Again a good quality hybrid is recommended and
> > > I belive that Trek 7.1 fx or 7100 should be ideal.
>
> > > Hybrid bike rentals? any pointers?
>
> > > Regards,
> > > Venkat.
>
> > > --
> > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

[Yogesh N. Rao]

That's correct. Hybrid = Road Bike + MTB Handlebar for comfort.

7100 has 28/38/48 teeth on its crank. Roadbikes go as high as 52! The wheel size is 700X35c (http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/displayBike/trek-7100). For every full pedal (360 degree turn), your crank will make the wheel rotate more number of times and the larger wheel will help cover longer distance (proved by the good old circumference of a circle formula = 2 X pi X r). Full specs are at: http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/displayBike/trek-7100

Compare that to roadies who have 52 teeth crank and can get even more!

On Fri, Mar 12, 2010 at 10:24 AM, Pankaj C <pankaj.c...@gmail.com> wrote:

> difference there too. on the other hand, the 6000 has 27 gears ash

[Sudhir P]

Having ridden ~7500 km on a Crossway 10V (most of it putting 23c tires on it), and ~5000km on a Trek 4300, i would defintely vote for an MTB...

Reasons:

hybrid tyres and tubes are harder to get in bangalore (which might change in the future).... Then u switch to roadie tyres and tubes (roadie tubes although fit hybrid tyres, once u get a flat, the patches pop out when u inflate)....... So, when you have worn out ur original hybrid tyres, u'll end up buying roadie tyres...... And then, ur bike will essentially be a roadbike w a straight handlebar, albeit heavier, and  havin relaxed geometry..... This is not too bad though, in fact a really amazing you-get-what-you-pay-for alternative to a roadbike.... but u wont be able to do the mild trails tat ur hybrid can afford

An MTB with spare slicks is a much more versatile bike as a whole...... And can accomodate ur possible change of plans once u've bought ur cycle.......(Trust me, that happens a lot)

And if u plan on exploring places when u tour, then an MTB will give u the freedom to just head off the road through those bushes into a faraway lake, etc.

-sud

p.s: although most of the 5000km i've done on the 4300 have been on road, the few hundreds of km of trails it has seen, makes those tours more fun, as i could explore around without any hindrances

--
================================
Sudhir.P
Blog : http://roastedneutrons.blogspot.com
Photoblog : http://roastedphotons.blogspot.com
Comic strip: http://ktpdq.blogspot.com

I do not suffer from insanity......
I enjoy it!
================================

[Eshwar]

Agree to Pankaj's point... It's just not the no of gears.
But I have a concern about hybrids (I am actually looking to buy one
very soon)
I was looking at this sheldon brown website's calculation of the gear
and gain ratio's (http://sheldonbrown.com/gears/)
Theoretically, @90rpm and in high gear of 48/14 and for a tire 700X38,
the speed indicated is 40kmph for a 7 speed bike (Trek 7100, Schwinn
sporterra, Schwinn searcher)
and this increases if you have a 8 speed bike with 48/11 (schwinn
searcher sport) to 51.1kmph @90rpm
The obvious thing is the rider must be able to pedal, even if he
pedals I have a doubt if the hybrids can race at this high speed?? If
yes has anyone tried so?? :) Since these bikes are capable of
travelling as fast as a motorbike, are the v-brakes safe enough?

Regards,
Eshwar
http://www.google.com/profiles/eshwar13

On Mar 12, 10:35 am, "Yogesh N. Rao" <yna...@gmail.com> wrote:
> That's correct. Hybrid = Road Bike + MTB Handlebar for comfort.
>
> 7100 has 28/38/48 teeth on its crank. Roadbikes go as high as 52! The wheel
> size is 700X35c (http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/displayBike/trek-7100). For
> every full pedal (360 degree turn), your crank will make the wheel rotate
> more number of times and the larger wheel will help cover longer distance
> (proved by the good old circumference of a circle formula = 2 X pi X r).
> Full specs are at:http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/displayBike/trek-7100
>
> Compare that to roadies who have 52 teeth crank and can get even more!
>

> > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformore details- Hide

[Arun J]

I have the Schwinn - Searcher Sport (Hybrid) bike.  The difference comparing w/ MTB is very obvious, when you ride in road conditions esp larger rims, lockable shocks, Gear shift, thinner tyres, light weight, handle bars and of course the crank ratio(48/38/28t) mentioned in details below.  I am sure these hybrid's come with more comfortable seat and head angle meant to feel compact when riding in road conditions (longer & uniform rides).  With MTBs one will be able to take sharp turns which would be difficult in this one.

I have not used any similar bikes or MTB before to really compare by attributes.  But for driving to office in the roads is very simple than I had imagined. 

~JAK

[Ramprasad]

Hi Eshwar,

I have done max speed of 40.9 KMPH on my ACT 110 today morning while coming to office !!!

Its possible to reach high speeds on Hybrid but obviously you got to push/pull your pedals good enough.

thnx...Ram

[Pankaj C]

Any speed on any kind of bike is possible provided you can maintain
the required cadence according to the calculator.
Practically, for the same gear combination (teeth wise), it is easier
to maintain a cadence (say 90 rpm) on a road bike then say on a hybrid
or MTB.
The ease is because of the lesser weight, lesser rolling resistance
and more aerodynamic positioning on a road bike.

Cheers
Pankaj

> > > > > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformoredetails- Hide

> > > > quoted text -
>
> > > > > - Show quoted text -
>
> > > > --
> > > > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > > > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > > > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comformore details

>
> > --
> > biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
>
> > are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

> > Visitwww.bangalorebicyclechampionships.comfor more details- Hide quoted text -

[Nalla P Konar]

I second with Ram and Pankaj,
More gears just gives good gear ratio and thereby more options to tackle the gradients etc.
But speed depends on the cadence, gear teeths, tire width and gradient etc.

I have clocked 60.0 kmph on my Trek 4300 MTB (with knobby tires not slicks i.e. 26*2.0 width). Ofcourse this was in a slight downhill slope, it was at the Banaswadi underpass on ORR. At that speed i was on top gear i.e 24th and i could have attained more speed as the gears were supporting me to pedal more (and not become resistance free).

BTW, the drainage cover rails at the underpass are really crazy, the bars are verticals instead of horizontals. Its a sure shot accident spot for roadies as the thin tires can get stuck, so be careful there.

Rgds,
Nalla.

[Yogesh N. Rao]

You know what? I noticed something similar in the Rajaji Nagar underpass on Chord road as well. Me and Manju were coming back from our ride to Hessarghatta and saw the grates covering drainage running vertical as against horizontal. Any one know someone in BBMP? We could perhaps request them to get these death traps fixed.

I have heard that the gap between the bars in Banaswadi is wide enough for a Knobby wide tire to go through. Not sure if this is an urban legend. I can't imagine what could happen to a man's sensitive organs (that are closer to the seat) if his bike were to suddenly and unexpectedly drop by a feet! Ouch!!!

Thanks,
Yogesh.

--

biking conversations on the world famous "Bangalore Bikers Club" :)
 
are you a part of the bicycle racing scene?

[Nalla P Konar]

No yogesh, the gap is not that wide.. i zoomed through it at 60 kmph :)
Roadies will have problem for sure, hybrids i am not sure.
Rgds,
Nalla.