Schwinn Mesa GS Adult Mountain Bike Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this for my son for Christmas and it seems very solid. It wasn't too hard to put together, but the handlebar assembly was backwards and had to be redone. This bike had good reviews on some mountain bike review sites and it looks like it is a very solid bike, especially for the price range. It is not top of the line, but you are paying a bargain price for mid-level components on a decent aluminum frame.

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Outfitted with a Schwinn N-Litened Gold Label TIG welded aluminum frame with off-road, ride-tuned geometry, the Schwinn Mesa GS adult mountain bike is versatile enough for both dirt and street riding. The bike is set up with such features as an Answer/Manitou six-coil sprung travel fork with mini boots, a TruVative X-Flow 42/32/22 chain rings crankset, eight-speed Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, an SR/Suntour XCC-202 front derailleur and a Shimano Deore rear derailleur, Shimano EF-29 brake levers with Tektro linear pull brakes, and a Schwinn WTB Speed V sport saddle. The components combine to deliver a smooth, responsive riding experience and sure stopping power in a pinch. Schwinn also added a pair of water bottle mounts to keep you hydrated.
Specifications:
Size(s): S (15") M (17") L (19") XL (21")
Frame: NLitened Gold Label Custom Drawn Aluminum alloy Off-Road Ride-Tuned geometry, Zero Stack head tube, 3x gussets, sloping top tube, wishbone Epicenter seat stays, replaceable der. hanger, disc brake mount, rack and WB fittings.
Fork: Rockshox J1, Aluminum lowers, Coil / MCU spring, pre-load adjust, and mini-boots, 100mm travel
Crankset: TruVativ X-Flow alloy arms, 42-32-22 Cr-Mo rings
Bottom Bracket: TruVativ sealed cartridge square taper 68 x 113 w/ chainline stabilizer
Pedals: ATB Resin body, Boron steel axle, Steel cage. Toe-clip adaptable.
Front Derailleur: SRAM 3.0 31.8 top pull
Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX-5
Shifters: SRAM SX-4 dual trigger control
Freewheel: SRAM Power Glide 8-speed cassette 11-32
Chain: Shimano CN-IG51
Rims: Jalco double wall alloy w/ CNC "SSD" sidewalls to improve wet braking, 32H
Tires: WTB 26" x 2.1" Velociraptor Front and Rear specific tread pattern.
Front Hub: JY Alloy Weather Sealed w/ alloy QR
Rear Hub: JY Alloy Weather Sealed Cassette 8-speed QR, 32H
Spokes: Stainless steel 14 gauge
Front Brake: Tektro Linear Pull w/ 64mm MC pads and linear springs
Rear Brake: Tektro Linear Pull w/ 64mm MC pads and linear springs
Brake Levers: Tektro all-alloy w/ forged lever and reach adjustment
Handlebar: Schwinn 6061 T6. 32 mm Rise, 5 degree bend, 620 mm wide
Stem: Schwinn Ride Tuned alloy threadless,10 degree rise with forged 4-bolt front load cap.
Grips: Schwinn double density Kraton / Gel
Headset: FPD Threadless semi-integrated Aheadset 1 1/8"
Saddle: WTB Speed V Sport w/ Comfort Zone
Seat Post: Forged Alloy Ride Tuned, micro adjust 26.8 x 350
Seat Clamp: Alloy Low-Profile QR w/ forged clamp

About Schwinn Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon that has been synonymous with quality and innovation. They have built some of the best-known and best loved bikes of numerous generations--Aerocycle, Paramount, Phantom, Varsity, Sting-Ray, Krate and Homegrown. Today, Schwinn continues to be a leader in the industry with innovative bikes such as the new Sting-Ray, Rocket mountain bikes, and Fastback road bikes. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America's most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation, freedom and performance to people of all ages.
Assembly of the Bike: This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.
Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide Finding the Right Bike To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:
The Right Ride In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels, and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing, and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.
Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultralightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:
Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half, and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:
Helmet (this is a must!)
Seat pack
Lock
Hydration pack, or water bottle and bottle cage
Spare tubes
Portable bike pump
Gloves

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Men’s Forge Sawback 5xx Mountain Dirt Bike - Charcoal (19") Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Let me start out by saying that this is my first review for any of the many purchases I have made through Amazon.com. I never write reviews, but for this purchase, I felt the need to spread my story.
I will list my opinions, observations and experiences with each major part of the bike. As for me, I just started trail riding, but have been working with bicycles my entire life. I used to be a hardcore BMX freestyle rider, and I always put the quality of a bike and its components, comfort, and dependability before anything else. (Safety is important as well, but IMO, if it meets those three, it will be safe :) )
Frame: Appearance wise, it looks really good. It is definitely a different color than most bikes on and off the road. Almost like a light navy gray. The paint has held up pretty good so far, although I am extremely rough on this bike. Its already got a few scratches and dings, but no chipping or anything horrible. The welds are perfect, and I mean perfect. I have seen many bikes in this price range, and no welds have looked this good. The frame is very rigid, it doesn't have any give when jumping a curb or random log. It has drilled and tapped holes for two water bottle mounts, and for a rear rack. Overall, I give the frame 9/10. Minus one point not having more size options, even though it's perfect for me (5'11").
Tires: The tires are great for off-road/trail use. They will work on pavement, but you will quickly notice a really loud roar. I have already gotten one flat tube, from a really tiny thorn. I wouldn't expect these to handle a whole bunch of abuse, but for the average trail and road rider, they are fine. The tread is about half way gone, but I have put about 500 miles, on and off road. I give the tires 6/10. Better than a Wal-Mart tire, but not the best.
Rims: Awesomeness. Very, very tough. I have given these rims hell, and they keep on spinning. Light and just the right amount of give. WTB rims are some of my favorites. 9/10. Hubs are on the smaller side, but so far, super awesome.
Brakes: Super awesomeness! The brakes work amazingly well, wet or dry, dusty or clean. No noise, until about a week ago. My front disk is starting to make some vibration noise, but I haven't looked into it yet. Might be time to tighten it up. I bought a $250 bike from Wal-Mart.com that had disk brakes, and Lord... they were soooooo annoying! A loud screech at every stop. These are pretty great for the money. 8/10. Super strong.
Drivetrain: Gears. Gears. Gears. Times nine, equals, 27! Math is fun... Gears are fun... This bike can climb some STEEP hills... With no effort... Sitting down. No slips, no grinds, came perfectly tuned, and I almost couldn't stop riding. The Shifters work great, but there are no numbers on the display. Just an arrow and some lines. They work well though. Buttery. Like a burnt piece of toast with ice cream and butter on top. Or, like a finely tuned bicycle. 9/10. Keep it oiled...
OVERALL: "This bike feels really tight, well-made." My sister.
"Nice wheels!" Some guy in a park.
And I couldn't find better words. This is a great bicycle, and is overly well worth the money. Price some of it's components online and in local shops, and your mouth will look like this...... O ....... round-mouth, lol. Seat and grips are okay, but what the crap, it's a seat and grips. Overall, I get great satisfaction every time I ride this bicycle. I think you will, too.
LOCK IT UP WITH BIG CHAINS AND U-LOCKS!!!! PEOPLE CUT CABLES WITH ONE HAND, WHILE WAVING AT THE POLICE!!!!!!!!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Men’s Forge Sawback 5xx Mountain Dirt Bike - Charcoal (19")

The Forge Sawback 5xx hard-tail mountain bike has been recognized by mountain bikers countrywide as a bike with an exceptional value. This bike offers brand name components and is awesome on dirt trails and single tracks. Shimano Deore drivetrain and shifters with a Truvativ ISOflow crankset, RockShox Dart 1, dual AVID BB-5 mechanical disc brakes and a lightweight aluminum double-butted frame provide superb stability, control, power and responsiveness. Sawback 5xx uses well-recognized WTB products such as: WTB SpeedDisc XC Rims, a Pure V Sport saddle and grips. 19" frame stands over 31.7H" fits most riders 5’9" to 6’1". Note: Frame size is determined by measuring the distance from the center of the bottom bracket (the bolt that locks in the crank) to the top of the seat tube. Stand-over height is determined by measuring the distance from the ground to the top tube. A bike that you ride only on paved surfaces and never take off road should give you a minimum stand-over height clearance of 2", a bike that you ride on unpaved surfaces should give you a minimum of 3" of stand-over height clearance and a bike that you ride off road should give you a minimum of 4" of stand-over height clearance.

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