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(More customer reviews)Before Christmas I was halfheartedly shopping around on the Internet looking for a new bicycle. The fixed gear bikes were appealing because of their mechanical simplicity. But at the age of sixty-two, the skinny tires, drop handlebars, and toe-clip pedals no longer hold the same appeal that they once held (when I was younger I gladly purchased a hand-built Italian racing bicycle because the five-time winner of the Tour de France used the same brand and model).
Three days before Christmas I spotted the Schwinn Excursion that had almost exactly all the features that I was looking for. The handlebars are upright (I am more interested now in enjoying the scenery rather than counting pebbles). The tires are not too skinny nor too fat (700CX40C with Schrader valve stems, the valve stems are extra long to accommodate the aerodynamic rims). The pedals are flat and can be used on either side (plus they are metal, not cheap plastic).
But the most impressive piece of equipment is the three-speed Sturmey-Archer rear hub. I have owned about six bicycles with this hub, the last one about thirty years ago. It is a very reliable hub and requires very little maintenance. When I lived in PA, I used it to climb many hills (including route 44 between Elimsport and Collomsville!). Now that I live in FL, the three gears are more than sufficient (a 40-tooth chain ring and a 20-tooth free wheel produce approximately 40.5, 54, and 72 inch gear ratios). I was delighted to learn that the hub is still available (it has an interesting one-hundred-year history which can be found on the Internet).
I suspect that many people are impressed by the number of speeds a bicycle has when they are purchasing a new bicycle. So they purchase a 21-speed bicycle, for example. But judging from the riders at typical trails and recreational areas, very few people know how to use all those speeds. Many people would be better off with a simple hub like the Sturmey Archer. One problem with the hub is that few people know how to adjust it. The process is very simple. However, the manuals sent with the Excursion are not specific, but rather contain general information for several Schwinn models. Consequently, a number of owners have had trouble with the gears (and other assembly procedures).
I would have preferred the trigger shifter, but the twist-grip shifter is much less vulnerable to damage. One improvement in the newer hub is that the shifter chain rides on a little pulley which decreases friction and improves the shifting.
There were only a few problems with putting the bike together. The rear brake was very "sticky" and practically useless. However, lubricating the inside brake cable resolved this problem. I would have preferred side-pull brakes, but the brakes are very easy to adjust and are securely mounted to the frame and work very well. Another problem was a bent adjusting barrel on the left brake handle, but a call to the dealer produced a very satisfactory result. They sent a complete new brake handle!
The decals on the rims were gaudy and left a stubborn residue of sticky stuff behind when removed. But all these problems were minor in view of all the good features.
The bicycle includes fenders, a kick stand, a rear rack, and a chain guard. The hand grips are extra wide and very comfortable to the hands. The wheels came very well centered, better than most new bikes! The front hub has a quick release lever; the bearings were a bit tight. The seat post has a built in suspension. The frame is a one-size-fits-all and the seat post probably would not adjust high enough for tall riders. However, the seat post fits very smoothly into the down tube. Some bikes are too loose or too tight (which means you have to pry the down tube opening apart to adjust the seat post or put a big scratch on it). This easy adjustment is very helpful if you need to adjust the seat post for another rider who is a different height and you have no tools around (the post is secured by a quick release lever).
The seat is fairly well padded and should suffice for riders who use this type of saddle frequently. Less frequent riders will probably want to replace it with a bigger and more padded saddle. I have no plans to replace the original saddle.
The front forks are Sun Tour suspension forks and, with the suspension seat post, provide adequate shock absorption. The handle bars can be removed easily by removing four screws. This is so much easier than removing everything (tape, shifters, brake levers) from one side of the handlebars. The handlebar stem adjusts up and down. (This is another adjustment that was not clearly described in the manual.) The pivot screws on the side of the stem are NOT the ones to adjust the height. The adjusting bolt is hidden underneath and works very well.
The handlebar stem does NOT adjust up and down in the head tube. The vertical bolt that holds the handlebars also hold all the headset (steering) bearings in place. This is a new arrangement to me, but it seems to works quite well. (If you loosen the vertical bolt, the entire fork is loosed from the rest of the bicycle.)
The main features of the bike are an aluminum frame, stainless steel spokes, and alloy components (the chain ring is steel). That's an impressive list for a bicycle in this price range.
I have only had a chance to ride the Excursion a few times, but it has been very satisfactory. If I had to sit down and design a complete bicycle from the ground up, it would pretty much be like the Schwinn Excursion. To find so many desirable features on a ready made bike was a very pleasant surprise. In the parlance of my childhood, I am "tickled to death" with it. If it were possible to somehow measure units of pleasure per dollar spent, I think my measure would far exceed that of anyone who has spent thousands of dollars on the latest and greatest racing bicycle. If I find the bicycle fails to perform well over a longer period of time, I plan to add comments to this review.
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Schwinn Excursion Men's Hybrid Bike (700c Wheels)The perfect lightweight hybrid bike for comfortable cruising on the road and trail, to work or the next town over, the Schwinn Excursion Men's Hybrid Bike with 700c wheels is offered at a great value and comes equipped with many convenient features, including a rear rack for storage. The bike is lightweight, maneuverable, and responsive on road a trail. This is a perfect bike for a casual rider who would like to get there and back safely and in comfort.
Boasting a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum frame, the Schwinn Excursion's front suspension fork and suspension seat post are designed to absorb the bumps of the road for you, keeping your ride smooth and comfortable. With a Sturney Archer three-speed internal shifting system, the bike can adjust easily for steeper grades and uneven terrain. The ProMax alloy linear pull brakes provide optimum control as you ride. The bikes lightweight, alloy wheels are built to last, and the fenders protect the rider from road spray and debris.
Specifications:
Bike Type: Comfort and Cruiser
Aluminum hybrid frame with front suspension fork
Sturney Archer three-speed internal shifting system
ProMax alloy linear pull brakes
Alloy wheels
Suspension seat post
Fenders
Alloy rear rack
Meets or exceeds all CPSC (US Consumer Product Safety Commission) regulations
Measures: 53.5 x 8.5 x 33.5 inches (L x W x H)
Assembly of the Bike: This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.
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.
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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