Dorel Industries-owned Schwinn is one of the biggest hitters in the road bike sector. Both their discount and signature bike lines have a vast market command globally. But are Schwinn road bikes good?
Schwinn road bikes are good because they come in lighter yet stronger frames with good warranties. The road bikes also employ smooth-riding technology and decent replaceable parts.
The best part is that Schwinn road bikes come in various sizes to suit different cyclists, and there is a road bike at every price point.
But does that make the road cycles flawless? The answer is NO, as you’ll learn in this review.
But when you compare the good and the bad, the good wins, and that’s my argument. I’ll, however, discuss both sides to help you decide for yourself.
In a rush? Then check out the hottest Schwinn road bicycles on the Amazon hotlist below.
6 Best Schwinn Road Bikes
- Schwinn Fastback Performance: Best Schwinn Race Bike
- Schwinn Phocus 1600: Best Schwinn Fitness Road Bike
- Schwinn Fastback Carbon 105: Best Schwinn Triathlon Bike
- Schwinn Vantage Sport: Best Schwinn Dual Sport Bike
- Schwinn e-Vantage FXe: Best Schwinn Electric Road Bike
- Schwinn Stites Fixie: Best Schwinn Commuter Road Bike
Are Schwinn Road Bikes Good?
The Good
Schwinn road bikes are generally worth it because of the following:
1. Lighter Yet Stronger Frames With Good Warranty
A good road bike should be easy to maneuver and fast. That mainly depends on the frame.
Luckily, Schwinn employs carbon and aluminum on most of their road bike frames to promise lightweight bikes.
Carbon is the lighter of the two, and that makes it costlier. So, the material is a popular choice for high-end road bikes.
Schwinn generally offers a limited lifetime frame warranty which guarantees the first purchase coverage against poor workmanship and material failure.
2. Smooth Riding Technology (SRT)
This is arguably Schwinn’s primary selling point when it comes to their road bikes. For one, Schwinn employs Smooth Riding Technology (SRT) in most of their road bikes.
The technology is characterized by an active suspension system and vibration isolation to guarantee a smooth ride. So, these road bikes are more comfortable to ride uphill.
Moreover, the frames enjoy endurance geometry and are generally stiffer to ride aggressively.
3. Decent Replaceable Parts
Schwinn high-end road bikes have the most durable and best-performing parts to suit serious cyclists. Their brakes are mostly mechanical discs, which are highly responsive and accurate.
As for the discount options, their parts may not be very durable but are easily replaced. For example, almost all bikes come with 700c wheels, which are cheaper and cheaper to replace.
And given that Schwinn sources most of their drivetrain components from Shimano, it’s easier to replace them as they are readily available. The same goes for the brake parts.
Overall, it’s cheaper to replace parts of Schwinn discount bikes than the high-end options.
4. Size Variety
One of Schwinn’s tactics for market dominance is inclusivity. Schwinn road bikes target riders of varying heights. Some Schwinn road bikes come only in one size to suit medium-height riders.
A majority of them, however, come in multiple sizes to suit even the tallest cyclists.
Overall, Schwinn sizes their road bikes according to the frame size and top tube length. So, you’ve to consider the two to find a road bike that matches your height.
Here’s a table you can use to find a Schwinn road bike that matches your height.
| Frame Size | Top Tube Length | Rider Height |
| X-Small | 45cm | 5’0”-5’3” |
| Small | 48cm | 5’3”-5’7” |
| Medium | 51cm | 5’7”-5’10” |
| Large | 54cm | 5’10”-6’1” |
| X-Large | 57cm | 6’1”-6’4” |
5. Affordable Choices
Schwinn sells two bicycle lines or series; Schwinn signature and Schwinn discount.
Schwinn’s signature road bikes are high-end options. They feature high-profile components that make them costlier. They are usually a target by serious cyclists.
The discount series road bikes are on the lower budget end. They are generally best for entry-level and casual riders.
You’ll find discount series bikes on retail stores like Walmart, Target, and Amazon, and Signature series on Schwinnbikes.com and select high-end sports stores.
6. Bike Variety
Schwinn road bikes come in a variety of designs and geometries to suit different riders.
Starting with the handlebars, you can choose between the traditional drop bars for fast riding and the unconventional flat bars for casual riding.
The bikes are also available in men and women frame geometries and a few others unisex. There is also a selection of advanced-level, entry-level, and intermediate-level road bikes.
That’s diversification, in my view! It explains Schwinn’s dominance in the biking sector.
The Bad
The biggest issue with Schwinn road bikes is that some frames don’t offer enough legroom. That’s usually a problem when you are tall and want to pedal uphill.
That also means that such bikes don’t favor long rides by taller guys.
The other issue is that Schwinn discount series road bikes don’t have the most durable or reliable parts. So, you may have to replace them soon.
Additionally, while Schwinn caters to all budgets, some of its high-end options are costly. An option like the Paramount Force costs just slightly under $5,000, which is quite steep.
Types of Schwinn Road Bikes: Schwinn Road Bike Review
Generally, Schwinn makes the following types of road bikes:
- Race road bikes
- Fitness road bikes
- Triathlon road bikes
- Dual sport road bikes
- Electric road bikes
- Commuter road bikes
Let’s discuss the above bike options below:
Are Schwinn Fitness Road Bikes Good?
You expect your fitness or recreational road bike to combine speed, comfort, and endurance, and that’s what Schwinn promises.
So, these road bikes are best for getting around and working out. The only issue is that they aren’t the best for competitive racing, as it’s the case with race bikes.
Yes, these bikes are quick and even comfortable but not fast enough for competition. They, however, offer you more speed than you can ask for when it comes to recreational cycling.
One fitness road bike that you would want to own is the Schwinn Phocus 1600 Road Bike.
Thanks to its aluminum flame, this road bike is lightweight. And thanks to its high-profile double-wall rims, it’s safe, and owing to its dual pivot caliper brake, the fitness bike is safe.
Are Schwinn Race Bikes Good?
A good race road bike is defined by a lightweight and stiffer frame, skinny tires, and responsive brakes. That’s what Schwinn race road bikes promise.
Their frames are stiffer and lighter to allow you to ride fast. Plus, they enjoy an aerodynamic design to offer you more pedaling leverage to enable you to ride against the wind.
So, whether your goal is competitive racing or speed thrills, you cannot go wrong with a Schwinn race bike. Their only downside is that they are not the best for steep terrains, long rides, or tours.
Other than that, there’s no major issue.
An option like Schwinn Fastback Performance Road Bike is everything experts and advanced road racers want in a road bike.
Its rigid carbon frame makes it lightweight and stiffer, while its 22-speed Shimano drivetrain and shifters promise smooth and fast shifting.
Are Schwinn Triathlon Road Bikes Good?
Schwinn time trial (triathlon) road bikes are built for serious racers, especially those into competitive triathlon competitions. These road bikes are not just super-fast but also more enduring and more robust.
They have a superior aerodynamic stance to allow you to cheat the wind.
Their frames are cheaper than others, and their geometry puts you in a much lower position than others.
Plus, they employ aero bars that boost your aerodynamic posture and feature super-light carbon frames. Moreover, their cables are hidden to resist wind drag.
Their only setback is that they are expensive to maintain and buy. But overall, the bikes are worth what you spend.
One triathlon road bike that doesn’t disappoint is the Schwinn Fastback Carbon 105.
This carbon road bike is everything every triathlon athlete wants in a road bike. It’s super sleek, distinctively comfortable, astonishingly fast, and undeniably classy!
Are Schwinn Dual Sport Road Bikes Good?
Dual sport bikes are a type of hybrid bike. So, they resemble regular hybrid bikes in a lot of ways.
For one, they feature flat bars instead of drop bars, as it’s the case with traditional road bikes.
Schwinn dual-sport road bikes live up to the name dual purpose by having the comfort of regular hybrid bikes and the speediness of traditional road bikes. So, they combine comfort with speed in the most practical way.
Overall, the bikes are suitable for commuting, touring, bike packing, and even gravel riding. So, you can ride them off-road and on-road, just like regular hybrids.
One fantastic choice is the Schwinn Vantage Sport Hybrid Bike. Its smooth-riding technology, 21-speed drivetrain, solid wheels, and aluminum frame makes it an exciting choice.
Are Schwinn Commuter Road Bikes Good?
Schwinn commuter road bikes are real workhorses. As the name suggests, these bikes are best for commuting.
So, whether you want to dash to work or attend classes on time, these are the road bikes to go for. The only issue is that they are not the speediest and are not best for hilly roads.
So, they are only ideal for riding on flat roads at a slow or medium speed.
Overall, these road bikes combine comfort and strength, making them not only comfortable but durable too.
They come with decent parts that you can upgrade for cheap, and the bikes are generally a budget choice.
No commuter road bike by Schwinn illustrates that better than the Schwinn Stites Fixie.
This single-speed commuter road bike comes under $600 and is generally easy to ride and maintain. Though it features a steel frame, the bike is exceptionally lightweight and enjoys high-profile rims.
Are Schwinn Electric Road Bikes Good?
Schwinn also sells motor-assisted road bikes that are generally faster than regular road bikes. Though these bikes are costlier than others, they are worth it because they make pedaling easier.
They come with more powerful motors to promise a high-performance and fast pace. They allow you to conquer hilly roads that are not too steep.
Currently, Schwinn sells the Schwinn e-Vantage FXe for men and its women version. The e-bikes only differ in their frame geometry.
They employ smooth-riding technology, which combines active suspension and vibration isolation to promise the smoothest riding experience.
FAQs
1. Is Schwinn A Good Road Bike Brand?
Schwinn road bikes promise a smooth riding experience, thanks to their active suspension and vibration isolation technologies.
Plus, the frames are lightweight, and the components are high-quality, making Schwinn a good road bike brand.
2. Are Schwinn Bikes Good For Trail Riding?
Not all Schwinn bikes are suitable for trail riding but mostly mountain bikes. You can, however, take on lighter trails with either a Schwinn dual-sport road bike or a Schwinn hybrid bike.
3. Why Are Schwinn Bikes So Expensive?
Schwinn employs high components and frames on their high-end road bikes (signature series), making them expensive.
Schwinn bikes are also expensive because of the technology used to design the bikes, which is unequaled by most bike brands.
4. Does Schwinn Bikes Last Long?
Schwinn enjoys a long tradition of employing high durable parts and frames on their bikes. So, their bikes are long-lasting.
Their frames mostly come with a limited lifetime warranty which only shows the quality of workmanship.
5. How Much Is A Schwinn Road Bike?
Schwinn road bikes come at different price points. On the lower end, you can spend $250-$500 and about $3,500-$5,000 on the high-end.
So, it depends on your budget and the road bike type you go for.
Are Schwinn Road Bikes Good? Closing Thought
Schwinn road bikes come at a wide price range and various sizes and designs to suit cyclists with different cycling needs.
Whether you are a casual biker or a pro, there is a perfect Schwinn road bike for you. They are, without a doubt, worth what you pay for!
Relevant: