1 stars

I bought this bike hoping to get into the sport of biking and road bikes in particular, fully aware that most road bikes cost many times more than this bike. Thinking I had found the steal of the century, I couldn't wait for it to come. When it finally got here I took it to my local on-campus bike shop to get a hand with assembling it. This is when I started to doubt my luck.
First, the fork is not the one advertised, I got a steel curved fork, not a straight aluminum one. I was willing to accept this because steel is softer and more common on road bikes, but then I looked at the rear wheel and noticed sharp dents and burs in the aluminum right where the brakes would hit. After truing the back wheel and attaching it, I noticed that frame was terribly welded, making the back wheel slightly crooked. In spite of this we moved on to the front wheel, which we found doesn't fit correctly in the fork because the fork flares out at the ends and puts horizontal strain on the wheel. At this point any reasonable person would've sent the bike back but I went on to discover that the rear derailleur hanger was bent, the front brakes won't release the wheel after braking and the rear tire has a hole in it that the inner tube would pop out of until it blew out while I was leaving the bike shop. With the exception of the hole in the tire, these are all things I wouldn't have noticed had I not taken this bike to a professional bike shop which may or may not explain the somewhat misleading 5-star reviews all over Target, that's why I'm putting this review here. Hopefully I can save some people from my grief.

4 stars

I don't have this particular bike but I do have a Schwinn Varsity which is essentially the same bike. I too have popped a front tire but the cause was legitimate. I hit a rock in the road that knocked the rim the slightest bit out of alignment with the tire. However it was a slow leak and I was able to continue riding for 30 minutes before the problem became necessary to end my ride. You don't need to get the "special tubes" to replace them. It's true that Schwinn is the only place you can get this size tube but a 27x 1 1/4 will do just fine, its only metrics and any bike shop will have this size tube. Just have them install it for you and you are good to go. Just make sure you get SCHRADER VALVE tubes as Presta valves will not work on these rims! You can even go with a narrower tire such as a 700x23 to increase speed and cornering.

1 stars

Not sure if it is the low quality bike or the flunkies Target hires to put these things together or both. I went through 4 of these before throwing in the towel. First, did not shift. Second, a cable broke. Third, tire blew. Fourth, chain derailed at every shift.

3 stars

I am not a serious cyclist, so I wanted an inexpensive road bike to ride once or twice a week to work. I am not a fan of the bulky and heavy mountain bikes that are so common these days so I was pleased to see this bike @ Target. Bought it a week ago, but returned the first one after I got it home and the back tire blew almost immediately after filling it up (less than the recommended PSI mind you). Didn't even get to ride it.

Brought home the second one and was sure to keep it well under the recommended PSI for the tubes. Road it about 4 miles the first day and then 6 miles to work the next and while at work, the back tire blew again. I am beginning to think either something is wrong with how they are assembling these things in-store, they use extremely cheap tubes, or there is some design flaw with the rims (spokes poking through). Either way, I am going to check that out and invest in some quality tubes soon.

One other thing I discovered is that the shifters need to be used very gradually. If you try to slam the back derailleur from low to high very fast, the chain will jump the gears and get caught between the fram and the gear assembly. I had this happen once on a busy road and almost lost control of the bike. Like I said, I'm no expert so I don't know if this is normal or specific to this gear system.

While I was actually riding it, it was great. Good ride and very fast, made it the 6 miles to work in less than 30 minutes. The bike looks like more expensive ones and people recognize the Schwinn name and think you paid a bundle.

4 stars

I have really enjoyed this bike. Putting it together was easy with enough time. I was very happy with the shipping very quick. I ride for fun and I just wanted to have a reliable bike that I could do some long bike rides with. On my first day of getting the bike, I went for a 10 mile ride. I was a little hesitant about the tires because of the other reviews but they have held up great. I have put about 100 miles now on the bike and the tires are still going strong. The chain feel off once but that wasn't the bikes fault. Overall I am very happy with this bike and for the price you REALLY REALLY REALLY cant beat it. Have FUN biking and I hope this helps.

5 stars

I was absolutely giddy the first time I put away the old mountain bike and took this bike out for a ride. It was like trading in a mule for a thoroughbred.

I have almost 500 miles on mine and yes, I've had some flats (3 of them) like some of the other reviewers have complained. Here's the deal: it's an excellent bike, but for its price, Schwinn had to cut some corners. Here's the important corner they cut: rim tape. This is a little strip of heavy-duty tape that keeps the inner tube from bursting through the spoke holes in the rim. They used a fairly flimsy alternative (if you take the tube out, you'll see what looks like an over-sized rubber band). Less than $5 at the local bike shop and problem fixed. Happy riding!

4 stars

I have been looking to get into road cycling for some time now but did not want to foot the bill for a $600-700 "starter" bike from a specialty shop. Noticing that Target finally brought some road bikes back into the mix on the shelves allowed me to get started without having to break a sweat. Now... is it a great bike? No. You definately get what you paid for. It is heavier than anything you would get at the specialty store with definately cheaper components. Plus, I have no idea who is assembling these things but mine could use some tune-ups right out of the store. I figure bringing it to a true professional will allow it to get into premium shape.
One thing is for sure though. You will NOT be able to get a better bike for the money and if you are looking to just get started on road cycling this really can't be beat.

4 stars

Okay, so it's not a $5,000 Bianci, or a full graphite Trek......., but for a couple hundred bucks, it's fast and i don't get so scared of it being ripped off, or going down with it. #1 if you're going to ride the stock tubes, don't go down sharp gravel roads or briar patches. #2 Go to a bike shop & upgrade your tubes to triple thick puncture resistent tubes, about $15 each, "It's worth every penny.
Next, if your're a big boy like me 235 or so take off that racing wedgie of a seat, and put on a Bell spring seat $20,
next have your bike shop order in an handle bar upward extension aand raise those handle bars 2-3" again, after a 15 or 20 mile ride, you'll be glad you did, aabout $25. Add a set of inline mini-brakes $30 or so, which gives you brakes while you're in the "upright" Oh my God,I'm resting position, & viola for $220 + $30 + $20 + $30 =$300.00
& my friends, you get a bike well wworth more than $300.00.
Good Luck & Good Riding. When you werar this bike out, then justify selling body parts to buy the "Tour de France' " model. I Dunno, I'm Jest Sayin'

3 stars

I wasn't smart enough to read the reviews BEFORE I purchased this bike. Anyway, as other readers mentioned, the tire liners were awful. Within 1 block, I popped the rear tire. I took the bike in to have new liners put in, a new tube, and to realign the rear brake [...]. The bike shop people also told me that the gears were a little wonky when shifting from low to high (and not to shift too quickly). I know what they are talking about now, and they are right, the shifters/gears are not perfect.

When I complained to Target that the bike gave me troubles, they offered me a 20% refund [...]. Let's just say awesome costumer service for a less than stellar product.

That said, once I got the new liners in, this bike is everything I wanted and expected out of a $220 commuter road bike.