Customer Reviews

Schwinn Ridge AL Women's Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

These bicycles are supposed to be "one size fits most" but the two different models are different in size.

The light blue one (smooth lines, #S2753) is more like a size LARGE with frame size 19" (seat tube length 19", horizontal top tube is approx. 22 1/2"). Surprisingly it has the same geometry as the male version (also 19"). An average man is taller than an average woman - thus the men's bike should be bigger, right?

The silver/dark purple bike (sharp lines, #S2699) is a MEDIUM size with 17" frame (seat tube length 17", horizontal top tube is also approx. 22 1/2" but because of the head angle the wheels itself are about 1" closer to each other than wheels of the light blue model - beware if you have long feet). The male version of this model has 18" frame.

As for my best judgement - I would recommend the light blue bike to a woman 5'3" to 5'11" tall with inseam 28-32" and the silver/purple bike to a woman 5'0" to 5'8"tall with 26-30" inseam.
I am 5'9 1/2" tall and the light blue model fits me great.

A note how to measure your INSEAM: Stand barefoot upright and measure the distance between your crotch and floor between your legs. Do not use your pant's inseam measurement since different pant styles may result in different measurements.

I hope this helps. It is really confusing to have reviews of two different bikes mixed together without knowing which refers to which.

2012 update:
Right now amazon is selling only the model with smooth lines (19" frame) in two color variations (blue, purple ice). So discard the information about the 17" bike. On the other hand for men's bike - amazon lists only the 18" model with sharp lines.

You cannot beat this bicycle for the price. It is actually fabricated in the same overseas factories that Giant builds their frames. It also is the same as the entry-level Chinese-imported Trek frame.

As for Mrs. Roberts and her problems......hate to say it, but each and every problem/symptom you described is a symptom/problem indicating a poor assembly and adjustment. You should have taken the bike(s) to a professional bicycle shop and had the mechanic there do a tune-up on your bike....all those problems would and could have been avoided completely. Chain shifting problems, chain-drop and jamming, wheel loose....all adjustment and assembley problems.

Why do I say this? I was a bike mechanic for approx. 7 years and saw many, many bicycles bought from mass-market merchandisers and over the internet with the same exact problems after the poor or unskilled assembly. Even the bikes the "real" bike shops get have to be assembled and adjusted before they are sold. So, please don't blame the bicycle as being defective, blame the root cause.....the poor assembly and unskilled adjustment of the bicycles.

I searched for my wife a bike and everywhere I went, the price was way more than what I wanted to pay. I wanted a bike that was well constructed, lite, and has high rated parts on it. I found this bike and I compared the price with a comparable bike at a bike shop and it was nearly $100 cheaper, plus free shipping. After we received the bike, we were very satisfied of the product except for the seat, but you can purchase a nice gel seat for around $15. Great deal!

I really like this bike...it is a great little starter 'road' bike. It can take some rougher terrain, but I wouldn't take it off roading constantly. I don't think it's built to tolerate a whole lot of that. After assembling the bike we did take it to our local bike shop and spent $10 on getting it adjusted just right...the gears weren't shifting right from lower 4th and 5th. They were getting hung up a little, but the shop fixed that right up. Seems something was bent a little. I also had the brakes adjusted as they were riding the rims of the wheels and they definitely weren't supposed to be that close! Nice bike for the price though and free shipping! Can't beat it!

This bike rides very well, takes bumps well. I really like the quick-release feature for the bike seat and front wheel. This makes it very easy to adjust the height anywhere and easy to pack in the car. The breaks don't jolt you to a stop, they work smoothly. I will probably get a more comfortable bike seat, though, one of those gel ones, though this one is fine, just a little hard for long rides. I have only had it for a month, but am very happy so far.

This bike is just what I've been looking for: a bike that is affordable, well-built, lightweight and a good frame fit. Since buying this bike, I've decided to take up biking for exercise and am very pleased with it's performance. Wish I could've picked the color, though. This bike is a great all-around bike for a woman who wants to ride for recreation and moderate exercise, either on the road or off.

I just got this bike for my birthday and its great. The gear shifters are easy and the gears switch nice and easy.The brakes are amazing.The frame is so lightweight which is great for transporting.The front shocks work better than expected, they really make for a smooth ride especially on gravel terrain. You dont have to work that hard in order to go fast, the gears are so easy to change from hills to flat areas. Overall its a great bike from a good brand.You can definatly have high expectations from this product.

I really like this bike.For a regular paved road or a paved trail or gravel road, it's a really nice ride. But not for hard core riders who want to ride off in dirt rocky roads. The gear shifter is excellent and the breaks, awesome! Downside only is the seat. It was comfortable at first but for after 15 min. it was painful but you can replace with the one u like. Interestingly the front wheel can be removable in seconds to store compactly if needed. The bike came with brakes that already don't need tightening and tires pre pumped with air.Putting it together was simple(about 1 hour).The packaged bike was well done too.The box came free of damage which meant the bike was kept intact during the shipping process. The estimated date for delivery was a week early than expected. So I am very happy with the whole buying process and product and might reorder again if needed in the future.

The only issues I have with this bike is that it's a small frame. I'm 5'5" and my foot hits the front wheel when I turn. It's really for someone shorter than 5'5".

The other is that I did have a problem putting it together. Especially adjusting the breaks. I had a little help with that. It rode nice, worth the money but you have to know what size frame you need beforehand.

I bought this bike because of the price basically. Not so much because of the Schwinn name anymore because they may as well call themselves Pacific Cycle in China. This bike is made entirely there with the lower end parts to prove it. But it's not all bad. In fact, I have a lot positive to say about this bike.

- It's actually very light. They must use a different aluminum in this one then their other bikes carried by Wal-Mart cause those were all a bit heavier. It's an easy bike to lift up on my roof racks.
- Welds are perfect on the frame and elsewhere.
- The pre-assembled parts were for the most part done right and tight
- Nice light aluminum rims
- Once tuned-up, the v-brakes are strong
- COMES with a water bottle
- Knobby tires are decent quality
- Shimano rear derailleur is not the best but not bad either
- Plenty of documentation on how to adjust everything (the v-brakes needed some Googling though)
- Very well packaged

Here are some things that could be better:
- Spring shock instead of gas makes for somewhat unnatural feel
- Seat is basic and uncomfortable
- No rear rim quick disconnect, only front
- Generic front derailleur
- Combined Shimano shifters and v-brake handles makes for upgrading one or the other impossible

Even though this bike is made with lower-end components, the frame is very light and solid. When it's all tuned up, this bike operates very nicely. If you're debating on whether to pick a Schwinn up at Walmart, Target or elsewhere, get it here instead. I've tested the Schwinns at those stores and they are all a bit lower-end than this one. Also, I think the $199 shipped is a good deal. Get this bike if you plan on doing light trail riding or cruising.