Thursday, August 28, 2008

Schwinn Ridge AL Men's Mountain Bike


Product Description

Schwinn Ridge AL Men's Mountain Bike



Product Details

  • Size: One Size
  • Color: Matte Silver/Matte Red
  • Brand: Schwinn
  • Model: S2698
  • Released on: 2007-01-01

Features

  • Men's mountain bike for trail or street riding
  • Hand-built, trail-tuned aluminum frame
  • Smooth-riding RST Omni 191 suspension fork
  • Shimano 21-speed drive train with SRAM grip shifters
  • Shimano front and rear derailleurs; quality sport saddle

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Product Description
Looking for a solid mountain bike that won't break the bank? Check out the Schwinn Ridge AL men's model, which is equipped with a hand-built, trail-tuned aluminum frame that's lightweight and strong and an RST Omni 191 CL suspension fork. The frame and fork are responsive enough to absorb shocks from tough terrain, but also excel on flat trails and streets. Other details include a Shimano 21-speed drive train with SRAM grip shifters, Shimano front and rear derailleurs, and a quality sport saddle that provides a comfortable ride.

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

Customer Reviews

Good Bike5
Well, so far (now that it's warmed up a bit here in Denver), I am using this as a commuter work bike. So far, no issues at all. Will keep a eye on it as I go, but gear systems seem to work well. Bike was VERY easy to put together. I purchased a hand held tire pump as well, so I will keep a eye on this to see how it performs over the summer.

Great Bike...Great Price!5
My wife and I purchased this bike and the "women's versions" of this bike together as a Christmas gift to one another. First, I am 37 years-old and disabled. I needed a bike that is light, yet strong enough to handle my 250lb + frame. Well, this bike is light due to all the aluminum parts that make up the bike and it is the aluminum that gives the bike it strength as well. The bike was a breeze to unpack and set up. Once again, I am disabled, I do not have the strength to manipulate cumbersome items... and this truly was not a cumbersome task! One hour tops from UPS Truck to being able to ride it up my street and back. During the easy and very short set up process, I had time to admire the welds and other artisanship details... I found no flaws. The bike was put together well at the factory. There were no scratches from the assembly line. The welds appear uniform (which is an excellent sign of a good weld). If I have one complaint, it would be the seat... Oh my gosh, that seat! Like I said earlier, I am 37 years old and 250lb +, the seat on this bike is not meant for a large buttock as mine! I think a vertical "Wiffle Ball Bat" would have been more comfortable than this wedge of a seat. I was one bump away from a Proctologist appointment! I am going to remove the seat and install one of those "farm tracker seats"... you know, the ones with the giant coil springs under the copious amount of foam covered in heavy duty 'all weather' fake leather covering! Yea, the Schwinn seat has to go!

mt. bike5
You can't go wrong for the price. I bought two of these bikes, one for me & one for my husband. I find the information that Amazon puts in the ad to be insufficient but overall they are good bikes for the money. They are rather small bikes but lucky for me we are short.




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