Schwinn Bicycle Company Sierra AL

Price Paid:  $299.00 at Tom Sawyer Bicycle S

Bike Setup:
Pay a little extra and buy from a dealer. It'll cost maybe $75 more but it'll be put together, they usually throw in things like a kickstand, water bottle / cage, tire slime and they'll usually adjust the bike as the cables stretch for the first 90 days to a year...plus, it helps out your local shop area and economy and not the BIG super retailers who could care less if you buy from them or not.

Summary:
This is a really nice bike. I had a Trek 4500 mountain bike but was tired of leaning to far over and it was going to be expensive to upgrade the handle bars, seat post, new cables, etc., so I looked into "Comfort" bikes. For the money I think you get the biggest bang for your buck with Schwinn Sierra AL. This is an aluminum frame, 21 speed, front and seat suspension with average components for the comfort bike seires of any make. I looked at Trek Navigators and the 7300 but they were $100-$150 more with the only difference I saw was a light in the seat and it was 24 speed. The Schwin had adjustable front shocks (not Trek)and the cables going to the rear of the bike were on the top of the top tube (not Trek). To me the location of these cables is important because I do occassionaly take the bike on trips and resting the bike on the cables when placed in the rack just doesn't seem like it can be good on the cables. In short, the Schwinn has been very comfortable, the AL (aluminum) is nice and light and for an extra $40 over the steel was a no brainer, especially since I added lights, water bottle, air pump and rear rack for saddle bags, every little bit helps. The shifting and brakes have needed constant adjustment but as with any new bike there will be stretch in the cables and is to be expected, but the dealer services adjustments for the first year to accomidate for that.

Strengths:
Cables are on top of the top tube. Comfy seat, but could stand to be a little wider. Adjustable front shock. Quick release front/rear wheels, quick release seat, fully articulating handle bar adjustments. 3 accessory ports for "gear"

Weaknesses:
Average components, but good enough for street/path riding. Little less aggressive tires than I care for, but make for smooth ride and less resistance, narrow stock seat, but doable. Need secondary rear port for a back light (w/ a shock seat there's not a lot of room left for a light and reflector.)

Similar Products Used:
Trek, but it was a true mountain bike so not really comparing apples to apples.