Schwinn High Sierra: 30 Year Old Bike Review

The same can be said for XC and EWS, where the vast majority of riders have forgotten about flat tires. If it’s working for the folks who are pushing tires and wheels far closer to their limit than I ever could, there’s likely some evidence there. Athletes who are making part of their living from results aren’t going to use tubeless if it’s not the fastest and safest way to get down the trail with max grip and no flats. I get it; a decent mountain bike fork costs more than this entire bike.

The list price is $499, but if you spend the $25 on a REI Membership, then you can get a cash rebate of around $50 on your purchase (which you can use to buy other stuff schwinn cruiser bike or just get the cash in-hand). I think the biggest problem with this one though is its weight. This bike weighs right at 40 pounds, which is massive for a mountain bike.

It remained the second-best model for several years. Now that you know what to expect from a Schwinn mountain bike, you might be interested in knowing what other cheap mountain bike options are out there. Well, you can check out our list of the best value hardtail mountain bikes, but we do list bikes up to $1000 in price on that list. Schwinn bikes will last years with regular maintenance by a professional mechanic and proper care at home. Frequently inspecting the suspension, inflating the tires properly, and lubricating the chain are low-cost ways to extend the life of a Schwinn mountain bike. This 2022 Schwinn mountain bike can accommodate a wide range of rider sizes and is available in five different wheel sizes.

An LED indicator on the downtube shows the amount of remaining power. The frame is aluminum, and it is designed to stay very agile and help the rider with harsh off-road terrain while being robust and lightweight. When mountain bikes were born, Schwinn thought it was going to be a passing fad and originally did put a mountain bike together, but it wasn’t as good as the competition and didn’t do as well off-road as intended.

They currently have three in the range – 1, 2, and 3. They are all made of lightweight aluminum and are strong and robust. Schwinn makes solid bikes for beginners, over the years, has produced not just mountain bikes but some absolute classics such as the Schwinn Paramount, which broke the cycling fastest mile on a bicycle at 108mph. The latest Axum models are offered in two sizes this year, up from just one previously. I tested the larger size, and unfortunately it’s still too small for me. I’m 6’3″ and to be fair, Schwinn says this size is meant for riders up to 6’2″ tall.

The wheel rims were likewise robust, chromed, stamped steel with a unique profile designed to hold the tire bead securely, even if pressure were low or lost. By 1975, bicycle customers interested in medium-priced road and touring bicycles had largely gravitated towards Japanese or European brands. In reality, mass-market French manufacturers such as Peugeot were not infrequently criticized for material and assembly quality — as well as stagnant technology — in their low- and mid-level product lines. Nevertheless, Peugeot proudly advertised its victorious racing heritage at every opportunity. By 1979, even the Paramount had been passed, technologically speaking, by a new generation of American as well as foreign custom bicycle manufacturers. By the late 1970s, a new bicycle sport begun by enthusiasts in Northern California had grown into a new type of all-terrain bicycle, the mountain bike.

I have not had to touch them since installing the new pads. I like how the brake lever snaps back when I release it. Roller cam brakes work similarly to center pull brakes.

A growing number of US teens and young adults were purchasing imported European sport racing or sport touring bicycles, many fitted with multiple derailleur-shifted gears. Schwinn decided to meet the challenge by developing two lines of sport or road ‘racer’ bicycles. One was already in the catalog — the limited production Paramount series. The Paramount series had limited production numbers, making vintage examples quite rare today. Other road bikes were introduced by Schwinn in the early and mid 1960s, such as the Superior, Sierra, and Super Continental, but these were only produced for a few years. The Varsity and Continental sold in large numbers through the 1960s and early 1970s, becoming Scwhinn’s leading models.