[XtCamZ]

I've been lurking here for a while, this is a nice site.

I bought an el cheapo schwinn bike a few months ago on a "wild urge," so to speak. Well, I got to riding and now I'm hooked. I went on a 20 mile ride (all time high for me) yesterday and it felt great.

But I have some questions about this bike. Here is a description of it...
http://www.epinions.com/pr-Bikes-Schwinn_Sidewinder_2_6_FS_26-Inch_Mens_All-Terrain_Bike/display_~full_specs

Well, it is geared VERY low, and I ride on pavement just as much as dirt, so I was wondering if there was some way I could upgrade the drivetrain on this beast . I'll probably end up getting a new bike next summer after I save some $$, but this low gearing is driving me crazy. My friend can go faster in gear 10 of 15 than I can in gear 21 of 21.

What can I do? Thanks.

 

[gk02]

the specs on the site you gave says the chainrings are 24/34/42 , so the 42 is a little smaller than a typical 44 compact chainring on most mountain bikes, but it also says its speced with a 13-28 cassette, but because its seven speed your going to have to find another 7 speed cassette with a 11 or 12 tooth cog to achieve a little better overall gear ratio. If you can find that, it will be a good way to get what you want. If not then you could get a new front crank with a 44 or 46 front chainring if you cannot just replace the biggest chainring with one. I would try to find a new front chainring to replace the 42 with a 44 if you can because you wont need any special tools to do that.

Of course i may have no idea what im talking about because this is a walmart bike afterall and none of this may be possible.

by the way dont spend much money on this bike, save your money and get something nice.

 

[RITFreeRider]

What gk02 said is the best idea. Go to your LBS and see if they have either a 44 or 46 tooth chainring. That will help you out a lot. And yes even though it is a walmart bike normal bike parts will work on it. Personally I would just ride the bike the way it is and keep saving for something better.

 

[skinny]

Originally posted by RITFreeRider
Personally I would just ride the bike the way it is and keep saving for something better.

Amen. Ride it till it breaks and then buy something better. Plus, riding not-so-good equipment makes you a much better rider. I started off my urban experience on a $300 rigid Norco and it's made me much smoother. In your case, riding a smaller front chainring (and overall lower gearing) will make you a better spinner (you can pedal smoother at higher rpms instead of bouncing up and down a lot).

 

[Tootrikky]

1.I bet the chainrings are stamped (all one unit)=buy new crankset

2.Probably spin on 7spd freewheel=stuck with 13 high gear

1+2=buy new bike, sorry

 

[Matt D]

Originally posted by Tootrikky
1.I bet the chainrings are stamped (all one unit)=buy new crankset

2.Probably spin on 7spd freewheel=stuck with 13 high gear

1+2=buy new bike, sorry

Agreed. There's no way you're replacing chainrings on that, they're sure to be stamped.

Honestly, there is nothing worth upgrading on it, it's just throwing money away. Say you decide to upgrade the crank, it will cost you half the cost of the complete bike.

ride it until it dies, and save your pennies. You can get a pretty decent real mountain bike from a local BIKE shop for not much more than $400.

Things you should look for in a $450ish bike:

Shimano hubs
Real crankset (chainring bolts, not stamped)
Rebound Damping in the front fork
9speed cassette (as opposed to the 7 you have, or 8 on some bikes)
Shimano or Avid brakes (you'll probably not get either, most likely ProMax, but it's not a huge deal)

Good Luck!

edit: and whatever you do, don't buy a full suspension bike for less than $1000. You sacrifice a lot in component quality with the full sus. frame, and the frame pivots will wear out very quick too.

 

[CRUM]

Originally posted by gk02
Of course i may have no idea what im talking about because this is a walmart bike afterall and none of this may be possible.

Oh, it's possible. Just stupid expensive. I repair and upgrade the Wal Mart bikes all the time. Never ceases to amaze me how much money folks will drop on their Next, Mongoose, or Schwinn form Wal Mart.

My advice, use up the Schwinn and shop the deals at your local LBS in early Spring.