Schwinn Mesa GS Adult Mountain Bike Review
Schwinn Mesa GS Adult Mountain Bike Feature
- Adult mountain bike with Schwinn N'Litened Gold Label TIG welded aluminum frame
- Off-road, ride-tuned geometry; TruVative X-Flow 42/32/22 chain rings crankset
- 8-speed Shimano EZ fire shifters; Answer/Manitou 6-coil sprung travel fork
- SR/Suntour front derailleur and Shimano Deore rear derailleur; WTB Speed V sport saddle
- Shimano EF-29 brake levers with Tektro linear pull brakes; pair of water bottle mounts
Outfitted with a Schwinn N-Litened Gold Label TIG welded aluminum frame with off-road, ride-tuned geometry, the Schwinn Mesa GS adult mountain bike is versatile enough for both dirt and street riding. The bike is set up with such features as an Answer/Manitou six-coil sprung travel fork with mini boots, a TruVative X-Flow 42/32/22 chain rings crankset, eight-speed Shimano EZ-Fire shifters, an SR/Suntour XCC-202 front derailleur and a Shimano Deore rear derailleur, Shimano EF-29 brake levers with Tektro linear pull brakes, and a Schwinn WTB Speed V sport saddle. The components combine to deliver a smooth, responsive riding experience and sure stopping power in a pinch. Schwinn also added a pair of water bottle mounts to keep you hydrated.
Specifications:
- Size(s): S (15") M (17") L (19") XL (21")
- Frame: NLitened Gold Label Custom Drawn Aluminum alloy Off-Road Ride-Tuned geometry, Zero Stack head tube, 3x gussets, sloping top tube, wishbone Epicenter seat stays, replaceable der. hanger, disc brake mount, rack and WB fittings.
- Fork: Rockshox J1, Aluminum lowers, Coil / MCU spring, pre-load adjust, and mini-boots, 100mm travel
- Crankset: TruVativ X-Flow alloy arms, 42-32-22 Cr-Mo rings
- Bottom Bracket: TruVativ sealed cartridge square taper 68 x 113 w/ chainline stabilizer
- Pedals: ATB Resin body, Boron steel axle, Steel cage. Toe-clip adaptable.
- Front Derailleur: SRAM 3.0 31.8 top pull
- Rear Derailleur: SRAM SX-5
- Shifters: SRAM SX-4 dual trigger control
- Freewheel: SRAM Power Glide 8-speed cassette 11-32
- Chain: Shimano CN-IG51
- Rims: Jalco double wall alloy w/ CNC "SSD" sidewalls to improve wet braking, 32H
- Tires: WTB 26" x 2.1" Velociraptor Front and Rear specific tread pattern.
- Front Hub: JY Alloy Weather Sealed w/ alloy QR
- Rear Hub: JY Alloy Weather Sealed Cassette 8-speed QR, 32H
- Spokes: Stainless steel 14 gauge
- Front Brake: Tektro Linear Pull w/ 64mm MC pads and linear springs
- Rear Brake: Tektro Linear Pull w/ 64mm MC pads and linear springs
- Brake Levers: Tektro all-alloy w/ forged lever and reach adjustment
- Handlebar: Schwinn 6061 T6. 32 mm Rise, 5 degree bend, 620 mm wide
- Stem: Schwinn Ride Tuned alloy threadless,10 degree rise with forged 4-bolt front load cap.
- Grips: Schwinn double density Kraton / Gel
- Headset: FPD Threadless semi-integrated Aheadset 1 1/8"
- Saddle: WTB Speed V Sport w/ Comfort Zone
- Seat Post: Forged Alloy Ride Tuned, micro adjust 26.8 x 350
- Seat Clamp: Alloy Low-Profile QR w/ forged clamp
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.
Assembly of the Bike:
This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.
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
