A Woman ‘s Needs
Buying cheap is not always buying cheap. Generic versions are not always suitable, especially when it comes to bicycles. Women need bikes that have shorter top tubes, shorter cranks for comfortable pedaling, and smaller and narrower handle bar grips.Nowadays, mountain bikes are customized to meet the specific needs of a woman’s body dimensions. The Schwinn High Timber has sleek, aluminum frame designed for women who prefer standard 26” wheels for use on a variety of terrains.Despite the widespread availability of mountain bikes designed for women, some still prefer men’s bike because they believe that they offer a wider range of options of higher quality, among other reasons. This article will prove that a woman’s bicycle is as much of a contender to man’s and should be taken seriously; if you expect to rider seriously.
What the Schwinn High Timber Has to Offer
Dimensions are always a key factor in selecting a mountain bike. The Schwinn Timber Mountain Bike has a release saddle for easy height adjustments making it comfortable women under or around 5’ 6”; the standard 26” wheels are adequate for people of this height range. Taller women may experience discomfort due to the amount of time they would be hunched over while riding; those over 5’10” should search for an alternative proportional to their body measurements. Schwinn has a 24” model that is suitable for girls/ shorter adolescents as well.As with any product recommendation, the following details were compiled from the majority of laudable and lousy aspects of a particular bike. Use your own judgment and consider your personal factors such as uses, frequency of uses, quality of multiple terrains, the climate of your region (heat and rain can have a serious negative impact on quality over time), etc.
Positives
- Adjustable handlebar height
- Extra-protection shipping: Schwinn ships the High Timber in two boxes, the outer one serves to protect the bike.
- Perfect for family excursions: a child’s bicycle trailer may be attached
- Supports over 200 lbs.
- Safety features
The Schwinn is also CPSIA and ASTM compliant
- CPSIA refers to a child’s product that has undergone extensive testing by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These products have met safety rules, are free from harmful levels of lead and other toxins, and have permanent tracking information affixed to the product.
- ASTM refers to the American Society for Testing and Materials; a product certified by ATSM is considered safe for general use.
Multiple reflectors on the handles, front/back, and the pedals to ensure easy visibility, even at night
- Front (Hardtail) Suspension: Suspension is a term given to the insulation between the rider and bicycle from the terrain.
- Front suspension reduces upper body exhaustion, while increasing control and handling bumps more smoothly. Hard suspension is more cost effective than full (dual) suspension, which is unnecessary for bikes used for casual purposes.
Negatives
- Seats: The seats have been said to be too hard, but cushioned seat replacements can be purchased.
- No water bottle holder
- Weight of 40 lbs.
- Has no fenders, safety lights, or flags
- Not enough clearance for taller rider: feet had to be maneuvered uncomfortably in order to make a turn on the bike without hitting toes with the front tire (Note: This bike is marketed as “small.”)
Rivals: Both Past and Contemporaries
Although made in China, the Women’s High Timber still carries the Schwinn name on the box. Schwinn brand gone through a series of changes over the decades, the main one being a subsidiary to multi-national conglomerate Dorel Industries. Some say Schwinn produces the same quality of bikes that they remember as a kid; others say that Schwinn has disappointed them. Nostalgia tends to distort perceptions, so when selecting a product compare it against its contemporaries. Bicycles have changed not only for pragmatic and economical reason, but also because of regulations, trends, etc.Assembly complications have not been reported as with other bikes like Schwinn Protocol for Men or the Kawasaki DX226FS. The process has been described as taking less than an hour. The tools required for assembly are as follows: adjustable wrench, Allen keys, and screwdriver. The measurements are given in metric units; metric screws, bolts, wrenches are recommended.
The Final Say
Nothing last forever, not even a Schwinn. The bike is reported to falling apart after 1,000 miles of riding. This is an entry-level bike of quality proportional to the price, but has limited long-term durability and is not worth fixing if it needs repairs. The High Timber for Women, for the price, is good while it last. Satisfaction with the product, in terms of its output in relation to the limitations of its built, is comparable to the Kawasaki DX226FS, although it cannot handle the rigorous activities the Kawasaki can perform.