Product Description

Schwinn Southport Women's 7-Speed Cruiser

Product Details

• Size: One Size
• Color: Silver/Red
• Brand: Schwinn
• Model: S2817
• Released on: 2006-12-31

Features

• 26-inch cruiser bike for women with curvy design and multiple speeds for hills
• 7-speed Shimano derailleur with SRAM grip shift
• Alloy linear pull brakes; 36-spoke alloy rims with stainless steel spokes
• Easy-reach cruiser handlebar and stem
• Recommended for riders 12 years and older

Amazon.com Product Description
Cool and curvy in design for a retro feel, the Schwinn Southport women's bike combines the easy-going ethos of a cruiser bike with a 7-speed derailleur for improved riding on hills and inclines. With the SRAM grip shifter, you'll be able to easily change gears by twisting the shifter portion of the handlebar. The cruiser-style handlebar can be raised or lowered for an optimal fit. This bike also offers a steel frame with a step-through design, strong-yet-light aluminum alloy rims, and sturdy front and rear linear-pull brakes.

Assembly of the Bike:
This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.

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.

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 ultra-lightweight 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 bottles and bottle cages
• Spare tubes
• Portable bike pump
• Gloves

Customer Reviews

Awesome bike
This bike is an excellent buy, for the money. Free 2 day shipping? You can't beat that. Arrived on time. Assembly was fairly easy. Bike Rides Smoothly and is very fast. I'd recommend you get a better seat for it though, because the one that comes with it is very stiff and uncomfortable. I'd recommend the "Schwinn No Pressure" seat its on 13.99 , and its very soft and comfortable.

Great ride for the money.
For $150 plus free shipping, you can't go wrong with this bike. What a deal! I love it, it's a really great bike. I would have given it 5 stars, except it does have a few (minor) bad points:

1) The seat is HARD and I found that the forward edges cut into the backs of my thighs. I had to replace the seat with an ergonomically designed-for-women seat.

2) I'm not a big girl (5'5"), but I felt like the seat was too close to the handlebars. I had a hell of a time adjusting it. I finally solved the problem by reversing the socket under the seat.

3) It was VERY hard to fit a rack on the back. I bought one of those "universal" racks, and I really had to fiddle with it to make it fit, including going to the hardware store and buying new bolts. The little holes on the bike where you are supposed to attach the supports for the rack are bigger than the standard bolts that come with a rack. Very inconvenient.

4) The paint was dinged up on the frame.

All in all, tho, I really like the bike and would recommend it to anyone who wants a cheap, sturdy ride.

Cruiser 7Speed
This bike is perfect for someone re-entering the bicycle world. The handle bars are comfortable and you are able to sit up straight. The gears shift with a slight turn of the right hand. The bicycle, however arrived with a large scratch and no seat. I had to purchase a cruiser seat at my local bike shop, which Amazon gladly refunded the cost. If you want a bike to cruise around your neighborhood, this is it!