Schwinn Loop 7 Speed Folding Bike Review

Schwinn is recognized as a trusted and a leading American brand when it comes to fitness equipment and has successfully served its customers with quality and performance ever since its foundation in 1985.

The Schwinn Loop 7 Speed Folding bike is a recent introduction in the Schwinn bike collection and as promoted by the company, it is a compact entry level folding cycle with a low price tag to it.

Click here to see the best price On Amazon.com

Rating:

4.50 / 5.00

Ranked #1 in folding bikes on Amazon.

Price:

Under $300 on Amazon (August 24 2015)

Pros and Cons:

Attractive Design      No Locking Mechanism

Handles Well             Not Very Light

Inexpensive               Uncomfortable Seat

Durable                      Replacement Parts Are Difficult To Find

First Impression:

A nice sturdy unisex bike with a unique look. Prepare to turn heads and get asked questions from passer-by’s when going down the street on it.

Detailed Review:

Schwinn Loop 7 Speed Folding bike is available online and can be ordered via Amazon, with free shipping and a life time warranty from Schwinn.
The bike comes padded and secured in an expertly packed stock box, which is easy to open.

It can be detached from the box simply by cutting of only 3 cords.

Out of the box, only one pedal has to be attached to the crank arm to completely assemble the bike. The brakes come loose, but you can get them fixed from a bike mechanic or learn how to fix them yourself on Youtube. Finally it only requires a little bit of air to be fully functional.

It should be noteworthy that to activate the warranty and for safety, before you take on the first trip, the buyer is required to have the bike reviewed by an authorized bike mechanic.

The bike has a nice alloy frame which helps give the bike its light weight for most of the body, however some parts are unnecessarily heavier which gives the bike an overall increase in weight compared to its other foldable rivals.

The bike uses Shinamo gears and brakes which are always reliable, even though the parts are made in China. They are very manoeuvrable and are easy to reach and soft to apply.
The size of the bike itself is medium one with a well-balanced and durable body, therefore you do not have to exert a lot of physical force to sit on or off the bike and the loop is a real gift as you can easily put your leg over it. This bit of detail might be a big positive for the elderly bikers. In fact for the young ones it is well-balanced enough to ride a wheelie for blocks!

Another good thing about this bike is the pair of stock tyres it comes with. Usually you don’t have much expectations with the stock tyres, however these ones will surprise you.
The bike rides itself well over rougher terrain and bumpy asphalt, albeit with more peddling due to the small size of the wheels.

Schwinn has taken care of little things on the bike which shows their dedication. The derailleur protection is a nice plus as it keeps the derailleur from getting damaged. Same goes for the solid rack which is pretty handy when you need to manage your stuff while on your way to work or from shop. In fact the rear rack is durable enough to endure the weight of a passenger to ride with you. However, you need to adapt with the rack accessories since the bars in the rack are thicker than usual.

The bike folds and unfolds in less than 30 seconds which is pretty good, but there is no latch included to hold the tires together when folded, so you need to have a bungee cord that you can use when you are commuting on public transport etc. The folded size is pretty space saving and can easily be stored in almost any automobiles trunk, on a boat, in your office or under your bed; however it is not easy to keep it standing while folded. You also get a nice nylon zipper bag to store and carry your Schwinn in.

The only major downside to the body seems to be in the seat department. The seat post has a very smooth finishing due to which securing the seat requires a strong turn of the hand tightened collar to secure the seat to the frame of the bike. (A quick fix is to file the steel post and make it rough for an easier grip with the bike frame) The seat itself is not that comfortable (especially for the bony ones among us) and can be improved with a much broader and comfier one. Amazon recommends Sunlite Cloud-9 Bicycle Suspension Cruiser Saddle or Schwinn Soft Wide Comfort as replacements, which are very good options in my opinion and bring a huge improvement to your Loop. A gel-cover works well too if you do not want to spend a lot.

Specifications:

• The bike was introduced in two colors – green and black; however, the green has been discontinued
• It is made in China
• For ages 12 and over
• Features 20 inch alloy rims
• Features front and rear pull brakes made of alloy
• Aluminium alloy and steel body
• City tires
• Folded size: 16″ x 32.5″ x 26″
• Only 33 lbs
• Rear carrier for easy carrying
• Fenders (both front and behind) to prevent road spray
• 7 different speeds
• Ships with a nylon heavy-duty bag to keep the bike in

Conclusion:

Dollar for dollar, Schwinn Loop 7 Speed Folding bike seems to be the best entry level bike you will find in the market as of now. It makes the perfect first folding bike for anyone and a lovely present. It is a very valid budget substitute for the much more expensive Dahon, especially for college students and elderly, for daily commute or exercise.
If you want a bike that could win the Tour de France, look elsewhere. If your goal is to get around town, or school, then this can be the right bike for you.