Product Review: Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser Bike

Schwinn's Point Beach Cruiser Bike offers a vintage look with modern upgrades. Its fire-engine red body has dramatic arcs and shiny fenders for a bold aesthetic, while still coming standard with seven gear selections and modernized hardware. It combines the best of both worlds in a low-cost archetype. Many cruisers featuring a vintage look stick to vintage construction, meaning no gear-shifting options and sometimes true old-fashioned backpedal braking. This model, however, does not.

The bike is available at many retailers, most notably the retail giant Wal-Mart for a price falling below the $200 mark. When shopping for a Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser, consider store assembly options. If the retail outlet offers free or low-cost assembly, it is definitely worth it. One of this product's major downfalls is its difficult assembly and often incongruent parts. While some online reviews of this product boast easy assembly, it is not always the case depending on how carefully the bike was shipped to the store. The pieces usually do fit-just not very well, especially when it comes to thinner metal pieces like the fenders and the storage rack that are easily bent out of shape. Assembly is doable for even novice bike lovers, but it will lead to some frustration and headaches before you get the finished, pristine result you're looking for.

Another failing is the pull leaver for the brakes, which is not very responsive. It can be adjusted or replaced at a bike shop or at home with the proper know-how. The seat is also a bit uncomfortable-it's rather hard and does not offer good shock absorption. However, replacement seats are very inexpensive, so this is not a major detractor. Lubricant may be needed during assembly, but, again, it's inexpensive. Just don't be surprised when that below $200 mark climbs by about $30 or $40 during the assembling and personalized adjusting process.

The bike definitely has more problems than typical Schwinn models, as they usually produce higher quality, lower-cost bikes than many other well-known brands. But beyond the aforementioned nuisances, the bike is still a pretty good buy. It offers a light frame, retro aesthetic, and a nice back storage rack for the commuter cyclist. Assembly tweaking and periodic adjustment is necessary, but this is expected with most lower-end bikes. With proper maintenance and care, it will serve most urban bikers well for several years. The operative word is, of course, urban, as the bike is a cruiser and not intended for the incredibly bumpy terrain associated with off-road cycling. If you're in need of a decent city-going bike, the Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser may be right up your alley.

Sources:

Walmart Corporation, 26" Men's Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser Bike, Walmart.

Yahoo Shopping, 26" Men's Schwinn Point Beach Cruiser Bike, Yahoo.