Schwinn Rocket Comp Adult Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Review
Schwinn Rocket Comp Adult Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike Feature
- Responsive men's mountain bike with Iso-Drive suspended 4-bar proprietary frame
- Manitou Radium flexible air spring shock; Manitou Axel Comp fork
- Shimano Deore rapid-fire trigger shifters; clipless, double-sided pedals
- WTB 26-by-2.1-inch Velociraptor tires with front- and rear-specific tread pattern
- WTB Speed V Sport SE saddle with Schwinn logo; Hayes mechanical disc brakes
Specifications:
- Frame: Schwinn Iso-Drive suspended BB 4-bar proprietary design with 5 inches of rear travel, custom-butted 7005 aluminum, fully sealed external cartridge bearing pivots, forged BB link and seat stay yoke, Zero Stack headset, forged dropouts with replaceable hanger
- Fork: Manitou Axel Comp with magnesium lowers, coil spring with 120mm travel
- Rear shock: Manitou Radium flexible tuning air spring with Platform Plus hydraulic damping
- Crankset: Truvativ Iso-Flow alloy arms, 44-32-22 Cr-Mo rings (replaceable)
- Bottom bracket: Truvativ Power Spline sealed cartridge 68 x 113 with chain line stabilizer
- Front derailleur: Shimano Deore
- Rear derailleur: Shimano LX Low normal
- Shifters: Shimano Deore rapid fire trigger
- Freewheel: SRAM PG-950 9-speed, 11-32t
- Chain: KMC CN-HG-73
- Rims: WTB SX24 XC double-wall anodized with stainless-steel eyelets
- Tires: WTB 26" x 2.1" Velociraptor front- and rear-specific tread pattern
- Front hub: Joy Tech alloy disc, weather sealed with alloy QR
- Rear hub: Joy Tech alloy disc weather sealed QR set with cassette 8-speed rear
- Spokes: Stainless-steel, black-coated 14 gauge
- Front brake: Tektro RX-40 dual-pivot caliper
- Rear brake: Tektro RX-40S single-pivot caliper
- Pedals: Wellgo double-sided, clipless, with cleats and reflectors
- Brakes: Hayes MX-2 mechanical disc with 6" rotor
- Brake levers: Hayes HML-1 adjustable reach with compressionless housing
- Handlebar: Schwinn trail-tuned butted aluminum, 20 mm rise, 9-degree bend, 620 mm wide
- Stem: Schwinn trail-tuned alloy threadless, 10-degree rise with forged 4-bolt front load cap
- Grips: Lock-on double-density Kraton
- Headset: FPD threadless semi-integrated Aheadset 1-1/8"
- Saddle: WTB Speed V Sport SE with Schwinn logo
- Seat post: Alloy with forged alloy head 27.2 x 350mm
- Seat clamp: Alloy low-profile QR with forged clamp
- Extras: Seat post water bottle mountain clamps
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 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
