Need Help- Wal-Mart Schwinn S-30

(JC) said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

Thanks

I'm not even going to say a word.

Someone else do it, would ya?

On 28 Sep 2003 13:47:17 -0700, JC <[email hidden]> penned:

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

I'm no expert, but I do wonder about the seat -- is it immediately uncomfortable when you sit on it,
or is it uncomfortable after prolonged riding?

As I understand it, seats are often made narrow so as to stay out of your way when you have to shift
your weight back for, say, downhills ... the conventional wisdom as I recall is that the seat needs
to be able to make contact with your "sit bones," but doesn't need to be any wider.

I can find lots of references to "sit bones" through google, but no definition ...

--
monique

Okay, my fiance just gave me a hands-on demonstration of where my sitbones are =P

Has nothing to do with your posterior -- they're between your legs. I could now describe them in
terms of the female anatomy, but don't dare to try in terms of male =P

On the other hand, I think I could define them as "the part of your body that hurts when you sit on
your bike for the second time after not having ridden for a while."

--
monique

JC said...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

Thanks

You can't raise the bars much with a threadless stem and steerer. You may be able to raise it about
1/4" by placing a spacer under the stem. To get the bars higher than that, you will need new
handlebars or stem. None of this is difficult, but requires several steps and you should either take
it to a bike shop, or find some good instructions to follow. It's all available on the Net if you
look around. I hope you have good disability insurance if you plan on doing anything more than a
casual ride around your neighborhood, because bikes like these are problematic under the best of
circumstances, and with your size, you will really be pushing it, especially since you don't seem to
know much about set-up and maintenance. I'm sure your wife meant well, and I'm not trying to be a
jerk, but go easy with this bike until you know what kind of performance you can get out of it and
what its weak points are. A tune- up from a bike shop would be highly recommended, but if you don't
want to spend the money, don't say you weren't warned.

"JC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

Do you know what size the frame is? (17", 19", 21"; or S/M/L/XL, etc.) 26" is simply the wheel
diameter (same for all sizes).

Unless it's a BIG frame, chances are it's too small for you. I'd recommend returning it, and going
to a bike shop to get fitted properly on an entry-level hardtail bike. Tell your wife you'll make up
the difference in price 🙂

They *may* have larger sizes available at WalMart, but it still sounds like you could use some
"professional" assistance at an LBS (local bike shop). They'll help with saddle and bar height, and
also saddle selection.

Bill "your butt WILL hurt for a while regardless" S.

Monique Y. Herman said:

On 28 Sep 2003 13:47:17 -0700, JC <[email hidden]> penned:

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday

snip "cough"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'm no expert, but I do wonder about the seat -- is it immediately uncomfortable when you sit on
it, or is it uncomfortable after prolonged riding?

As I understand it, seats are often made narrow so as to stay out of your way when you have to
shift your weight back for, say, downhills ... the conventional wisdom as I recall is that the seat
needs to be able to make contact with your "sit bones," but doesn't need to be any wider.

I can find lots of references to "sit bones" through google, but no definition ...

Ischial Tuberosities is the technical term, two lumps that stick out from the rest of the pelvis
with only a thin muscle cover to allow "sitting" to take place without destroying your rear end with
ulcers and the like. If you grab your own butt while sitting, you will find them either side and
back from the perineum.

Martin

Take it back. The bike will definitely discourage you from this sport!

However, if you're just riding in the neighborhood, what you have is perfectly fine...

--
- Zilla Cary, NC (Remove XSPAM)

"JC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

Thanks

"JC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering if
this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me I
cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The manual
included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike or how to
adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called, is also very
uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know this is a very
low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me a couple of years
to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be most welcome.

Thanks

walmart.comproduct.gspOpen ↗ 282094288100266

Based on the Walmart website, it looks like there is only one size. "Adult" If you're planning to
take it off-road, it's probably too small. If you're just riding it around the neighborhood and not
to far, then it's probably ok. You need to take it to a bike shop to get a riser stem and maybe
higher riser bars.

[email hidden] (JC) wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday

Yes, you may divorce her for cruel and unusual punishment.

JD

"Sorni" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"JC" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hello all, My wife purchased me a Schwinn S-30 on clearance from Wal-Mart yesterday and I have a
couple of questions for you experts. I am a fairly large man at 6'3" 240 lbs and I am wondering
if this bike is big enough to handle me. It has the 26" suspension frame but for the life of me
I cannot figure out how to raise the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for me. The
manual included with the bike is a genric Schwinn manual and does not give specifics on my bike
or how to adjust the handlebar height. The seat, or saddle as I notice it is correctly called,
is also very uncomfortable so I would like advice as to what I should get for my "girth". I know
this is a very low end bike compared to what you guys ride but I just want something to last me
a couple of years to see if I really want to invest in this sport. Any advice you have will be
most welcome.

Do you know what size the frame is? (17", 19", 21"; or S/M/L/XL, etc.)

26"

Quoted message said:

is simply the wheel diameter (same for all sizes). Unless it's a BIG frame, chances are it's too
small for you.

I've checked out the bike in question at a local WallyMart. It's nominally 18"/medium size. A little
too small for me, and definitely too small for a 6'3" 240lb rider.

Quoted message said:

I'd recommend returning it, and going to a bike shop to get fitted properly on an entry-level
hardtail bike.

Good advice.

Quoted message said:

They *may* have larger sizes available at WalMart

"I'm a frayed knot." Sporting goods superstores ([censored]'s, Sport Mart, etc) carry several different
frame sizes. Prices are only slightly lower than real bike shops, and service is wildly variable,
from very good to abyssmal.

Quoted message said:

but it still sounds like you could use some "professional" assistance at an LBS (local bike shop).
They'll help with saddle and bar height, and also saddle selection.

Agreed. They might even swap stems/saddles for a very small extra charge. Well worth it.

Quoted message said:

Bill "your butt WILL hurt for a while regardless" S.

...not from the bike saddle, either ;-) Be sure to pick up some flowers on your way home from the
bike shop.

-=B=-