A value for money, light weight performance hybrid bicycle that will help you in your fitness goals, and on spirited medium to long rides
Schwinn USA have their "Super Sport" series of hybrid bicycles that are built with fitness and performance in mind. Staying true to its euro ethos of making high quality, functional and affordable bicycles, the Schwinn Super Sport 3 2016 promises just that. We decided to test this bicycle to see if it has a role to play in the fast moving performance hybrid space.
Frame, Fit and Comfort
Lightweight Frame
The Schwinn Super Sport 3 2016 comes with a sleek and well built lightweight frame. It is made of Schwinn N Litened 3 Triple butted alloy that results in a stronger and lighter frame. The tubing is extremely sleek and minimal. The fork employed is a Schwinn straight blade rigid steel fork that gives that added strength and longevity to the overall frame. It comes with rack and fender mounts in the rear. We were not very impressed by the finish quality of the welds at the joints; we expected smoother welds from a brand like Schwinn. We also expected the engineers to integrate a quick release option for the saddle which is a must have for entry level hybrids.
Design
Combination of classic lines with subtle contemporary illustrations
At first glance the Schwinn Super Sport 3 2016 looks plain jane in this shade of black/grey/red. The quality paint job comes to light once you get closer to the bicycle. The overall design is a combination of classic lines with subtle contemporary illustrations, keeping the bike current. In a competitive space such as entry level hybrids, any brand trys to reach out to a wide range of customers with varying preferences. We would have liked to see a few more color options on the Super Sport 3 .
Gearing
Good and Efficient Gear shifts
The gearing on the Super Sport 3 are basic/entry level components. It comes with 21 speed gears that has a Shimano Tourney, FD-TX51 (3 SPEED) for front derailleurs, and Shimano Altus, RD-M310 (7 Speed) for rear derailleurs. The gear shifters are Shimano EF-51, Easy fire shifters. The shifting was good and it did the job efficiently for the purpose it was built for. We enjoyed the overall drivetrain that combined well with the frame and wheel set, to give us a really responsive and spirited ride. It is safe to say that this unassuming hybrid, got us excited on the ride.
Brakes and Steering
Agile and precise handling
The Brakes on this Hybrid are Shimano alloy 'V' brake units with linear pull feature. They worked quite well during the review and it aided effective stopping where required. There is a disc brake option that comes on the more expensive Schwinn Super Sport 2 (Disc), if you think you need more stopping power on the go.
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The handling on the Super Sport 3 was agile and responsive. The considerably aggressive hybrid frame geometry ensures that directional changes are sharp and precise. The bicycle was stable on corners and descents.
Ride Quality
Comfortable City Commuter
The tires on the Schwinn Super Sport 3 are 700 * 32C Kenda K-193s, that are fitted on to sturdy 26'Alex DC double walled alloy rims (32 H). These tires have a basic tread pattern to give you traction on most road surfaces, and you can be rest assured that this Kenda unit will protect you from frequent punctures. We found that the roll resistance on the tires was low, and therefore it gave us the much needed assistance when we decided to up the tempo.
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The overall ride quality of the Super Sport 3 was comfortable. The frame quality and build played a big part on ensuring the right amount of stiffness for spirited riding, while insulating a bit of the vibrations from undulations in the road. The precision in the frame build extends to the seat stay where Schwinn have employed their 'Epicenter Seat Stay' tech. An added bonus comes in the form of the Dual pressure 'Schwinn Comfort tuned' handlebar grip which allows for a good hand posture while riding. This aides the slightly recessed handlebar which gives the rider a comfortable reach, while still being sporty.
Overall Rating
Performance
Design
Features
Value For Money
- Lightweight frame
- Agile and precise handling
- Value for money performance and fitness hybrid bicycle
- Poor finishing of welds at key joints on the frame.
- Lack of color options
Conclusion
We were satisfied with what the Schwinn Super Sport 3 2016 had on offer. The bottom line is that it is a well built, lightweight performance focused hybrid that comes at a great price point of Rs.25,800. If you are on the lookout for a new companion in your efforts to improve your fitness, or to push your bicycling performance on urban roads, the Schwinn Super Sport 3 2016 should certainly be in your top 3 options.
