The early Sierras and High Sierras had frames made by Giant and were better quality. For alternatives to this Schwinn MTB, you can also check out our guide to the best entry-level mountain bike for beginners/intermediates or our Best Mountain Bikes Under $500 for more affordable ranges. Due to its unusual tread pattern, along with the 2.25" tires, it renders excellent traction, thus making it a great choice for riders who want to up their game and go off-road. In 1993, Richard Schwinn, great-grandson of Ignaz Schwinn, with business partner Marc Muller, purchased the Schwinn Paramount plant in Waterford, Wisconsin, where Paramounts were built since 1980. They founded Waterford Precision Cycles, which is still in operation. The Schwinn brand is a famous American company that makes high-quality bikes. This Schwinn High Timbre Mountain Bike is proof that you can have a superior-quality bike at an affordable price. On the one hand, it provides a firm grip on rough terrains, and on the other hand, it gives a smooth ride on city streets and pavements. The 7-speed Shimano twist shifters let you have a comfortable ride – no body strain after a long journey. Its front and linear alloy linear-pull brakes provide the strongest stopping power. I’d agree that we should be critical of technologies that add a bunch of cost and complication to our already expensive sport. Judging by all the comments about it, I’m in the minority but I find it’s a fun accessory. I did remove the reflectors and also the “pie plate” on the cassette, again, based on my own preferences for how I like my bikes to look / perform. One minor bummer is that the informational stickers on the frame don’t peel off cleanly. To get the paper and gummy glue off completely takes some effort. Oh, and better tires could be worthwhile if the stock rubber isn’t cutting it. This XC bike suits serious cross-country bikers, thanks to its 100mm XR Suntour Fork, hydraulic disc brakes, 24-speed drivetrain, and 2.25-inch knobby tires. Schwinn mountain bikes come with firmer suspensions that promise a much comfortable ride. One of the subtleties that distinguish a great mountain bike from a run-of-the-mine offering is the suspension fork. For a bike to warrant a mention at a bikers’ dinner table, it has to have a quality suspension fork, and that is exactly what you get with the Schwinn Men’s High Timber Mountain Bicycle. There’s also an aluminum alloy V brake on the front, mechanical disc brakes on the rear and 21-speed twist shifters to choose your favorite speed. By 1975, bicycle customers interested in medium-priced road and touring bicycles had largely gravitated towards Japanese or European brands. In reality, mass-market French manufacturers such as Peugeot were not infrequently criticized for material and assembly quality — as well as stagnant technology — in their low- and mid-level product lines. Nevertheless, Peugeot proudly advertised its victorious racing heritage at every opportunity. Unlike Schwinn, most Japanese bicycle manufacturers were quick to adopt the latest European road racing geometries, new steel alloys, and modern manufacturing techniques. As a result, their moderately-priced bicycles, equipped with the same Japanese-made components, usually weighed less and performed better than competitive models made by Schwinn.