Schwinn is a well-known name in the world of bikes. This article will help you choose between two popular mountain bikes from the company, Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger. Although these two models look similar, their frames are actually made of different materials and they do come with different features. Let’s see which one that is better for you!
Continue reading to learn further about:
• What types of bikes Schwinn Sidewinder and Schwinn Ranger are
• The frame quality of each bike
• Which bike that is lighter and easier to handle
• The gearing components of Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger
• The pros and cons of each bike
• Which bike that is generally better and provides a better value
Schwinn Sidewinder: Overview
Schwinn Sidewinder is quite popular in the market because it is a versatile mountain bike. It is available in 24″ and 26″ sizes for girls, boys, adult women, and adult men. This bike is suitable for casual rides as well as adventure trips. It is also one of the few bikes that perform well on even and uneven surfaces. See also: Thule Apex Vs Yakima RidgeBack
Well, we still discourage you from using Schwinn Sidewinder for riding aggressively on an uneven terrain, but it is stable and comfortable enough for a slow, relaxed ride. After all, it is classified as a mountain bike, so it should be able to perform well on trails. The versatility of Schwinn Sidewinder matches well with the recent trend, where people start buying mountain bikes that can also be ridden on the city’s streets.
However, if you want to perform technical tricks on your mountain bike, Schwinn Sidewinder is not really recommended. This is because the wheels and tires are not really meant to be abused. The tires are knobby, so they can create sufficient traction on the roads as well as on the trails, but you should avoid exposing them to heavy impacts. Not to mention that the steel frame of the bike is quite heavy.
Schwinn Sidewinder: Features
SCHWINN STEEL MOUNTAIN FRAME
This is one of the primary differences between Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger. Many bikes in the market have moved to aluminum frames, which are more lightweight. However, Schwinn Sidewinder sticks with a steel frame.
It is very important for a bike to have a durable frame. With Schwinn Sidewinder, though, you don’t need to worry. The steel frame is corrosion resistant and very tough. The only downside is the steel frame is quite heavy, so lifting the bike will require extra effort.
ROBUST FRONT SUSPENSION
A mountain bike needs a robust front suspension. When riding on an unpaved terrain, you will face a lot of bumps. Without a robust suspension, your ride won’t be enjoyable at all. Schwinn Sidewinder has a very good front suspension fork that can smoothen any bump, and it seems to be durable enough to last for a long time. The front suspension fork will also help to increase your control by keeping the handlebar stable during a bump.
SHIMANO GEARING COMPONENTS
Shimano is a renowned brand of bike components. It speaks quality. Shimano parts are known to work extremely well and have superior durability. If you put enough care on your bike, the parts can easily last for years.
Schwinn Sidewinder comes with a Shimano rear derailleur and Shimano Revo shifters. It has a total of 21 speeds to give you a great range of control to face any challenge. The performance is very good. Shifting gears on the bike feels very smooth and precise. There is no flimsy feel at all.
ALLOY LINEAR PULL BRAKES
Both Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger have alloy linear pull brakes. Although alloy linear pull brakes are generally not as great as disc brakes, they are still good. They can still provide decent stopping power, and they are also quite robust so that you won’t need to replace the brakes too frequently.
Schwinn Sidewinder: Pros and Cons
PROS
• Great versatility, rides well on streets and trails
• Very tough and durable steel frame
• 21-speed gearing with high-quality Shimano components
• Very smooth gear shifting
• Decent stopping power from alloy linear pull brakes
CONS
• The bike is quite heavy due to the steel frame
• Not suitable for aggressive riding on uneven terrains
Schwinn Ranger: Overview
Like its sibling, Schwinn Ranger is also a mountain bike that is available in 24″ and 26″ sizes. It is available in variants for girls, boys, adult women, and adult men, too. This bike is perfect for exercise as well as casual riding. Not to mention that this bike is available at a budget-friendly price point.
For some people, getting a good quality mountain bike seems to be difficult. This is because the best mountain bikes are often very expensive. However, Schwinn has started to produce mountain bikes with great features but with surprisingly low price tags. One example is Schwinn Ranger, which is fitted with Shimano gearing components despite the affordable nature.
If we put Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger side by side, they may look similar at first. However, look more closely and you’ll see some differences. For example, the top tube of Schwinn Sidewinder’s frame is straight, whereas the top tube of Schwinn Ranger is curved. This is apparently just for aesthetics, and yes, Schwinn Ranger looks elegant. The difference doesn’t end there. Schwinn Ranger is lighter, due to having a frame that is made of aluminum.
As a mountain bike, Schwinn Ranger is expected to be able to perform on trails. However, compared to Schwinn Sidewinder, Schwinn Ranger is more limited. It can ride well on trails that are not too difficult, but it doesn’t seem to be durable enough to ride on terrains with lots of bumps. On the good side, it is stable and very comfortable to ride on the streets, so this is also an excellent choice if you want a versatile bike.
Schwinn Ranger: Features
ALUMINUM FRAME
Schwinn Ranger has a frame that is made of lightweight yet robust aluminum. These days, more and more bike manufacturers create bike frames from aluminum, for good reasons. Aluminum is cheaper than steel, so the price of the bike can be pressed down. Also, aluminum frames are lighter, so they can be lifted and carried more easily.
Some people argue that aluminum frames are not as tough as steel frames. That may be true, but you need a very high level of force to break or bend an aluminum frame. Let alone steel frames. For sure, bumpy roads and trails won’t pose a problem to Schwinn Ranger.
STEEL FRONT SUSPENSION
A mountain bike needs a front suspension in order to perform well on trails and other unpaved terrains. Schwinn Ranger has a front suspension that is made of steel. In general, the performance is good. It can reduce most bumps enough so that the ride is still quite smooth and comfortable, although it doesn’t feel as smooth as Schwinn Sidewinder. Still, the performance is not bad.
ROBUST WHEELS
Schwinn Ranger comes with robust wheels. 24″ and 26″ sizes are available. While the 24″ wheels are suitable for teenagers, most adults will find the 26″ to be more comfortable. The wheels seem to be able to withstand impacts without complaining. The spokes feel very solid and sturdy.
SHIMANO REVOSHIFT GEARS
Just like Schwinn Sidewinder, Schwinn Ranger comes with a total of 21 speeds. So, it can also give you a decent range of control to face various challenges. This is quite an impressive feature for such a budget-friendly mountain bike.
The gear shifter is Shimano Revoshift. It works really well. Changing gears is always smooth and precise in any condition. The parts are also durable. If you clean and lubricate them regularly, the parts should be able to last for years without any need of replacement.
ALLOY LINEAR PULL BRAKES
Finally, Schwinn Ranger also comes with alloy linear pull brakes. While disc brakes are often considered as the best type, alloy linear pull brakes aren’t bad at all. The braking power of Schwinn Ranger is very good. It can stop the bike quickly and smoothly while still keeping the rider in control. The brakes also seem to be quite durable, so they should be able to last for a while before you need to replace them.
Schwinn Ranger: Pros and Cons
PROS
• Affordable and budget-friendly price
• Lightweight aluminum frame which is easy to carry
• Attractive and elegant design
• Comes with 21 speeds and Shimano Revoshifter
CONS
• Only suitable for light trails and paved roads
• The steel front suspension doesn’t reduce bumps as much as desired
Schwinn Sidewinder vs Ranger
Conclusion
In general, Schwinn Sidewinder is still more recommended. It has better build quality and durability. The steel frame is more robust, and more importantly, the front suspension is of better quality. It is equipped with high-quality Shimano derailleur and Shimano Revo shifters. This mountain bike is quite versatile; it is suitable for riding on the city’s streets as well as trails.