We all know that finding the perfect mountain bike on a slim budget can be a daunting task. While there are so many options available, it can be hard to determine which bike will give you the best bang for your buck.
But the Schwinn Ascension 29 is an interesting mountain bike, and a budget-friendly one—just less than $370.
Well, we’ve put the Schwinn Ascension 29 to the test and are ready to give you the inside scoop on its performance, ride quality, and overall value. So sit back, relax, and get ready for our in-depth review of the Schwinn Ascension 29 Mountain Bike.
Schwinn Ascension 29 At A Glance
Schwinn Ascension 29 is a mountain bike that’s built to gracefully handle daily adventures on dirt trails. It has a lightweight aluminum frame with a 1×7 Pro Rush drivetrain for smooth riding and shifting, and powerful mechanical disc brakes which provide fast and precise stopping.
The 18.5-inch frame allows for stable rides, while the 2.35 inch knobby mountain tires provide excellent traction and enable smooth rides on both even and rugged terrain.
Ascension 29 is made for trail riding, but it’s also versatile and can double as a commuter bike. This bike has a stunning frame with internal routing for the brake and shift cables, which can extend the lifespan of your wires by shielding them from the environment.
Pros
- Great beginner bike
- Very budget-friendly
- Easy to maintain
- Very easily upgradable
Cons
- Not very heavy but not light either
- Saddle is very uncomfortable
Schwinn Ascension 29 Review: Features and Specifications
Frame and fork
The first thing you’d notice about the Schwinn Ascension 29 is the well-built frame, good quality adjustable fork, and a unique finish that sets it apart from other budget bikes.
Ascension 29 boasts of a sturdy aluminum mountain frame with an 18.5″ step-over frame size, which makes it suitable for riders of different heights.
The Schwinn suspension fork is responsive and provides a comfortable riding experience on tough and bumpy trails. However, one drawback is that the suspension fork lacks adjustments, such as lockout and preload adjuster, and only measures 60 mm.
One of the unique features of the Ascension 29 is the internal cable routing, which not only adds to its aesthetic appeal, but also reduces noise and increases its longevity. In addition to that, the Ascension’s tapered headtube allows for upgrades to a beefier and meaner fork, giving riders more options for customization.
The frame’s finish is also worth mentioning, as it features a unique lava-like fire graphic, plus the blocky Schwinn text on the downtube, which adds to the bike’s aesthetic appeal.
Gears and Brakes
Most budget bikes do not come with the best components, and you’d not expect premium performance from the shifters and brakes. However, the Ascension 29 is quite promising and has very smooth shifting for a bike in its class.
It comes with a Pro Rush 7-speed shifter and rear derailleur that offers precise gear changes, and you can easily engage the 7 speeds using the Pro Rush trigger shift, which allows for double-clicking to switch 2 gears at a time.
The bike’s new Pro Wheel derailleur is solid for a budget part and comes with a clutch that minimizes chain slap and noise during rides. The derailleur is paired with the Pro Wheel 7-speed shifter, which offers a range of 14 to 38 tooth, making 1×7 drivetrains more usable on mountain bike trails.
The Ascension 29’s polymer pedals are mated to 170 mm alloy crank arms, providing a sturdy base for the drivetrain.
Ascension 29 also comes with front and rear mechanical disc brakes that provide crisp stopping power in all conditions. The brakes are controlled via alloy levers, which are tucked under the right lever that houses the 7-speed trigger shifter. This design makes it easy to control with your thumb and finger.
The front and rear disc brakes have 160 mm rotors, ensuring reliable stopping power when needed. Also, the Ascension comes with a factory kickstand that can be easily removed if you don’t want it.
Wheels and Tires
The Schwinn Ascension 29 mountain bike features light and strong alloy double-walled rims, which are durable enough for everyday riding.
The big 29er all-terrain mountain tires are 2.35 inches wide and feature knobby treads that can roll over anything in your path, offering superior grip and control.
Besides skipping over bumps and pebbles on mountain trails, the Ascension 29 can also double as a commuter bike because the knobby mountain tires are more like hybrid tires.
This means that they are perfect for light dirt trails and also great for streets and paved roads.
The wheels and tires of the Schwinn Ascension 29 provide a smooth and comfortable ride on all types of terrain, making it a versatile bike for a variety of riding conditions.
Saddle and Handlebars
The saddle and handlebars of the Schwinn Ascension 29 contribute to a comfortable and stable riding experience.
It has a decent saddle made of vinyl material. The comfort and aesthetics of the saddle are subjective, but I feel it’s comfortable enough, but you can always get a better one.
The seat post has a quick release clamp and can accommodate a dropper post, which is impressive for a budget bike.
And for the handlebars, they are nice and wide at 720 mm with a 31.8 mm diameter, held on by a 70 mm stem. The rubber grips may leave residue on your hands after a ride, but the wide handlebars provide a comfortable and stable grip for the rider.
Size and weight
The medium-sized frame, measuring 18.5 inches, is suitable for riders who are between 5 feet 9 inches to slightly over 6 feet tall. This is a bike that’s obviously built for tall riders, but the 29er frame is slightly smaller than the standard size, which makes it more comfortable for medium-tall riders.
The Ascension 29 has a weight of 32.54 lbs, which is relatively lightweight for a cross-country mountain bike, with a weight limit of 250 lbs.
Price and warranty
Schwinn Ascension 29 is a very budget-friendly bike, and you can get one with less than $370. This is a very good price for a full-suspension mountain bike. And it gives you room for plenty of upgrades, if you like to play around with your bike, you can customize anyhow you wish.
Like most Schwinn bikes, you get a limited lifetime warranty when you purchase the Ascension 29 Mountain Bike.
Ride quality and performance
Schwinn Ascension 29 has excellent handling on rough trails, which is great for mountain biking enthusiasts. It’s a great entry-level mountain bike that is perfect for smooth, hard-packed trails.
Ascension 29 has a geometry that makes it easier to control, and it’s an agile bike that can dart around with ease. While it may not be suitable for technical trails, it’s still a good choice for a smooth park trail bike. It’s lightweight and rolls over obstacles with ease, thanks to its big wheels.
The mechanical disc brakes work perfectly and don’t need any adjustments, the gearing can handle any city hill with ease, and you can smoothly transition from dirt trails to unpaved roads.
The 30-tooth to 38-tooth granny gear combo is perfect for entry-level riders, as it makes it easy to ride this 38-pound bike up moderately steep hills while seated. The shifting is smooth most of the time, but it occasionally gets clunky.
This bike also performs really well on some intermediate technical trails. It’s equipped with disc brakes and a good range of gears, which ensures that the ride is always smooth.
Schwinn Ascension 29 is a great bike for the price. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get into mountain biking and enjoys spending time outdoors. You can even try out different tires and stems to change the bike’s feel and make it even better suited to your needs.
Best Schwinn Ascension 29 Alternatives to Consider
The best thing about Schwinn is their selection of excellent entry-level bikes with premium components at affordable costs. There are other excellent options available to you if the Schwinn Ascension 29 isn’t just what you’re looking for.
As alternatives to the Ascension 29, we have selected two other excellent and reasonably priced Schwinn mountain bikes.
Schwinn S29 Mountain Bike
Key Features
- Weight limit: 260 lbs
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Brake type: Mechanical disc
- Bike weight: 39 lbs
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- See more on Amazon
The 29-inch Schwinn S29 is a remarkable full-suspension mountain bike for both men and women. It has a lightweight aluminum frame that reduces overall body weight.
It has 21-speed trigger shifters for a wide gear range and seamless shifts. And the dual front and rear suspension can effectively absorb the majority of the shock from uneven roads.
In addition to that, extra-wide, sturdy double-walled alloy rims and good-grip tires help to absorb shock from impact, which further improves the riding pleasure.
The front and rear mechanical disc brakes on this bike both provide exceptional braking performance. This is a comfortable and fun bike to ride, and great for both beginner and intermediate mountain bikers.
Related Post: Schwinn S29 Mountain Bike Review
Schwinn Bonafide Mountain Bike
Key Features
- Weight limit: up to 300 lbs
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Brake type: Mechanical disc
- Bike weight: 39 lbs
- Warranty: 5-year warranty
- See more on Amazon
The Bonafide MTB is another great bike from Schwinn. It’s a mid-range bike with interesting features and an affordable price tag.
The Schwinn Bonafide mountain bike gives you a pleasant and reliable riding experience with its aluminum mountain frame and sturdy suspension fork that absorbs bumps and big hits.
As a hardtail mountain bike, it’s designed for the trail with large 29″ knobby tires and durable alloy rims. The alloy rims increase longevity without adding extra weight, while the mechanical disc brakes offer precise stopping on the trail.
The gear shifting is smooth and seamless, thanks to the 24-speed trigger shifters and front and rear derailleurs. This bike is fun and easy to ride, which makes it great for heavy riders.
Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike
Key Features
- Weight limit: 260-300 lbs
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Brake type: mechanical disc
- Bike weight: 49 lbs
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- See more on Amazon
The Traxion MTB is equipped with a remarkably solid aluminum full-suspension frame that easily picks up speed and maintains it very well.
This bike provides comfortable rides and handles bumps well, regardless of where your trail adventures take you. Thanks to the wide knobby tires, sturdy double-walled aluminum rims, and a superb trail-taming Schwinn suspension fork.
The 24 speed shifters also ensure fluid gear shifting, which makes for a fun and pleasant riding experience. In addition to that, the mechanical disc brakes lock into place instantly when applied, and this ensures precise and efficient stopping.
The wheels have all-terrain tires and alloy rims for strength and low weight. Plus, you can easily adjust the height of the saddle using the quick release seat post to get your best fit.
Related Post: Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike Review
Finally, is Schwinn Ascension 29 bike a good buy?
All in all, the Schwinn Ascension 29 is a great entry-level mountain bike with a lot to offer. For its price point, it packs in some impressive features, like the 1x drivetrain and internal cable routing.
The 18.5 inch sizing makes it accessible for a variety of riders, and the bike’s agility and ease of control make it a great option for those new to mountain biking.
While it may not be suitable for the most technical trails, it’s certainly capable on smooth and light mountain trails. And, if you’re someone who loves to upgrade your bike over time, the Ascension 29 has a solid frame that can easily be built upon.
For under $370, this bike setup is definitely worth considering for anyone in the market for a new entry-level mountain bike.
You may also like:
