Schwinn bikes are known for their budget-friendly prices, and they are often worth it.
And if you’re looking for a versatile and affordable mountain bike? The Schwinn High Timber may be a good choice.
While it may not have top-of-the-line components, it still delivers smooth and comfortable rides.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at Schwinn High Timber and give you the lowdown on its features, performance, and overall ride quality.
Schwinn High Timber MTB At A Glance
The Schwinn High Timber MTB is great for riders who want to enjoy the exciting adventure of mountain biking.
These bikes have 21-Speed twist shifters and a rear derailleur for seamless maneuvering in virtually any terrain or slope. Also, the linear pull brakes in the front and rear deliver precise stopping ability.
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 fast release seat post to get your best fit.
While this bike is good for entry-level mountain biking, it doesn’t have any of the newer technologies that mountain bikers find exciting.
Pros
- Good for beginners
- Rides smooth
- Easy to assemble
- Braking works good
Cons
- Relatively heavy
- No bottle holder
- Basic components
Schwinn High Timber MTB Features
Frame and fork
I think the sturdiest part of the Schwinn High Timber is the frame, and it comes in both aluminum and steel frame options, so you can choose which one you prefer.
If you’re planning to hit rough mountain trails, the steel alloy frame is the way to go. It may be heavier, but it’s more robust and sturdy.
On the other hand, if you’re riding tamer trails or paved roads, the aluminum alloy frame is a better choice. It’s lighter, which makes it more versatile and better suited for entry-level riders who want to brush up their mountain biking skills.
The front suspension on the High Timber is decent enough to ensure the bike can gracefully handle rides on bumpy trails.
The SunTour suspension is slightly stiff and actually dampens shock very well on bumpy roads, so you won’t feel every jolt on your bones. It also improves handling and general feel of the bike.
As an entry-level hardtail, the High Timber is great for beginner bikers, but it’s also an excellent project bike.
If you’re into bike upgrades, this may be a good one for. With the High Timber, you’ll get your hands on a solid frame and decent components, and you can upgrade a few parts.
Gears and Brakes
When it comes to gears, the Schwinn High Timber offers different speed options ranging from 7 to 21.
The Men’s High Timber model comes with SRAM gripped gears and 21 gears, which is perfect for casual rides on park trails and around the neighborhood.
However, advanced riders may find the lack of more gears limiting. But considering this bike is designed for casual use, it’s understandable, especially when you consider its price point.
21-speed twist shifters with rear derailleur make gear changes quick and easy, and the Schwinn alloy crank provides steady gear changes with little maintenance. However, the derailleurs are not high-quality and sometimes make a little noise despite adjustments.
Schwinn High Timber uses front and rear alloy linear pull brakes, this is a little disappointing for a mountain bike, but they do provide good stopping power and speed control.
The obvious downside here is that disc brakes are better for mountain bikes due to their more reliable stopping power even in wet conditions, but this can be remedied because the High Timber frame accepts a disc brake upgrade to the rear wheel only.
Another problem I observed is the braking handles on the handlebar, they feel cheap and flimsy, so you may need to handle them with extra care to avoid damage.
Wheels and Tires
High Timber Mountain Bike mostly comes with 27.5-inch wheels, which are perfect for all kinds of casual riding.
This traditional wheel size makes the bike lightweight, it picks up speed with ease and fits different types of riding. However, if you prefer different wheel sizes, there are options available ranging from 24 to 29 inches.
As a mountain bike, it has wide knobby mountain tires which are perfect for all types of weather and terrain. They provide excellent grip and stability on the trail, keeping you balanced and in control at all times.
Lightweight alloy wheels also contribute to the strength and durability of the bike, the sturdy wheels and tires are perfect for long rides on uneven terrain.
What’s great about these wheels and tires is that they are designed for both on- and off-road riding, which helps with the versatility of the High Timber.
Saddle and Handlebars
It’s worth mentioning that the Schwinn High Timber comes with a padded and comfy saddle. Not everyone will agree with this though, since the comfort of a saddle is very subjective.
But you can always swap it out for a saddle that fits you better.
I noticed that the saddle can also act as an extra layer of shock absorber. If you ride on this saddle, you’ll also notice that it helps to cushion your backside from jolts and bumps on rough trails.
Another impressive feature of the Schwinn High Timber is the quick release seat post that makes adjusting the height of your saddle super easy. It’s a small convenience that goes a long way in making your ride more enjoyable.
The stem and handlebars of the High Timber are decent, but a little heavy and narrow.
Assembling the bike and routing the cables through the narrow handlebars can be a little tricky, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
Just make sure to tighten the handlebars really well, or they may come loose while you’re riding.
Size and weight
The Schwinn High Timber comes in a variety of sizes to fit different heights, so you can find one that suits you best.
The 27.5-inch wheel frame is perfect for riders between 5′5″ to 6′0″, but there are other wheel sizes available too: 20″, 24″, 26″, and 29″. Most women prefer the 26″ size, while men often go for 29″ or 27.5″.
The lightweight 16-inch steel frame also means the bike can comfortably fit short to medium tall riders.
Keep in mind that the bike is a bit on the heavy side, weighing between 35 and 40lbs, with a weight limit of 250-300 lbs. So, while it might not be the lightest bike around, it can handle a decent amount of weight.
Price and Warranty
Schwinn High Timber is a budget-friendly bike, and your hands on one with less than $500.
At the time of writing this article, Schwinn High Timber was going from about $389.99 to over $600 on Amazon, depending on the frame size you choose.
Keep in mind that these prices are always changing, and you can even get it for less than $300 (I once saw it on sale for $241.30).
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 High Timber Mountain Bike.
Ride quality and performance
The Schwinn High Timber is perfect for riders who want smooth rides on both light trails and paved city roads. Even though the brakes and gears might need some tweaking to be perfect, they still get the job done just fine.
Assembling the bike is a breeze and can be done quickly with only four things to put together – the front wheel, handlebars, pedals, and seat.
This bike can handle all entry-level mountain biking on light trails, it’s not built for technical trails, so don’t expect it to do well on very rough trails.
It has a decent front suspension and the ride quality is great. It’s worth noting that this is a budget bike, which means it doesn’t have the highest quality components.
However, it’s a great value for the price. The only brand name components are the entry-level Shimano Tourney derailleur and Revoshift gripshift.
Despite this, the High Timber is a reliable and sturdy bike, it’s not perfect, but it rides very smooth with good handling.
Best Schwinn High Timber MTB Alternatives
While the Schwinn High Timber is a good bike, it may not be the right one for you, and if you’re so sure about it, we have a few other options you may like better. Check out these great alternatives.
Schwinn S29
Key Features
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Brake type: Mechanical disc
- Bike weight: 39 lbs
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- See more on Amazon
The 29-inch Schwinn S29 is an impressive 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 Traxion
Key Features
- 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.
If you absolutely want a Schwinn bike, then the Traxion is a much better option than the High Timber MTB.
Related Post: Schwinn Traxion Mountain Bike Review
Schwinn Bonafide mountain bike
Key Features
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Brake type: Mechanical disc
- Bike weight: 39 lbs
- Warranty: Limited lifetime
- 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 trail riding.
Finally, is Schwinn High Timber a good buy?
Schwinn High Timber Mountain Bike is a great option for those looking for a budget-friendly and versatile mountain bike.
Despite some compromises in terms of component quality, the bike itself is pretty good. It rides well, shifts smoothly, and the brakes are very responsive.
Plus, the all-terrain tires and comfortable saddle, makes it a versatile and reliable choice for casual riders and beginners alike.
Buy Schwinn High Timber on Amazon!
But if you’re not so sure about the Schwinn High Timber, check out these alternatives;
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