A more affordable, yet incredibly reliable and smooth option is the Schwinn Protocol 1.0. This is a favorite of many amateur riders that are looking for a sturdy construction to support their hobby. Here are three pros and three cons of this particular mountain bike to help you decide whether it suits your needs or not.Top pros and cons of the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 bikes so you can decide if it is the right one for you.Look at this list of Schwinn Protocol.
By Amanda Wilks
When you’re passionate about mountain biking, your choice of a bicycle can make or break your rides. Enthusiasts of the sport will most likely know that the higher-end models used by pros can take you back a couple of thousand dollars. Fortunately, there are plenty of less expensive models out there that offer a great experience on trails in all difficulty categories.
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The Pros
1. Sturdy Components
According to Mountain Bike Reviewed, the Schwinn Protocol 1.0’s biggest asset is represented by the sturdiness of its components. It has a dual suspension aluminum frame that is rust-resistant and can sustain up to 220 pounds of weight. Furthermore, the rear triangle is made out of steel, which further adds to the endurance of the construction.
Nevertheless, the bike stays light and easy to ride due to the choice of material. This offers a smooth experience regardless of your skillset. In addition, the Shimano EF-50 trigger shifters offer excellent gearing capacities, especially when combined with the Shimano Altus rear derailleur.
Its 24-speed setup works beautifully with the high-profile 26-inch wheels and rims to match. These provide enough traction to carry you through just about any situation. Thus, you can ride safely under any conditions and on most trails. All in all, the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 is a versatile and strong MTB that fits a variety of needs and preferences.
2. Affordable Price Tag
Even though the Schwinn Protocol 1.0’s enjoys a quality construction with some of the most reliable components in the mid-range category, its price tag remains pretty affordable. Its original price is 400 dollars, but you can currently purchase it for a discount on Amazon.com and pay just 315 dollars for it.
Although some reviews criticize this aspect, realistically speaking, 300 to 400 dollars is a justifiable amount of money to pay for a bike of this caliber. After all, it is a true mid-range bike that makes use of the best available materials and components in this scope so that the experience that is offered is comparable to higher-end MTBs that retail for thousands of dollars.
3. Durability Over Time
Even though the main component of the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 is an aluminum frame, which is notorious for its shorter lifespan, this particular bike is a durable one. One satisfied Amazon reviewer actually stated that he has had it for more than 3 years, and it is still functioning to its fullest potential with zero tune-ups over the years.
Depending on your height, weight, and overall riding style, yours might need a bit of sprucing up over the years. Still, when provided with proper maintenance, a sturdy aluminum MTB such as this one can last up to 7 whole years before any real issues develop. Thus, if you take care of your Schwinn Protocol 1.0, it will also take care of you.
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The Cons
1. Lack of Water Bottle Cage
The first con to come to mind when discussing the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 mid-range aluminum mountain bike is its lack of space for a cage water bottle for mountain biking. This can be detrimental when going on a long ride because it means that you need to carry your bottle in a backpack. This puts a strain on your spine, leading to fatigue and even aches if the proper posture isn’t maintained.
However, you can easily work around this through the aforementioned method. Simply purchase a sports backpack with dedicated water bottle pockets. You can put a smaller recipient on each side, which should be just enough to sustain you through your days on the trail. And if you hydrate properly before and after going out, you will have a head start.
2. Difficult to Set Up
A few Amazon reviewers have noted that setting up and fine-tuning the bicycle is a bit more complicated than it should be. This is mostly due to the fact that its included instruction manual isn’t put together well, which makes the entire situation vague and confusing for many users. Fortunately, the Internet will always come to your help with a tutorial or two.
Still, if you’re looking for a user-friendly experience as far as the setup is concerned, this might not be the mountain bike for you. The easy way out would be to take it to a shop and have an expert tinker with the settings for you, but keep in mind that this will involve an additional cost.
3. Unfit for Pro Riding
Even though the Schwinn Protocol 1.0 has sturdy components that offer a smooth and durable experience, it’s obvious that it is not a pro MTB. Of course, if you’re a pro rider or looking to become one, mid-range bikes should be out of the question for you. But for an amateur that mountain bikes as a hobby, spending 400 dollars on this beauty will be worth it in the long run.
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The Conclusion
The Schwinn Protocol 1.0 mountain bike benefits from a sturdy construction that is durable yet remains affordable. This mid-range MTB is thus an amazing choice for amateur riders. Nevertheless, if you were planning to go pro, you will have to invest a bit more in your ride. But that should come as a given.
