Does anyone own a Schwinn Jenny or XDS bike? Your thoughts?

[glitterfell]

Hello I'm new to this forum and am about to buy my first bike.

The bike I want to get is this one
http://www.schwinnbikes.com/aus/bikes/urban/2012-jenny-7-speed-14398 .
Does anyone own this or even a previous model of it and what are your experiences/thoughts in regards to upkeep and maintenance and use?

I have test ridden so many bikes looking for a nice girls one that's affordable on my budget and Jenny's for me.

I know that XDS are pretty much as entry level as you can go and most (shop) people consider them a joke. But obviously someone is buying them because I've seen loads around. Are they really that bad? If you own one or have ridden one for a prolonged time what do you think?

Things for me that are essential, more than 3 gears (but less than 8), chain guard, mudguards, rear rack, basket, step through frame and looks good. Under $650 would be nice. Shall last. Do not want it dead at the end of the first year. When you have all that in one bike there's only 2 options to choose from.

It will most likely be my main form of transport/commuting, but less than 10k per ride.

Sorry for all the rambling. Thank you.

[Parker]

Hi glitterfell

I used to sell the XDS in a store that I worked in and it's a great entry level bike, keep it inside if you can and give it a wipe every so often and the bike should be fine.

I never had anyone bring one back in a heap, shop guys think they're a joke because they're blokes and their looking a their sales figures for the month. Suggest you buy at the begining of the month when the hard sell isn't so hard like it is at the end. Best way to avoid the,

A bit harder to change a tyre than the usual bike and that's because of the rear rack, but you can learn to do it and you'll be fine or it'll cost you about $30.00 from a shop to do it for you. If you go to a good shop ask them if they're willing to show you how to change the tyre (it might be simpler than I remember or I might be thinking of a different model) and take notes.

It'll survive

[Lizzy]

Hi Glitterfell,

Pardon me chiming in without any experience of either bike, but that Schwinn definitely has the funk and now I kind of want one

[kellyu]

Saw and spoke to a female commuter today who has had an XDS for four months, the Ice Maiden. She loves it and rides it every day to work and back.

I must say that I liked the look of it - look into an Azzurri Urban 300 too - they sell them online through Cycling Express, but I believe there is a shop in Melbourne too. OOOOH! Perhaps not, it looks like it is a single speed.

[thecaptn]

Have you bought your bike yet? I ordered the schwinn Jenny for my sister from the LBS last year and she's been using it to commute. She's been riding for a few years and so it's not her first bike bike and she loves it. The only mods she's done is to add a dynamo hub and rear panniers. It's a very well made bike and she finds it to be extreemly confortable. I realise this is an old post but it would be nice to know how you've gone with your search.