The Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike isn’t exactly a specialized hybrid bike. However, if you need a reliable bike for leisurely rides, cruising around the city or town, or getting a good workout, then it’s perfect for the job.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the different features of this hybrid bike, as well as its upsides and downsides.
Table of Contents
Features and Specifications
Steel Step-Through Frame (16 Inches)
The Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike features a beautiful vintage-inspired design, with the top tube sloping downwards to give you a significant amount of clearance for effortless mounting and dismounting. The frame is made of high-strength, shock-absorbing steel and painted mint green, which evokes feelings of calmness and freshness.
The swept-back handlebar is slightly higher than the saddle. This design allows riders to sit straight for a more comfortable riding experience.
With a standover height of 20 inches and a 16-inch frame, this bike is recommended for people who are at least 5’3” to 5’11”. If you’re taller, you might want to look carefully at other women-specific hybrid bikes by Schwinn. For instance, the Schwinn GTX 2 Women’s Dual Sport.
Spring-Loaded Seat and Fenders
A retro-styled, white seat adds extra flair to the Wayfarer. It has coil springs and adequate padding to provide more comfort, especially when you pass through bumpy roads. And, to make sure you stay clean and dry when you’re riding on wet roads, it has metal fenders on both wheels.
Rear Derailleur and 7-Speed Shifters
This hybrid bike has seven speed options. The twist-grip shifters are from Schwinn, while the rear derailleur is the Shimano TZ31 (direct mount type).
The gearing, narrow tires, and seat of this hybrid bike are ideal for daily or recreational rides on relatively smooth, paved surfaces and even slightly inclined roads. While it’s not meant for serious off-road riding, it could probably get away with occasional rides on light dirt trails.
700c Tires with Quick-Release Front Wheel
The 700c (around 27.5 inches) tires are quite thin. They’re probably one-third the thickness of tires for cruiser bikes.
The upsides of these narrow road tires is they have lower rolling resistance and a good grip, so you can ride faster and turn tight corners easier. In addition, the front wheel has a quick-release skewer for easy removal.
Front and Rear Linear-Pull Brakes
The Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike has rim brakes on both wheels. If you dislike pedal brakes (coaster brakes), then you’ll be happy to know the brakes of this hybrid bike are on the handlebar.
For urban riding, rim brakes offer more than enough stopping power. However, if you prefer the advantages disc brakes offer, you might want to consider the Schwinn GTX 2 Women’s Dual Sport.
Technical Details
- Dimensions: 43 inches (height) x 25.5 inches (width) x 70 inches (depth, from front to back)
- Overall weight: 44 pounds
- Maximum load capacity: 250 pounds
- Speeds: 7
- Frame and fork material: Steel
- Brakes: Linear-pull
- Child seat compatible: Yes
- Partially assembled: Yes
- Accessories: Fenders (full and partial), rear rack, kickstand, reflectors (4 pieces), and bell
The Good
Enough Speed Options
People who do a lot of serious off-road riding might consider the limited gears a major drawback. However, for the average city commuter, seven speeds are just perfect for going around the city or anywhere with relatively flat and smooth roads. Although it would take more effort, the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike is capable of climbing steep hills.
Great Commuter Bike for the Low Price
This isn’t a cheap-looking bike. Its mint green finish and retro style design truly add to this bike’s charm.
When it comes to its performance, you won’t be disappointed. It’s relatively fast, smooth, and comfortable. It’s perfect for daily commutes to work or school, weekend rides for relaxation, or getting a good workout.
The rear rack is a great addition. It can hold around 30 pounds of cargo. If that’s not enough for your needs, the front has plenty of space for a basket.
Easy to Assemble by Yourself
Each rider would have a different opinion about this. However, most find the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike easy to put together. (Fine tuning it is a different story.) Most of its parts are already attached, except for the saddle, handlebar, and tires. Assembly time would probably range from 2o minutes to 1 hour, more or less.
Ride in vintage style with the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike. Get it now.
The Bad
Uncomfortable Seat
The poor cushioning makes the seat pretty uncomfortable. According to one feedback, it feels like a rock, especially at the beginning. It might soften after a couple of uses, but if not, you can easily replace it with something with more cushion.
A Few Parts Issues
Most of them are easy to fix, though. For instance, the handlebar can become loose. Just make sure the handlebar and fork steering column are tight. Some also complained about a dented front wheel, which would catch the brake, and the rear derailleur falling off the bike while shifting gears.
Not an All-Terrain Hybrid Bike
The Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike is more of a road bike than a mountain bike. You could probably get away with a few rides on unpaved surfaces, but we wouldn’t recommend riding it on gravel roads, mountain trails, soft grounds, and roads in really poor condition.
Try looking into other hybrid bikes made for dirt trails, like the Tommaso La Forma Lightweight Aluminum Hybrid Bike—if you’re into off-roading.
Who Is It For?
This vintage-style hybrid bike is an ideal choice for female riders who commutes everyday or enjoys cycling for relaxation or fitness. (Although men can still use it if they fit the height and weight requirements.) The step-through frame design isn’t only useful for women, but also for elderly riders and people with mobility issues.
Although it’s a hybrid bike, it’s designed more like a city bike than a mountain bike. Thus, it’s more for the flat roads of the city or town, not for uneven and rough terrains.
Conclusion
For a hybrid bike that’s under $500, the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike works really well. It has its problems, like what we’ve already mentioned, but it doesn’t overshadow its good sides. It’s built well, light (light enough to carry by yourself without problems), moves fast, and relatively easy to assemble.
Bottom line: If you’re on the market for an affordable and efficient step-through hybrid bike with 7 speeds, the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike is a great option.
Enjoy the smooth ride from the get-go with the Schwinn Wayfarer 700c Women’s Hybrid Bike. Get it now.