125th anniversary Schwinn Collegiate to be US-made by Detroit Bikes, sold by Walmart

The USA thing is cool. I dont expect them to re-invent the wheel, but a special headbadge with ‘125th anniversary’ , (or anything special), would be needed to make the bike something. If not, people can just buy a Detroit if they want a USA bike. They may have that planned. This article said details were thin.

This bike is nothing like any of Detroit Bikes models. It does say “4130 Chromoly” on the frame; that is the only resemblance.

Detroit Bike’s line of Chromoly frames are made from 100% America Steel. It is tubular steel produced thin and strong so it it light weight. I can attest to how light weight it is.

It is equipped with Shimano Altus shifting. A “twist shifting” 8 speed system. It works well for a commuter bike, I live in the blue ridge/ Appalachian area of southwest Virginia and it shifts well enough.

The saddle and ergonomic grips are comfortable, I wish the seat had more of the nostalgic look and that the tires were more hardy.

It rides smooth, brakes well and feels sturdy.

There are some drawbacks (besides the price).

Good luck finding any bike specific accessories. One would think, with such a “special” bike, Schwinn might have come out with things specific to it.

There is not bottle attachment point. How hard would that have been.

A rear rack is hard (at least on the female bike) to attach. Some genius in design didn’t think about what would be attached to the bike. The attachment points are at the same level as the rear brake line attachment to the brake. Unless you have the ability to take flame to metal and bend rods, or can fabricate your own, you are limited (what was the use of having the holes). Attaching the rack at the drop out (it has a lot going on) on the cassette side leaves no room for a locking nut. The screw and nut would hit the smallest gear on the cassette.

Want to attach a wheeled” child carrier” or (in my case) a dog carrier, better have metal fabrication skills or be willing to remove your fender. The couplers that come with them do not fit while the fender is attached. It was nice they put the notch for the washer which is needed, but it doesn’t even fit their own brand.

Service and support…. none. There is not a place to find comprehensive information on this bike. It is highly annoying.

There is only one color… green.

The bike could have been designed better with a little more thought. Especially for the price. I am happy I purchased mine at nearly half price.

If Detroit Bikes were not so hard to get, I would have ordered one of theirs.