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Schwinn Axum mountain bike rolls 1x drivetrain & 29 x 2.6″ tires for less than $400

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Mountain bikes are getting too expensive these days. Right? If your answer is an emphatic ‘yes’, then you might want to take a look at what’s happening at the other end of the spectrum. While high end bikes are often exceeding $10k with top of the line builds, bikes like the new Schwinn Axum look to be surprisingly capable – all for less than the price of a SRAM XX1 cassette!

Schwinn Axum mountain bike rolls 1x drivetrain & 29 x 2.6" tires for less than $400 Schwinn Axum mountain bike rolls 1x drivetrain & 29 x 2.6" tires for less than $400

Sure, this is a budget build so you won’t find many (any?) name brand components, but it should be more than capable to get you started on the trails. Then, if you end up enjoying mountain biking (you probably will), you can upgrade the components as they wear out in the future since the bike uses fairly standard components throughout. The frame also includes a tapered head tube so upgrading to a higher end fork is within the realm of possibilities.

Schwinn smartly equipped the Axum with a 1x drivetrain, complete with a narrow-wide chainring. To keep the costs down the system is a 1×8 with a fairly wide range 11-40t cassette. AXE components are a new one for us, but they look like they’re up to the task.

Geometry wise, you’ll find only one size for the Axum with a 483mm seat tube, and 645mm top tube measurement (horizontally). That should put the bike in between the typical medium/large, while Schwinn claims the bike will fit riders from 5’4″ to 6’2″. Certainly if you’re on either extreme, the bike won’t be the best fit, but it should be workable for a lot of riders. Built with a 67.8° head tube angle and 73.5° seat tube angle, the Axum seems to run fairly modern geometry with 435mm chainstays and a short 60mm stem with 720mm wide bars up front.

Schwinn Axum mountain bike rolls 1x drivetrain & 29 x 2.6" tires for less than $400

Obviously a hardtail, the Schwinn Axum is built around 29 x 2.6″ tires on properly wide 35mm double wall aluminum rims. Neither are tubeless compatible so you’ll have to stick with tubes, but at this price point that’s not surprising.

Up front, you’ll find a Schwinn branded suspension fork with 100mm of travel and a mechanical lockout. Quick release axles are found at both ends of the bike along with mechanical disc brakes.

Schwinn Axum mountain bike rolls 1x drivetrain & 29 x 2.6" tires for less than $400

Proof that Schwinn built this bike with an eye for upgrading? There’s even internal routing for a dropper post should you decide to add one in the future.

Sold with pedals and a rear mount kickstand (that will probably quickly be removed for actual trail riding), the Axum is priced at just $398. For a bike with a 1x drivetrain and 2.6″ tires, there simply isn’t much else that comes close.

walmart.com

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David Dye
David Dye
4 years ago

That’s a lot of bike for not a lot of money. I dig it.

Would love to see other manufacturers spec their lower-end bikes this well

sjacobthewriter
4 years ago

I’m down with it…Schwinn brings me back to my first childhood BMX! Those were the days…

tbone408
tbone408
4 years ago

Yuckkk. What is this Garbage Rumor?

blahblah1233445
4 years ago
Reply to  tbone408

Big box bikes have changed a lot recently, they’re no longer fake mountain bikes. Finding one with threadless headset, that allows for easy upgrades, is no problem.

And this year, Schwinn went even deeper – introduced new versions of some of their bikes and they all have modern geometry, wide 31,8 bars, short stems, 1x drivetrains (in some cases the derailleur even has a basic clutch system) and most of all, tapered headtube. Yes, real tapered one!!! Well, the fork still has a straight steerer (probably some reduction, or bigger bearing used to fit), but it starts to look like a proper cheap fork, with decent dust seals. And this Axum has a cassette instead of a freewheel.

I looked down on bikes from walmart etc., and not without a reason, but latest Schwinn offerings impressed me with what we get for the price.

BMW
BMW
4 years ago

Listen, I get that pricing on modern, name brand bikes is ruling a good deal of entry riders out. But this isn’t the way to get new riders into the sport. A few rides on this and you’ll certainly have something broke on the bike. Then there is the fact that all dept. brand bikes pretty much need a full tune from a competent mechanic at time of purchase. So that price is now over 400.

I’m not saying new riders need high end components to get into riding…but this plastic garbage is just that…garbage. Also…is it just me or do the “AXE” components look like they are tring too hard to cop SRAM AXS? lolol

jzink0883
jzink0883
2 years ago
Reply to  BMW

I suspect that most MTBs are like most Jeep Wranglers. Purchased as much for “the look” as for any real off-road capability. Rarely used off pavement or trails.

That’s not a bad thing; just a reality check.

Full disclosure: I own a Challenger Scat Pack. I know about buying a vehicle with capabilities that are rarely used.

Craig
Craig
4 years ago

If I was still in retail this is a bike that I could see trucking out the door. Explain to the customer what the bike can and can’t do and away they go. If they like the sport they’ll be back in 12 months to buy a better bike. Everyone wins!

As far as fitting riders 5’4″ to 6’2″, come on Schwinn you know that’s BS. Shame on you. Putting profit over rider enjoyment and safety is not cool. One way to put a rider off riding a bike forever: Put a short rider on a big that’s far too big.

However. This is a very cool looking bike.

Chet Ironhorse
Chet Ironhorse
4 years ago
Reply to  Craig

135/100

Brian
Brian
4 years ago

Any idea what the axle spacing is on the frame and fork? I’m guessing it’s still 135/100, but was surprised to see a 2.6 with that spacing.

AXE components? Curious how they will hold up over time or if they are compatible with Shimano/SRAM for the inevitable repair? The review over on Singletracks noted that the test bike had a damaged B screw mount right out of the box.

Grumpus
Grumpus
4 years ago

If they’d spec it with a rigid fork, it would be an even better deal.

Hamjam
Hamjam
4 years ago
Reply to  Grumpus

It is beyond impossible to convince someone new to the sport that a lighter rigid fork will be better than a heavy suspension fork that will do nothing.

Bart
Bart
4 years ago

Thanks for this Zach, always nice to see how the most cost effective bikes are comparing to what we have on the floor. For sure these bikes will be in for repairs – but nice to see that it will be easy to get parts and keep those customers happy. best article of the day.

rodegeek
rodegeek
4 years ago

You can’t be taken seriously as a bike brand if your adult bikes aren’t made in multiple sizes.

Pat
Pat
4 years ago
Reply to  rodegeek

For a small rider just reverse the seatpost & stem !!

pinko
pinko
4 years ago

I would rather go bikesdirect…. most of the time I see a bike at dept. stores are all build backwards…. fork, grips, even saddle a couple of times.

Pat
Pat
4 years ago
Reply to  pinko

Its to match the rider’s helmet

RentalRide
RentalRide
4 years ago

What is the weight? I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if it was 50+ lbs.

blahblah1233445
4 years ago
Reply to  RentalRide

35lbs.

Dee Flowers
Dee Flowers
4 years ago

i wonder what the weight of just the frame is.
if it’s light enough you can do a few upgrades to get it 5-8 pounds lighter.
any how, i like the styling of the frame & that it fits 2.6 wide tires.
looks like a good winter/snow city beater bike !

Papi
Papi
4 years ago

A bike with a GOLD CHAIN for under $400?! Do you even know how much a gold chain costs? They MUST be losing money on this.

Matthew vest
Matthew vest
4 years ago

I own a Schwinn taff which is a 29″ mountian bike the first time I rode the bike I was on it 10 min and ready to sell it.but after a few up grades it is an ok bike now.first thing that went was the wheels and tires.then the freewheel went and it’s got a cassette now that I can inter change at will .then a rock shock front end and a raceface top and bars .now it’s a nice bike.

Henry Perry-Friedman
Henry Perry-Friedman
4 years ago

You’re basing your entire opinion of this bike on your preconceptions of Walmart bikes in general. Clearly they have made something higher quality than you’d usually find in Walmart, so there’s a good chance it’s more durable too

jrich
jrich
4 years ago

I have the 2018 Schwinn Boundary, the Axum is the same frame (except for the tapered head tube) with better components….. on mine, I upgraded to Manitou air forks and it makes a fine trail bike

Some Guy
Some Guy
4 years ago

Just recently bought this bike and I’m looking to upgrade the fork. Does anyone know weather I need a new headset or not? And if so what model or number do I need?

Btw: I’ve been having a lot of fun on this bike so far, so much so that I’ve actually swapped for my rocky mountain soul for a while. I bought this for by girlfriend to get into the sport with me and she’s been having a blast. I’m very surprised at what you get for the money. So far I’ve upgraded the brakes to hydraulic ones, added a chain guide, and put wider bars, a new saddle, and actual mtb pedals on this bike, which actually results in a very capable bike for me at least.

Mike L
Mike L
4 years ago

Anyone know what size dropper post is on the DP model? I want to add a DP to my base model, but not sure if it’s 30.9 or 31.6mm

Christian Turner
Christian Turner
2 years ago
Reply to  Mike L

30.9

Karl Herrmann
4 years ago

Is this bike available in Canada? Can’t seem to find it anywhere?

Christian Turner
Christian Turner
2 years ago
Reply to  Karl Herrmann

Walmart.com

emyllsomar
3 years ago

People need to calm down, acting like Schwinn bikes are utter garbage because they come from a department store… look I have had the old Ascension since 2014. The original components lasted about a year, of way outside the bike’s intended purpose and I upgraded wheels/tires and way overkill with a Shimano Zee groupset for the last 6 years. I have done minimal maintenance on it and it is still working in perfect condition. I was about to get a fox fork for it when I found a discounted pre-cut one, but figured I’d update to the new one with the tapered headset; these Axum models also look like a great alternative. Yes, these bikes are sold with the cheapest possible components and sold usually to people who know/care very little about proper re-assembly/maintenance, but if you take care of them and properly upgrade the them, they will last you a long time and provide you with a high quality rig for a fraction of big performance/boutique brands.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

What kind of freehub does this bike use? And what size allen key would it take to replace the freehub? I tried a 10mm but it’s to small. My freehub isn’t turning easily and I need to replace it.

Jeff
Jeff
2 years ago

I need to order a freehub for this exact same bike but I don’t know which one will fit.

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