Review of the Schwinn Katana Road/Triathlon Bike
Buy the Schwinn Katana Road/Triathlon Bike
If you’re not prepared to invest in a highly professional bike that will cost you thousands of dollars then the Schwinn Katana Triathlon Bike is an ideal substitute. For only a couple of hundred dollars you’re given excellent quality that won’t break your bank. However if you’re a triathlete who is at the top of their game then you might want to give this one a miss – for everyone else this bike is perfect.
The riding is smooth, it’s quite a good climber and when going downhill it’s able to hold speeds of 40-50mph on a steep slant. The changing of gears goes over smoothly and can easily adjust to your required pace depending on whether you’re heading up or downhill. The one slight downside is that the brakes could be a little stronger however they’re still adequate and will be able to bring you to a quick halt.
You get a choice of a 54 cm or 58 cm frame – I’m 6 foot tall and the 58 cm frame fitted me fine. Those under 5 foot 9 inches should probably go for the 54 cm frame. You’ll notice when carrying the bike that it’s incredibly light, however this is to be expected of a triathlon racing bike. The 54 cm model weighs around about 24lbs which is very light however if you’re looking to reduce the weight even further then consider replacing the pedals with clip less versions.
Shipping’s pretty fast and it should arrive to you within a week. When it’s delivered to you, it comes packed separately however it’s relatively easy to put together in a within an hour or so. The assembly requires you to mount the seat to the frame as well as the handlebars, front wheel and front brake. You’ll also need to inflate the tires as well and if you’re looking to buy fenders then consider adding these to your purchase. As with every bike that you buy you’ll need to adjust the brakes and derailleur’s but it’s nothing complicated.
Looks wise I personally love the blue finish that’s given and think it’s one of the best looking triathlon bikes I’ve ever seen. In fact many people thought the bike was twice the amount I bought it for. If you’re good at bike maintenance and know what you’re doing then you might even be able to fiddle around with it and upgrade the rest of the bike into something worth 1000+ dollars.
Specifications for the Schwinn Katana Road/Triathlon Bike
- Speeds: 14
- Drivetrain: Shimano
- Rear derailleur: A050
- Cranks: Tru-Vativ IsoFlow alloy (53-34t crankset) , 28-14t casset
- Frame: Alloy Aero
- 54cm frame size is appropriate for riders 5′6″ to 5′9″
- 58cm frame size is appropriate for riders 5′10 to 6′1″
- Wheel set: 24 spoke areo X
- Tyres: 120psi
- Choice of 30-34 inch inseam
- Weighs approx: 24lbs
- Standard tire nozzles
- All components manufacturered by Shimano and TruVativ
Pros:
Excellent quality and value for money
Ideal first triathlon bike for beginners
Most other bikes of similar calibre cost twice the amount
Looks great and flashy, you’ll definitely look the part
Cons:
Brakes are average but not great
Professionals might want to pay more for higher quality
Conclusion
This is the ideal triathlon bike for semi-professional triathletes. For quality and value of money you’ll be hard pressed to find a better triathlon bike elsewhere.
