Scwhinn Cream 2012 Review

This is my 2012 Scwhinn Cream 1 which is my first commuter bike. This bike (plus public buses) were my sole method of transport around Christchurch for the 8 months after we moved here from Northern Ireland. It was a great starter bike for me - 3 speed shimano nexus hub, beautiful hammered silver mud guards, step through frame. I loved this bike. It was relatively cheap ($700, at cycle trading co.) and it more than recouped the expense. I did make a few changes to the scwhinn, which I named Betsy.

Change number 1 was swapping out the cheap plastic pedals with vintage metal shimano pedals which I purchased at around again cycles on ferrymead for $15. The definetly improved the bicycles look. The second change was changing the saddle.

The scwhinn came with this padded vinyl saddle, which whilst cushy, the vinyl made its lippy and I was constantly readjusting my position.

I replaced this saddle with a Brooke's B18 lady, limited edition. I had read, since my purchase of this saddle, that some people have found that this saddle needs a very slack seat tube to be comfortable. I am inclined to disagree. The scwhinn has a somewhat more forward position, however, so this may mean that this saddle works for this bike well where it may not work for the more upright traditional dutch bicycle. I will change this saddle around with a more upright frame and will post a review at a later date.

However much I LOVED Betsy and the freedom she gave me on christchurch roads, it wasn't long into our relationship that I noticed what her cheapness meant.

The first initial issue was the rear wheel came out of true and began to warp and scrap the mudguard - revisit #1 to the bike shop.

Shortly after this the back wheel position slipped and the chain came off. Revisit #2.

The paint and workmanship of this bike were obviously lacking (scwhinn, although originally german, became an American brand in the 1950's onwards. All modern scwhinns are created in Chinese factories and are therefore of a "mass produced" quality.) very soon after purchasing my bike chips (large chips) and scratches appeared in the paintwork 

The chips in this photo have plastic stickers to protect the frame from rust. The frame is marked by my shoes but I've sworn to myself to never buy another cream bicycle.

This bike, I would recommend to someone, perhaps if the price tag was lower, and perhaps they'd have better luck than me with maintainence. I look forward for trying a more upright positioned bike in the future. This bicycle is not a dutch bike, though it makes a good half way mark to one for the beginner!