Schwinn Phocus 1600 is perfect for men and women who want a decent road bike. With its 16-speed Shimano derailleur and 700c wheels, this bike knows no limits. It’s the best for commuting, recreation, light racing, and touring.
But just how good is it? Here’s our complete Schwinn Phocus 1600 review.
- Light
- Good brakes
- Easy cornering
- Well-known brand
- Unisex model
- One Color
- Not for racing
- Sometimes noisy pedals
Schwinn Phocus 1600 Road Bike Review
Who is Schwinn Phocus 1600 Road Bike Made For?
The Schwinn Phocus 1600 road bike is meant for anyone who uses bikes on the road. It’s a good commuter and touring bike, though you can’t carry a lot of stuff on it. The motorcycle is primarily for men, but women who fit the height limit can also use the bike.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t do well off the road. But if you like to ride at higher speeds, then the Schwinn Men’s Phocus 1600 road bike should be your bike of choice.
Technical Details of Schwinn 700c Phocus 1600 Men’s Road Bike Matte Black
Now we will look at the technical specifications of the Schwinn 700c Phocus 100 Men’s Road Bike. This bike has a lot to offer, and it wouldn’t feel justified if we didn’t give each feature a separate review.
Frame Size
The Schwinn Phocus 1600 men’s road bike has a frame size of 22 inches, which is optimal for people of average size. To be more specific, it’s the perfect choice for men of average build.
Much like other road bikes, this bike too uses an aluminum frame. Aluminum has many advantages, such as higher durability and lighter weight. It’s also relatively easy to beat into the desired shape, which means designers can go all out with their creativity.
In addition to that, aluminum does not rust as steel does. However, it does corrode. But the corrosion does not penetrate the whole aluminum. So, you can scrape it off.
Speeds & Shifters
Moving on to the transmission, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 women’s road bike uses a 16-speed gear shift. This gives you more control than you can ever ask for. In addition, the transmission is operated by two Shimano Claris derailleurs. These ensure that gear shifting remains smooth and consistent.
But there’s one other feature worth mentioning: the gear shift. It’s designed like a standard lever, but it doesn’t interfere with the brakes. As a result, you can keep your hands on both the shift and the brakes. This not only makes handling a lot more convenient but could save you from a disaster on the road.
Tires & Wheels
For a road bike like the Schwinn Phocus 1600, durability is key. That’s why it uses special 700c double-walled wheels that offer maximum traction with optimal stability. Of course, stability is the most important factor on a road bike, so that the wheel choice couldn’t have been better.
But that’s not all.
This bike features a quick-release latch that can attach and detach the front tire. Not only does this make for better transportation, but it helps a lot during assembly as well.
Brakes
This matte black road bike uses Promax alloy dual pivot caliper brakes. In simpler terms, these brakes are for the road. They’ve been tried and tested numerous times to ensure their working on practical roads instead of smooth surfaces. They bring your bike to an immediate halt without putting too much stress on the tires, maintaining the tire tread.
What’s more, is that the brakes require little to no maintenance. Hence, you’re not constantly making pit-stops to check your brakes and oil them.
Bike Weights & Weight Limit
Weight makes a lot of difference on the road. It affects how well the bike handles and how easy it is to balance.
Luckily, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 weighs about 31 pounds. Thus, this is relatively light when compared with similar models. One of the reasons for its lighter weight is its use of aluminum for its frame. It also has a carbon fiber road fork that, aside from providing a responsive ride, also lowers the bike’s weight.
The Schwinn Phocus 1600 weight limit is around 250 pounds. But the more you weigh, the more stress the bike will be under.
Drop Bars & High-Speed Handling
Being a road bike, the Schwinn 700c Phocus 1600 is perfect for high-speed applications. And the reason? Its use of drop-bar handlebars.
For those of you who don’t know, drop bars are special types of handlebars. The first bend forward and downward and then back toward the rider. Drop bars are commonly used for people who like to ride rough.
They let you corner at higher speeds and are more suitable for experienced riders. As such, the Schwinn 700c Phocus 1600 does have a wide learning curve.
Bottom Bracket & Pedals
The Schwinn 700c Phocus 1600 is relatively easy to pedal to some extent. However, there is an issue where the pedals tend to make a constant clicking noise. It’s not the worst, but you wouldn’t want that to happen.
Unfortunately, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 manual does not detail how to fix this. You’ll need to take the bike to their service center. Of course, you could replace the pedals with different ones, as most people do.
Schwinn Phocus 1600 Specifications
| Gender | Unisex |
|---|---|
| Brand | Schwinn |
| Wheel Diameter | 28" |
| Suspension | Rigid |
| Age Group | Adult |
| Brake | Caliper |
| Number Of Speeds | 16 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Derailleur | Integrated Shifter Shimano |
| Color | Black |
| Rims | Double wall |
| Weight | 31 pounds |
| Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
| Frame Size | 22 inches |
Comparison Schwinn Phocus 1400 vs. 1500 vs. 1600 vs. 1700
Schwinn Phocus has a few other products down the line. So, which is best: Schwinn Phocus 1600 or 1700? And what about the Schwinn Phocus 1400 and 1600?
Comparatively, the Phocus 1400 has a 14-speed transmission, whereas 1600 has 16 speeds. In contrast to that, the Schwinn Phocus 1500 has 24-speed options. This makes it a better choice for high-speed applications.
Aside from the transmission, there aren’t many differences from the Schwinn Phocus 1600 specs. 1500 has a large 19-inch step-over aluminum frame, and 1400 features the same 22-inch frame on 1600.
The Best Schwinn Phocus 1600 Alternatives
If you’re not fond of the Schwinn Phocus 1600 and want some other options, we have found the best alternatives. These have the same functionality and have a price close to Schwinn Phocus 1600’s price.
Schwinn Sporterra
The Schwinn Sporterra is a 14-speed road bike with an aluminum frame and 700c wheels. As a road bike, it’s one of the eBay choices for long-distance cruising and high-speed applications. However, what makes it so unique is the lighter chassis paired with the multi-terrain tires that ensure maximum control over the bike.
Tommaso Imola
For those of you who want an affordable option, try the Tommaso Imola. Designed for good performance, the bike features a full Shimano gear set with Claris STI shifters. And that’s why shifting gears is a piece of cake on the Tommaso Imola. Additionally, it uses 25mm 700c tires perfected for all types of roads.
Schwinn Volare 1400
Fond of hybrid bikes? Then the Schwinn Volare 1400 will intrigue you. It has a 21-speed trigger shifter along with alloy disc brakes for the ultimate performance. Additionally, the fork is perfect for cross-country roads and off-road terrains. But it’s primarily for use on the road.
FAQs
Is there a woman version of this bike?
Yes, this is it! The bike is unisex, though the primary target customer base is male.
Is buying used Schwinn Phocus 1600 a good idea?
If you can find a used version of the bike, then it should be good to use. However, be wary of any modifications the previous owner has made.
Can a 6'2" rider be comfortable on Schwinn Phocus 1600?
Yes. 6’2″ is the height limit for this bike.
Are shifters good enough for road racing?
The shifting mechanism is fast enough for road racing. But a racing bike would be better for that.
Conclusion
Overall, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a great road bike for men. It has a rigid yet lightweight aluminum chassis paired with 700c wheels that provide maximum traction. In other words, it stays stable on the road. Just don’t use it off the road. It’s not fit for jagged terrains and mountainous tracks.
