Schwinn Meridian

It took my husband and me about 3 hours to assemble. We checked to make sure that all the parts were included before we started. Everything was there but we didn't unwrap the fenders until we were ready to install them. Unfortunately, one of them was severely damaged. Amazon graciously issued a return label but I opted to attempt to get a replacement fender from Schwinn because the bike was perfect for me. I emailed Schwinn with photos, model, etc. Within three days I received a fedex tracking number and my new fender was at my door! I am a 50 year old female (slightly overweight) who hasn't rode a bike in 15 years. I can haul my two 20 lb. Cavaliers in the basket. It is easy to pedal, turn, and I get lots of headturns! I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants to get out to get some leisurely exercise and not have to worry about balance.

The Schwinn Meridian deluxe is a great ride! The tricycle frame has a “running board” close to the pedals so that mountiing onto the seat is easier and safer. Frame is super sturdy! I am using it for recreation and transportation. Caution: the tricycle is heavier than 2-wheel bicycles and rider sits high. Rider does need to balance on the seat as the trike leans with the incline of a.roadway. Be careful when turning to make sure rear wheels clear curbs, dips, etc.

I cannot recommend this trike for anyone to buy directly from Amazon. The trike in question requires the skill of a bicycle pro to construct. The buyer needs to know that this trike was made in China. First, the bike comes knocked down in a box delivered to your home.. The trike has damaged the fenders (see enclosed pictures) because the package was not adequately protected or inspected by the primary seller, Pacific Cycle. Second, the parts are not all there a missing 16-mm nut that is used to connect the trike sub frame to the main frame was missing and had to be purchased from hardware store. Third, the manual included is for 7-speed trike not a 3-speed that was purchased. The tools recommended for the trike construction were conventional tools that were inadequate for the construction. The builder needs to torque down many of the parts. Tools from Park Tools are needed as well as their videos to construct a trike or bicycle. Forth, after construction using the manual, I a had a pedal (see enclosed picture) fail to stay within the crank arm (see enclosed picture) and hose up the threads. A replacement was acquired from Pacific Cycle at no charge too me. Fifth, the linear brake is difficult to calibrate as the settings require torquing of the parts, adjustment to center the brake with the rim and tire. I am still working on this after a month of getting the trike. I cannot honestly recommend any one buying this product. The Schwinn name is not the Schwinn brand that I bought 30 years ago.

Delivery arrived in one rather heavy box. Took 20 minutes just to unpack and remove protective foam from all parts, which was OK because things were packed tightly together and all the padding helped. While I had assembled many bikes in my younger life, I haven't assembled a bike in over 25 years. I found the included instruction book and video on assembly on the Amazon site differ a bit from the actual fitment, parts, and tools needed for assembly. All that said it took this 70 year old about 3.5 hours of puzzling it out to put this bike together. Out of the box there was one missing part and one broken cable, but Pacific Cycle (who owns the Schwinn name and manufactures the bikes) Customer Service quickly supplied replacements within a week. Bottom line is my wife (73 years young, 5'4" tall) LOVES riding this 26" bike (this three speed version is perfect for her), and that's what this purchase was all about! If you have previous experience assembling bikes I believe you could handle putting this together, but if not I would recommend contacting a knowledgeable friend or a bike shop for assistance. Overall my wife and I would recommend this bike, but with the foregoing caveats.

Working solo, the assembly was slow. Do it right, do it once!

It doesn’t feel exactly like a bicycle but is easy to get use to.

The bike is comfortable to ride, 3 speeds is a plus. the bike is well built. However the basket rattles, which is driving me crazy. The basket should be 1 piece to eliminate the noise. [ I used a couple of bungee cords to eliminate the noise.

The Good: Overall, a nice trike with the quality frame fit and finish you'd expect from Schwinn. The Bad: The Sturmy-Archer drive hub assembly was installed at the factory at about 8 degrees off square and torqued down so tightly the nut washer actually bent the left frame drop out; it was off square enough that the primary chain would ride off of the drive cog. Once the hub assembly was correctly reinstalled the shifter mechanism had to be completely readjusted. Shifter still not working properly and am having my wife just leave it in the #1 position. Also, the front brake cable was cut too short and had to be replaced. No biggie except it shouldn't have to be done. No QC! Once I had the thing assembled so that it could be ridden, noticed a knock coming from the rear axle. This is not from the bottom bracket or the drive hub but from the rear axle. It about once a wheel rotation and happens whether the pedals are being rotated or not. It's obviously either a bad or misaligned bearing and/or a bad or misaligned axle shaft. I contacted the nice support lady at the distributor and she agreed it was "probably" a bearing and that she would send me replacement bearings at no cost - which she did. Now I have a new, relatively expensive trike that I am either going to have to disassemble the rear axle and press on the new bearings or pay someone to do it for me. I think I'll just have her ride it, hope it doesn't break, and if it does see if the Schwinn "Lifetime Warranty" really is. Lastly, I was shipped the wrong rear fenders; the brackets (factory installed) don't come close to matching the mounting holes on the basket which I think is the correct one. All that being said, if I were again in the market for a new trike from my wife, I'd shop around a bit more. Too bad - one of the best bikes I ever had was an old Schwinn World Traveler. Also, I am a long time, experienced bike mechanic.