When you think about it, there aren’t that many bikes out there that are specially designed for women. There are plenty of unisex models that are accessible to both genders, but that’s as far as it usually gets. If you’re looking for a real women’s bike designed with female measurements in mind, you should definitely check out the Schwinn Phocus 1600.
The main complaint that female riders have with bicycles that were designed with the male frame in mind is that they are just too large. That’s why the Phocus 1600 women’s bike has been re-designed with female measurements in mind – in other words; it’s exactly the right amount smaller to be a perfect fit for ladies. Although the Schwinn Phocus 1600 size characteristics are the primary reason why this model has found its place among the best road bikes, let’s get down to the actual hardware and components.
According to a Schwinn Phocus 1600 review, the frame is made of aluminum, which is stiff but very durable and bound to last you a very long time. Because of the choice of material, this bike is somewhat heavy at 26 lbs, but it’s also what makes this bike very affordable considering the quality of the components. One thing also worth mentioning in this Schwinn Phocus review is that the drivetrain is actually a mix of Schwinn and Shimano components. The rear drivetrain is Shimano Acera, however, which has proven to provide super smooth, efficient shifting. In a contest of the Phocus 1400 vs 1600 models, the 1600 unit comes out on top because of this.
The wheel spokes on the Schwinn Phocus 1600 are designed in a very aerodynamic fashion makes this bike able to achieve significantly higher speeds than is expected from a women’s bike. The fact that you can choose from a multitude of colors is also a plus – there’s the Phocus 1600 Silver model, and also the Phocus 1600 Black if you prefer a more elegant design. A lot of models don’t have this option, so that’s a significant advantage for Schwinn.
One area where you can tell that this women’s Schwinn road bike is up to quality standards is the saddle. You can have the best performance, speed, and efficiency in the world, but if the saddle isn’t comfortable to allow for hours of riding on end, all of that is for nothing. Luckily, the saddle on the Schwinn Phocus 1600 is comfortable and adjustable and features extra padding that makes all the difference, especially on long rides – a significant improvement from the Phocus 1500. This is especially important since the women’s 700c Wheel Phocus 1600 road bike is fitted with an aluminum frame, which is somewhat lacking in the shock absorption department.
An aspect that people usually complain about – even with high-end models – is the performance of the wheels. Luckily, even though the wheels on the Schwinn women’s Phocus 1600 are a generic brand, every Schwinn Phocus review claims that they perform rather well and you probably won’t even notice that they’re not a brand name product. However, if you wish to replace them with a better model, you can do just that at an affordable prices by redeeming one of the many Backcountry promo codes.
The main downside to this mode according to every Schwinn Phocus 1600 review is the brakes. The pads just don’t offer the kind of stopping power that you’d get from a high-end model, and a lot of mid-range bikes also suffer from this issue, unfortunately. Considering the price, this is to be expected, but not impossible to solve. You can easily find a high-end set of brakes at an affordable price by relying on Wiggle coupons, for example. The tires could also benefit from a replacement, so take that into consideration if you’re thinking of purchasing this model. All in all, the Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a solid drop bar road bike for the money, so make sure to check it out if you don’t want to spend too much.