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Schwinn is an American bike brand that’s been around since the late 19th century. It’s a company you can trust to make an affordable and dependable bike.
The Schwinn Loop is just such a bike, and the best part is you can fold it up and take it with you anywhere. Almost.
- Wheel Size: 20”
- Material: Steel
- No of Gears: 7
- Weight: 33 lbs.
- Weight Capacity: 230 lbs.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at the Schwinn Loop’s features and see how it stacks up against other folding bikes on the market.
Note that the Loop placed well in our best budget folding bike roundup.
The Schwinn Loop 20 Is For…
So, who would buy a Schwinn Loop? This is a massively popular bike.
The Schwinn Loop is an affordable, foldable steel bike that’s easy and comfortable to ride. It has a particularly low step-through frame that doesn’t pose any mounting and dismounting challenges. And it’s Schwinn.
This bike is ideal for commuters or bike tourists. Once folded, it’s easily small enough to take onto public transportation or pop into the trunk of a car. It’ll get you to work, and you can take it on vacation without having to leave one of the kids at home.
Is there a reason not to buy it? Well, it’s not the lightest folding bike by far, nor the most compact when folded. And if you’re on a tight budget, you can go even cheaper.
The fact that the Loop is made of steel also means it’s not impervious to rust, though this is no reason to avoid it as long as you care for the bike.
Main Features Of Schwinn Loop Folding Bicycle
Let’s delve into the key features of the Schwinn Loop in a little more detail.
Steel Frame
Folding bikes with steel frames tend to be heavier unless it’s chromoly steel (this isn’t). But they are often more compliant than aluminum, partly because aluminum has to be used in large quantity for rigidity and strength.
What’s pertinent to the Schwinn Loop is that steel is durable and can easily be welded and fixed. You’ll get many years of service out of this bike.
Cargo Rack & Fenders
Some folding bikes are minimalistic in favor of being lightweight. But this can end up making them less functional. The Schwinn Loop comes with an integrated rear cargo rack, accompanied by a detachable nylon storage bag.
Sadly, the bag is not of the same standard as the bike. It’s notoriously difficult to get the bike into the bag for storage, so you may feel compelled to buy something else.
You also get fenders. You know the function of those, but they’re especially useful for dedicated commuters who ride to work in all weathers.
7-speed Shimano Gears
The Schwinn Loop has a standard configuration as far as gears go. A Shimano Tourney rear derailleur, 7-speed freewheel, and Revo Shift twist shifters are often found on folding bikes. These are low-tier Shimano components, but reliable, nonetheless.
A potential downside for stronger riders is the 40-tooth front chainring. This is on the small side for people who want a fast top gear. On the other hand, the gear range is useful for climbing.
Brakes
Folding bikes often have rim brakes rather than disc brakes because they’re lighter and cheaper. As well, the need for disc brakes on a folding bike isn’t as compelling as it is on a fast full-sized bike.
The Schwinn Loop has perfectly adequate V-brakes. These are the most powerful form of rim brake, so there aren’t any worries about stopping power.
Foldability
What about foldability? How compact is the Schwinn Loop when folded? Have a look at our quick comparison below with other bikes.
- Schwinn Loop – 32.5″ x 26″ x 16″
- Dahon Mariner D8 – 31” x 25” x 12”
- Tern Verge x11 – 31.5” x 29.1” x 15”
- Zizzo Forte – 31” x 27” x 13”
- Brompton C Line – 23” x 22.2” x 10.6”
As you can see, the Schwinn Loop is marginally larger when folded than other 20” bikes (the Brompton has the unfair advantage of smaller wheels). The difference is unlikely to be critical unless you’re trying to squeeze the bike into a specific space.
We scoured social media sites to see what owners thought of the Schwinn Loop. It’s a popular bike, as indicated by the post below.
Schwinn Loop Alternatives
You’ve seen the Schwinn Loop and you’re interested in it, but what else is out there for around the same price or less? You have some decent choices.
1. Dahon SUV D6 20’ Foldable Bike
Costing a little more than the Schwinn Loop, the Dahon SUV D6 20’ Foldable Bike benefits from Dahon’s highly developed folding bike technology. It has the distinctive Dalloy Sonus aluminum frame, ViseGrip hinge technology, and Fusion technology.
Fusion technology is what makes Dahon bikes perform much like regular bikes. All key components (frame, handlebar stem, fork) are held firmly together for efficient, confidence-inspiring performance.
Because of its aluminum frame, the Dahon is lighter than the Schwinn. It has 6 gears as opposed to 7, but the Neos derailleur gears were designed with SR Suntour specifically for folding bikes. The low-profile derailleur helps the SUV D6 fold to a smaller size.
What We Like
- Tech – lots of technology goes into Dahon bikes.
- Smaller – folds smaller than the Loop (31.5” x 26” x 13.6”).
- Lighter – weighs 28.88 lbs. versus the Loop’s 33 lbs.
- Fork – steel fork for compliance.
What We Don’t Like
- Durability – aluminum is inherently less durable than steel.
2. Zizzo Via 20” Folding Bike
Zizzo is a leading manufacturer of budget folding bikes, so it’s bound to give the Schwinn Loop some competition. The Zizzo Via 20” Folding Bike is a lighter bike, for instance, because it has an aluminum frame and no rear rack.
Features of the 27 lbs. Zizzo Via include resin folding pedals (the Loop has one), 7-speed Shimano gears, double-wall wheel rims, and Kenda Khan 1.95” tires. A magnet catcher holds the folded bike together.
What advantages does the Loop have over the Zizzo? It’s easier to mount and dismount and the frame is nominally more durable and reparable. The Loop’s sturdy rear rack makes it an instant hit for shopping trips. You’d have to add one to this Zizzo Via.
What We Like
- Lightweight – 6 lbs. lighter than the Loop.
- Cheaper – costs less than the Schwinn (subject to change).
- Compact – folds to 31” x 27” x 14” (about 1 ft3 smaller than the Loop)
What We Don’t Like
- Cargo – doesn’t include rack.
3. Xspec DS2007 20” Folding Bike
If you can’t afford a Schwinn Loop, or indeed a Zizzo Via, all is not lost. There’s a bargain to be had in the Xspec DS2007 20” Folding Bike. Not only is this bike cheaper than the Loop, but it also folds smaller at 29″ x 24″ x 13″ (approx.)
A downside of the Xspec is that it’s heavy at 36 lbs. That’s something to ponder if you mean to lug it onto public transport. It’s 3 lbs. heavier than the Loop and up to 15 lbs. heavier than the lightest folding bikes on the market.
On the plus side, you get 7-speed Shimano gears, a 48t chainring that will give you a higher top gear than the Loop, a cargo rack, and reflectors. The saddle is adjustable and can accommodate riders up to 6” tall and slightly over.
What We Like
- Cheap – budget-priced option.
- Strong – high-tensile steel construction.
- Compact – smaller than average folded size.
- Chainring – theoretically a “faster” bike than the Loop on flat roads.
What We Don’t Like
- Heavy – disappointingly weighty for such a compact bike.
Is The Schwinn Loop Good?
What We Like
- Affordable – ideal if you want a decent folding bike on a budget.
- Durable – has a robust steel frame that should last many years.
- Equipment – fitted with fenders and a rack.
- Hills – geared for climbing & easy pedaling (not a speedster’s bike).
What We Don’t Like
- Storage bag – hard to fit the bike into it.
- Weight – many lighter, more compact folding bikes exist.
The Schwinn Loop is a solid, durable bike for an appealing price. It’s not the most compact when folded, but it is a capable bike for commuting, shopping, or exploring local towns and villages on vacation. It’s also easy to mount for older riders.
Check the Schwinn Loop out here, and maybe join the legions of folk that love riding it.
We hope you enjoyed this article. Feel free to add a comment or share the articles with cycling friends and family.
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