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The Schwinn Phocus 1600 is a very masculine road bike designed to be the perfect all-rounder road bike; it is specifically made to be quick on the road, lightweight to transport, and easy to store away.
This is something that Schwinn has spent a long time perfecting over the years, and they have gotten closer to this mark year after year.
It is clear that Schwinn has made significant efforts to make this road bike truly convenient to the rider, and that is ultimately what we are all looking for.
I love the Schwinn Phocus 1600, one of my favorite road bikes to date. With an aluminum frame, carbon forks, Shimano derailleurs, and integrated Micro-shift shifter brake lever combo for precise gear shifting, it performs well and offers exceptional value for money!
- Wheel size: 700cc
- Frame material: Aluminum & carbon forks
- Gears: 16-speed
- Suits riders: 5'4" to 6'2" height
- Excellent value
- Premium design
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Rapid derailleur shifting
- Noisy gear shifting
Schwinn Phocus 1600 Review
As all of you know, I am a huge fan of road bikes and everything they have afforded me growing up and into adulthood.
I have managed to keep myself thoroughly fit and have had so many awesome experiences on them, too, including for commuting, pleasure, and a load of different competition purposes.
Many bikes I have owned or tested out have been sub-par, and I’ve replaced them in little time. However, over the years, I’ve become accustomed to several brands that seem to deliver repeatedly.
I think Schwinn is certainly one of those brands, and the Schwinn Phocus 1600 road bike is one of the finest models the brand has ever produced.
Schwinn is recognized worldwide in the road biking industry, and their prestige is well deserved.
They have repeatedly produced stunning bikes like the Schwinn Phocus 1600 and will likely continue to do so long into the future.
“Schwinn has really pushed the boat out this time, the Men’s Phocus 1600 is a true world-beating road bike for riders on a budget!”
Nobody ever walks into a bike shop wanting a cumbersome piece that will take large amounts of effort to get anywhere.
I think that the Phocus 1600 is a true piece of master craftsmanship, and it is available for very little money.
The first point I want to touch is the perfect riding posture that the Schwinn Phocus 1600 forces upon its riders. You are essentially always in a streamlined position when riding the bike, which lends itself to saving vast amounts of energy.
Wind resistance makes a huge difference when you’re on a road bike; the finest bikes always promote such a posture, and the Phocus 1600 does this with style.
Not only is the frame key in this, but the handles are also ergonomically styled, so you are never uncomfortable riding either.
Performance
The 34-pound, 22-inch frame is crafted out of aluminum and is fairly lightweight, given its size. While it is true that you can find lighter carbon fiber framed bikes and aluminum versions, too, very few exist that provide such a well-rounded experience.
Ultimately, the frame of your road bike is the base of everything; if you invest in quality in any one component, this should be it.
The benefits are far-reaching and are much more extensive than the weight of it alone.
Firstly, the aluminum frame used is thin but offers stability to riders while also having the capacity to absorb most road-bound vibrations.
The frame on the Schwinn Phocus 1600 is paired with some gorgeous carbon fiber forks that aid in this vibration absorption, beautifully coming together to produce a wonderfully smooth ride.
Schwinn Phocus Test Ride
The Men’s Phocus 1600 also comes with a selection of premium Shimano components, including Shimano 2300 shifters – these do an exceptional job of enabling swift gear changes.
They work perfectly with the actual gear shifters themselves, which MicroShift produces.
Additionally, the drivetrain is of the highest quality available for this price. It comprises a 16-gear speed derailleur, an SR Suntour crankset, and well-integrated gear shifters.
I had no difficulty transitioning between gears on the bike and highly recommend this setup to anybody on a budget.
Furthermore, the fundamental base of the Phocus 1600 is well-built. The wheels and the wheelset function together as a lightweight pair of shock-absorbing kings.
All too often, you will come across bikes with high-quality components, but the wheels themselves will be a massive stumbling block. This is certainly not the case here, and to add to this, you can also easily remove the wheels on this bike due to the quick-release mechanism in place.
This is perfect for the rider who regularly moves between places and wants to keep their bike secure at all times.
Similarly, strong and reliable brakes are another key feature if you want your bike to perform well on the road.
As a result of this requirement, Schwinn has ensured you will never have any such difficulties by including a pair of Promax caliper road brakes formed of an aluminum-based metal alloy.
Whenever you are on the road, it is always refreshing to know that you won’t have any difficulty coming to a halt at any point.
The bike comes half-assembled when you buy it, so it is not difficult to assemble it once it arrives. I managed to assemble my Schwinn Phocus 1600 in less than thirty minutes.
It comes with extensive instructions and is not difficult with even the most basic tool kit.
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Learn MoreSchwinn Phocus 1600 Specs
| Brake Style | Mechanical Rim |
| Color | Black |
| Frame Material Type | Carbon forks and aluminum frame |
| Weight | 31 pounds |
| Number Of Speeds | 16 |
| Package Height | 10.4 x 31.5 x 54 inches |
| Schwinn Phocus 1600 Weight Limit | 250 pounds |
| Size | 56CM/18′ |
| Wheel Size | 700cc |
Alternatives
If you’re still undecided about the Schwinn Phocus 1600, some alternatives may be worth considering. As part of my testing, I spent over 10 hours researching the best alternatives and discovered that the Phocus 1400 is worth considering.
Schwinn Phocus 1400 vs 1600
According to Mike of pinch-flat.com, the Schwinn Phocus 1400 is a slightly cheaper but specced version of the Phocus 1600. So if your budget permits, I would recommend upgrading to the 1600.
However, if you’re on a tight budget, the Phocus 1400 is still a great option with the same geometry, 14 speeds, and a lightweight aluminum frame.
My Verdict: Is The Schwinn Phocus 1600 Worth It?
Overall, I was thoroughly impressed with the Schwinn Phocus and will recommend it to those on a fairly strict budget.
It not only looks fantastic on the road, but it promotes a great posture and has all of the assets that a premium road bike would have for a very low price – great!
Mark Plummer
Mark Plummer is an experienced bike mechanic who has built, repaired, and customized thousands of bikes over the years. A former mountain biking athlete, his cycling adventures have taken him all over the globe from the mountains of Scotland to the South Island of New Zealand. These days he enjoys the benefits of commuting to work and touring on his Dahon and Brompton folding bikes.This free cheat sheet will help you choose a folding bike by providing quick information on the 7 key considerations when buying a foldable bicycle!
