Is the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike Right For Your Child? Find Out in Our 2021 Review

A lot of kids want the freedom of a mountain bike and dream of tearing up the trails but actually spend most of the time pedaling on the pavement. A great option for those riders is the High Timber Youth mountain bike from Schwinn. It has mountain bike styling but in a modest, hybrid package that doesn’t overwhelm young riders. This bike is one of the most popular options available for boys and girls that are transitioning into a larger bike.

Parents shopping for children can be confident in the sturdy frame and quality Schwinn components on the High Timber Youth Bike. The bicycle is available in a variety of wheel sizes including 20 inch, 24 inch, and 26 inch, so parents who like this bike can buy one for children aged toddler to teenager. The bike also is available in a wide range of bold and bright colors to make finding a style perfect for your kid easy.

Here are some of the key features of the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike:

• Lightweight alloy rims
• All-terrain tires with go-anywhere traction
• Schwinn alloy triple crank for steady gearing
• Sturdy, steel frame (aluminum frame option available)
• Reliable V Brakes (disc brakes available)
• High-strength suspension forks
• Schwinn rear derailleur combined with twist Revo shifter
• Easily adjustable seat height
• Limited lifetime warranty

Is the Schwinn High Timber Youth a good bike?

Yes, this bicycle is highly rated and rates well in performance reviews. Parents want to provide children with a safe, comfortable bike that looks good and the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike does all that and more. A closer look at the components on this bicycle shows what makes it such a great value.

Brakes

This bicycle comes with linear pull v-brakes on the front and rear wheels as standard equipment, but Schwinn does make a premium priced model with optional front disc brakes. Children at this age are unlikely to be in high-performance situations that require a disc brake setup, so parents can save a few dollars by opting for the stopping power provided by the traditional v-brake model. Still, the disc brake model offers very strong performance and reliability for a mountain bike with this level price tag.

This bike doesn’t offer the option of quick release on the rear wheel. A nutted axle is provided on the rear wheel, limiting its maneuvering.

Speed

The Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike is a multi-speed bike allowing your child to comfortably ride at various speeds across differing terrain. It is a 21-speed mountain bike, with three front gears provided on the crank and an additional seven gears installed on the rear wheel’s axle. Kids can get high speeds, travel long distances, and conquer huge hills with this sort of setup. It is also worth noting that this model has a freewheel-type rear sprocket set. The sprocket is a 7-gear system having a tooth-ratio of 14 to 28.

Wheel Size

Choosing the correct wheel size ensures a comfortable and safe ride, but parents might also want to buy a slightly larger bike that kids can grow into and use a bit longer. Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike comes in various wheel sizes with a 240-inch model targeting nine and ten year olds and a 26 inch model for eleven to thirteen year olds.

Additionally, this bike is equipped with a quick-release seat-post fastening clamp so rider’s can easily adjust the height or even replace the standard vinyl bike seat with a more comfortable, cushioned seat.

Material and Build Quality

The Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike is built using a durable rust-free steel frame and alloy rims. An aluminum frame version of the bicycle is also available, offering a lighter weight bike that smaller kids might find easier to maneuver. Although the manufacturer doesn’t mention weight limits specifically, the bike is likely appropriate for children up to 200 pounds of weight.

Training Wheels and Kickstand

The bike does have a kickstand. There is no way to attach training wheels to this bike. A rear derailleur keeps the user from being able to attach any sort of assistance for beginners.

Additional Features

In addition to basic features, a few extra features are incorporated into the design for the rider’s ease and comfort. You can find a fixed braze-on attached to the bottom of the frame of Schwinn High Timber Bike. It allows you to fasten a water bottle to the mounting seat. Due to the quill stem provided on this particular model of Schwinn, the rider can adjust the handlebar height, but only a few centimeters according to the rider’s height and grip. The front fork shock absorbs some bumps to provide a more comfortable ride.

Aesthetics

Schwinn has designed the High Timber Youth models to be a stylish and bold line of mountain bikes in a range of bright colors and designs that attract customers. You can find over a dozen colors to choose from in each wheel size, and the looks are as daring and authentic as your young mountain biker. Great colors are available for boys and girls of all ages.

Dimensions and Specifications

This model of mountain bike falls under lightweight and compact bikes but it is by no means a light bike. Its total height is around 41″ once fully assembled and the steel frame version of the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike weighs around 32 lbs.

The diameter of the seat post provided on the bike is roughly 28.6mm; the front fork dropout is measured to be 137mm in width, while the rear frame dropout size is 135mm.

Installation and Assembly

When the shipment arrives at your doorstep, most of the bike is already assembled. The only assembly required is to attach the handlebars, fix the seat and seat post, mount the pedals, and fasten the front wheel.

Some users complain that they had to adjust the gears and brakes after assembling the bike before the first ride. Some customers note that they found the assembly easy, just a matter of half an hour, while others struggled and some even had to pay a few bucks to take the bike to the nearby bike store for assembly.

No tools are provided with the bike to facilitate the assembly process, however normal household tools will likely serve the purpose depending upon one’s skill level and general familiarity with bikes.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Made of rust-proof steel and alloy, the Schwinn High Timber Bike is very easy to clean and overall a low maintenance bike. You don’t need to push your kids to go the extra mile to keep the bike in a presentable condition. Once in a while, a quick rain shower or some soap and water is enough to keep the bike as good as new.

Don’t forget to buy a safety helmet and knee and elbow safety pads with the bike so that your kid doesn’t get hurt while enjoying the ride on the pavement or the tough trail.

User Feedback

Users have mixed reviews regarding the product build quality. Some users complain of compromised part quality, while others seem totally satisfied with its performance. The historic Schwinn name definitely raises high expectations from buyers, but shoppers should understand that this is still more of an entry level bicycle.

This bike is sold at quite a high volume so some manufacturing defects will occur. Some users reported falling accidents due to fragile shifters and some complaints emerged of the seat bending and chain bending in the event of a tumble while riding. A few customers mentioned issues with brakes and gears. Some tall customers, having 6’+ height, reported issues with the seat height and the occasional small rider complained about reaching the brake lever. But overall, Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike has positive feedback from users.

Final Verdict

The Bottom Line

Overall the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike is a solid youth hybrid bike that gives riders a design comfortable on the pavement but also suitable for trails. It’s not a true mountain bike suitable for extreme trails, but it can be a great affordable choice for kids who are beginning to explore mountain biking. It will perform great off-road on maintained dirt trails.

An important part of building a love of biking is finding a bicycle that your child can be excited to ride on, and with strong mountain biking styling the Schwinn High Timber Youth Bike is a great choice.