Schwinn trike NOISE

[Yon]

Had new Schwinn trike and it clunks and something is rubbing -I am an experienced bike guy and I can't stop the constant noise - Im ready to dump it, I re assembled it adjusted it and nothing changes, I think it is a cheaply designed bike and Iam done messing with it. If anyone wants a project - "come and get it FREE - yes Iam serious. I thought Schwinn was better than this. Yon

[Jesper]

(11-03-2024, 09:52 PM)Yon Wrote:  Had new Schwinn trike and it clunks and something is rubbing -I am an experienced bike guy and I can't stop the constant noise - Im ready to dump it, I re assembled it adjusted it and nothing changes, I think it is a cheaply designed bike and Iam done messing with it. If anyone wants a project - "come and get it FREE - yes Iam serious. I thought Schwinn was better than this. Yon

Hello,
Sorry you are having problems. My initial assumptions, unless you correct me, are: trike was purchased brand new, assembled by owner, and has never been in an accident. How old is the trike, how much use, did the problems exist from day one, and was it stored indoors? Is the bike still under warranty?

I know you say you are a "bike guy", as am I; but not all bikes are the same in their mechanical design. If something is rubbing then there should be visible signs also. That should be easy to isolate. I assume the front wheel spins freely without any noise and/or undue bearing play (you may have loose/caged bearings which are adjustable as I'm sure you know, or sealed bearings that are just replaced when getting "loose") when the wheel is both off the ground and when loaded during normal use. Any issues in the front wheel should be corrected first since it is easiest to work on and it possibly eliminates alternative problems when attempting to troubleshooting the rear drive. Check the drive wheels lifted off the ground and cranks manually turned. There should certainly be no rubbing when there is no load. If noise is present then something is bent (e.g. frame, fender stay, etc.), loose, and/or misaligned. Clunking which occurs after a bike has been assembled, has run quietly for a short period of time, and then starts making noises/thumps you can feel is most likely a part coming loose (e.g. crank arm, drive sprocket, etc.) causing misalignment. Not sure of your braking system, but calipers are easy to adjust (again you know this) and observe any alignment issues (pad set-up, trued rim, etc.) unlike other systems which require more effort to make correct if faulty.
If either wheel or crank turns rough while off the ground I would isolate more by removing the chain (if 2 chain set-up remove both). Check that cranks are tightly mounted on the bottom bracket (BB) spindle (and *pedals are tight in the crank arms), and that there is minimal play in the BB bearings and the cranks turn smoothly. If the bike utilizes an intermediate drive between front and rear check everything for tightness, no play, and smooth operation without any chains engaged. Same thing on the rear drive. Some the rear wheels on trikes have keyed axles which may have come loose (or were improperly/not installed; tough to miss though). If everything turns freely and without noise while having no load, but then upon reassembling and attempting to ride the issues readily present themselves again I would be highly suspect that a bearing (or 2) is bad and/or the frame is slightly bent (possibly cracked!) and the rider's (and cargo) weight and/or the stress applied to the frame and drivetrain while pedalling are enough to cause rubbing and misalignment. Overall, it should be a fairly easy problem to isolate and fix (by yourself or at a shop) unless the actual frame is the problem). I do hear of people having issues with getting parts for some Schwinn trikes (newer models). Not sure why, but parts should be available through a dealer or directly from the company.

*Note: most pedals supplied with general use bikes are cheap in quality and durability. I would immediately replace pedals with a higher quality pair (not necessarily expensive; stay away from plastic body pedals!) before allowing them to be the cause of dissatisfaction with the bike.

Please understand that like many brand names that we grew up with, companies like Schwinn are now nothing more than a name. Many times a company has been bought/sold/restructured/relocated and has no roots to its origin other than the name. The Schwinn brand has been getting kicked around for the last 25 to 30 years (multiple bankruptcies, multiple owners) with I believe all production now being produced in China and/or Taiwan.

If you provide some detailed photos, model number, etc. we may be able to solve your problem unless you are dead set on relieving yourself of the trike. If so post it in the marketplace forum here with any particulars needed (location of trike, etc.); but still include somr photos.

My recommendation for a trike would be a Dutch/European built model.