3x7-8 are typically cheap mountain bikes. The standards for road bikes are now 2x10 and 2x11. Yep, 11 gears on the cassette alone, with two up front.
Yes, I mentioned the gearing combos typically available at the department stores (other Schwinn models at a Target). There were no 2x5's.
My Specialized road bike (4 years old) is 3x8. Many of the new Specialized 2013 Mountain bikes are 3x9. Admittedly some might think a $1200 mountain bike is "cheap", but I wouldn't refuse a 2013 "Carve" hardtail. :)