Submitted by
Max
a Cross Country Rider
from Connecticut
Date Reviewed: June 17, 2002
Strengths: Goes over everything. Handlebars are wide like riding a tank. Extremely plush around turns, just lean in and the suspension will kick you back out nice and fast. Brakes work. Titec and rock shocks make me happy.
Weaknesses: Swing arm cracked by pivots within first couple months. Schwinn replaced it under warranty it was just a beotch to wait for it in the shop. Tires do blow. Chain is all over the place. Would like something more adjustable. Hydraulic brake cable is annoying.
Bottom Line:
This bike is fun. Beaten it up and it still holds its own, and myself. Climbing can be bad. steep hills arent really its thing, but most hills are okay. drops nice, turns great, im extremely pleased.
Similar Products Used: For one or two test rides: GT LTS 1 (99ish) C-dale jekyll 900sl jamis dakar sport. hardtails galore
Bike Setup: almost all stock (Judy 100, Rock Deluxe, Hayes, titec, mavic) only upgraded little things- platform pedals chain tensioner front derailler
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Submitted by
jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from washington
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2001
Strengths: Hayes brakes are awesome Great deal only spent 800 dollars fs bike
Weaknesses: the damn sweaking is terrible Tioga tires
Bottom Line:
It is an awesome bike. Likes to go fast. Tioga tires are pretty crappy. Took out the sidewall running over something on the rear tire. Otherwise the bike rules. Thinking about getting 5.5 inch conversion from Stratos. Good job scwinn.
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from Aurora, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 24, 2001
Strengths: weight, overall riding stamina, and just about everything when it's custom.
Weaknesses: Brake mount & stock rear rim
Bottom Line:
I just bought this bike from the owner of our local shop (it was his personal ride) for $1750 tax-in, and if it was brand new it would've ran me approx. $4300. I'm only 14, and my other bike was a begginer's peugot. I love this bike. It handles beutifely, and u can trust if for the scary stuff. BUY ONE!!!!!!!!
Strengths: This bike does well in pretty much everything. I mostly ride urban and nothing goes but the tires. It turns well at fast speeds. This bike is great. Thats pretty much it.
Weaknesses: The rear shock. And i up-graded to bigger tires and wider rims.
Bottom Line:
This bike as it comes is great. The rear shock kinda sucks but it does the job. I love it.
Similar Products Used: I don't know. The bike I had before this was a Huffy and that doesn't compare at all.
Bike Setup: Bars: Pro-Taper Rimes: D321 Tires: Anything 2.3 Everything else is the same
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Submitted by
BOBBY REDROOT
a Downhiller
from AUSTIN, TEXAS
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2001
Strengths: THE SUSPENSION ACTON OF THIS LAWWILL DESIGN IS SIMPLY PUT SUPURB. THE BIKE TRACKS EXTREMLY WELL. YOU CAN TAKE THIS BIKE INTO A 90 DEGREE TURN @ 100 MPH AND THE SUPPLENESS OF THE SUSPENSION JUST SUCKS YOU INTO IT AND SPITS YOU BACK OUT THE OTHER SIDE. THE REAR SUSPENSION ACTS COMPLETLEY INDEPENDENTLY OF THE FRONT (MARRIZOCHI Z1 CR). I BLEW UP THE STOCK SID SHOCK THAT CAME IN THE REAR SO THE BOYS AT MY SHOP HOOKED ME UP WITH A ROCK SOX COIL OVER OFF OF A 99 FOUR BANGER WICH I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH WHAT SO EVER (AIR SHOCKS SUCK). THE SUSPENSION LOVES TO TAKE MODERATLY SIZED DROPS (4'-5') ANYTHING BIGGER THAN THAT I JUST REALLY HAVE NOT COME ACCROSS YET BUT I INTEND TO FIND OUT HOW IT TAKES THOSE AS WELL. I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THIS IS A PRETTY FLAWLESS SUSPENSION CONSIDERING THE LIMITED AMMOUNT OF TRAVEL THAT IT HAS, AND OH IT CLIMBS LIKE A BILLY GOAT IF YOU ARE ONE OF THOSE GUYS WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT THAT STUFF. I USE THIS BIKE FOR EVERYTHING URBAN ASSAULT, TRAIL RIDING AND DARE I SAY EVEN FREERIDING.
Weaknesses: MAGNESSEUM LINKS IN THE REAR. I TOOK A KNARLEY DROP AT CITY PARK AND I LANDED IN A WOLLERED OUT SECTION FROM THE MOTOCROSS BOYS PLAYING IN THE MUD ALL DAY. ANYWAY WHEN I LANDED I KNOCKED MY REAR DERAILER INTO MY REAR WHEEL AND I SIMPLY PUT TORE THE HELL OUT OF THE REAR END. IT RIPPED A HUGE HUNK OUT OF THOSE DAMN MAGNESSUIM LIKS WHICH FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO MIGHT CARE ARE NOT CHEAP AND EVIDENTLY CAN NOT BE WARRENTEED THROUGH SCHWINN (THATS THE PROBLEM WITH BUYING A BIKE FROM A BIG BRAND COMPANY).
Bottom Line:
IF YOU PLAN ON DOING ANY SERIOUS RIDING YOU'LL NEED TO MAKE A FEW UPGRADES TO THE STOCK SETUP (RIMS, SHOCKS, & MAYBE THE BARS (I DIDN'T LIKE THE 1.5 RISE ON THE TITEC STUFF)) BUT ALL IN ALL A VERY GOOD BIKE THAT CAN DO A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING AND DO IT WELL. I AM A 6'5" 265LB RIDER SO I PUNISH MY BIKE EVERYTIME I GET ON IT. THE SUSPENSION DESIGN IS PRETTY MUCH FLAWLESS, EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT WHEN I PUT THE 99' ROCK SHOX COIL OVER ON AND ADJUSTED IT ALL THE WAY OUT THE CHAIN RUBS ON THAT MAGNESEUM LINKAGE WHEN YOU ARE IN THE BIG RING AND IN YOUR SMALLEST COG. BOTTOM LINE THE BIKE ROCKS CLIMBS GOOD DECENDS DEVILISHLY FAST IT IS A GREAT GO ANYWHERE DO ANYTHING BIKE AND IF YOU DON'T WEIGH AS MUCH AS A CADILAC THEN YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE COMPONETRY THAT I DID, THIS WAS MY 1ST FULL SUSPENSION BIKE AND I KINDA WISH I WOULD HAVE GONE BALLS TO THE WALL AND JUST GOTTEN SOMETHING WITH MORE TRAVEL BUT THE BIKE DOES WHAT IT IS DESIGNED TO DO WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH JUST ABOUT ANYTHING. FORGIVE MY SPELLING AND IF YOU LIKE BIG SIC KNARLEY DROPS JUST GO GET SOMETHING WITH 6" OR MORE.
Bike Setup: HAYES BRAKES, MARIZOCHI Z1 CR OO', KORE 2 1/2 RISE, AZONIC STEM, 5" KIT IN THE FORK, XT CRANKS, XT DISC HUBS, TITEC BERZERKER SADLE, XTR REAR DERAILER, XT FRONT, SUN RINO LITES, 14 GUAGE DT SWISS SPOKES, INTENSE 2.25 TIRES, XT SHIFTERS, XTR REAR COG SET, SHIMANO DX PEDALS (FLATS)
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Submitted by
JESSE CONROY
a Weekend Warrior
from Rexford,NY,USA
Date Reviewed: March 3, 2001
Strengths: Great suspension setup, looks cool, disc brakes, you never want to get of off it.
Weaknesses: Tioga tires.
Bottom Line:
I was lucky to get this bike because im only 15 butt thanks to freemans and my mom i know have it. The bottom line is it gets me down the mountain as fast as I want it to go.
Similar Products Used: Standing ontop of a mountain with a rocket attached to me.
Bike Setup: judy 100's, hayes fully hydrallic disc brakes, shimano deare dx clipless pedals, THE front and back fenders, itense odi grips, and more stuff that is cool.
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Submitted by
bryan
a Weekend Warrior
from new york
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001
Strengths: going down, big hitts, looking darn good
Weaknesses: going up
Bottom Line:
if it weren't for my bike shop i wouldn't be with my 4banger. it has treated me verry well going down the 9 ski mountains i've gone down and won me 2nd in my first downhill race. soon i will be buying the schwinn straight 8 with the bonus from the airforce. the 4banger is one of the best freeride bikes around. thank you so much FREEMANS BRIDGE SPORTS. u can see my bike at www.bhbl.net/~wpd17
Submitted by
Longboard 1998
a Weekend Warrior
from Yorba Linda, CA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2001
Strengths: Follow up Review:Since my last review....I have replaced the rear Mavic 223 and had a Mavic 517supwith Xt hub built.Overall the performance of the bike has been stellar.
Weaknesses: Get rid of the rear Mavic 223 and replace with heavier gauge spoke and rim. Went through 8 spoke replacements.
Bottom Line:
I ride this bike a great deal and it is a great value. SuperGo has the All-Mountain (upgraded package)for $1499.00 Fantastic Deal
Bike Setup: Mavic rear 517 w/XT hub, Chris King Headset, XT Hollowtech cranks and Chainrings
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Submitted by
Rob
a Weekend Warrior
from suburb of Vancouver,BC
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Strengths: I bought the frame and built my 4 banger like a tank with maybe the exception of the front fork. I weigh about 260 lbs on a good day (when I haven't eaten breakfast yet). With all that weight this bike has not even let out a creak or a grown on the trail. This is not through any lack of trying on my part. This is a very plush ride that doesn't bottom out as much as FS other designs under my weight. The bike itself is pretty robust. I think the '99 frame is a little beefier than the 2000 as the tubes are larger in the front triangle.
Weaknesses: Hayes only rear mount. It was a real pain to mount my Maguras. I finally had to build an adapter myself. Also, Schwinn in Canada was not to helpful when I tried to upgrade to the 2000 4 banger rear linkage/brake mount. The only other (small)complaint is that I wish there would be more variety for the trunnion mounted rear shock but that's more me being nit picky.
Bottom Line:
The Bottom line is that I have found this to be a great bike. I originally got a sweet deal on the frame and for the money I couldn't get a decent FS for even close to what I paid. The weight is not an issue because a pound here or there won't make me any faster (I don't think anything would short of a Jet engine). It was built to take a lickin' and it's still tickin'. The one thing I didn't consider when purchasing was that this frame is easily upgradable. Put a Stratos in the rear and your choice of long travel front fork and your stylin' with about 5" to 6" of travel. This can be done cheaper then a MSP 6" kit for a FSR or any other bike for that matter. When I get the money I am going with a Stratos rear and a Boxxer front (w/20mm axle) to make it even sweeter. 5 frickin' chilis until she breaks in half!
Similar Products Used: Schwinn s20 Specialized FSR
Bike Setup: Bomber Z5 front (haven't had any problems...yet) Stock rear Rockshox deluxe (w/850 lb spring) Magura Gustav Discs (8" front/6" rear) Race face stem and turbine cranks (180 mm) Shimano XT drivetrain SRam 9.0 hubs (F/R) w/Big Mammoth fat rims and Intense Comp 2.35 DH tires
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Submitted by
No SanBa
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2001
Strengths: Plush!!! Stable, looks great.
Weaknesses: Frame cracked, that durned creaking!
Bottom Line:
(This is a follow-up review)
STRIKE ONE - After six months of relatively light riding, I discovered a hairline crack that wend more than 1/2 way around the seat tube just above the rear shock mount. This AMAZES me, since I weigh about 150 and don't do any serious downhilling or drops. The bike has never been crashed hard either. Also, this frame is now in it's 3rd year of existence and is the basis for Schwinn's new Straight Six. BTW, I discovered the crack while cleaning the bike.
STRIKE TWO - I took the bike into my LBS, they had a new front triangle from Schwinn within a week. However, the new frame is a 2000 model and the bushings won't work with the rest of the '99 bike. It's now been 4 weeks and still no bushings.
When it was in one piece, the bike was a joy. Very plush, predictable ride. A little heavy, but it just makes you a stronger rider.
I'll post another update after (if) I get the bike back.
Similar Products Used: Jamis Dakar Team (wish I still had it)
Bike Setup: Stock, except for WTB MotoRaptor tires, Thompson stem
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from San Jose, CA
Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000
Strengths: FUN FUN FUN...anyone who wants an awesome freeride bike should look into this particular bike. Good parts (time pedals and hayes disc brakes were along the good stuff...but one word sums it up; "PLUSHNESS!!!!"
Weaknesses: Stock Tires partly shredded (knobs were coming off) on test ride...but i'd already had too much fun with this bike to say no...creaky carbon swingarm??? or maybe the rear shock? Is it heavy?-Yes and no...considering Schwinn based it on their downhill technology and converted it to a "x-country" type bike...yes there is added weight BUT surprisingly, I got used to the weight after one good hard day of riding...this bike actually does fairly well uphills too!
Bottom Line:
Good Stuff...wonderful bike for x-country but a better bike for freeride weekend rides, etc...Dunno how it holds up downhill i've been told that the Mavic 223 Disc rims are fragile and break easily under pressure...but i weigh a measly 120 so i think they should be fine...Definitely replace the stock tires BEFORE you actually go mountain biking...watchout for the "lawhill" chainstay..there was a recall on those things cause the pivot points cracked? Other than that, if you dont weigh a lot, look into carbon handlebars, carbon seatpost, maybe even a lighter fork but has the same plushness (such as a SID 100 maybe?)Back shock was ok didnt blow out on me overall good choice of parts (cept the tires)
Similar Products Used: Specialized Ground Control, Gary Fisher Sugar Series, Gary Fisher X-Caliber, Giant Ds/1
Bike Setup: Stock except easton carbon monkeylite handlebars, Velociraptor Front Tire and a Specialized Team Master rear tire...wooo and you can't forget the extra water bottle cage...
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Submitted by
Ron (Timberibs)
a Weekend Warrior
from charlotte, Michigan
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2000
Strengths: This bike has an awesome componet setup. Have rode the bike for two seasons with little effort to keep in great riding shape. Travel both front and rear is great. RS judy performs without a hitch. just now rebuilding this winter after a ton of riding this past year!
Weaknesses: What's with the Squeeks? Anybody know how to quiet this thing down? Carbon Fibre upper arm/pivots?? My "wrench" has been unable to get to it... Any suggestions?
Bottom Line:
Great all around Rock Shox/Lawill travel. If I could get the thing to keep quiet I would be totally in love! Hayes Hydro brakes are bike AND show stoppers!!Performs better than bikes costing alot more money!!
Bike Setup: Stock except WTB pedals,xtr rear cassette,bb,crank,derailiers upgrades and Michelin Hot S tires.
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Submitted by
LongBoard1998
a Weekend Warrior
from Yorba Linda, CA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2000
Strengths: Awesome bike for the price. You can't beat the components. Susupension is awesome
Weaknesses: Crappy stock tires (Lasted a couple of weeks)
Bottom Line:
Great uphill, downhill..... all of the above. SMOOOOOTH downhill. Just a tad heavy .....just get used to it. Ride one and you will buy one. Graet for someone who rides everywhere and everything
This is a follow up to the one below. Turns out the sqeak was coming from the headset- specifically the steer tube. Needed a squirt of lube, and now it is great.
BUT, I found another problem. Who the hell puts straight 15 gauge spokes on a freeride bike?! Two weekends in a row I broke spokes. Bummer.
Still has my vote for the chilis, though. One hell of a bike.
Submitted by
El Santo
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2000
Strengths: Unbelievably plush (front and rear), Hayes disk modulation is incredible, relatively light for a freeride rig, cheap as dirt, great geometry (done some *huge* rides- 30 miles, 4000 feet of climbing, and was comfortable in the cockpit the entire time), looks and performs tough.
Weaknesses: I have a creak that is like chinese water torture. Not the bottom bracket- it is coming from the rear suspension. I gotta go out and get a torque wrench to be able to put the rear suspension back together, and haven't done it yet.
Bottom Line:
I ride this thing hard. I live in socal, lots of very technical rocky chutes, and the rear suspension eats almost everything. It has saved my life a number of times on the drop offs, absorbing the majority of the hits (can still feel the trail, which I think is a good thing, it just smooths it out like a good FS bike should). The brakes are unbelievable. For a SAT-style analogy, V-brakes:Cantilevers as Disks:V-brakes. As soon as I start to skid, I can let off slightly, regain traction, and still be slowing down... on the Widowmaker. Modulation, folks. Good stuff.
As far as the climbs, well, I would never race this thing XC. It definitely goes, it is just a little slower on the uphill than my HT. It weighs in at 30lbs, and I can say that my XC riding endurance has gone up since I started pushing this bike up and down in the Santa Monicas for the past few months. Getting on my hardtail is like taking off the ankle-weights.
For the price, you couldn't possibly beat it. By far the most fun I have had in the saddle of *any* bike. If you have a good fitness base and good bike handling skills, and want to step up to the freeride plate, the 4 banger is for you. If you want to squash expert-class XC racers, this is not the bike for you.
Bike Setup: stock sans the tires (3 weeks and I shredded them down to bead). The technicians at Tioga were smoking all the good rubber. The Tiogas suck almost as bad as Mythos.
"stock" means: Hayes Disks, DT-Hugi/Hayes hubs, Mavic 223 rims, Titec risers and stem, XT mega-9 setup, Time clipless, Judy 100mm in front, Rock Shox in back, Lawill carbon-fiber swingarms. Very trick for $1500.
