Submitted by
Mike
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2011
Strengths: I own 4 of these bikes, and three of them were built by me from the frame up. the main strength I see is the unified rear triangle and its simplistic design, using only one pivot. Also the pivot is way oversize, so one would probably never wear out a set of bushings. This frame is rock solid, and although there are some places where a little weight could be trimmed from it, I did not find it to be all that heavy in the realm of other full suspension bicycles in the same price category. A factoy bike does tend to be spec'd a little low on the components, but if you are building your bike you can spec what works best for you. Has some great looking TIG welds, and is moderately gusseted.
Weaknesses: Some weight could be pared from the frame, but at what expense in terms of strength? The shock could be repositioned slightly for more efficiency and possibly allow a full length seat post to be inserted without hitting the shock. My stock air shock leaked like a sieve.
Bottom Line:
Remember that within reason, no bike is really good or bad, heavy or light, right or wrong. It is all relevant to the rider and his/her/its style, experience, skill and conditions. I think the S40 would be a great ride for all but the most discriminating riders, and a bit of tuning and new components would really bring this great frame out into its own! Also, this bike seems to nosedive more than other suspension frames I have tried, so I found a nice Girvin fork remake, and the bike handles GREAT! This fork responds to bump force only, and will not compress from downforce on the handlebars. Making for a much more stable ride during heavy front braking and while hammering the pedals while out of the saddle. Go Find an S40 or one of its siblings... You will love it.
Similar Products Used: GT RTS2, Cannondale Killer Vee 1000
Bike Setup: I own 4 of these and all are set up differently. All are roughly LX grade and above, and I always use Avid Speed Dial levers, for the adjustable modulation they offer. My latest S40 has Hayes hydraulic discs.. if you buy a new enough frame it will have rear disc brake bosses on the frame!
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Submitted by
Tone Capone
a Downhiller
from Eugene, Or
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001
Strengths: Heavy Frame Design, but suspension and pivot are nice for out of the saddle lock out and in the saddle activeness..Yes its a XC bike.. But put some nice wheels and agressive tires and some XTR V breaks and put the heavy frame to some good DH use! Never busted on me on the Trails, Never even gotten a flat on hairy trails.
Weaknesses: Came equipped with a weak grouppo... But for the money cant complain... I swapped out tires,gears,shifters,breaks,seat,bars,neck...
Bottom Line:
Some of my bro's are ridding AMP's that cost 3 times my bike including my upgrade costs.. Yes there bikes are way light... But I use my Schwinn for off road riding, int - adv DH'ling.. This bike is a tank, but is bulletproof.. I've never had a single equipment issue on the MT or at home or just riding trails or bike paths... Hats of to Schwinn for making some very dependable bike for thrashing on! Representing Schwinn baby!
Bike Setup: OEM:Frame,Suspension Aftermarket:Everything else! Chopped about 1.5" of the seat post tube to get lower center of gravity.
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Submitted by
Andrew Salzano
a Cross Country Rider
from New Jersey
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2000
Strengths: Climbs well out of the seat, soaks up the hits well, and the frame and pivots are built tough
Weaknesses: very unresponsive in turns due to large amount of frame twist, Bike is heavy for XC, but some people can live with that, I did. Components are low end but the bike is priced that way.
Bottom Line:
Good bike for someone getting into the sport, the sweet spot works when you are out of the seat, has trouble turing and has large amounts of frame twist, which makes the bike feel like a wet noodle under you. Do not get me wrong, schwinn makes a good bike, the pivots and frame held up well, its just there is no support for the frame flex and twist. Heavy riders beware.
Submitted by
Jake D.
a Cross Country Rider
from Columbia , Missouri
Date Reviewed: November 6, 2000
Strengths: The front and rear suspension work well together and soak up chop and big hits alike. The s-40 decends like a dream and corners well. It is quick out of a turn and a lot of fun to ride.
Weaknesses: It is a bit heavy and does not climb well.
Bottom Line:
Fun freerider. Too heavy to be considered a XC race bike. Needs lighter components, such as cranks, seat post, bottom bracket, etc.
Similar Products Used: Klien Mantra Race, GT LTS-1
Bike Setup: LX, Deore groupo. Judy C, long travel in front, Rock Shox Deluxe in back. Moab Trail tire with Kevlar.
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Submitted by
john'o'
a Weekend Warrior
from lachine quebec
Date Reviewed: June 12, 2000
Strengths: Fast, Light fun
Weaknesses: ummmm if your short and the bikes an 18 incher...you gotta cut the seatpost! cause if you lower the post to far it hits the shock...this is probably common and i probably shouldint be ridding an 18 incher
Bike Setup: Marzocchi's 1997 Z2's, El Gato IRC tires front and rear.
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Submitted by
R, O. Booher
a Weekend Warrior
from Humboldt, Tn
Date Reviewed: May 31, 2000
Strengths: Great bike: downhill, crosscountry and hillclimbing is perfect for the price. Best hillclimber I've owned. Can't believe Scwinn stopped production.
Weaknesses: NONE. nothing gets close for the money.
Bottom Line:
Yes it weihts about 30lbs, but after loading up on waterbottles, food and tools it is no big deal. 20 plus mile rides on 1 to 2 mile high ridges of Hawaii are a dream on this bike. You can spend more on a bike, but this bike does it all and at a great price. I wish Schwinn would not stop production of this bike. I have been riding for 15 years and this bike rules! I have out performed 4,000 dollar bikes with my Schwinn. It is mostley the rider guys, so buy what you can afford and stay in shape and you will love moutainbiking for many years.
Similar Products Used: cannondale super v and Schwinn Moab and proflex full suspension.
Bike Setup: 221 wheels, S8 computer, Jell seat, answer downhill bars and 535 pedals.
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Submitted by
chris
a Cross Country Rider
from biddiford, Maine, York
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2000
Strengths: everything
Weaknesses: cant find 1 after consatant thrashing!
Bottom Line:
This bike rocks untill you have to clean the rear swingarm.But this bike is worth just about any hasel.The advent pedels offer a great platform so you can really fly over any anything. Anyone who rides cross-country in just about any terraine and tries it for a day or two will to. Worth every dime.
Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Marietta, OH, USA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000
Strengths: Excellent for both steep climbs and downhill.
Weaknesses: Saddle, short stock seat post
Bottom Line:
Great all around bike. Excellent value (although stock components could be better!). Buy this bike if you ride all kinds of terrain... if you ride strictly downhill, this isn't for you!
Bike Setup: Thompson, Kore, Rock Shox, Specialized...
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Submitted by
Craig Davis
a Weekend Warrior
from Charlotte, NC
Date Reviewed: September 22, 1999
Strengths: Nice, plush front and rear suspension; sweet-spot frame isolates well during out of the saddle climbing.
Weaknesses: Stock seat is hard as a rock!
Bottom Line:
For me this bike rocks! It is a little weighty but I figure I need to lose a few pounds myself anyway. The Rock Shox Judy-C fork is very plush and supple but not overly so. The Rock Shox Delux rear shock seems to be well tuned for my weight (195 lbs.) and the sweet spot frame. The sweet spot design really isolates the rear shock when you're out of the saddle, so the S-40 really isn't a fully active suspension bike but I think this is a plus. I've ridden this bike pretty hard in the short time I've had it and have been well-pleased with it. The biggest difference I notice is how fast I can go downhill now since by rear isn't bouncing all over the place. I was a fairly strong climber before on my old hard-tail (a Specialized Rockhopper) and I can still climb like crazy, so I have no complaints there. I also got a good deal and great service from my local bike shop, Lake Norman Bicycles in Huntersville, NC, and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a Schwinn or Cannondale. Overall, I'm a very happy rider on my new S-40!
Bike Setup: All stock except seat (replaced with a Specialized Body Geometry) and pedals (replaced stock Ritchey Logic's with Shiman M545's).
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Submitted by
Jacob Archie
a Weekend Warrior
from Jackson TN
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1999
Strengths: It's an all around starter bike, which I found out the hard way...
Weaknesses: cranks, tires and wheels
Bottom Line:
Having come across this bike on extreme sale, I decided to purchase it for that fact alone. Woe is me. With all of it's stock components it weighs a full 32 pounds, and if you are stupid enough to keep the original tires on it, you'll be in great shape to ride hills on a better equiped bike after punishing yourself on those heavyweight mud grips. I'm pleased with this bike and it's performance, but only after getting some Tioga 66's, some mavic 221's and swapping the Acera cranks (pathetic cruise ship anchor of a bicycle gearbox that they are) for some XT cranks and a titanium bottom bracket. I think changing the cassette would complete the transformation that anyone would need to make it an affordable (if you don't mind calling 1400 or so affordable) starter bike, and upon completing all of those swaps, I'll be pretty satisfied with it. I'm just into my sixth month of trail riding with it, and after a month or so of regreting even buying it in the beggining, I've shaped it into a comfortable workhorse that's sure to last me years and years. If you don't mind the weight, I'd recomend it to anyone as a pleasurable and highly rewarding recreational rider, but if you ever want to race, I'd say save more money for the initial purchase and get a Homegrown, or anything that weighs somewhere around 26 pounds or less. I myself bought this one because I wanted a full suspension then and there, but had a limited budget. Even knowing I satisfied my immediate urge and got to enjoy the summer riding trails on it, I still wish I would have waited to get a better bike.
The floating drive train on this bike amounts to making it a high price seat post suspension system. The bottom bracket and pedals attach to the swing arm, and the distance between your feet and butt change as you ride. I can get a good susp seat post for $150, why bother with this horrible design? I think the only advantages might be when you climb out of the saddle to go up very steep hills. But you shouldn't have to do that much if you are a good rider and know how to slide on the seat to keep pressure on the rear.The homegrown dual susp (w/o floating swing) is better than any of the S-works. Don't be conned folks. Two chilies for carbon and front shock
Similar Products Used: K2 (best XC full susp), Klein, Specialized FSR, Trek Y
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Ron
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wormleysburg PA
Date Reviewed: August 5, 1999
Strengths: It`s got well over 3000 miles on it about 25 percent,off the road and it`s work`s like new.
Weaknesses: Have not found any yet
Bottom Line:
This bike ride`s a lounge chair,out of the saddle it climbs like a hard tail. If i were to replace it .It would be with a another sweet spot suspension bike
Similar Products Used: cannondale beidgestone hard tail`s
Bike Setup: rock shock rs21 with speed spring`s cane creek rear shock.Sun tour xc pro shifters lx deraillur`s.lx crankset 42/32/20 home made cassette,12x28 7 speed plus 32 tooth cog,replace the 7 speed spacers with 8 speed spacers. continetal cross country tire`s
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Submitted by
J
a Cross-Country Rider
from Scottsdale
Date Reviewed: May 28, 1999
Strengths: great ride, firm control, nice look
Weaknesses: included saddle
Bottom Line:
Having recently purchased the s-40 I have been quite pleased. I have already put on 70 miles and have not found one fault, except the unconfortable saddle, which I changed immediately. Riding the dual suspension has really increased the feel of the terrain and the schwinn really gives me the best fit (i'm 6'1 @ 185lbs.) compared to gian and specialized frames that I have tried through friends. You'll be happy with the s-40. 5 chilies.
