Submitted by
Tweeks
a Weekend Warrior
from Elgin, Moray, Scotland
Date Reviewed: October 1, 2009
Strengths: Sub 30lb bike when built with light components.
Rides itself uphills.
Weaknesses: Brake set up can be difficult, but once set up it will stop a train.
Bottom Line:
As you may have noticed I am trying to get a maintenance free bike. Sealed bearings throughout. Hydraulic brakes.
I ried 50 miles a week to and from work on road tyres and at the weekend it's out on the trails in Scotland.
Its an all round bike that can soak up any punishment. After nearly ten years of abuse the frame is still creak free.
Still loving it.
Favorite Trail: The one under the wheels right here right now.
Duration Product Used: More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At: Pauls Cycles, Dereha
Similar Products Used: Marin full sussers
Bike Setup: Pace RC36 Proclass Fork
Hope Sport 2 Front brake.
Hope TiGlide hubs laced to Mavic 317 rims.
Synchros bar and stem
XT drivetrain.
WTB SST saddle.
Hayes HFX rear brake.
Orbit XLII Headset.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
buffal0b1ll
a Cross Country Rider
from MD
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2004
Strengths: Floats over any terrain that I don't need body armor for. Almost keeps up with the single speed dudes on Wed nite ride (but beats the gear hardtails).
Weaknesses: Slack seat tube angle. 2 bent seat posts.
Bottom Line:
Couldn't be happier with the return on the $650 I Ebayed and parts-binned into this plush cross country bomber. So what if it eats seatposts?
Similar Products Used: 1996 Supergo Access FS (Turner Burner Copy)
Bike Setup: 2001 Z3 100mm up front. F Avid Mech, R Hayes HFX. Do you really care what the brands of the rest of my rig are you gear queer?
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul Philipson
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: February 20, 2003
Strengths: Bike is great fun , looks fantastic , nothing like it on the block . Hayes breaks are very good , groupset components XT / deore - reliable. Change that fork , I have put a Psylo on the front and with it dialed upto 5" of travel the bike is transformed.
Weaknesses: Saddle is painfull , tires are crap , Judy front fork is basic and harsh. Bike is heavy - I weighed mine at 35lbs , I have since chnaged the wheels for mavics 317's and hope XC hubs and reduced the weight buy 1lb on each wheel ! Bottom bracket had to be replaced after 6 months and headset is now shot after 15 months.
Bottom Line:
I have spent another $600 upgrading this bike because I find it so comfortable to ride XC or downhill , off jumps - it is just fun .
I give it top value rating as I paid less than half price - obviously it was a year old model at the time .
Strengths: extraordinary design, nice look hayes brakes!
Weaknesses: except the tyres, none so far.
Bottom Line:
the first fully i have bought, found it at a local dealer for less than half the price, found the setup very good for this more than reasonable amount of bucks. heard of cracks in the back frame, hope it won't happen to me as i don't really pay attention to not riding over rocks or laying trees. squeaking brakes.. well i was told by the salesman that all discbrakes squeak, i wonder if that's the truth. had some really cool days exploring the "wilderness" around here. one thing i observed, after mudbathes, it's better to wash the bike off and grease or the next run will be less fun. the front fork is not the best of all, a judy sl, distorts when braking hard, rear getting up when braking hard with rear brakes.. like it was said before, take the time to adjust the rear fox shocks, it will drastically improve the ride.
Similar Products Used: tested g-zero and cannondale
Bike Setup: cut handlebar, shorter titec neck
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Graham
a Weekend Warrior
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: October 22, 2001
Strengths: Innovative rear suspension design that actally works, Hayes brakes offer obscene stopping power and control, Looks fantastic and certainly turns heads, Rarer than rocking horse dung in the UK so no-one else has got one!
Weaknesses: Rock shox Judy SL's are a bit flexy under really heavy braking, Rear shock spring is bit soft even though I'm average wieght, Hayes brake lever chip lumps out the pint on the crossbar when the bars hit full lock. Standard tyres are terrible.(IRC Mythos). Saddle is really uncomfortable.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a bit of an unknown here in the UK, as I dont think it sold to well here due to an extraordinary price tag (£1800 pounds sterling!). But fortunately for me Schwinn has pulled out of Europe, instead setting up its home on this side of the pond in the UK, and leaving a massive number of unsold bikes sitting around on the continent. I got mine for less than half price, delivered to my door.
The bike looks completeley different from everything else available here, which if you like to be noticed, can only be a good thing, and it rides like velvet, that Lawill rear end with its carbon fibre swing arm really does do the business. The fronts not too bad either, being equipped with a perfectly capable Rockshox Judy SL, with variable travel adjustments. On thing to watch out for is the initial set up of the rear shock. It uses a trunnion mount, which means it has scope for adjusting the ride height at the rear. When the bikes are delivered it is on its lowest setting which means it grounds out easily and steers like a pig. Set it up so you've got about 330mm under the bottom bracket, and the handling is transformed. Also the spring on mine was a bit to soft, but uprating it was an easy ten minute job, and hardly cause for complaint.
Also of note are the Brakes. The four-banger comes ready fitted with Hayes Hydraulics front and rear,which as well as looking pretty good, deliver a shocking amount of power. One thing though, they squeal like a pig when they're new, and they do take some regular re-alignment to keep them from squeaking. I think half the problem is the fact that bike has international standard mounts, and the brakes use hayes own post mount on the front, and some other weird mount of unknown design on the rear. The mounting hardware and adapters need to be really tight to stop them creeping around. I've heard a lot of varied opinions on Hayes brakes, and it seems to me that if you dont spend the time setting them up just right... you'll hate them. If your willing to spend a half hour playing, you'll fall in love, There's not a set of V brakes in the world that can match these.
The bike is immensely strong, and despite this, it's not really a porker. The 2000 model lost quite a lot of weight over the '99 model. Some people seem to think that its to heavy, I think they've missed the point.
Over rough ground it's unbeatable for comfort and rider flattering ability, with the suspension keeping the fairly mediocre alex wheels well planted. And it works just as well when you're in or out of the saddle, Which is a good job because the standard saddle is a real painful sod to have to sit on. The standard wheels and tyres on this bike are its main disapointment, The Mythos tires are pants and the wheels rattle with the extra spoke nipples that have found there way in. but dont let that put you off!
If you can find a nice cheap one like I did, this is the one of the best bikes you could own.
Similar Products Used: Marin Rift Zone, Carrera Hellcat, Giant ATX
Bike Setup: Rockshox Judy SL's 100mm, Rockshox delux rear shock, XT groupset, Alex DH rims, Hayes hydraulic discs,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeff NoSanBa
a Weekend Warrior
from Chandler, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2001
Strengths: Very plush. Rear suspension design is a work of art.
Weaknesses: Cracked frame, incompatability of rear disk brake mount, Schwinn's total lack of any kind of respect for their customers.
Bottom Line:
This is my last follow up review for the bike.
I am now on my second frame (original was a '99) after the first one cracked. The bike itself works fine, incredibly designed rear-end.
However, I wanted to switch to a cable-actuated rear disk brake, but unfortunately the 4-Banger comes with Hayes' 1999 version of "International Standard" and nothing else will mount on the frame. I have had nothing but problems with my rear brake, even after replacing the lever, cylinder and hose.
Numerous e-mails to Schwinn have gone un-answered over the past year and a half. I did get one response to a question about the never-ending creak coming from my front shock trunion, I was told that "all suspension bikes creak, get used to it."
I really don't have much sympathy for Schwinn as an organization, even after reading about the teary-eyed employees packing their desks up this week as the leave.
Put out a good product and STAND BEHIND IT and you will get and KEEP customers.
Apologies to Mert Lawwill, great design in the 4-Banger, too bad it was attached to a Schwinn.
Regardless, when the 4-Banger was working correctly it was a great ride - nothing else like it. But, too many problems for me to keep riding. I how have a great looking 8lbs. + frame as a paperweight.
Bike Setup: Stock except for stem & seatpost (both Thomson), X-Vert Super fork.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
TERRY FENNER
a Downhiller
from AUSTIN, TEXAS
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2001
Strengths: PRODUCT STRENGTHS WELL LETS SEE I REVIEWED THIS BIKE ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND I LOVED IT BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE LEARNED TO DISCOVER THE TRUE PERSONALITY BEHIND THIS BIKE. FIRST I MUST DESCRIBE MYSELF SO THAT YOU CAN HELP TO UNDERSTAND WHY I AM EXPERIENCING THE THINGS THAT I AM ON MY BIKE. I AM 6'5" 260lbs AND HARD AS HELL ON ANYTHING WITH TWO WHEELS (KIND OF A CURSE CUZ I LOVE BIKES) BUT I DIGRESS WITH THE FEW STRENGTHS THAT IT DOES HAVE. CORNERS FAIRLY WELL CLIMBS REALATIVLEY WELL (EVEN W/ THE 5" FORK I PUT ON)
Weaknesses: WEAKNESSES WELL THERE IS PLENTY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. GUSSTES OR LACK THERE OF. NO GUSSETS I AM WORKING ON MY SECOND FRAME NOW AND I CAN ALREADY SEE A THIRD ONE COMMING ON. WHERE THE MAIN PIVOT ON THE CARBON FIBER SEAT STAY HOOKS UP ON THE FRAME THE WELDS CRACK LAST FRAME I WARENTEED HAD 8 STRUCTURAL CRACKS IN THE WELDS. I CURRENTLY AM ONLY SPORTING 2 CRACKS BUT I WILL WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE MORE VISABLE BEFORE I START THE BATTLE WITH THE A-HOLE SCHWINN REPS HERE IN AUSTIN. THE BACKEND CAN TEND TO BE A LITTLE FLEXY UNDER STRESS AND WITH ME ON IT IT GETS PLENTY OF STRESS. A LITTLE BIT OF BRAKE JACK BUT ONCE YOU LEARN HOW TO WORK AROUND IT IT IS REALLY NOT A PROBLEM. NOT ENOUGH TRAVEL BUT THAT IS NOT THE BIKES FAULT ITS MINE I SHOULD HAVE JUST BOUGHT AN RM-6
Bottom Line:
BOTTOM LINE I HATE SCHWINN THE COMPANY AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY. THE 1ST TIME I CRACKED THE FRAME I CONSULTED MY MECHANIC AT THE SHOP AND TOLD HIM THE FRAME IS CRACKING AND I WOULD LIKE TO WARENTEE IT FOR A STRAIGHT SIX SOMETHING MORE SUTABLE FOR MY RIDING STYLE I OFFERED TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE IN FRAME COST JUST TO GET THE EXTRA TRAVEL. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME HE DID NOT THINK THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM AND HE WOULD TALK TO THE SCHWINN REP. THE SCHWINN REP TOLD HIM THAT HE ONLY HAD 3 STRAIGHT 6 FRAMES IN STOCK AT THE WAREHOUSE IN TEXAS AND WANTED TO SAVE THEM FOR STAIGHT 6 WARENTEES AND THAT MAYBEE THE NEXT TIME I BROKE THE 4 BANGER FRAME THEY WOULD HAVE MORE AVAILABLE AND WOULD WARENRTEE IT FOR THE 6 AT THAT TIME. WHAT BULL CRAP A GOOD BIKE COMPANY SHOULD NOT GIVE YOU A NEXT TIME TO BREAK A FRAME AND POSSIBLY INJURE YOURSELF WHAT TOTAL CRAP. THE BIKE HANDLES WELL IS A LITTLE HEAVY FOR XC GEEKS AND CAN HANDLE LIGHT JUMPING AND LIGHT FREERIDING BUT IF YOUR'E ANYTHING LIKE ME YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING LIGHT. GOOD BIKE GOOD DESIGN AND ONE HELL OF A CRAPPY COMPANY MANUFACTURING THEM. THE 4 BANGER FRAME THAT I AM CURENTLY BREAKING IS PAINTED ALL BLACK SO AS TO NOT ADVERTISE FOR A COMPANY THAT CAN'T GIVE ME ANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT. IF YOUR'E NOT WORRIED ABOUT BREAKING THE BIKE I WOULD RECOMEND IT BUT IF YOUR'E LIKE ME DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT DOWN WITH SCHWINN, DOWN WITH SCHWINN I DON'T SUPPORT THEM AND IF ANYONE ASKS ME ABOUT THEM I'LL TELL EM THEY SUCK AND CAN OFFER YOU NO SUPPORT EVEN IF IT IS YOUR'E SECOND SCHWINN PURCHASE. DON'T BUY A SCHWINN IS THE BEST ADVICE I CAN OFFER YOU.
Similar Products Used: GIANT XTC AC1, ROCKY MOUNTAIN SLAYER, INTENSE UZI SL (I HAVE NOT EXTENSIVLY RIDEN ANY OF THE ABOVE MENTIONED BIKES JUST KICKED BY BROS BIKES AROUND THE JUMP TRACK OR THA PARKING LOT NO MAJOR RIDES)
Bike Setup: SUN RINO LITE RIMS, XT DISC HUBS, HAYES DISC BRAKES & LEVERS, SHIMANO DX FLAT PEDALS, XT CRANKS, 99' MODEL 4 BANGER COIL OVER SHOCK (I BLEW UP THE STOCK AIR IN THE 1ST 2 WEEKS, AIR SHOCKS SUCK), CONTINENTAL 2.3 VERTICAL PRO REAR, KUJO DH 2.35 UPFRONT, 5" MARZOCCHI Z1 CR, KORE 2 1/2 STRICKTLY D RISER BAR, AZONIC SHORTY CHUBY DELUXE STEM, XT SHIFTERS FRONT & REAR, XTR REAR DERAILER, SALSA QUICK RELEASE SEAT POST CLAMP, TITEC BEZERKER SADDLE, AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Burke
a Weekend Warrior
from Pacific Grove, California
Date Reviewed: August 9, 2001
Strengths: -sturdy frame -carbon fiber swinger -hayse hydrolic disc brakes -shimano and titec components and parts -9 gears -5 sealed pivot points -great paint job -great downhill ride -great street ride -crowd pleaser
Strengths: - there is a longtravel-option available from Stratos (5.75") - easy service - all bearings can be replaced without problem - good work - all parts fit without problem. Nothing has to be bent to assemble.
Weaknesses: - all bearings had to be replaced after a muddy winter - it would work better with an through-axle at the back, it already bent some skewers and hubs - the European distributor has been closed and no replacement parts are availble. I can't get an replacement for the derailleur-hanger.
Bottom Line:
- UPDATE - This is an addition for my review before.
Bike Setup: Swaped to the fork to a Rond Quake CP 110
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bernhard
a Cross Country Rider
from Weissach im Tal
Date Reviewed: December 14, 2000
Strengths: Perfect floating bike. The ride is very smooth. Nice design and cool technology (carbon, magnesia, aluminium cast). The damper is protected, fair tyre clearance.
Weaknesses: Pedal-bobbing on small gears; the back is lifted when the rear brake is used hard; the front-frame is not very stiff; difficult to set up. Crap parts: Cane Creek headset; heavy seatpost; heavy wheelset. The travel of the Sid XC does not match the back - goin to mount a Marzocci.
Bottom Line:
It's a fun-bike. It's not strong enough for fr and too heavy for xc, but gets better the harder you ride. You have to keep the wheels turning. The traction with new tires is marvelous - climbing and cornering is real fun. The rear hayes-brake is loosing its "point" from time to time. With the Delux-damper you get more travel because of the longer stroke. It's a bit heavy and the damping is tricky to adjust. It's stock in Germany - as the SID XC at the front. It's a good air-fork, but has not enough travel and need regular maintenance for good performance. Let's see if the strait 6 has the same frame, but only more travel because of the Fox Vanilla damper!!! Wishes for the future: -stiffer front triangle (or whatever) -better components -better suport (manuals, webpage) -5" front & rear (e. g. Marzocci RAC + Fox Vanilla) -190mm rotor for Hayes
Strengths: THIS BIKE RULES!! fork, rear shock, brakes, componentry, this bike is amazing all around!
Weaknesses: nothing yet
Bottom Line:
this is the most versitle bike ever! Drop offs, hill climbs, downhills, technical trails, single track.... anything!!!! I got my kona manomano stolen from my garage and I am actually glad it happened so I could buy this sick rig with insurance money! FIVE FLAMIN' CHILIS ALL AROUND!!
Purchased At: mtbr marketplace (from some guy in Texas)
Similar Products Used: kona manomano, norco xcs 1, intense uzzi dh
Bike Setup: sid 100, sid dual air, hayes hydraulic discs, xtr/xt components, mavic x223 disc wheels, titec stem, bar, seat, and post.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry
a Weekend Warrior
from Yosemite
Date Reviewed: September 15, 2000
Strengths: What a killer bike! I just got mine and so far it kicks ass over my old bike, an OCLV Y bike. Hayes brakes are awesome stoppers after a short break in period. It climbs well, even without a lock out and is wicked fast on the descents.
Weaknesses: As others have mentioned, the tires suck, so did the seat(replaced it with my old one). The only other thing I don't like about the bike is how the rear end jacks up under braking. It's too bad Schwinn didn't go with a floating caliper like they use on their longer travel versions. Supposedly, Razor Rock racing is working on a floating caliper kit which includes a 20mm rear axled hub, but I know I won't be able to afford it!
Bottom Line:
The only drawback of this bike is the brake jack, but that isn't even that bad. I just saw Schwinn's 2001 catalog and there is no 4 Banger for next year, only the Straight 6 and Straight 8, so get one quick. I'll light 5 red chili farts for value and 4 for overall.
Similar Products Used: Y bike, I've also rode recently: Cannondale Jekyll, Santa Cruz Heckler, Outland VPP5, and some Manitou bike I can't remember the name of.
Bike Setup: All stock except for a King headset and a Serfas saddle.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Paul S
a Cross Country Rider
from Wallingford, CT
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2000
Strengths: Great travel, awesome breaks, climbs great, and looks sweet
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
Awesome bike. Mine weights in at about 25.5 lbs. Which is very respectable for a dual disc long travel bike. The rear suspension is awesome...the travel is almost perfectly vertical, and there is VERY little bobbing on climbs. Overall I am very impressed by it's performance, although I think it's a tad too big for me. I currently have the 19", and I'm sure the 17" would be the better size for me.
Bike Setup: SID XC, Fire XC pros, Rolf dolomite disc wheels, selle saddle, Hellbent XC riser, thompson seatpost
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Downhiller
from Colorado Springs, CO
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2000
Strengths: Price, Components, Quality of travel, Adjustability, Durability
Weaknesses: Tires, Frame flex
Bottom Line:
I really love this bike. It climbs very well and doesn't weight that much. Yet, it still decends fairly well. I have 2 complants though... the frame has too much flex and the stock tires suck. I imagine its a trade off to have a 28 lbs bike with 4" for a small lack of stiffness in the rear end. The quality components on this bike blow the weaknesses away. This bike is a great all around bike. The brakes work well (not as well as hope's), the compontents are choice and the handeling is awsome for all around riding. This bike is a great deal overall. Minus one chili for the flex.
Strengths: Suspension, Brakes, component mix and looks. It flies on downhills but can still climb.
Weaknesses: Paint and assembly from Schwinns factory. Sid100`s won`t let you mount T.H.E fenders on it.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike unseen. As only 5 of them came to Norway I had to order mine before I could test ride it. When it finally arrived the first thing that struk me was that it was to small (it`s a 17") for my 5`9" frame. But after changing the stem and adjusting the seatpost it now fits me like a glove. Then I had problems with the fork bottoming out before full travel because of the bolt which goes trough the brakearch holding the brakeline was too long so that it hit the crown. I turned the bolt around so that the bolt faces forward and everything`s fine. The bike came without shockpump or shockmanuals. (it arrived with a Judy-manual) I think this should have been supplied with the bike, even it the price would have gone up a few dollars. So with the bike fully adjusted I hit the trails and I have not stopped smiling since. This Bike Is great fun!!! I can finally keep up with my more experianced ridingbuddies. This bike lets you do a lot of mistakes without it throwing you off. The suspension, when adjusted correctly for your riding style, soaks up almost everything you put in it`s way. It`s no XC racer , but that wasn`t what I was looking fore. Though an expensive bike here in Norway, 3500 US dollars, it`s worth every cent. This bike has made me a very happy mountain biker!!!!!
P.S.If your in or going to Trondheim , Norway send me an e-mail and I`ll show you our trails!
