I bought this bike used 3 years ago and have ridden the wheels off of it. It's light weight really allows you to flick it around when necessary. Have had to replace a few worn items but this bike has really taken me to some fantastic rides across this country. Last winter I stripped it and powder coated the frame. I machined a new bottom bushing, replaced all the pivot point sealed bearings and replaced a few worn components. I have finished putting it back together and am blazing the trails again. I absolutely love how this bike handles. I also have an Ellsworth Joker that I ride quite often when I know the trials are much more technical but I would not hesitate to take this bike anywhere. My son rides it sometimes and he weighs 215 lbs. He's an Ex- Motocross racer and he really pounds this bike hard. This bike will deliver and is very reliable. You just need to maintain it properly and perform routine maintenance regularly. I doubt I will ever sell this bike...just rebuild it as it wears out. I highly recommend this bike to serious XC riders and weekend warriors that like to tackle technical single track.
Strengths: This is a follow up to my review almost a year ago. I still very much like the Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage one. The suspension design and frame are just plain awesome. I still like the orange paint job which has held up well. This bike loves to climb and does so very well with great hook up and power transfer. It is also a pleasure going downhill. The Suspension soaks up big and small stuff very well. My bike is still a joy to ride. I've put close to 800 miles on it- I'm shooting for 1000 this year.
Weaknesses: My biggest complaint is chain slap on the chain stays (and the seat stays for that matter). This is a design problem for sure. The rear triangle pivots around the BB which is a great design to eliminate pedal bob- BUT in doing this they forgot or over looked the chain stays are almost in the chain line. This problem is severe, especially in the smallest chain ring. I ride 90% of the time in the middle ring and still have a ton of chain slap. I only use the smallest ring for killer climbs of doom so it’s not so much a problem. I did have to fashion an industrial strength chain stay protector: two layers of inner tube wrapped tight, then a lizard skin type protector on top. I see that I'll have to wrap my seat stay as well. Now that I have protected the stays I have no other weakness for the bike specifically just that pacific bought Schwinn and Its darn near impossible to get any replacement parts Derailleur hangers and pivot bushings and such. I am waiting almost two months now for a replacement for derailleur hanger.
Bottom Line:
After I fixed the chain slap issue I can really enjoy my ride. I would recommend this for XC single track lovers who want a Full suspension rig. This bike carves the turns and loves to go over big log piles and stunts. Not for huge hucking drops (7-10 feet) but it doesn't weigh a ton like a free ride bike either. But it still likes to do some drops (3-5') and handles them well. I love the way this bike climbs and descends. If you can find one that has the plastic pivot bushing by all means get it. a great XC bike. My rating is 4 outa 5 I took one away for chain slap.
Similar Products Used: Rocky mountain fanatic - middle of the road entry level f/s bike. Cannondale hardtail
Bike Setup: Marzocchi Z2 Atom Race up front (love it). Titec stem and Flat Tracker bar. Chris King h/s. XTR and XT hubs paired with Sun 0 Degree rims (great). Thomson post. Brooks B-17 saddle (incredible). SRAM 9.0 shifters and drive train. Cane Creek AD-12 rear shock (very good).
Strengths: This is a very light bike with descent components out of the box. Holds up very well to major abuse. You will need to upgrade some of the components as time goes on.
Weaknesses: The rims are a little weak, but I am also 210 lbs and love to jump. I was trueing the rims after every ride. Other than that, nothing.
Bottom Line:
If you are are lighter rider, the rims will not be a problem. This is definitely the best bike I have owned to date, I am a pure Schwinn guy so that is all I have owned. I hope the company does not fall by the way side. The bike is very solid, the Rear Suspension is Awesome and smooth, the front suspension is a bit on the heavy side....but what is an extra pound ;-) anyway. Since owning it, I have upgraded the Deraillers, Rear Sprocket, and Rims to all XT/Mavic. I would recomend this bike to everyone. Feel free to e-mail me for rides.
Weaknesses: Schwinn...the name is becoming the biggest weakness. Also the bushing issue, however once replaced this becomes a "non-issue"
Bottom Line:
Excellent bike for the money. Fantastic singletrack beast. Sweet sweet geometry. The rear both looks cool (unique design) and more importantly rides FANTASTICALLY!!!
This bike has gotten a bad rap, I'm here to set the record straight. It's a great bike once the bushing is fixed (warrantied).
Krate Orange color is fantastic. I like simple straight paint jobs. This fits the bill.
I've ridden alot of suspension designs. I really like the Idrive, but I love the Rocket's ride even more.
If you can find one used with the bushing issue fixed---buy it up. You won't regret it.
Submitted by
Randy Gaebler
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: March 15, 2002
Strengths: Light weight, nimble handling, quality components where it counts, excellent rear linkage allows for near-neutral pedal bobbing on the drivetrain
Weaknesses: As with most off the shelf bikes, several components are spec'd to save money rather than deliver optimal performance, but this is a minor issue on this bike ( and should be, considering the retail price!)
Bottom Line:
The Rocket 88 stage 1 is a wonderful XC machine built for efficient speed in most terrain except mud, owing to the original bottom bracket bushing design that looks vulnerable to grit contamination. In the dry climate of Utah, the Rocket is in its element. I have had no trouble at all, even though I am 6 foot, 190 pounds and am not built like the prototypical wiry biker. ( I ski and hike more than I bike). The SID air shocks are marvels which, once set up, perform to perfection and do not leak at all, even over a period of months. The XT/XTR drivetrain has been superlative, as has been the Avid Magnesium brakes, and I love the sturdy but superlight Hugi hubs and Mavic wheels. This bike can be made to weigh a mere 24.5 pounds by changing only a few components, especially the heavy and wide Titec handlebars and seatpost. The bike is not built for serious jumping; then again, neither am I! If you like distance riding and lots of scenery, then the Rocket 88 stage 1 is for you, if you can locate one at this late date. I was able to buy one for 920$ new at a local shop as a clearance par excellence, and Scwinns are still abundant on Ebay. Good luck! PS: as with any high-tech product, it pays to understand the design. Several reviews of this bike seem to have unwarranted difficulties created by mismatched bike and conditions, or unwitting abuse. I am a mechanic and I suggest that if you buy a full-suspension bike, you first undertake some mechanical training to upgrade your ability to enjoy and maintain such a bike.
Similar Products Used: Cannondale 2000SL, GT I Drive 2.0, various hardtails
Bike Setup: Stock, except for lighter and narrower handlebars, Wellgo BOX pedals (nice for rugged XC), carbon seatpost, and a Bontrager seat I prefer over the hard-ish SDG stock seat.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2002
Strengths: Durable, lightweight, great suspension.
Weaknesses: ghost shifting, weight of front fork......Avid brakes
Bottom Line:
Overall the bike rides fantastic. It is very light and the suspension works great. There is very little bobbing that I can find with the bike except when I am in a big gear trying to muscle the bike uphill. The suspension design is great. It only has about 3" of rear suspension but it feels more like 4-4 1/2" when motoring downhill. The bike is still very light (no thanks to the Psylo fork) yet can handle the abuse that I have tortured it with. I love the feel of the Psylo fork and the adjustable travel but the weight penalty is a bit of a steep price to pay. I really cant say enough about the wheels. I would buy these Cane Creek WAM Crono Ti again in a secong. They are light, spin great and are NEVER out of true. (Unless of course you break a spoke and then you had better have a spare since your wheel is now unrideable.) I will be changing out the Avid 2.5 brakeset for an XTR set this year. These Avid brakes are absolutely weak. I live in San Diego and there is no reason to have disc brakes on a XC bike in this town. Overall the bike has been a gem There have been a couple of occasional problems with ghost shifting (though I think that I have worked those out). I will be looking to trade out the front fork for something about 1lb lighter singe these Psylo forks are just too heavy. (maybe a Duke). I also must say that the Mythos tires have been great for the terrain that I ride. I have had very few flats and they have tracked great since the day I bought them. If you are thinking about buying a Schwinn Rocket 88 be confidant that you are buying a quality bike. It did take a pittle while to work out some of the initial bugs with the shifting and the rear suspension linkage but once those had been worked out this bike has outperformed any of the bikes that my friends have. I am 5'8" and a solid 170lbs and I rid a 17" bike that has taken more than it's share of abuse. Ifeel that with decent componentry you will be on a fantastic bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialized FSR-XC, Trek Fuel, Fisher Sugar 1,
Bike Setup: Cane Creek WAM Crono-Ti wheels, Syncros stem, Cane Creek C-2 headset, Raceface Turbine Crankset, FSA Ti BB, IRC Mythos tires, Easton Monkey Lite carbon riser bars, Xtr rear derailer, XT shifters/brakelevers, Avid brakes, Ritchey Pedals, Rockshox Psylo XC fork, Rockshox SID rear.... that pretty much sums it up...
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Chris B
a Weekend Warrior
from Richmond, VA
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2001
Strengths: I like this bike. It is nice and light! Really like the components. Not so sure about the wheels though-The guy I bought it off of switched them out to some older Mavic 238. Wich are fine but still older. I like the feel of the rear suspension -nice and stiff, but it soaks up any bumps you give it. Noticeable improvement in my riding style!
Weaknesses: I have heard all about the pivot and bushing problems- but since I bought this bike from the bike Mechanic at a Local Bike Shop he had already switched out the metal bushings for the nice and slick ones- plus he gave me a another bushing repair kit for free to go with it if needed. But no problems yet. It does rub chain a bit on the chain stay if you put it in the small front chain ring then the big granny in the back then hit some huge drops. Not to bad but I will have to cover that with some plastic.
Bottom Line:
I really like this bike! It handles very well! Very responsive. It loves all the tight switch backs and sigle track here on the east coast. Haven't had any trouble with mud or wet conditions. I seems to glide right over huge logs and obstacles. This is my first Full suspension bike and I just love it! I have put about 100 - 200 miles on it. I might just have to sell my hard tail! Nice and light weight, this bike has made me a better rider. It climbs very well which is why I liked my hard tail for so long but this climbs like a goat. I really love it because I got it for such a steal!
Similar Products Used: I have an older(4-5 years old) Cannondale Hardtail That I love but actually seems heavy since I got this nice Schwinn.
Bike Setup: I have mostly XT but just switched out the rear deraileur and shifter to SRAM ESP 9.0 and Half pipes 9.0 I love em!I also put in a Cane Creek AD -12 rear shock which is just plain awesome!
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson,AZ
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001
Strengths: Overall good component group. Solid construction.
Weaknesses: Make sure you get the "improved" rear pivot bushing that Schwinn had to change out due to problems with the original.
Bottom Line:
A lot of bike for the money and with the Schwinn situation still up in the air the new 2001 can be had at large discounts. I had a Schwinn Homegrown Pro prior to the Stage 1. I miss the advantages of the hardtails but enjoy the added comfort.
Bike Setup: Stock except 135 mm Titec Ti stem and replaced the SID with a Marzocchi Z2 Atom 80.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 27, 2001
Strengths: Lightweight, responsive, great geometry, handling, components, great all around bike
Weaknesses: pivot areas....
Bottom Line:
Well, at first the bike had a few flaws. Initially I had purchased the bike off of MTBR and found some small issues with the pivot area of the bike. I was told that it had been upgraded from the bushings to the bearing pivots.. this was true except the person who had put the bike back together didn't bother to put back in two washers that were holding one of the main pivot areas of the rear triangle. I noticed a ton of slop in the rear end of the bike when I was out of the seat pedaling and when I was in really hairy decents. I initially had to make some custom washers to try to alleviate the problems. Finally I had a Schwinn dealer install the correct new bushings which I could not duplicate. Once that issue was solved the bike has been fantastic. It has made me a much better rider and I now have a much better appreciation for the sport. I have been mainly a HT rider and now have seen the light. I have ridden a FSR-XC on occasion but noticed that the geometry was not correct for me. Now that I have the Rocket-88... Well, let's just say that EVERYTHING about my riding has changed for the better. It is a fantastic bike and has been an absolute joy to own. Once the pivot problem was worked out I had no problems with the bike at all. It climbs great and decends wonderfully (now that I have taken the painstaking steps to dial in the rear SID shock). The bike weighs in at a very respectable 25.6lbs and can take some pretty tough abuse. I would suggest it to anyone...... If you really don't like to tinker with your bike maybe you should bike a Trek Fuel or a Specialized.... But if you don't mind a little bit of grease underneath your fingernails, well then this bike is just for you... I would give it a higher overall rating but it needs a few months to break in so that I can give it a more complete review...... I'll see you in October with a new review....
Similar Products Used: Scott Comp Racing HT, Trek 930, Specialized FSR-XC, Trek 700HT, Schwinn S-10
Bike Setup: Cane Creek Crono wheels, Psylo, Raceface Crankset, FSA BB, Sid rear, Monkey lite riser, XT/XTR drivetrain... the usual stuff....
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
andy
a Cross Country Rider
from richmond, vermont
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2001
Strengths: this bike made me a better rider , this bike is made to ride in the mud , i blow every one away when going through mud when i peddle the rear wheel pushes into the ground
Weaknesses: the wheels suck , the tires suck, 9speed sucks , and the breaks suck
Bottom Line:
i have a stage four 2001 it has sealed berring in the pivot points mud does not get into this bike , i killed an i-drive in 2 hours in the mud , the fsr lasted me one week before the mud killed it , i rode this bike in the snow , in mud , 5 foot drop offs i have had no problems with the frame afer 4 months of abuse every one should have one , buy a frame and biuld it your self
Similar Products Used: FSR , DBR , i-drive(gt just plain sucks) moab
Bike Setup: LX 100% DH 2.35 rear 2.1 front tire
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
John Rigdon
a Racer
from Houston, TX,USA
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001
Strengths: Climbs and corners well. I have never rode a full suspension that climbs as well as this bike. It almost rivals my hard tail in climbing. This bike is also very light weight
Weaknesses: Wimpy wheel set. I broke spokes about every other ride and I only weigh about 158lbs. I replaced the wheelset with some cross links. Shimano 9 speed drive train sucks but that's not Schwinns falt. It does not work as well as the 8 speed. If I bust this derailer I will go to a SCRAM.
Bottom Line:
I have used this bike in five races so far and it has held up. The bike climbs great for a full suspension and corners well. I have heard some bad things about the 2000 models but I have had no problem with my 2001. It took a lot to sale me on a full suspension because I love hard tails but this bike rocks.
The only thing I would change is the whimpy road bike spokes that Tioga put on their wheelset. These wheels would never make it through a race.
Value was great since I am on their team I paid the bike shop's cost so I cant complain.
Similar Products Used: Trek 8300, 8500 hard tail MTB and Gary Fisher Joshua
Bike Setup: I run a straight bar not the riser that comes on the bike, Continental Explorer Pros and a Mavic Cross Link Wheelset. The bike is all 100% XTR I removed all the XT.
Strengths: This is an early review. Just got the bike. Efficient and smooth performer. Good climber and descender.
Weaknesses: Haven't found any yet.
Bottom Line:
Bought the bike because of the VALUE. Really like the way it performs going down hill on medium sized riverbed rock. Very stable and not twitchy. No tendency to pitch over the bars. Would recommend for the weekend rider who wants an efficient ride with good suspension for soaking up large hits. Not quite as stiff as the Sugar and other bikes with similar technology.
Can't give it 5 chilis overall yet until I ride it some more.
Similar Products Used: Sugar, FSR, GT-I Drives, Klein Mantra, DBR
Bike Setup: Stock, but very nicely equipped.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Steve Shreve
a Weekend Warrior
from West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 2001
Strengths: Light, sweet, looks and rides smooth. Did I say light already? Bang for the buck. The schweet color. Why Schwinn changed the color to black for 01 is beyond me.
Schwinn Customer Service. Be very nice. This was my second try and everything went smoothly.
Weaknesses: BB pivot needs alot of TLC to work smooth. Feels like a hardtail after a riding wet/muddy trails for a weekend (if neglected)
You have to dissasemble, clean, lube, (reassemble) the pivot after a weekend of wet or otherwise nasty terrain to keep the pivot smooth. This is my first FS so I dont know if this is common.
Customer service: only if you get nasty with them. I tried this approach first. Got nothing.
Bottom Line:
After my BB pivot wore out a couple of times, I called Schwinn to get the 2001 frame. I got the revised 00 front triangle with the replaceable BB pivot-"insert", and it works fine. I also had them throw in a spare pivot linkage (l/r) and a spare BB pivot "insert". No complaints about the MAJOR complaints about the new setup. If it starts to be a hassle, I'll opt for the 01 frame.
I have had no problems with the shifting. If the pivot squeaks, then clean and grease it.
If periodic maintenance and TLC is a plasure, then you wont have any problems. If you like to ride your bike into the ground or neglect it, dont bother.
2 flammin chilies because of the hassle, and 4 flaming chilies because everthing worked out to my satisfaction as of now.
Bike Setup: CT2 bars and seatpost, selle italia flite,xt hubs on mavic. bontrager tires, bontrager stem...
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
John Z
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, TX
Date Reviewed: January 21, 2001
Strengths: lightweight; great grupo for the $$
Weaknesses: phantom shifting couldn't be remedied with three re-cablings (my first XTR set-up - I thought XTR should be perfect, since my prior experiences with XT were that it was near flawless - of course this is Mert Lawwill's fault, not Shimano's); Hugi rear hub went out twice
Bottom Line:
Schwinn gave me my $$ back after one polite e-mail to customer service (it did take three weeks to get a response). Now I am waiting for a Fuel 100 or 98, but after such a miserable experience with my first softail, my old hardtail is feeling nice!
Submitted by
jerome wadkins
a Cross Country Rider
from morgantown
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2001
Strengths: Feels great on the trail, looks cool, super on downhills, four bar linkage is great
Weaknesses: THIS BIKE WILL FALL APART!!! WARNING_ IF YOU HAVE THIS BIKE ROUTINELY CHECK YOUR LOW PIVOT!--- the bushings are terribley flawed! After aboput 20-30 hours of riding they will need replaced, and they will never be the same as when they were new, metal on metal at a pivot point does not work!!!
Bottom Line:
Do they guys at schwinn test their products? This design takes no time to abuse into an unusable state. poor r+d- I have personnally destroyed three of these bikes -- from new! not rebuilds- be friendly to your local dealer- maybe they will get you a new one-----pieces of coke cans work well for shims when it gets too rooted out that the bushings won;t snug up when you replace them. I think schwinn should replace their 2000's with new 2001's for everyone- if you spend that much money on a bike it should work for a while- Nothing against Schwinn- this design just plain sux I wi;ll say however as far as I can tell the 2001 models are excellent- good recovery guys........
