Submitted by
DAVID MEDLYN
a Weekend Warrior
from FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2003
Strengths: FULL SUSPENSION AT A CHEAP PRICE. NOT RACE SUITABLE, BUT FINE FOR A SMOOTH TRAIL RIDE.
Weaknesses: MINOR DESIGN FLAWS (CHAIN WILL RIDE ON LOWER SWING ARM IN CERTAIN GEAR COMBINATIONS) COMPONENTS ARE CHEAP, I HAVE UP GRADED THE DRIVE TRAIN ALL READY, FRONT SHOCKS ARE NEXT.
Bottom Line:
IF YOU CAN GET A NEW STAGE 4 FOR UNDER $600 OR A USED ONE FOR UNDER $300. YOU WILL HAVE A GOOD TRAIL BIKE THAT WILL GIVE YOU A SMOOTH RIDE. THIS BIKE WAS NEVER INTENDED TO BE A RACE WORTH MACHINE, AND IT IS NOT.
Similar Products Used: LOW END TREKS, 4500, ANTELOPE
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Submitted by
Michael Silver
a Cross Country Rider
from Rome, GA
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002
Strengths: Price, although $750 is too much to pay (keep reading) Good handling
Weaknesses: Chain rub on swingarm Too much bob on climbs A little heavy Front shock
Bottom Line:
The bike has a severe (IMO) design flaw that *could* cause the swingarm to fail. In certain gears the chain rubs against the bottom on the swingarm. Schwinn puts tape (yes, tape) in the exact spot to help keep the rubbing noise down. I have confirmed this with another Rocket 88 owner and he simply puts fresh tape down after a few rides.
Perhaps if you get a bargin on the bike, it's worth it, but make sure you are informed of this problem before you buy.
Another problem with the bike was the bob. The swingarm is connected and pivots in two spots. This keep them swing arm level with the ground, but unfortunately creates too much bob. On all of the trails I rode on, my times were slower on the Rocket 88 than on my 15 year rigid 40+lb gary fisher. The bob wasn't as bad as a Y frame (Gary Fisher Joshua F4) I tested, but it still added a lot of sweat to my climbs.
I did find the bike handled well on technical trails, but not as good as my 2003 Trek Fuel 80, which I traded the Schwinn in for.
Another complaint was the front shock. It had a lot of lateral flex. It wasn't so bad once I got use to it, but initially I though my headset was loose. You can feel the fork bending left and right (even forward and backwards) when riding. This can be troublesome when on real technical trails.
I give it 3 for value since you can get some good deals on these. Not worth $1000 or even $750. Overal I give it a 2 because of the chain rub and bobbing.
Similar Products Used: Trek Fuel 80, Fisher Celerity
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
thomas
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: July 29, 2002
Strengths: Good value for a full suspension When set up and tuned very fast downhill and in turns
Weaknesses: Shocks, tires and rim weak links. Ruined front rim third time on bike, upgrade cost another $90. Front shock is a joke, front end oversteers or plows under speed in turns. High speed in downhills frame lacks stiffness, torques terribly. Bike pogo's terribly at full speed on street on the pedals. Top bar cable mounts in rear snapped off, currently back at place of purchase. Yes less than 4 months of owning this bike a piece of the frame broke off. Waiting to see if retail shop will honor warranty. Washing and maintaining bike after rides greatly improves next ride.
Bottom Line:
I thought naively that $700. for a full suspension bike was a great deal. What I really wanted was a lot more bike. Rode a Suger 3 and Super V at Kettle and difference is night and day. Rocket very heavy, boucy and hard uphill, seems twice as fast uphill on the Suger. But that's what twice the money gets you.
Snapped cable grommet is a huge deal, bike is unrideable as is. Just bought used Raven 700, and am selling my 100 day old bike to a friend for $300. If you want to ride hard and fast at all this bike is not for you.
PS. not one of those fat bellied weekend guys with all the gear in the world but ride like they are wearing skirts.
Strengths: -Nice frame -Stage 4 frame beefier then other Rocket 88 stages -bars -not bad cranks - they hold up
Weaknesses: - Oh lord get rid of the trash shocks. Blew the POS fox rear out going down stairs with in the 1st couple weeks. - POS manitou magnum, through some speed springs in mine so at least they dont bottom all the time...they're just stiff as hell - Lame XC rims(then again it is an xc bike). They bent out of true...but can still withstand drops and arent gettin and worse -uhhh, came w/ some plastic chain guard that was ripped off the 1st time i cased a jump...would have been taken off sooner or later anyways. - Top tube and stem are to long for free riding...as i said, its an XC bike so...its not made for free riding. - Trash pedals
Bottom Line:
Great ride once the sus. is replaced. Dont know what other ppl were talking about it not being able to take drop offs?!?! The frame is DEFINETLY strong enough. No not as strong as a bike disigned for freeride/dirt jumping. But it can do the job. Even with the stock sus. it could take the drop offs. They were just not by no means plush! When i 1st got it i used it for jumping and it did the job. Blew out the rear crap shock flying down stairs. Once i had replaced it w/ a stratos($$$), handles 5-6ft drop off NO PROBLEM as usual, just MUCH smoother and softer. Bike likes to wheelie when instructed to. Rims arent 2 bad untill you land sideways and bend 'em. Now w/ the price drop DONT pay more then $600 if that.
FINAL "bottom line" - its a outstanding bike to work with. If you like to XC and cant afford a fetherweight bike..it's O.K, and great for the price. If you want to take the time and cash to make this bike a freeride bike it'll work. Unfortunetly i decided i wanted to jump and free ride AFTER i got the bike - But all turned out Excellent.
Bike Setup: After the sh!t fox blew up. It was replaced w/ the sweetest stratos helix oil/air/coil shock. Xternal compersion which is easy to change quick for big hits or quick single track situations. Also has lock out which is a must for climbs. Just hooked her up with a Marzocchi 130mm travel fork. Other then the sus. its stock. Rims soon to go. BEEFY XS platform pedals
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Submitted by
Jeff
a Weekend Warrior
from Longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002
Strengths: Good frame, decent (but not great) components, an $1000 MSRP bike that you can find for half off.
Weaknesses: Riser bar a little wide for tight XC, Fox Vanilla just plain sucks.
Bottom Line:
They're getting scarce, but if you can find one new for less than $600, it's a good deal. the frame's quite stout, not beefy enough for freeride / DH but plenty strong for agressive XC and a little freeriding. The much copied 4-bar linkage keeps chain lengh constant no matter the compression. On the weak side? The rear shock should be replaced by a better ie Float RC that has rebound and compression settings; the coil's just too harsh. Also a 28h front wheel means new wheelsets when upgrading to a disc hub (can't find anything less than 32h). But then components are meant to be replaced, what sold me was the price and a decent geometry for all-round riding; the longer angles make downhills less of a tightrope walk. It's not as light and nimble as my Rockhopper hardtail, but any "boinger" is always gonna be heavier.
Similar Products Used: None, my other bike's a Rockhopper hardtail
Bike Setup: 17" frame. Manitou Magnum front, Fox Vanilla rear, 28h/32h Tioga rims, Michelin tires, Deore LX, SPD clipless.
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Ames, Iowa, US
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002
Strengths: VALUE - these things are being liquidated like crazy, so they are super cheap. Cheap but reliable drivetrain. A good base from which to upgrade later.
Weaknesses: I hate to be a weight weenie, but the thing is super heavy. My other XC ride is a 3 yr-old Trek 7000 and it seems really light in comparison.
Bottom Line:
If you're a low-budget rider who likes value, the Stage 4 is really one of the best buys around. Even though Schwinn as we know it is no more, I still got somewhat of a warantee on the thing so that helps. Overall, the amount of bike you get for the money is unbelievable.
Similar Products Used: Trek 7000, Homegrown, various other hardtails
Bike Setup: stock
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Submitted by
Vince Radiment
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: March 9, 2002
Strengths: - Value: Price I paid for it was Incredible - Lightweight: only 30 lbs - Responsive: The Shimano Deore Drivetrain is reliable and pretty descent. - Handling: with the right mix of Fr/Rr tires, this bike can take corners pretty well - Manitou Magnum (Front): not a Marzocchi, but it is plush and can take 1 to 2 foot drops with no problems. 78 mm - Frame (19" frame): well built and stiff.
Weaknesses: - Schwinn bought out??? darn - Fox Racing Rear Shox: Vanilla Coil-spring- only 3" of travel. sometimes seems less. Downhill rides feel VERY Awkward. Like my Bike is being Electricuted! LOL. Rattling. But, I am not used to full-suspension thats all. - Also, Vanilla Coil Shock does not include any lockout or rebound damping, but DOES include Preload.
Bottom Line:
I am 21 Y/O. I have been riding Road and MTB bikes for the past 10 years and I have focused on Cross Country and Free ride for the past 2 years. I bought this last 19" from Supergo.com on February 2001. This bike is a great all-around bike for Cross-Country rides. -NOTE: any bike with the right components can be used in Comptetition, but the Frame is very important, especially in a Full-Suspension Bike, because the bushings, nuts, and bolts that keep the swingarm/ chainstay, and the Rear suspension in place "MUST withstand Abuse." So reliablity is important. Even though Schwinn was bought out, my frame still has a 5 year warrenty and 1 year on parts, so I am relieved. - I am not a Free-ride Dude...I wish I was! BUT I do not have the right bike to withstand 4 to 6 foot drops, so I do not recommend this type of riding. - However, the 2001 Schwinn Rocket 88, Stage 4 proved to be a great Cross Country Competitor. Treat her Nicely if there any more of them around for purchase. Good Luck!
Bike Setup: -- I set my bike up for Downhill Riding -- I also bought great Fox Racing clothes: motocross Gloves and pants...I like to show off!!! -Azonic Shorty DH Stem -Panaracer Fire XC 2.1 (front) tire -Michelin Wildgripper DH 2.1 (Rear) tire -Lizard Skins Shock Boot and Chain Stay Boot - THATS IT FOR NOW...Already spent alot of money. I will upgrade when the time comes.
