Bike Setup: Marzocchi fork is way stiffer than the judy is came with, newer XT components, xtr v-brakes, hollowtech cranks, thomson seatpost, etc...
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Arcadia, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2004
Strengths: Good geometry. It's not a butt thumper like most hardtails. Corners smooth, stops good (for v-brake standards) super light, about 24 bls. after I swapped the judy for a Manitou SX. Components are still up to date even after 4 1/2 years(Except the V-brakes!) This bike will last forever!
Weaknesses: No Rear disc mount. $70 SGD Bel Air seat hurts my butt!
Bottom Line:
Damn good bike, I still love and ride the bike even after 4 1/2 years. I like how all the componentry looks exactly like the 2003 components so the bike does not feel out-dated. The best hardtail ever built on a blue-collar budget!
Bike Setup: Old RS Judy, RS mech disk, XT group, XTR rear derallier, Stock tires.
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Submitted by
MARK
a Cross Country Rider
from MEDFORD, NJ, BURLINGTON
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2001
Strengths: STEELY BUT NOT NOODLEY=SWEET RIDING FRAME GOOD TEMPREMENT TIME PEDALS ALMOST MAKE UP FOR B.B.
Weaknesses: JUDY XC FORK ONCE WAS GREAT BUT NOW PISSES OIL EL CHEAPO BOTTOM BRACKET WITH PLASTIC CUPS DOES NOT BELONG ON THIS MACHINE THEY ARE BAD, VERY VERY BAD! SCHWINN SHOULD FEEL DIRTY.SHAMEFUL.STRAND ME ALL ALONE IN THE WOODS JUST TO SAVE SOME MONEY.GREEDY.GREEDY. RADIAL FRONT WHEEL JUST AINT TOO SMOOTH 3X IS THE WAY TO GO
Bottom Line:
FOR BIG 180 LB.+ IDIOTS LIKE ME WHO WANT STEEL BUT MASH UP HILLS... DIS BE DA BIKE. RIDES LIKE A DREAM. UNFORTUNATELY OUT OF COMISSION 'TILL I FIND A 1 1/8 THREADLESS RIGID FORK FOR SUPER DUPER CHEAP OR SAVE SOME MONEY FOR A SID.
Bike Setup: LX/XTR DER.,AVID BRAKES,JUDY XC FORK,FRONT WHEEL UPGRADED TO 3X XTR/517, TITEC OUT THE WAZOO
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Submitted by
Stretch Payton
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago/Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2001
Strengths: bombproof frame perfect top tube length for a gazelle like me
Weaknesses: It doesn't get ridden on a daily basis, yet.
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I bought the frame after retiring my 830who hasn't had one) on which I learned the basics. It was the most beautiful treasure I had ever seen and working at a shop allowed me to build a hellion on knobbys with parts on hand. the first time I rode my Homegrown Pro it had LX stuff and a rigid fork but I could feel that there was something living in the stays, something that kept pushing me faster up hills(wherever you can find them in Chicago area)and harder into corners. This thing was never there when I rode one of the higher end shop bikes like the specialized or giants but every time I would hop aboard mine, despite the well adjusted turds that made it work, I felt like I could go anywhere and over anything. My bike and I have been together a while now and it has only gotten stronger since that damn steel fork came off. I take it out to the mountains every weekend, now that I live in Hotlanta, GA. and have the ultimate gruppo on it. I have not yet seen the thing that lives in my stays, but I know it very well, It is quality craftsmanship and it has homes in all regions of my bike from the hard rockin' head tube welds to the artistry of the bb/chainstay area. They say that the "S-Bend" tail end is "compliant" but my bike is as rock solid as a preacher in a booby bar. The addition of XTR brakes showed me one minor caveat, the brake posts will flex the frame minutely but that's not too noticeable when you're on the trail(problem solved with an arc de tri-oomph). If you like a hella trailbike, racing hardtail, or gitup & go performance there's nothing like a homegrown... ...well, a yeti will do I guess.
This bike kicks @#$%. Schwinn picked components to save cash but can be easily upgraded. The deore brakes and wheelset are pretty weak but will last till you can afford an upgraded set. The manitou SXr is a sleeper fork. It gives you a lot of adjustability and unbeatable durability. Supergo has a sweet price on this bike. For the price you can't beat this homegrown
Similar Products Used: hoodoo voodoo, cannondale, gary fisher
Bike Setup: xtr r der, lx f der, xt/517 wheelset, time atac allum, titec bars, stem, seatpost, bontrager racelite bar ends, lx cranks, avid arch-rival brakes 2.0 levers, lx shifters, selle italia turbotronic saddle.
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Submitted by
Jim Parman
a Racer
from Fond du Lac, Wi, 54935
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2001
Strengths: Seatstays, rear triangle, welds, cable routings. stong and true frame, good clean welds, (not klein clean, but polished welds dont give a quality ride, just a quality apperance)
Weaknesses: none. After growing, and maturing as a mountainbiker i have realized that my former comlaints dont exist, seatstay flex? what, they were designed to flex like that, that is what gives you a the "schwinn quality" ride, they do not hinder braking performance at all, take my word for it.
Bottom Line:
yes, the factory fork is heavy, and yes, the front tire does suck, and yes, i have never loved anything as much as this bike in my entire life. Everything here was put here to stike a balance between quality, price, and weight. I think schwinn did an excellent job, every owner of a homegrown frame has an excellent trail bike, or a great frame to build a great quality racer. Do not take your bike for granted, I beleive it is the best frame ever. I have ridden the newer model homegrowns, and although their steering is a little more responsive, I think that this homegrown can be ridden more aggressively, and the frame is more forgiving, so, when you think you have flexy seatstays, think, are my chainstays flexing, no you say, well my friend, it was designed that way. ride on-
Strengths: This bike rides beautifully! Spec'd pretty well for the price, although I changed out quite a few components and put the LX stuff and Avid brakes/levers on my wife's bike. Nice paint job, too.
Weaknesses: Seatstays flex when applying rear brakes heavily. Front wheel is a knock off for LX.
Bottom Line:
I tried full suspension (GT XCR), and there's still nothing like a good hardtail for feel and control! I should have bought this bike first, because it is a much better ride. If your local shop has any of these left, they should be discounted pretty nicely and I found it to be one of the best spec'd bikes period for the price. Everything was LX or better except the front wheel and brakes/levers (Avid). Five flaming chili's for value, but only four overall due to the seatstay flex and the stock front wheel.
Bike Setup: Black Homegrown frame (of course), SID XC fork, XT derailleurs/brakes/shifters/levers/crankset, XTR hubs/Mavic 517 rims, stock Titec seatpost/stem, Bontrager Crow Bar, stock SDG saddle, Cane Creek S5 headset. 25 pounds total bike weight.
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Submitted by
TsPoNs DeSiGn
a Cross Country Rider
from Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2000
Strengths: This bike seriously ROX! Judy XC is a great oil bath shock Titec everything SDG Comp Bel-Air luv that LX/XT components (XTR is over rated) Black with racing strips Avid Single Digit 2.0
Weaknesses: Judy is kinda on the heavy side (at least it's not SID blue) Paint comes off pretty easy (after doing trials) Front wildgripper (not bad, but could be better cause it sometimes slips) SCHWINN WEBSITE SUCKS!!!!!
Bottom Line:
Amazing bike, climbs terrific, great smooth shock thats reliable (who cares about a bit extra weight anyway). Titec hellbent stem and post are amazing. Great bang for the buck. Very good bike, I don't have any complaints. 5 flaming hikers!
Similar Products Used: GT Zaskar, Cannondale ??, Trek 930, GT Avalanche, Gary Fisher Big Sur, Specialized rockhopper
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Jim Parman
a Racer
from fond du lac, wi
Date Reviewed: May 9, 2000
Strengths: geometry blah blah blah blah blah... super stiff, super sweet, stays on track like stink on sh*t
Weaknesses: some components needed to be upgraded because of particular riding style
Bottom Line:
avid brakes... trick lx components... not so trick titec hardware... trick heavy @$$ judy xc... not so trick frame geometry... trick wheelset... not so trick (after riding on propels... i could never go back, although the 221's are just fine) homegrown... super trick
Favorite Trail: im really starting to like ski hills!
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Similar Products Used: blah blah blah your average run of the mill bikes
Bike Setup: sx-ti fork, rolf propel wheelset, xtr cassette, xt derailleurs, lx shifters, avid brakes, selle italia flite ti saddle, titec cockpit, bantrager jones 49/53 F, bontrager revolt super x, michelin wildgripper lite s, michelin wildgripper hot s,
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Submitted by
George
a Cross Country Rider
from Lehighton, PA USA
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2000
Strengths: Everything, I have noticed the tires slip a little on the loose stuff. The front derailleur could be better for that much $$$$.
Weaknesses: None other than the ones above
Bottom Line:
Best bike on the planet. Handles sweet, climbs like a raped ape, accelerates like Porshe. Will be getting a Schwinn Quality Tatoo also.
The bike is outrageous. One ride on this bike and I was in love. I went from a no suspension 1985 Schwinn Cimmeron to the Homegrown. I did try some other's as mentioned above, but the handling and comfort sold me instantly. I am principly a road rider, but the Homegrown has gotten be on the trails. With the Hot S tires, the bike climbs with jack rabbit speed and she is stable and quick on the decents too. It is a pretty thing too, much prettier than the 2000, though the '99 does have a little more weight.
The Homegrown is a great introduction to the world of serious racing bikes, and carries a reasonable price tag for the performance you get. I'm no gear-head but I know a great ride when I feel it!!!
Similar Products Used: Canandale, Schwinn Moab, Trek model??
Bike Setup: Stock except tires. Changed to Wild Gripper Hot S
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Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Indiana PA USA
Date Reviewed: April 25, 2000
Strengths: I think that the bike is all around very great and it handles nicely. I like the Titec that is on it and the drivetrain is descent.
Weaknesses: The only thing wrong with it is the tires (wildgrippers)and the rims. The rims are bad but i put a huge bend in mine that i had to get fixed. Could have put better shocks on to.
Bottom Line:
I am pleased with the quality and overall GRRRRRRRRREAT bike!
Submitted by
DWAYNE
a Weekend Warrior
from ST.CLAIR SHORES MI USA
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2000
Strengths: GEOMETRY, WEIGHT, PRICE, COOL PAINT, NAME
Weaknesses: PAINT THICKNESS ON SOME COLORS
Bottom Line:
MY FIRST HOMEGROWN WAS A 96. I SOLD IT AND BOUGHT A 98 FRAMESET. THE ORANGE PAINT WAS LIKE A PLASTIC COATING AND UGLY. THE FRAME WEIGHED 4.1 LBS WITH PAINT, AND AFTER I STRIPPED IT OFF, IT WEIGHED 3.4 LBS ON MY TRUSTY DIGITAL FISH SCALE. I SOLD THAT FRAME AND BOUGHT A 99 SO I COULD GET THE REAR DISC MOUNT. THE PAINT IS STILL KINDA THICK, THE FRAME WEIGHS 3.7 LBS, BUT THE BA**BOAT BLUE IS WAY TO COOL TO MESS WITH. THIS BIKE KICKS A**. THE TIGHTER AND NASTIER, THE BETTER. IT CLIMBS LIKE A CAT ON A CURTAIN, AND I HAVE NO PROBLEM POINTING IT DOWN SOME PRETTY CRAZY S***. UNFORTUNETLY, SOME NITWIT IN A PICKUP USED ME AS A CRASH TEST DUMMY LAST SEPTEMBER. THE FORK, WHEELS, BAR, STEM, BRAKE DISC, AND 2 RIBS ON ME WERE TRASHED, BUT THE FRAME WAS FINE. I'M REBUILDING IT NOW, I LOVE THIS FRAME!! IF I COULD FIT A HUNDRED BURNING HUFFYS HERE, I WOULD.
