Strengths: Got run over by an F-150 and still rides!!!! This is a follow up from my last post
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This is a follow up to my last post. Since then, the bike has actually been run over by a Ford F-150 at about 60 mph. No Joke!!! It ran over the rear axle/dropout area. The back wheel blew up into about 8 pieces, the XTR rear deralliur bit the dust, the right pedal was toast, the chain sheared some teeth off the big ring, and the rear tire got killed. The amazing thing was that the frame remained ridable. I salvaged the hub from the rear wheel mess and built a new wheel around it. We straightened the frame a slight bit, installed the only 9 spd der. we had in stock (deore), and I raced it that weekend. that Schwinn freakin took it like a man!!!! Since then, I've got a new Fuji (21 pounds stock!!), and given the homegrown to my dad, and he's still racing. After getting run over by a truck. Wow. (no one was injured in the accident)
Similar Products Used: FUJI Mt. Fuji (don't laugh at the name, check the review)
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Submitted by
Richard
a Weekend Warrior
from Ex-pat Brit in Maryland, USA
Date Reviewed: December 23, 2001
Strengths: Lightweight, best component fit for price, rides beautifully. Love the color and all the tomatoes!
Weaknesses: None worth mentioning.
Bottom Line:
You can't get anything better for the money. Compare specs and all the competition comes off worse. The red looks great (much better than the yellow of the 2001 model). Ride-wise this bike is dreamy. Lightweight and dying to be ridden hard both uphill and down, the riding experience is pure pleasure. I can't wait to get it home to England and try it on my favourite Dartmoor trails. 20 miles across the moor followed by beer at the Plume of Feathers - way to go! If in doubt, and you have the chance, buy this bike!
Similar Products Used: Trek 8000, Gary Fisher Paragon, GT Avalanche 1.0
Bike Setup: As stock with swapped out stem. The one fitted was too long for my reach so I had it changed by the shop for a sorter one with a slightly higer rise.
Strengths: Light frame with good geometry, XTR where its important, relatively light for the price range, climbs great.
Weaknesses: Bars too wide for XC racing, seat too hard for anyone, I'd prefer a tighter ratio cassette(I live in FL), dented top tube (freak accident)
Bottom Line:
Straight up; this is the bike to have for a racer on a budget. My father owns a bike shop, so I have a selection of trick new bikes to choose from, but I continue to ride my 2 year old homegrown. The bike climbs better than any other xc bike I've ridden. I rode a 2001 Homegrown(same components except w/ Judy race fork) for a short time, and didn't like the judy. I've so far gotten a rock shox seatpost, a lock out for the fork, a different rise stem, and upgraded brake pads. I see that many people are complaining about the deore brake's stopping power. I think this might have something to do with the name printed on the brake, and not its actual performance. I did change the pads to a set of kool stop thinlines and can easily lock the rear and do controlled nose wheelies with one finger. Keep fresh cables and decent pads on them, and they'll perform. I actually prefer the deores to xtr's, which sounds really wierd. Bottom line is that the deores provide plenty of power without the extra weight of the parralell push setup. I've yet to try a set of lighter avids, which i think i will like.
Also, about the wheelset; I haven't bent it bad yet, and I have done a couple hefty drops (6+ft). The lacing on the rear wheel isn't the strongest(half radial, half 3X) but has held up to the moderate abuse that I give it. I have dented the top tube, the result of stupid riding. Amazingly, the rather large dent has not affected the bike's ride. It doesn't look pretty, but it gets the job done.
Overall, I think the bike is a great buy for a cash-strapped xc racer or serious trailrider. I'll be riding mine until the frame gives in.
Bike Setup: Cut bars 1 inch off both sides, preload all the way tight, replaced TPC system with manitou's lock out
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Submitted by
Eddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Virginia
Date Reviewed: August 5, 2001
Strengths: nice light frame, nice frame geometry, some good components that came standard with the bike(manitou SX-R fork,lx hollotec cranks, lx-front and XTR rear deraileurs, good grips) climbs pretty good, handles well in hairy situations, tomatoes galore!
Weaknesses: frame's paint chips pretty easily,standard tires(Michellin Wild Grippers)don't grip well at all in various conditions and situations, Nisene seat is pretty brutal on your tush, deore brakes aren't too great,spokes kept getting loose after moderately tech-trail riding
Bottom Line:
good bike for the price. handles nicely, climbs pretty good, comes with some great componets to start with, but comes with some not so great components as well. most of the problems i had with the bike were some of the components that didn't hold up too well when it counted. also some components I had to replace because the original components were crap(tires, seat, brakes). the frame is nice, but paint chips easily. i've raced XC on this bike twice, and thanks to the mods i did on it, the bike got the bike performed nicely-corners nice, and navigates nicely when things get sketchy. if you want a good xc bike to do some mod to tec xc riding pic this jam up. or if you love tomatoes, get this bike. three and a half chilis.
Similar Products Used: gary fisher tassajara, specialized stump
Bike Setup: manitou SX-R fork,LX wheelset,titec seatpost,XTR rear deraileur, LX hollotec cranks, hellbent bars, Avid 1.0L brake levers,XT mega-9 shifters, LX deore brakes, WTB velociraptors(front & rear),selle italia max flite saddle,thomson elite stem,hutchinson natural rubber tubes, airborne ti skewers,spd m646
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Submitted by
J-Dub
a Weekend Warrior
from Las Vegas
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2001
Bottom Line:
This is a follow-up to my previous posting. The Homegrown is, as I mentioned previously, an awesome bike. I've owned it for nearly a year now and have only replaced the brakes. Deores just don't cut it. I still love it! It's everything I said in my earlier post..plus, it has an added bonus. High-speed stability. I recently topped out at 59.2 M.P.H. down Mt. Charleston on a paved road and the thing was rock-solid. I'd trust it at 70. You probably won't find yourself doing 60 freakin' miles an hour any time soon, but rest assured you'll feel safe and secure on your Homegrown. Love this bike!
Submitted by
Al
a Cross Country Rider
from Scottsdale, AZ
Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001
Strengths: Great frame - light, sturdy, clean weld-points. Good mix of parts for the price.
Weaknesses: Rims (bent the rear on the first time out), saddle (bent my rear on the first time out), brake calipers (Deore), hubs (Deore).
Bottom Line:
After doing extensive research, I ended up deciding on a 2001 Moab 2 for $800, but was upsold by the dealer to the 2000 Homegrown Comp for $1,000. I'm very happy with my decision. I don't race, and don't plan on it anytime soon, so for me, this is far more bike than I need. I have plans for several upgrades down the line, but it is nice to have a bike that is sound enough in the meantime, and a frame that is certainly worthy of high dollar component additions in the future.
Bike Setup: Pretty much stock, but added bar ends, swapped out the Fizik Nisene for a Titec Berserkr DH, and plan on upgrading to Raceface cranks and Avid brake calipers soon.
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Submitted by
mitchb
a Cross Country Rider
from longview, wa
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2001
Strengths: the bike!
Weaknesses: not thus far!!!
Bottom Line:
if you can find it under a grand, your stealing it!
Similar Products Used: cannondale f600sl moab disc sl klien adroit
Bike Setup: its sweet. with splinedrive hollowtech bb and xtr, you cant beat. its got time atacs that are by far the best clipless ever!!! the forks sweet also, a sid xc air. everything on it down to the not so visable n-litened tubing is a sweet rider.
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Submitted by
Ken
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles area
Date Reviewed: July 10, 2001
Strengths: Beautiful frame, great geometry, XTR rear derailleur, wide handlebar
Weaknesses: Rims, front derailleur
Bottom Line:
Replace the wheels if you're big like me. I bent the crap out of the front rim and I didn't even land that hard. The front derailleur doesn't shift too smoothly, so I may replace that as well. The seat is fine for about two hours, and then you realize just how hard it really is.
Despite these complaints, this is a really great bike for the money. They put XTR where it really counts and I'll upgrade as I break/grow weary of other components. I like the wide handlebar because I have broad shoulders. The frame is beautifully made and will last through all my upgrades in the next couple of years. This bike climbs great, and is super light.
Bike Setup: Stock except for Bontrager Mustang rims with XT hubs
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Submitted by
michael olexy
a Weekend Warrior
from houston , tx
Date Reviewed: June 29, 2001
Strengths: frame geometry, xtr rear, this bike really accelerates and climbs like a polecat.
Weaknesses: front derailleur seems a little sluggish at times. if your hardcore you may want to upgrade to the comp or pro or whatever's next.
Bottom Line:
besides getting adjusted to the clipless pedals this bike has been pure happiness on the trail, this baby feels right at home when you're pushing it to your limit. i think the bike can handle more than i am dishing out. it corners and climbs better than anything else ive been on before. the bike alone has made me a little faster on the trail because it handles so well. if you are considering buying this bike i say jump on and you are sure to be impressed. i was and i'm a bit of a hardass.
Bike Setup: same as purchased and still happy. could use xt fr der. and cranks, though.
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Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from College Station
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2001
Strengths: Light frame, long top tube. Good mix of components.
Weaknesses: Manitou fork not setup for rider my size, 245lbs. Have stiff springs on the way.
Bottom Line:
I love the ride. Long top tube makes it feel like a limo while it'll still handle really well. Got it off E-bay, never ridden, what a deal. I have been riding and racing (not since '94) an '86 Stumpjumper with various upgrades. This is a nice change even though I still love my Stumpjumper. I test rode GT, Trek, Giant, Fisher, Specialized, Raliegh, and Bianchi in the same price range and the Schwinn had the best ride by far. Light, race ready bike, beautiful frame. I would highly recommend it to anyone.
fabulous frame and that's what really matters the most. awesome bike for the price. definitely race ready. don't worry too much about the lx components. they're not that bad and you can upgrade over time. very light and is awesome climbing. although, you can get it to climb a lot better if you take out some of the spacers below the stem and put a narrower, straight handlebar on it. however, if all you do is downhill then don't worry about it. the saddle is a little harsh. i'm still wrestling over whether i'll get a new saddle.
Similar Products Used: gtzaskar, specialized stumpjumper, kline
Bike Setup: i put some rhino lite wheels on it. the mavic are weak. i bent the rear one and i wasn't riding all that hard. i also put a easton straight aluminum handlebar on it. it's a lot narrower than the hellbent bar and better for x-country.replaced the lx front deraileur with an xt after i bent the lx on a long ride.
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Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2001
Strengths: Frame, XTR rear
Weaknesses: Brakes, Crank, Seat
Bottom Line:
Great frame and great ride for good price. Change the seat right away and the components as you tear them apart. Already bent hanger twice and taco'ed rear wheel. Will prob swamp out front rim and crank ths summer.
Similar Products Used: K2, GF Big Sur, Specialized Stumpjumper
Bike Setup: Specialized seat, XT Brake system,Mavric 517 rear, Stock
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Submitted by
Mike Hinton
a Cross Country Rider
from Campbellsville, KY
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2001
Strengths: Light weight. Cool paint.
Weaknesses: Crappy saddle. Poor cranks, fork, and headset
Bottom Line:
I think it would have been a great bike if I hadn't torn my urethra by hitting the rock hard saddle. Freak accident that made me hate the bike. I got an employee discount on this bike. If you're going to spend this type of cash on a bicycle. Let's say the $1200 it lists for, get a Rocky Mountain Oxygen Race. You 'll be much more satisfied.
Strengths: Finest bike for the $$$. Super Light! XTR components on a six hundred dollar machine!?!
Weaknesses: Wheels, Wheels, and ....Wheels. I had these wheels on my Spec'd, Trashed 'em in two weeks. These will be the first to go.
Bottom Line:
Great Bike. Got it on closeout plus employee discount so I couldnt pass it up. Havent seriously ridden since age 17(now 21) So i thought I would buy something halfway decent. Granted I am no pro, but this bike seems super quick and with a few tweeks, race worthy.
Submitted by
Danny Underwood
a Weekend Warrior
from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2001
Strengths: Everything. It is light and has good components that last.
Weaknesses: they could have put a little better brakes. they work but i would swap them out for XTR. the seat is also uncomfortable but can live with it.
Bottom Line:
I am a 15 year old rider who went from a huffy to the homegrown. what i do know from reading magazines is that the bike is a great deal and works well. I have rode some trails on my huffy but the schwinn is a world of difference. the trails are easy and now i can ride on way more difficult trails. anybody who hopes to race and doesn't have the money or any body who wants a good bike for half the price of the high end bikes should get it.
Does anyone know which Hayes caliper fits the rear? I have the A2Z adaptor and my Juicy 7's or BB7's don't fit inside the rear triangle.
ANY help would be appeciated. Read More »
I have the A2Z adaptor and my Juicy 7's or BB7's don't fit inside the rear triangle.
ANY help would be appeciated.
Also, can you use a Hayes caliper with the Juicy levers? Read More »
sorry, some of the pictures are a little bury... weighs in at about 28lbs... 14lbs lighter then the straight 8!!:thumbsup:
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d76/firehawk58 Read More »
I wanted a Schwinn homegrown for along time a frame made in USA well found a brand new one and ordered it can't wait to start building it up here is a pic.
[IMG]http://i3.photobuc Read More »
Hey all,
Over the winter I built my old HG into a SS 650b, both front and rear. Unfortunately the (2) 26" suspension forks I have are not compatible with my 650b Neos. In ord Read More »
