Submitted by
Schwinnski
a Weekend Warrior
from Norman, Oklahoma Soonernation
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2004
Strengths: A frame that represented a once proud name. Great paint job and great geometry. Was able to build it "my way"
Weaknesses: Lifetime warranty evaporated in bankrupcy court.
Bottom Line:
This frame was a warranty for a cracked head tube on my '97. I just had to pay for the ICBM factory installed headset. My components not only perform great, they also look great on this ride. While F/S frame designs come and go, there is something to be said for the classic beauty of a diamond frame, especially with wire spoked rims. It's to bad that this will be the last Schwinn I own as I want to remember this company with the memories that this bike has given me and continues to give. If you want to know about this ride- "Just ask the man who owns one"
Bike Setup: Kore stem, red Titec HellBent bars, Sram 9.0 shifters, brakes, and f/d. Sram 9.0 sl levers and r/d. Pc-68 chain, 9.0 sl white hubs on Ryno-Lite XL rims. 5.0 cassette (Hey, I prefer 8 speed), Panaracer Fire XC pros w/ red stripe. Red race face cramks, R/F rings Thud Buster post, egg beater prdals and a WTB saddle. Oh yeah some flak jackets to keep those cables sealed.
Strengths: Great price, awesome frame and a very good fork. Lots of potential as a race or trail bike. I beat the living crap out of this bike and it just comes back for more.
Weaknesses: non!
Bottom Line:
Just stock this is a great hard tail, it has great handling and is fairly light, because of this bikes geometry it corners like nothing else and it's a blast to take down hill as well. It's a amazing bike, I ride this bike more than all of my fancy a$$ bikes, I originaly bought this bike as just a good trail bike but I soon realized the potential this bike had. I have modified almost everything on this bike. I have just plain fallen in love with this damn bike! All of my friends have fancy race bikes that they are still making payments on. To me it's not what you pay but what you get for the money plus I love kicking their a$$es with this bike that I payed for in just a day.
Bottom line if you love to ride hard and not make payments this is the bike for you, just get one of these bikes you won't be sorry.
Bike Setup: I kept the fork and frame and modified everything els.
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Submitted by
Kenny
a Cross Country Rider
from Springfield, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2001
Strengths: Frame, XTR rear d., Titec Bar
Weaknesses: Koski brakes and levers, wheels, seatpost
Bottom Line:
this bike was one of the best deals going. with the money saved it was upgraded to elite race quality over the last year. the frame is amazing both aesthetically and funtionally. climbs, coners, descends, it does it all with minimal flex and amazing response. the bomber really makes this bike bombproof. topping in at about 25 pounds is awesome. ohh, buy king wheels, just do it, then you'll understand the hype.
Similar Products Used: fisher paragon, homegrown, any other hardtail out there
Bike Setup: only stock parts left are frame, handlebar.....XT shifter, front d., cranks, cassette, XTR rear d.,sram pc-99 chain, XTR V-brakes, Avid speed dial 7 levers, Red Chris King hubs on Sun Rhyno Lites, salsa skewers, TIME pedals, Thomson stem and seatpost, red selle flite gel, michelin hot s tires, marzocchi z.2 atom race (80mm)
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Submitted by
Eric
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle, WA
Date Reviewed: July 25, 2001
Strengths: Good price for a nice package!! Good parts and strong frame!
Weaknesses: The brakes and levers are crap
Bottom Line:
This bike was totally worth the money, I now work at a bike shop and nothing I sell comes close. You can't find an XTR derailuer and LX hollowtech crank on anything else for under $1000. Sweet shock and tough frame, I am 190lbs and beat ever living crap out of this thing and it just smiles and asks for more (except for the front wheel but I think it had to do with my landing or lack thereof). Plus it is light at 26 lbs!!
Go get one.....ummm on second thought don't I like to be original.
Bike Setup: 00' Moab 1 stock except for Mavic X517 up front with magura julie disc brake.
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Submitted by
Jose Real
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado Springs
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2001
Strengths: Lighter than others frame, XTR rear derrailur smooth and accurate. Very tought bike that can handle the not so light riders (190 +). Fast climber and responds well on fast single track. The bike also can take serious beatings with minor damages. The rock shock race fork is also a big plus.
Weaknesses: Very, Very crappy wheels, mavic 221 with parallax or something like that. At 195 pounds and some rough terrain the wheels could not hang, they had to be trued every other ride (1-2 x p/wk), what a pain!!!. Upgraded to rolf sattelite wheels which are not only lighter but sitffer and have taken the punishment so far. The rest of the bike components are not too bad but could use some upgrading. The new XT brakes are so much better than the stock koski stuff. Oh, and the saddle OUCH!!!!
Bottom Line:
At $900 this is a great bike, althoug entry level is a very durable and not so heavy bike. It is very competitive on the trails against bikes twice or more its price. If you're getting into the sport you cannot go wrong with the MOAB 1, specially since is very upgrade worthy.
Similar Products Used: Mongoose, specialized (old and heavy) hardtails.
Bike Setup: Race RS fork, XTR R. derrailur, LX the rest except for the XT brakes, rolf sattelite wheels, bontrager wheels
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Submitted by
Dan M
a Weekend Warrior
from Fairfax, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2001
Strengths: XTR rear derauiller shifts clean, no problems with any other components, solid ride
Weaknesses: Bar was a bit too wide for my tastes, i trimmed the grips and added some short bar ends so it's not so bad now
Bottom Line:
Definitely recommended. At the time of purchase i knew every one of the competitor products back to front and the quality, parts, and price of this bike make it a winner. for the $, no better bike
Submitted by
Kempo
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: May 16, 2001
Strengths: Good sturdy light frame. Good geometry
Weaknesses: None yet
Bottom Line:
So far great bike. Good on the climbs, if only I could get in better shape up it would climb even better. The geometry is a nice change from the older GT geometry, I feel more in control of the bike. For the price I paid for the frame I can't complain. I would buy Schwinn again go products, light frames, and decent geometry.
After looking around for quite a while and testing many bikes in the $1000.00 US range I fell in love with the MOAB.
By the time I had the money for it the shop only had a bare frame left and I didnt liek the all black 2001 model so I am building it as a project bike.
The only item I have not yet decided on is the front forks I am currently using my last years Judy XC but looking at Marzocchi air.
Apart from teh frame I have sourced everything via the net which shows how much money you can save when building a sweet ride if your prepared to take the time and hunt for the best deals.
I will write a follow up review when she is finished.
If anyone has suggestions as to the best front shocks let me know via email I am 6'3" 280 lbs and it will be used mainly for cross country and possibly some downhill
At the moment five chillis for the looks and the price of $225 for the frame only.
Bike Setup: XT Cranks and Cassette XTR brakes, derailleurs, chain and controls Ritchey WCS forged stem, ritchey bars and stubby ends Kore Forged seat post with Terry Liberator Saddle Deore LX hubs with DT spokes and Mavic 521 Rims
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Submitted by
Chris Ninaud
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: January 30, 2001
Strengths: Update to review below posted 1/12/01 Excellent handling, comfortable frame, worthy of upgrades Great shifting (XTR rear makes huge difference over XT) Judy race fork: yes, others are lighter, but this fork is set and forget. Tip: overhaul the fork adding new oil and Judy butter on tubes. Made the fork much more supple and responsive, the preload and rebound adjustments were more effective also. Otherwise just set, forget, and enjoy.
Weaknesses: Upgrades dropped weight by 2.5 pounds from 26.5 to 24 with Time pedals.
Bottom Line:
Schwinn did a great job on the frame. Upgrades resulted in 24 pound total weight with Time pedals. First upgrades: Mavic wheels and XT brakes. Second upgrades: seatpost, seat and bar. Spent $500 on the bike, there's no free lunch, but the frame is excellent and worth it. I dont mail order because I want to support local retailers that give good customer service. Besides, upgrading is half the fun! The bike is faster, better handling, and more comfortable now.
Bike Setup: XT brakes, $120 w/ non-XT levers (yes they squeek some, but new pads fix it, VERY powerfull.) Mavic wheels - 601 hubs on 221 rims ($270 for pair) WTB Nano-raptor 2.1 Kevlar tires: Very comfortable, high TPI casings, fast rolling. Not good for mud, but excellent in Texas hard pack and damp conditions. Titec Hellbent 220g riser ($60) Thompson seat post ($80) Stelle Flite FKS (Full Kevlar Seat, $60) Excellent: tough, comfy, light, has built in flex bumpers...great value over other $100 seats.
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Submitted by
Ed Zammit
a Weekend Warrior
from Foster City, Ca
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2001
Strengths: Excellent value. Solid frame. Good drive train. Excellent fork
Weaknesses: Brakes and seat post
Bottom Line:
This bike is a great performer. It is quick up and down hills, tracks well, and is very nimble. I weigh 230 pounds, and am amazed that I haven't broken anything outside of a bent rim. The bike really gets a severe pounding every time I use it. The Judy fork is outstanding. I have yet to bottom it out. Considering I only paid $800 for it, this has to be one of the best values going. I spent weeks trying and re-trying different bikes. Schwinn has a winner in the $800 to $1,000 price range.
Similar Products Used: Gary Fisher, Trek, Diamondback, Specialized, Mongoose.
Bike Setup: Stock
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Submitted by
Mountain Man
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2001
Strengths: Great Looks, Light, Excellent Value, Geometry
Weaknesses: Seatpost, hubs, brake pads
Bottom Line:
This is an update from my previous review. My near-future upgrades for this bike include: — Thomson seatpost — New wheels (Mavic?) — Precision Billet Super Vice brake and lever kit — Continental Explorer Pro front tire — Carbon cable housing with teflon coated cables
This bike has never let me down. There was a bit of corner-cutting in the seatpost and wheel department: but for the price, what do you expect? They didn't skimp on the frame, fork, drivetrain, or cockpit, and that's what's most important. The styling is great, too. The SDG seat has worn in nicely, and is super comfortable. The Koski brakes work great if you replace the pads with KoolStop Thinlines (best pads I've ever used.) The hubs are not good. I found out the rear is a Shimano Alivio: way below spec for a race bike. The front is made by Schwinn, and has poor seals. I wish I had an extra $200 when I bought this bike... I bought it for $1299 Canadian and the Homegrown was $1499. Upgrades to the Homegrown include a U.S. made frame, SX-R fork, Deore hubs and brakes (I like the Koski brakes better, though), Time A.T.A.C. pedals, a Giro saddle (less comfy and lighter), Titec seatpost, Homegrown grips, Avid brake levers, and Michelin tires (not always better). Overall, this is the best bike you can buy for the money (unless a beautiful Homegrown happens to be on sale). BUY IT!!!
Similar Products Used: Old steel GT hardtail (nicknamed "The Beast")
Bike Setup: Stock, except for Profile Logo grips, Syncros ti skewers, wellgo pedals, koolstop pads
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Submitted by
Kently
a Cross Country Rider
from Springville
Date Reviewed: January 17, 2001
Strengths: Good looks, nice fork, light
Weaknesses: Gay wheels, koski brakes, not set up for a 200 lbs rider not avalable polished
Bottom Line:
First week I had it I broke a spoke and bent the back rim. That was on the road!I've trued the rims five or six times, they just can't take a beating. With only a month of riding some dh I melted the brake shoes to nothing.
My friends ride full suspension diamondbacks and I can keep up with them on most of the dh sections. I ride hard, jumps, drops, logs you name it. No problems since the wheel/brake upgrade. Next upgrade raceface next lp sisi.
Ideal buyer- Someone starting out that wants quality not crap. Plenty of room for future up grades.
Strengths: MOAB 1 UPDATE: Excellent frame, handling, shifting, best on tight single track.
Weaknesses: Stock brakes and wheels. Stock rear free hub packed up and had to be fixed on warrenty. REI was excellent on service.
Bottom Line:
Great handling: The Sugar is great for more comfort and stablility, and traction while the MOAB rocks on tight switchback infested single track with its quicker steering. Stock seating position is perfect mix of leaned over/upright for my 5'8", 30in inseam frame. I changed out wheels to the Mavic's laced with three cross patterm the front, which tracks more solid and true compared to radial lacing. The cartridge bearings feel very smooth, you can feel reduced rolling resistance over stock wheels. Also added Shimano XT brakes: awesome power that has to be used with respect. Before I was complaining about XTR rear shifter when I thought they should have upgraded the rest of the drive train. But this bike shifts like butter, better than the Sugar with all XT....smooth, precise, on-demand shifting is excellent. OVERALL: EXCELLENT BIKE WORTHY OF UPGRADES. Dropped over one pound to around 25 lb.s with pedals.
Bike Setup: UPGRADES Mavic hubs and rims, 26 spoke, three cross pattern. XT Brakes and levers.
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Submitted by
Chris Spingola
a Weekend Warrior
from Rindge, NH
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001
Strengths: Good component spec. Light and fast.
Weaknesses: Could have used a little better selection on the seat post, seat, brakes. The Koski's worked real well for about five rides then completly crapped out. I will replace them this year with an LX or XT vee brake setup. The seat post bent after about one month of hard riding (I weight around 200 pounds so this is a major issue with me). Other than that the bike has been a blast to ride and for only a grand it was well worth the money. Also the panaracer fire xc tires have been clogging up as of late, i might switch to a new set as spring arrives.
Bottom Line:
Great bike for a grand. With a few minor additions and tweaks this bike could be a serious racer. I am a recreational rider who dosent like to climb all that much but the bikes is great at climbing, downhilling and techincal trails. An awesome bike for the average rider!!
Im looking at possibly replacing the fork on my moab to something thats a little less bouncy. Alot of the time I feel like jumping on a water bed when Im trying to pedal with some Read More »
