Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Cleveland, oh, USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2003
Strengths: THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE MESA GSX MODEL...
I love it. This is my second mountain bike behind a '97 Giant Yukon, and the difference is night and day, and the Giant wasn't that bad. It shifts great, rides great, came in a 21" framesize, and it even looks cool.
Weaknesses: These bikes have weaknesses that fall into two categories: it's a 2001, therefore it hase square taper cranks. The stock cranks are Truvativ Five-D, and the '01 models flex a LOT. Problems because it retailed for under $600: Bottom-feeder Manitou Magnum fork, Tektro worthless trash brakes, and some hellspawn toestrap pedals. Also, only the Mesa DISC has disc brake mounts! One freakish problem, too- my bike was shipped with a 26.8mm seatpost, and it kept falling. I even broke the seatpost clamp trying to tighten it... I took it to an LBS and complained, and they measured the seatpost tube at 27.0mm... anyone else have that problem?
Bottom Line:
I love my bike. it goes where i ask it, and it doesn't complain. I can't believe how well it shifts, how much easier it is to ride- how much more MODERN it feels than a bike that's only five years older! I got it for $300 from REI on closeout after the bankruptcy, brand new in the box, and no other bike can compete with its quality for that price. I'm 6'3" and 275lbs, and I haven't broken anything yet, and the bike makes no strange noises. Other than the mishap with the toe clips, I've never had a problem with it. The frame is an excellent, strong platform to build upon, and is almost a dead copy of the 99ish Moab. If you're looking for a bike, look for the GSX model over the Mesa or Mesa Disc, unless you're looking at frame only, because, even with v brakes, the GSX was more expensive than the Disc due to 27 speed drivetrain parts. It's Deore all around, where the regular and Disc have lower line 24 speed stuff, and it just doesn't have the same feel of quality.
The GSX is all gloss black, the Mesa is bright yellow, and the Mesa Disc is flat black. If you're getting the frame only, look for the Disc, but as a complete bike, the GSX is the way to go!
Similar Products Used: I've ridden a bunch of stuff test-ride style
Bike Setup: I'm gradually upgrading the parts I don't like. First to go were the pedals, because I crashed avoiding a car, and couldn't get my feet out to stop. I smashed my wrist so hard on asphalt that I stared at my pretty new bike for six months healing. I hated the brakes, and I've put on Avid SD7 levers and SRAM 9.0 calipers- they made a world of difference! I found a set of Homegrown wheel skewers for the Schwinn tribute, and last week I installed Oury grips on a new set of Easton EA50 bars to go with my Raceface System stem... On tuesday, my new Marzocchi MX Comp w/ETA will arrive, and I think I'll be set for a while!
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Submitted by
Matt
a Weekend Warrior
from New Berlin, WI USA
Date Reviewed: December 13, 2002
Strengths: Great bike to get into the sport, As a begineer, i crashed, fell, needless to say i layed it down a couple of times and it has held up perfectly, the only thing replaced is second chainring, good shifting. Tough bike
Weaknesses: none are coming to mind right now, people think you bought it at wall mart
Bottom Line:
much love for the schwinn mesa GSX, better components for a price lower than fisher or trek, manitou magnum is decent for the price of the bike.
great for beginners and anyone else that dosent want to spend thousands
Weaknesses: FORK - Rockshox Jett is absolute CRAP!!
Bottom Line:
This is a Schwinn Mesa Disc. The frame is very strong im 6' and 200lbs and im not kind to it and stands up pretty well. Thing just needs a better fork. The jetts are absolute crap. The only thing that im gonna replace would be the fork. Im looking at a fox forx vanilla.
Submitted by
Sean Youdontneedtoknow
a Cross Country Rider
from Newman Lk. Wa, a little thing next to Spokane
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2002
Strengths: Good frame, light setup. With a few upgrades can be easily used as a high intensity XC bike
Weaknesses: Tuvativ crank sucked, had it upgraded, middle derailer sucked, had it upgraded. Grips wore out quickly, upgraded them too. Not a moose
Bottom Line:
Really good bike for price. I am 14 and am just opening into the field of high end bikes and this is going to work for me till after college when I can afford a high end bike. I didnt like the upward riding angle so I got a 125mm 0 degree angle Kore stem which fixed it. Epicenter seat stays kind of annoying for finding chainstay protecot decals, after I got a new crank so the chainrings stopped bending I am riding as hard as I can and it is keeping up with me. I am going into racing this next year and am hoping to have it work for me there. Im gonna go ride now.
Bike Setup: Upgrades include Raceface Prodigy XC crank, Deore Derailers, IRC Mythos XC tires, Raceface good n evil grips, Kore lite 3 stem. Rockshox Duke SL soon to be.
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Submitted by
SteveDave
a Weekend Warrior
from Swartz Creek, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: August 18, 2002
Strengths: Not many so far.
Weaknesses: Problems with Truvative crank, rear Deore deraileur, rear cassette.
Bottom Line:
Last year I bought a non-suspension Trek off a friend for $75. I rode the the pizz out of it training for the Iceman. I rode the Suberu Iceman Cometh and felt the pain, so I decided to upgrade this season. Since the second ride, I've had nothing but problems. First the crank falls off in the middle of a 12 mile ride. That was replaced twice. Next I had problems with the rear cassette bending when I was shifting up a steep climb. That was replaced. Then I had the bearing in the rear cassette seize in the right before I was to jump a log. I ride a lot of single track in Michigan. I need a bike that is reliable. Needless to say, I've only put 300 miles on this bike and I feel ripped off. At least I could ride that old Trek without it falling apart on me.
Bike Setup: Wellgo Clipless, Pearl Izumi Bolders, Deore Deore, Truvative cranks, Manitu Magnum fork.
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Submitted by
Ben Maddy
a Cross Country Rider
from Wahkiacus
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2002
Strengths: Frame very very strong
Weaknesses: crankset, can't stand square taper anymore
Bottom Line:
I hope people don't get anoyed with my many reviews, but I just love this bike. I got back on a bike for the first time in five years and just happened to purchase a Mesa. I haven't been sorry yet. I have recently been tempted to go to a fs but as I read more about the problems people are having with fs I get more into liking what I have. I have changed a few things since my last review. I put a truvativ husefelt dh triple isis drive crankset on it(probably a bit overkill) and have liked being able to slam on the bike more without worry. I have taken it off an 8 footer and it did great.Will probably not make a habit of it though. Anyhow for being a hard tail and me being 200lbs it take abuse like I've never seen. Very impressive frame. If you want a bike you can abuse while you are learning how to ride or ride better, Oh yeah this is it. I still feel the same about it, and I also cry for Schwinn's demise.
Submitted by
Doug
a Weekend Warrior
from Upstate NY
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2002
Strengths: i ride this 540 dollar BIKE on all the stuff guys with 1.5k plus bikes ride and I feel I do well. It takes a severe beating, never even winces...just keeps a goin'
Weaknesses: not for veteran bikers, beginner components (see below)best damned bike a new rider could spend their hard earned cash on though.
Bottom Line:
I don't think it would have been possible for me to buy a better first bike. For the price it really handles the toughest terrain and abuse I can throw at it. Been riding it HARD for over a year now and besides tweaking things I've bent or worn in, nothing on this bike has broken or been seriously dmgd (except for me when I take a good dive, which happens often) :) This thing is solid! Components are not anything that a veteran rider would want plus as its only a hardtail, but for a newer rider you can't ask for more. I abuse the bike, I abuse the bike...did I say I abuse it? and it takes it and likes it! Took it to Gore Mtn. for first time last weekend..was only one other guy there all day with a hardtail...and she handled great...I was able to take on all the same stuff as the FS guys. frame is rock solid. would like to have better components but to hell with that until I actually break whats on it now. I weep at the fact that Schwinn is no more...what a great bike company.
Bike Setup: I didnt see a 2001 GSX review, so I'm puttin this in here. hope you guys that want to know about thsi bike find it! I have the Mesa GSX. irc mythos tires, diore derailer, truvative cranks, tektro brakes, manitou magnum fork, shimano FR65 shoes w/ shimano 646 dx clipless (SWEET platform clipless)
Strengths: this is for the Mesa Disc- good frame, good looks, good componets, the alex rims are tuff, disc brakes
Weaknesses: the shocks... came with Rock Shox Jett... horrible shocks, bottoms out of of a 4 foot drop and im only 130lbs!!!!! also, if you crash hard the derailers get messed up sometimes, you may have to have them tuned.
Bottom Line:
i love this bike, i think it cost $650 new, i got is for $300 used, all it had was one little scratch on it. Im hard on this bike, everything on its tuff but the forks. I do some pretty hard stuff on it. This bike is a great bike, its probably good to do everything on except drops (becasue of the bad forks) and hard downhilling. I do some stuff that you could say is downhill and it hold up fine (except for the shocks)
Bike Setup: all stock, but looking for shocks to upgrade
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Submitted by
Chris Roy
a Weekend Warrior
from Laguna Hills, CA USA
Date Reviewed: May 6, 2002
Strengths: Value. For $400 out the door (tax and accessories) I got Shimano Deore components, and the Manitou Magnum fork is adjustable. It's my 1st MTB and I'm 38, so I'm not fast (If I ever do anything that looks like "freeriding" call 911 -- I'm crashing!), but I am riding technical, rocky trails. Even though it's a hard-tail and takes a beating it's held up well and the bike always shifts well. The bike climbs and descends well. All bolts stay tight -- except the seatpost clamp. The wheels are still true.
Weaknesses: The seatpost clamp is weak, it's hard to use trailside. I didn't like the shape of the stock seat much. The cheapie plastic chainring guard and the clear plastic disc behind the cassette were round-filed as soon as I got the bike home... The rest of the bike is solid!
Bottom Line:
Great beginner mountain bike with better component spec then similarly priced Trek or Cannondale models. The Mesa's not the latest, or greatest, but then neither am I! It's a low cost "real" MTB -- handles well, nothing breaks, shifts well, and fairly light weight too. I can ride it for 2 - 3 hours at a time over all sorts of terrain. With the 34t big cog on the cassette it climbs easily. The brakes and IRC Mythos tires keep me in control on steep descents. I commute on it somtimes, but it's a bear on the pavement with those knobbies! Keep it dirty though, and you'll both be happy!
Bike Setup: Replaced clip and strap stock pedals with a set of Shimano pedals that are SPD on one side and normal platform on the other. These pedals work great! If I'm riding a technical, steep, slow, trail I stay un-cliped so I can put my feet down quickly. On faster, open trails I clip in for more power. I also replaced the stock seat, I didn't like the shape. I'm using a narrow, sprung, Brooks "Flyer" leather saddle. It's perfectly shaped for me. Since it's a sprung saddle it's like having a suspension seatpost. It helps smooth out the bumps. I also replaced the stem with one the juts up higher, but I may put the old one back on to help weight the front wheel more during climbs.
Strengths: Great Aluminum frame, Deore disc brakes, the Alex rims seem pretty tough, wtb raptor tires grip well in loose conditions, the Mesa Disc is kinda rare (and that's pretty cool), and a killer matte black paint scheme. An awesome bike in this price range!
Weaknesses: Mine came with the Rock shox Jett fork. Didn't like that due to it's constant bottoming out. The stock pedals had toe straps and were prety cheap too. The seatpost binder QR ate up it's own bushing, which was less that a 16th of an inch thick.
Bottom Line:
I'm a beginner and all these reviews said the mesa was a good bike for beginners. They were right! This bike's strength and quality give me a little added confidence on the trail as I try something new. You don't get the high end components as some bikes but you get a great trail/xc bike for around $500. This is a great value. My one gripe is that I've noticed lots of different spec's on the mesa's and I wonder if some of the better parts are being switched out. (I've seen the some bikes with Alivio/acero, and some with Shimano LX/Deore). I like the Mesa Disc and recommend it especially to beginners. Just make sure you're aware of what components you're getting and the value you're getting.
Bike Setup: Mesa Disc with upgraded fork, seatpost, pedals, shorter stem and added Schwinn sc-13 computer.
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Submitted by
Ben
a Cross Country Rider
from Wahkiacus
Date Reviewed: March 12, 2002
Strengths: Frame is very much a keeper
Bottom Line:
I have reviewed this bike before. I have not changed my mind. It is awsome. I hope that the company who bought Schwinn/GT doesn't make them into a pile of crap. If you have a chance at one don't hesitate it is the best bike for the money I have seen. Very strong frame. At 210lbs. and I'm not kind to it.
Bike Setup: 2001 RS Judy SL,Tahoma ahead stem, brake boosters, Alivio Crank, FSA ultimax BB, XT Deraileurs, Profile SOS boxer bar ends,Salsa seat binder, Lizard skins.
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Submitted by
matt
a Weekend Warrior
from new port richey ,fl
Date Reviewed: January 20, 2002
Strengths: price,strong frame, good tires(mythos),handles anything i can throw at it, manitou magnum works good,handles great,deore components work good,
Weaknesses: seat twisted on its rails (my fault ? )pedals- take off the straps
Bottom Line:
excellent bike for the money -shopped around considered trek- giant- univega- raleigh- specialized. but for the money you can't beat this bike!good for newbies or experienced riders. this thing has handles everything i throw at it drops, ledges, downhill etc. best bang for the buck in my area period. don't compare it to $1000 + bikes because it's not. but you will not get more for your $$$$ buy it and you'll have extra $$ to buy acc or upgrade with
Bike Setup: 2001 mesa gsx,deore component group,mythos xtc's,stock except for straight stem - dealer swapped no charge
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Submitted by
Alex Carver
a Weekend Warrior
from Cooper City, FL
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2002
Strengths: Great frame, good fork, deore products are good
Weaknesses: pedals, seat
Bottom Line:
This is a very good bike. The manitou magnum is very strong. I am 5 11' and 200lb so i am no small guy. on the softest setting i can put all my weight on the magnum and it doesn't bottom out. you can also jump of curbs and hit hard and the magnum holds together. the adjuster is kind of hard to change but that is expected. the pedals are very aggravating but you just slide the reflector over and you can unscrew them. after you take the straps off it is just like regular pedals. the brakes are very strong and stop the bike quickly. the seat is a little on the firm side but is fine till i upgrade it. The bike shifts very smooth. i took it out on the trails this morning and it was great! There were a couple drops that were 2ft and the magnum cleaned up with no argument. the deore derailleurs shifted through mud and water with ease. Most beginners would be very happy with this bike. you can ride it as it is and it will be a very strong mountain bike. Or for the more advanced riders you could buy this bike and upgrade it very easily. this an excellent bike i would suggest this bike to anyone. Also try and get it at supergo! I saved over $160 from them and it shipped very fast.
Submitted by
david
a Weekend Warrior
from mississippi
Date Reviewed: November 21, 2001
Strengths: Great all round beater bike. I have abused this bike and have yet to break it(besides crankset and dropout). It is continuously beening submerged, trashed, and gunked up with mud yet refuses to die.
Weaknesses: Heavy compared to my klein attitude.
Bottom Line:
Great introductory bike(or beater). Not for racing but handles mud like none other bike i have riden.
