Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from Manitou Springs, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003
Strengths: Durable frame tough enough to hit rocks, roots, and boulders at high speed & remain in control. The frame design is unbeatable through mud. Good for hard technical rides (with different tires).I love the components for the price!
Weaknesses: The Michelin tires that came with it. The granite trails of the Pikes Peak region wore the treds after 3 months of 4 days/week mountain riding. Had to buy a prostate friendly seat to replace the cheap plastic one. It hurts my feelings to see Schwinn now at Target!
Bottom Line:
Great affordable ride that can take the beatings of a racer or a clusmy racer-wanna-be. I can't say anything bad about the frame, but maybe I just need to stick to my loyal treds: Kenda tires, because I'm slipping up trails that are not the frame's fault. The mud-friendly frame allows me to rip through streams and mud with minimal paint-job scratches. It's lighter than my old chromoly, but not the lightest - possibly due to the rims and the prostate-saving seat.
Similar Products Used: 1996 Jamis Durango - rigid frame. I ride 'em til they die
Bike Setup: LX rear derailer, Deore front. Manitou SX shox. Deore rapid shift. Kore head set.
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Submitted by
stumonky
a Cross Country Rider
from Houma, LA
Date Reviewed: April 8, 2003
Strengths: Built to last, Schwinn quality, perfect in all conditions, I love the yellow color today as much as the day I bought it.
Weaknesses: Slim to none, what I have replced is due to wear and tear or spills.
Bottom Line:
I have been riding this bike pretty hard for about 2 1/2 years. Wrecked it many times and it has took the beatings and begged for more. I still have the Deore FD and LX RD and have had little no problems with them. I changed the cranks because I stripped my old ZuZus by not tightening them enough. This bike has superceeded my expectations by far. I plan to keep this bike well tuned for a very long time. Even if I step up to a FS I will keep this bike as a spare. I can't say enough good things about it. I researched the hell out of all bikes in this price range and no other came close. Too bad they aren't available anymore. Now days there not many hardtails at this price range with comparitive component packages. (only Giant comes close) If you happen to come across any Moab for sale (new would be extremely rare) fight to the death to own one as well. If you come across anyone who rides one, I guarantee they will have nothing but good things to say about these bikes.
this bike handles so sweetly.... I've used it for riding around town to riding xc in the foothills to light downhill at big bear. the brakes work well for their quality, along with the fork....and pretty much everything else. this is a great bike to learn the basics on. I would guess that this bike is light and fast enough to race on, but I haven't so I wouldn't know. anyway, if you are a beginner racer/xc rider, this is a great bike to intoduce yourself to mountain biking on. Have fun, I know I have!
Similar Products Used: mesa gs, mesa disc, old d'back outlook
Bike Setup: deore/mavic 221 front wheel, flat and clipless pedals, xt chain, new post - otherwise stock
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Submitted by
Ben S.
a Weekend Warrior
from Allover New England
Date Reviewed: February 8, 2003
Strengths: Good price, nice paint (vivid Yellow), pretty light and a great ride all around.
Weaknesses: Schwinn. Damn I wish they hadn't been sold!
Bottom Line:
A Great bike for the budget minded rider. Too bad Pacific didn't see fit to continue this line. Same geometry as a Home grown, so it climbs like a Goat, Forks have stood up to my 175 lbs of thrashing. The Tioga rims came out of true often but not to bad if you have a truing stand. I love this bike thoough. It's gotten me through a lot. I here Pacific Is trying to work things out with Independent Bike shops again, so lets hope for real schwinn quality (like this bike) to make a return!
Strengths: 1.parts mix for the money. 2.Tires. 3.Very nice frame. 4.Silver paint job. 5.Most everything else that has to do with this bike.
Weaknesses: ??Seatpost creaks some after long riding??
Bottom Line:
A very nice bike for the money. The Deore front and LX rear derrailluer have worked very well together and I am not planning on replacing them until I finally bash one of them off on a rock one of these times(I've come close). The seatpost creaked(couyld have just been a quirk with mine) and I replaced it. The seat, surprisingly, was found comfortable, and I still use it, a little over a year later. I added XTR brakes and levers because I was offered a very good deal on them and happened to have the money. The brake boosters were added on later, and I am not sure they have done much, because this frame isn't very flexy. The "long" wheelbase is very stable. I ride mostly very technical stuff and this so called "long wheelbase" has never given me trouble. The tires are very grippy, plus the mcihelin man is waving at you every time you pedal.
BOTTOM LINE: This bike needed no upgrades off the shelf. Great for the beginner to the expert who doesn't have a ton of cash. Raceable. I have done manty races on it, with success. 5 flamin chilis for both categories.
Submitted by
Dave
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles
Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
Strengths: Frame strength and design geometry
Weaknesses: seat, grips, pedals
Bottom Line:
In the search for a sub $1000 bike that needed little off-the-shelf additions, I've found it in the Moab 3. This bike was built for me. Being 6'2" and a former BMX racer I like a low center of gravity and a long frame and the Moab feels completely at home...I no longer miss my 20" GT Pro Performer! I've ridden most of the typical single track trails around L.A., twice a week, and I feel totally confident on my Schwinn. The addition of the Panaracers and clipless pedals compliment the bike perfectly. I do need to get a new set of grips, though, as the stock Schwinn grips just ain't cuttin' it. Hey, $700 and my only complaint is grips?...this bike RAWKS!!!
Bike Setup: Shimano clipless pedals, Panaracer XC Fire tires, Specialized Body Geometry seat
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Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Loma Linda, CA
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002
Strengths: Excellent value for the cost! Switched out clipless pedals for rat traps and an XTR rear derailleur for the LX and it runs beautifully.
Weaknesses: The Company the bought Schwinn! Bent derailleur hanger 3 months ago and still haven't located a replacement! Riding on jerry-rigged hanger.
Bottom Line:
To someone thinking of buying a Schwinn nowadays, forget it. The company absolutely dropped the ball on customer service, warranty, and replacement parts. The value for the cost is far outweighed by the company that backs the bike.
Strengths: Frame, component selection, rims, fork, etc.
Weaknesses: Seatpost, cranks, FD
Bottom Line:
This is my year and a half review. Overall I am still very happy with my bike. A few things have had to be changed as the FD (went to LX) and the seatpost creaking got on my nerves, and finally I stripped out my ZuZu's in the Firex cranks - which could of been more my fault than the cranks - I stepped up to the Sylus SL's and have been very happy with them. I am totally and completely disapointed at the news of Schwinn going bankrupt. It disturbs me even more that the name has been purchased and it will become a Mongoose Wal-Mart type comparison. None of this however takes away from the quality and performance of my Moab. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if I was shopping for a new bike. I was hoping to eventually step up to a FS Rocket, that will never happen now. So enjoy your Schwinn bikes - we are riding legacy bikes that are slowly fading in the wind. Even when I don't ride this one anymore - I think I'll hang it on my wall as a symbol of quality! We'll miss you Schwinn!
Similar Products Used: GT, Diamond Back, Haro, Gary Fisher, Trek
Bike Setup: Oury grips, Panaracer Trailblasters 2.1, Velo Plush seat, Sunringle ZuZu pedals, LX FD, Tru Vativ Stylo SL cranks
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Submitted by
Moabman
a Cross Country Rider
from NH, USA
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2002
Strengths: Almost everything. 1.Good component selection 2.OK rims 3.Quality that comes with a Schwinn. 4. Frame(weight is OK and strong) 5. Holding up to 170 pound rider hard riding almost every day. 6.SEat - surprisingly, i find it comfortable.
Weaknesses: 1. seatpost-creaks sometimes after a lot of use but i havent replaced it yet. 2. brakes-definitely adequate, especially for recreational use or even racing in dry conditions. I put XTR on because it gets wet and i race and do epic rides in the wet.
Bottom Line:
A very nice bike for the money. I am very happy with it and am thinking about saving the frame when the parts where out and bulding it back up with new stuff. A lot more strengths than weakness. A good trailbike/cross country racer for beginner/intermediate class. With the right parts, you could use this bike for even higher-up racing. I didn't really have to upgrade the parts, just had the $$ and thought it would be worth it as I was going to build it up eventually anyway. 5 flaming chilis all the way around.
Similar Products Used: Schwinn Mesa, Fisher Hoo Koo E Koo, Trek something, Fuji something,
Bike Setup: silver/red stripes Moab 3, XTR brakes/levers, ODI lockjaw rogue grips, lizrd skins headset/chainstay protectors, Mavic X517 with XTR hubs when i get the $$.
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Submitted by
Vincent Tan
a Weekend Warrior
from Brunei Darussalam
Date Reviewed: November 27, 2001
Strengths: Geometry & Price
Weaknesses: After 5 months' abuses, 1. chain spoiled & replaced with SRAM PC99 2. Cog spoiled & replaced with XT 3. Rear Hub spoiled & replaced with LX 4. Saddle bent & replaced with Sella Italia Flite Titanium Gel
Bottom Line:
This is my 2nd Review & my 1st review was on July-31 2001.
Despite the above weaknesses, I believe it is normal tear-n-wear especially I ride in mud/rain in Borneo Rain Forest!
Despite the frame is about 1.975Kg, a major upgrade can reduce the bike to < 11 Kg.
I don't have hard feeling abusing the bike cos' it is reasonable "cheap". Unlike those who have bought "Expensive" bike and don't like to ride "off-road" cos' "off-road" riding will "hurt" bike faster.
I still believe MOAB 3 is value for money. Highly recommend those who have tight budget. Buy it- just ENJOY the ride & go Everyway!
Bike Setup: Upgraded (before left the shop) to RS SID-XC, XTR RD, VP Dual Pedal, Hutchinson Python Gold Tire. Plus the above replacement.
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Submitted by
David Bood
a Cross Country Rider
from kettering northhamptonshire United kingdom
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001
Strengths: stiff frame with a noble ride it preformence sweet shocks like the head set loves the brakes bacily every thing rules
Weaknesses: what the hell are you talking about
Bottom Line:
its a great great bike for advanced begginers nice stock aluminium wheels didnt change a thing on it I love this bike its my baby. if you are not in to riding dont buy this bike.
Considering what I paid for this bike,everything on it rocks.I know the wheels are heavy but I have not bent one yet.I'm 6 feet 220lbs and this bike does not complain.Decent componnent package but totally worth upgrading.Great first bike for someone not looking to get in over their head or good bike to thrash on so you dont wreck your Homegrown Limited.Very well worth the measley $370.00 bucks I paid for it.Hopefully Schwinn quality wont die and well keep getting bang for the buck with the Moab's and Homegrown's.Five scorching chili's from me dude's.
I wasn't sure if this bike would have the bang for the buck but it proved me wrong. I've been fairly hard on it for almost a year and the only repairs have been on the front deraillur and the rear deraillur hanger (multiple times). The frame is my favorite aspect of the bike. It just has a good feel to it. I would definately recommend this bike to someone looking in this price range.
Submitted by
ctg
a Cross Country Rider
from East Coast
Date Reviewed: September 6, 2001
Strengths: Above average components for the price, Solid frame.
Weaknesses: Pedals and seat (of course) and the FD is a bit sketchy, would have been better if it was LX all around but that's easily and cheaply fixed. I'd rather have a regular headset, but that's neither here nor there.
Bottom Line:
The workingman's bike, inexpensive, doesn't break, goes anywhere you point it and doesn't complain. I fall, alot, and so far the only casualty has been the LX derailer. Definitely suited for Cross Country, can't comment on anything else as that's all I ride. It takes the rooty, rocky east coast trails with no handicaps. And unless there's a miracle, it's a 2001 Schwinn, the last decent Schwinn the world will likely see. Warranty? who needs a stinking warranty? Get a Moab or Homegrown while you can if the name Schwinn means something to you. But then again, it's just a bike.
Similar Products Used: First bike a Giant Rincon, Tested a Gf HooKoo (hated the geometry), a Trek 4*** and a Giant Rainier, all 2001.
Bike Setup: Stock with Aliums, stubby bar ends and a Terry Liberator.
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Submitted by
stumonky
a Weekend Warrior
from Houma, LA
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2001
Strengths: Unbreakable light frame, good fork, base setup impressive (for this price range), attention to detail, yellow rocks!
Weaknesses: Tires, pedals, seat, grips (but don't you upgrade this on almost all bikes in this class?)
Bottom Line:
I've had my Moab since before Christmas last year and never for a moment have I second guessed my decision. I researched and tested just about every bike in this class and price range and nothing even came close! So I changed the pedals, seat, tires, etc. this is done on almost every bike I buy. Schwinn has put together a bike with a componet package that is exceptional, and a frame that contends with the Homegrowns, dependability that is second to none. I've used and abused this bike literally crashed at least a dozen times and it has held up with no physical damage. If you are in the market for something that is reliable and is a performer; look no further. Soon I hope to upgrade to XT/LX, possibly upgrade the brakes. I plan to do some light racing this fall. Although the current components have not given me any problems yet. 5 flames for value, 4 because I had to invest the extras.
