Submitted by
Mighty makCue
a Weekend Warrior
from Germany
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2011
Strengths: It has a steel frame. It provides a big amount of flexibility next to the absorbability of the other parts. To be honest i change everything on that bike except the frame.
Weaknesses: The bike parts are scrap. But the frame is worth a try.
Bottom Line:
The bike may look a bit old from far with this old frame and so on. But in case with the right parts on it. It is a real mean beast which shred a trail like nothing.
Similar Products Used: dont know. like to patchwork my bikes.
Bike Setup: The frame. XT gear changing. Rock Shox Reba. Manitou QR. Nice old Magura oil breaks signed from Johnny J. Pulse logic Ritchey. Stem Da Bomb. Tires 2,4 Rubber Queen
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Submitted by
Anne Papandrea
a Weekend Warrior
from Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2009
Weaknesses: Don't buy this bike, it fell apart the second time we used it.
Bottom Line:
My son is not a weekend warrior, there was just no place for "needs bike to get to college classes." Bike started falling apart the second time he road it. I am very disappointed. Since the bike was purchased in the spring, when you have to buy a bike, and put aside for college, the receipt has now expired. Actually, it expired on his first day of classes. Target says I can have the bike repaired in their shop but it could be 4-6 weeks and at my expense. How will my son get to classes during that time? So, now I have a 200 dollar bike that doesn't work, has been ridden 2 times, and a son who can't get to classes. I am no longer a target shopper and I will never buy another Schwinn.
Strengths: idk if this is the same bike as the one pictured above but it has the same name and costs 5 timnes less. i was suprised at how tough the frame was just like taking 2 foot drops and small staircases. It looks pretty cool
Weaknesses: its suspension is less than responsive. it makes lots of noises, i guess thats what happens when they loose control of bowels.
Bottom Line:
i got this back in the day like 5 years ago. i thought it was a hardcore real mtn bike, so i beat the hell out of it. after i found out real mtn bikes cost like a bunch of $ i was like wuw
Similar Products Used: trek remedy 66, spec. fsr 99, hardtails, etc.
Bike Setup: stock from target
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Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Maxwell AFB, AL
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2008
Strengths: Still going strong after 10 or so years.
Weaknesses: Seems like I'm aiming downhill all the time. Seat is way higher than handlebars due to my height, but I'll get around to fixing that. Holy Hannah that old STX midring is IMPOSSIBLE to find. Bike shops around here have never seen such a thing...a mid ring with TWO sets of mounting holes. No mounts for disc brakes if you want to upgrade.
Bottom Line:
Ten years on this thing and I'm still real happy. I think it's a decent frame to upgrade, but I wouldn't buy it today just to upgrade it. I'm happy with V-brakes, 24 speeds, and a small travel URT. I still catch complements on the bike. Newbie riders can't believe it's 10 years old. I want to buy a new bike just for newness-sake, but I really can't justify it.
OK...main reason I'm writing this review is to solicit help. My bike is beat to heck from 10 years of off and on riding. Its been laid down, tossed, gouged, launched, and otherwise abused and its looking shabby.
The red paint is in severe need of touch up in many places, and I can't match it to save my life. Anyone have a good model paint, spray paint, nail polish, whatever match for the red? If you know a source of a good paint match shoot me an email. I'll be forever happy.
Also, any idea where to get decals that mimic the originals? I may get a wild hair and have the front portion of the frame painted bass boat blue like the '99 Homegrown Factory Suspension XT.
Purchased At: Somewhere in Santa Cruz, CA, 10 years ago
Bike Setup: Old aftermarket XT V-brakes. Old aftermarket LX front derailleur. Old aftermarket XT shifters and brake levers. Old original back hub/rim. And would you believe the original, ever-crappy Rock Shox Deluxe rear shock? Just added LX RD-M580 rear derailleur, FSA Dynadrive Crankset, and a Wheels #7 dropout.
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Submitted by
Fred Damavandi
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: May 3, 2007
Strengths: Strong Frame, Suspension
Weaknesses: Brakes, Shifters
Bottom Line:
This bike is amazing. I didn't know too much about the bike but assumed I had a "Walmart" bike because of the deal I got on it. The more I rode it the more I fell in love. Suspension is perfect for the durable and great frame design. It carves up the trail either up or down with the best full suspensions today. This bike is a classic and should not be parted with. Keep it and be thankfull if you get your hands on one. Brakes could be upgraded but the V's work relatively good. Disc would really put this bike over the edge!!
Great bike for cutting through trails like nobody's buisness. Climbs like a beast and is very easy to handle. The downside is, everything that came with the bike (save the frame) is all crap. You only get a good year's worth of riding out of it before you have to shell-out more money to get it repaired, or replace parts and whatnot. I suggest this bike for the occasional trail rider. It's alright for street-riding too, but sparingly...
Submitted by
DARRYL
a Weekend Warrior
from OAKLEY, CA.
Date Reviewed: September 11, 2003
Strengths: GREAT LOOKING, GREAT RIDING. THE BEST NO "BOB" FULL SUSPENTION BIKE.
Weaknesses: STOCK FORKS SUCKED, CHEAP WHEELS.
Bottom Line:
THE BEST BIKE I'VE OWNED. IT CLIMBS LIKE A HARDTAIL AND BOMBS DOWN HILLS LIKE A BLUR. ANYONE WHO OWNS ONE LOVES IT,AND WOULD BE A FOOL TO PART WITH IT. A GOOD SET OF WHEELS AND A GOOD FORK IS ALL IT NEEDED TO BECOME A GREAT RIDE. IT'S TO BAD THEY STILL DON'T MAKE THE S-10,S-20 OR THE S-30 ANYMORE,BECAUSE MORE PEOPLE COULD HAVE ENJOYED A GREAT SOLID BIKE.
Bike Setup: NO,LEANED AGAINST THE WALL IN THE GARAGE.
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Submitted by
Paolo
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: September 10, 2003
Strengths: Strong body frame, sweet spot is SWEET. price.
Weaknesses: creaking noise when riden long.
Bottom Line:
Bought the bike used - first day of owning this bike, i rode on the Don Trail. it is beautiful. The rocks and roots are no match and climbing is easier. the front shocks can be better, but the whole frame is very strong. about to do upgrade the fork to Judys but would love the have the Sids. Any one looking for a used work horse, this is as good as it gets for 600 bucks CDN.
Submitted by
bendlight
a Cross Country Rider
from austin, tx, usa
Date Reviewed: November 25, 2002
Strengths: big strong pivot, not to heavy with upgrades, looks tough
Weaknesses: stock fork is crappy
Bottom Line:
a great frame, with some upgrades this is a really sweet ride. Here there are tons of rocks, drops, climbs, downhills and creek crossings, and I ride pretty hard but the bike performs flawlessly. This bike can really improve your abilities.
Bike Setup: duke sl, formula savage wrapped in panaracer fire xc, raised handlebar, xo saddle
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Submitted by
Mike Dold
a Weekend Warrior
from Kansas City
Date Reviewed: October 10, 2002
Strengths: beautiful oversize tig welds, classic good looks (There's something about a schwinn) nice red paint job w/silver rear triangle.
Weaknesses: I purchased mine as a frame and rear shock only, so I can't say much... bottle bosses could could be better, and the bike seems to "stinkbug" under aggressive front braking.(the rear end lifts) Rear shock is a little difficult to fill.
Bottom Line:
Built myself from scratch, using both expensive and not-so expensive parts. This bike has been a dream....has been ex- cellent as a all round off-roader, and the frame has been absolutely bulletproof. Mine is the older model with the smaller suspension pivot, and I have yet to wear it out. As you know this bike is a take-off on the John Castellano designed Jamis (I forget the model) For the money, I'd stay with the Schwinn.
Similar Products Used: GT-RTS2, Cannondale full susp.
Bike Setup: Judy XC, Chris King headset, Pulstar/Mavic wheelset, XTR post, Control Tech stem, Grip Shift, Avid Arch Rivals/2.0 levers, LX drivetrain w/suntour XC Pro crank, Suntour pedals
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Submitted by
Gustave
a Cross Country Rider
from East Stroudsburg, PA
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002
Strengths: Durability through simplicity: Simple rear suspension design. Decent weight, if you upgrade. Traditional good looks, little mechanical breakdown.
Weaknesses: Exposed cabling on bottom of down tube. Not generously equipped in stock condition. Not much travel on the back end. Some bob when you crank hard.
Bottom Line:
If you are reading this, then you are buying a used one. Mine is a '97, I ride mostly rocky trails, good jarring stuff, and the bike has held up wonderfully. The cables on the down tube will piss you off and require attention if you ride in muddy conditions like I encounter. Throw some upgrades on it (please don't stick with the Indy XC fork) and the bike is a keeper. The single pivot rear suspension design is a tank, it's still hasn't bonked out on me, nor is their any play in it. If you don't want to bob, buy a hardtail.
Bike Setup: '02 Duke XC shock. Seat that gives me greater hope in procreating. Mostly stock otherwise.
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Submitted by
Dan Belet
a Cross Country Rider
from Missoula, Mt
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2002
Strengths: Rides smooth, nice sweet spot frame, good durability
Weaknesses: stock parts are a little weak
Bottom Line:
If you put about 750 bucks into this bike its a beautty! It holds up well and stays up with ya! no nead to worry about it falling apart when u are doing lots of trail riding. The rear shock could be replaced with a fox air vanilla to make it work very well, and some other good components, then the bike is worth everything you put into it! If you ride really hard you probably want somethin a little more bulky, but ohterwise, its a great bike for anyone!
Strengths: Simplicity,Plushness,Durability owned for 4 yrs
Weaknesses: Bad shocks/Wheels
Bottom Line:
After 1000 bucks worth of upgrades this bike rides as nice as any I have tested. I had to replace sweet spot bushing once after 3 years of riding, very durable. After putting a Cane creek AD 12 on the rear, a RS Duke race on the front and a few other upgrades the bike now weights 25.5 lbs. Very Fast, very smooth.Tried to get rid of it last year but I could'nt find anything better. It's going to kill me to schwinns at Toys R Us
Strengths: I purchased only the frame and put pretty crappy components on it but the frame was great, handled everything with ease, and made me able to handle terrain that i could never handle before. very effecient.
Weaknesses: no rear disk tabs, but dont worry its ok
Bottom Line:
the frame is great, it has a very plush ride on the rough stuff and will make you a much more confident rider. The sweet spot design will make pedaling very effecient . i would reccomend this to anyone.
Similar Products Used: voodoo canzo esp, royce union rock zone
Bike Setup: manitou sx-e, low end shimano stuff
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Submitted by
Guillaume
a Weekend Warrior
from Quebec, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002
Strengths: Had a good price then. And good package for the price. Sweet Spot is great when pedaling. VERY nice paint and seat.
Weaknesses: No disc brake tab on rear. =( Stock components are a bit heavy for a XC-oriented bike.
Bottom Line:
I have ridden this bike for 3 years now and I can say that it is solid and durable. Single pivot is great and maintenance-free. Makes a nice freeride bike too. The S-30 S-20 and S-10 have the exact same frame, so if you can find any of these and want to upgrade it, it would be a smart buy.
Of course, I don't know why I'm writing this review in 2002. Like anyone cares...
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