Submitted by
Find Shelter Roadies
a Cross Country Rider
from Clearwater, Florida,USA
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008
Strengths: The price, Its competitors cant touch it price or what you get. If your a Trail rider its great for xc Although I dont see the front fork taking on huge drops and massive abuse but if your riding this hard you need to invest in a high end bike. Its probably one of the best Entry level bikes availabale, Rapid fire shifter not that handle twist grip crap (specialized had this on their entry level model NO good) This bike is very upgradeable, and the frame is ready for a disc break conversion VERY NICE! For what the bike is its a light bike! You people that go complain about the bike being to heavy give me a break than why did you buy the bike in the first place That should be one of the first things you notice!!
Weaknesses: None to current! except The original $400.00 price tag which I would have never payed, Maybe with upgarded components etc... But that is not the case.
Bottom Line:
I got this bike for a girl who just started riding, its impossible to find a womens off road bike being limited to quality and how it will handle the trails However This is the bike of choice and shes loving it!! My personal bike is a full suspension specialized and If I went back to my roots and had to choose a first bike to learn riding trails etcetc I would have choosen this hands down! The fact you can still upgrade the bike the further you progress yourself, I would change the stock tires if you plan to trail ride but other then that its really a great beginners bike THATS THE BOTTOM LINE!
Favorite Trail: Alafia State Park- North Creek , Gator back & Roller Coaster
Duration Product Used: Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$220.00
Purchased At: Sports Authority
Similar Products Used: N/A just lots of reading bike reviews on mtbr.com!
Bike Setup: 100% stock With a little bit of my love putting it together for our new rider!
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Sean Manley
a Cross Country Rider
from Panama City Beach
Date Reviewed: June 1, 2007
Strengths: Great frame- it's light, stiff and ready for upgrades, SX-5 rear derailluer
Weaknesses: J1 front fork is a bit soft and mine needed replaced already(blown seals from day one), Front SX4 shifter is junk, I don't think these are common problems though
Bottom Line:
Great value and foundation. The Gold label 'N lightend frame is worth the buy.
Similar Products Used: GT Backwoods, Trek 8000(well, not so similar)
Bike Setup: Upgarded to an LX front derailluer, Kore Lite handle bar and stem, Shimano M-525 clipless pedals, Fuji saddle, BB-7 Avid 203mm disc brakes, Mavic 223/Deore XT disc wheel set, and a Cateye/Velo computer
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Stuart Southgate
a Cross Country Rider
from Benfleet, Essex, UK
Date Reviewed: October 7, 2006
Strengths: Great product, after looking at all the options for a new reasonably priced bike I would highly recommend the Mesa GS. Absolutely Brillent bike for the money and I cannot not fqault a single part of the bike excellent for a first bike, Light, strong and a great spec. BUY IT!!!!
Weaknesses: None
Bottom Line:
All I can say is that after looking at all the options there was no choice the Mesa 2006 GS Spec. was the only bike to go for. Les Bikes at Canvey were very supportive and helpful.
Both myself and my girlfirend have this bike in 19" and 17" frame size. Both have no issues, it just great to ride this bike.
Similar Products Used: Specialize bikes and Giant. They did not come close to the Mesa GS. I would go for the GS over the basic Mesa the spec. is significantly better.
Bike Setup: Standard set-up slightly softer front than factory set-up
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
BEIST
a
from Holmestrand, Vestfold, Norway
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2006
Strengths: Good frame, and it comes with a great stock setup. Works for anything; trail, downhill, dirtjumping.
Weaknesses: The seat is big and in the way. This was the first thing i had switched. The pedals are small and fall apart. If you buy this bike, this is the things you should change.
Bottom Line:
Great deal. If you're learning or don't go to extreme, this is a great bike to go for. Cheap and solid. Also light and easy to handle.
Similar Products Used: Diamant Extreme 0G and G-force Hake(both where crap.)
Bike Setup: Rockshox J1 front fork and SRAM SX5 rear derailleur(comes stock with the bike), Tektro front disc brake and Promax rear disc brake.(was added from previous bikes)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Luis
a Cross Country Rider
from Sydney
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2006
Strengths: Great geometry, light, great truvative crankset, low price (50% managers special)great shimano shifters, v brake, alivio set wonderful overall ride and build quality
Weaknesses: bouncy manitou 6 forks, no disc brakes but thats just nitpicking...
Bottom Line:
Best MTB for a beginner like me. Overall this bike is well made and has great parts for the price. Absolute value for money! Recommended for weekend warriors and starting MTB afficionados.
Strengths: I have the new 06 model and it is mad. i do downhill trails and it works awesome. mad truativ crankset, wtb seat,its the all time great package
Strengths: this frame is strong, light and brilliantly machined. the crank is super sweet and the gears change so smoothly. its good for racing, downhill or trails.
Weaknesses: hasn't got disc mountable hubs!!!!!
Bottom Line:
Super light, good looking and strong bike !!!! worth the money !!!!
Fantastic bike for the money. Mind you I got mine for 50% off. Bottom bracket died and the Shimano replacement blew the original away. Nice geometry. I love him.
Submitted by
mike walker
a Weekend Warrior
from St louis,Mo,USA
Date Reviewed: August 14, 2003
Strengths: frame,frame,frame;This thing is BUILT!The bike is rugged and rock solid,unless you are one of those EXTREME freaks; I disagree with the review about the handle bars,or the shifter;Its a RITCHIE, and when going downhill,you want some STUFF to grab onto;This is a bargain for the money; Also, its totally upgradable;Very pleased with it
Weaknesses: front shifter can be sensitive;But after I figured it out,no problem;
Bottom Line:
You cant beat this bike for an entry level MTB;THE BEST frame I have seen for a hardtail; Schwinn did their homework and got it right;Dont go pay $600-800 on another brand when you can get this for $400;
Strengths: This is a very beutiful bike, and pretty light! It has good brakes and gears, and it rides very well. I think this is the best value on the market, at least in Iceland. I would recomend this for everyone!
Weaknesses: Havent found any yet, but there must be some
Bottom Line:
Buy It! You wont get anything better for this kind of money, so i would go for it, Mabey experienced bikers should go for something better, but its very good for the average person!
Submitted by
ernie
a Cross Country Rider
from los angeles, california USA
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2003
Strengths: The old Schwinn Moab hardtail alloy frame now with beefier seatpost tube and reliable heavy gussetted tubes. This frame with its Epicenter seat stay has been around for years and the reason why is that its a good hardtail frame thats stiff and pretty heavy duty. The Truvativ crank, Alex rims, RST Mag TL fork (89mm) and one step below DEORE Shimano parts makes this an attractive buy.
Weaknesses: The shifter/brake lever combo stinks and looks cheap. I also loathe the skinny Mesa downhill handlebar, it weighs too much and I think its made of steel. The stem blows too, but I saved it for another bike. The handlebar MUST GO. Also lose the pedals with the early 90's shoe cage---that looks pretty cheesy. That's all folks!
Bottom Line:
This is the blue/black and silver model. 17". I got this one because the 03 GSX looks too pimped out for me with the gold and black colour. The bikes are pretty much identical with the exception of Avid mechanical brakes and disc hub wheels. Avids suck anyway, I broke the adjusting knob off of one on another bike and ended up having to walk the bike off the trail. So I re-laced the wheels with Deore disc hubs ($35 ea) and Deore disc brakes($45 ea) I really like disc brakes so I think its a good upgrade. The bike is a good all-around trail bike, even that sucky RST Mag TL is OK until you decide to destroy it. I rode up a steep and rocky road on the thing and it performed fine. Any fool who thinks a Klein, Gary Fisher or any other high-end hardtail will ride better than a Schwinn Mesa GS probably thinks Gucci underwear is better than Calvin Klein or Hanes. But they ride the same. I'm keeping this hardtail in my garage next to its older sibling, my 1995 Moab steel hardtail.
