Submitted by
jimbob
a Cross Country Rider
from Bozeman, MT
Date Reviewed: September 2, 2010
Strengths: Light and stiff handling like a hardtail
Plush comfort over rock garden descents
16 years of solid trucking
Climbing is a joy
Weaknesses: Rear pivot creak
Replacement of rear shock, cassette
Bottom Line:
I may be shopping for a sexier new ride, but after spectator riding 2 Worlds at Vail and 16 years of never fail XC service all over the Rockies, this bike is not for sale!
Similar Products Used: Before 1994, only irrelevant hardtails
Bike Setup: Cross Max wheels added to 1994 factory w/ XT-XTR setup
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Homey Hogrown
a Cross Country Rider
from boise, id, USA
Date Reviewed: May 19, 2010
Strengths: I love the URT Homegrown (RIP).
I have a main pivot (brand new) and other homegrown schwag for sale. banner/der.hangers, bottles hogrown@aol.com
Weaknesses: these frames are bob-a-licious
(also the 4 banger) but the new platform valved suspension makes these frames relevent again
Bottom Line:
i did some of my most epic/ memorable riding on these bikes. all over the southwest and mid-atlantic.
aluminum does not last forever :(
and the frames have become obsolete
new suspension advances make them relevent again
Similar Products Used: From URT to 4 Banger to a Blur (this evolution occurred over 7 years
Bike Setup: yes
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
cmaki1
a Weekend Warrior
from Fargo, ND USA
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2009
Strengths: Fast and somewhat forgiving. The full suspension Homegrown matches up as well today as it did when I bought it in 98.
Weaknesses: Need to adjust the ergonomics with age the frame with the stock Core neck is a bit long, but this can be adjusted with changed parts.
Bottom Line:
The homegrown full suspension has worked well for me for years. It replaced my hardtail rockhopper that I loved. I was a bit aprehensive about the full suspension, but having that back tire with the ability to smooth out bumps made me faster. It has preformed well in an XC race eating up rocks like a jackhammer. The homegrown has also been a good trail bike, and now crosstraining bike with semi slick tires on it.
I think the long length of the bike suits long bodied people well. The long bent over angle can be uncomfortable on extra long rides for some.
The homegrown is a good XC race or fast trail bike that can eat up small bumps with ease. If you ride competetively or just like going fast this is a good bike. It is not a full fleged Down Hill bike, but has enough travel to eliminate most of the pounding transfered to your body from the trail. If you can still find one around I would recommend buying it, and possibly throwing on a pair of DH bars or a different stem.
Submitted by
Chad McDonald
a Cross Country Rider
from Rapid City
Date Reviewed: November 4, 2007
Weaknesses: not enough travel
Bottom Line:
Been riding this bike for ten years and still love it but not as much as as I did when I first got it. Bottom line this bike is a perfect x country race rig because it is stiff, climbs well, and takes some of the beating off your body. With the new suspensions out there with 5 plus inches of travel this one just does not compete for an all purpose bike anymore. If I had a desire to race any more I would still use this bike no question. I have owned the Homegrown XT Full Suspension and the same hardtail version but regretted getting rid of the Full the first race I did on the hardtail. They ride so much a like in terms of handeling but I noticed the beating my body was taking after the first 2-3 miles. I sold the hardtail a month later and ordered the bass boat blue frame and built it up. I do not race anymore so I am now in the market for an all mountain bike like a yeti 575. These are great bikes but if you are looking for travel and a plush ride you should look in another direction.
Similar Products Used: Homegrown Full Suspensionn XT, Trek, Fisher, Klein
Bike Setup: Chris King Hubs, Race Face cranks, xtr brakes, xt derailers, xray shifters, scott thermoplastic bar, control tech stem and post and a hevy but comfy San Marco Ti Saddle
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cj farnsworth
a Cross-Country Rider
from moretown vt
Date Reviewed: September 15, 1999
Strengths: good for downhill only
Weaknesses: under water rear shock sticks, lose traction on hard hills
Bottom Line:
need to make rear shock water tight, need to create traction system like GT.
Submitted by
GShort
a Weekend Warrior
from Memphis TN
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1999
Strengths: Sweet-Spot Made In USA Light Weight
Weaknesses: Brake Cable routing
Bottom Line:
After riding an S-20 for the last 2 years, I liked the Sweet-Spot design for the trails I ride, but wanted to loose some of the weight. The Homegrown Factory was just what the doctor ordered. I picked the frame up here in the marketplace (Thanks Marc) and once built up with sturdy lightweight parts, Acheived a great trail bike at 25lbs and some change. Mine is the polished one, which I think never goes out of style. This bike handles like a hardtail when climbing or sprinting, but takes on all the roots and rocks with aplomb. I feel I loose nothing over my hardtail (which I sold, since I never ride it anymore) and gain comfort and control. My bike and I feel connected as one. Ahhhhh, life is good. That's enough for now, I gotta go ride.
Similar Products Used: S-20,FSR,I-Drive,and all the rest of the Full-Biongers.
Bike Setup: King,Race Face,LP composites,Avid,Bonty Jones,Thomson,AD-10, RST XMO,WTB,etc.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Parman Jr.
a Cross-Country Rider
from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: September 10, 1999
Strengths: Good handeling, very responsive, flies uphills as well as down them, quick, resposive shifting, smooth, 99' judy xc ( can we say nice?) fast, fast, fast, fast, fast... all made in the good old USA HOMEGROWN
Weaknesses: front tire didn't grip well in corners (riders fault) promptly replaced with bontrager jones, frame flex with rear brake, installed a brace, avid brakes not as good as the should/could bepremature breakage: 2 days: tioga aheadset 2 mos: deore lx center chainring all problems warrantiedgoing to try ss tires to get more speed on hardpack
Bottom Line:
aside frome the little things, and the stuff that i would consider riders preferance, this is a wicked bike..... i would recommend it to anyone, and everone.... she flies
Strengths: precise control, great acceleration, it loves singletrack as much as I do!
Weaknesses: a few creaks
Bottom Line:
This bike has gotten me on the podium 8 of 10 races this year. Just missed the podium at Deer Valley Nationals w/ a 4th place. Here's a kicker. My bike just got stolen. I'm going to get another Homegrown FS. Is there any other option? I,m sleeping w/ my new one. My wife is going to be a little upset. If you don't have a Homegrown Full Suspension, get one.
Similar Products Used: Klein Mantra, Spclzed FSR, C'dale
Bike Setup: Schwinn Homegrown Factory F.S., Judy XC, riser bar
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
TimG
a Cross-Country Rider
from Riverside, CA
Date Reviewed: August 4, 1999
Strengths: Wonderfully plush suspension, firm ride that soaks up the small and big stuff with disdain, geometry that tracks the trail like a luge run, bunnyhops like it's unfamiliar with gravity, and wheelies with the greatest of ease.
Weaknesses: Suspension squeaks when standing and pedaling hard uphill, V-brakes tend to grind on super steep, gnarly downhills.
Bottom Line:
I was happily able to recently purchase a '97 HG FS that was in very good shape for a steal (Thanks, Steve!), and just can't say enough good things about the bike. The more I ride it, the faster I go and the more I let myself fly. The bike has a phenomenal ability to soak up bumps and harsh conditions with such aplomb I almost forget I'm going off of 2 foot high ledges and over rock fields. Given a little preloading and a good push, it'll clear a couple feet of air off of small bumps -- sometimes I wonder if it's going to forget to come down again. I was worried that the ride would be compromised on rough terrain when I was standing on the downhills, but such has not been the case at all. If anything, it works better, because the ride stays firm enough to keep you in touch with what's going on, while letting the bike move under you and calmly absorb that which is trying to launch you off the bike. The bottom line for me is: I can't wait to ride, ride, ride, and get faster and faster on it, on a wider and wider variety of terrain, and on tougher ascents and descents, to truly enjoy the beauty of the suspension. I don't know that I'd pay $3,500 for the bike, just because that's too much money for a bike, but it was DEFINETELY worth the money used. Terrific bike!
Strengths: Light weight Stiff bottom bracket area Full XTR
Weaknesses: Price
Bottom Line:
This bike kicks ass! I had always ridden a hardtail in the past, but I never will again. I am certain that I am able to go faster on this bike and it is so much more fun to ride. The suspension works well on the climbs, and provides excellent traction on loose, steep ascents. The frame also feels quite stiff laterally I think due to the large pivot and the machine work around the bottom bracket. I think that it was a wise choice for Schwinn to switch to the Time pedals on their 99 bikes, but the ATAC is much more durable than the Alium (I've already broken one set on a rock). The rest of the componentery is great- Ti seatpost, stem, and bars from Titec. A full XTR gruppo, and Rockshox suspension and Mavic 217's. Not much to complain about. I would reccomend this bike to anyone.
Bike Setup: Stock Factory XTR except for a Raceface crankset and Time ATAC pedals
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Frosch
a Cross-Country Rider
from Denver, Co
Date Reviewed: May 14, 1999
Strengths: Even though this is not the cutting edge tech, the SweetSpot Geometry™ is one of the best XC innovations in years. The critics like to complain about the reverse logic of it's suspension. Of course any XC rider (read DH Su*ks) knows this is a strength. Don't let this exellent stiff single pivot XC design/geometry die.
Weaknesses: Loser rapid rise derailluer. That WILL be replaced. Feeble Michelin tires.
Bottom Line:
Insane bike with few flaws, delivers smooth ride, reduced ride fatigue, and more stability at nominal cost in handeling and hillclimbing. And I got 60% off for buying 98 stock. :)
I have had my Homegrown XT for a few mounths now and I love it. I put some more XTR on it and a bar end shifter, it rules. The disk brake has great stopping power and nothing happens to it in the rain or in mud. Also the seat post can go way down so I make some bad atemts at trials riding. You need to get one of these, quick, hurry get of the net now and get to the bike shop, run!
Submitted by
Mike Goldberg
a cross-country rider
from new york
Date Reviewed: March 3, 1999
Bottom Line:
I just threw a Judy100 on this bad b^tch just to make the off-season interesting. Had this beast for over a year, chrome dont chip my brothers. Snycros, xtr, 747's, WTB, whatever. This gem treated me well at Mt. Snow (august 98) indeed it did. This bike is a sure-fire way to get BD on the trail (balls deep). This bike has what it takes to get me on the podium. one of the top 5 hardtails of all time. If you disagree it's only because you dont know Homegrown like I do. Its a strong bike I'll tell ya. Dont believe the bike mags when they say this honey doesnt climb so great..Take off the riser bars motherf^ck@
Sept. 22, 23, 24
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Dudes and Hotties....this year's fest looks to be a goodie!!! We have the usual events: DH and MTX on Saturday.. Read More »
