Submitted by
josh1377
a Racer
from bradford nh usa
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009
Strengths: everything its the best
Weaknesses: none
Bottom Line:
i will never get rid of this bike i have had it for many years and rode it as hard as someone can i race and just ride for fun i go riding to work and everywhere else and let me say the bike is as solid as the day i bought it i haven't changed anything except the hand grips if you want a inexpensive hard tail bike that will last you a very long time check out this one
Submitted by
Eddie
a Cross Country Rider
from Spartanburg, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2007
Strengths: Everything, even after 7 years.
Weaknesses: Flaking paint, but if your going fast who cares?
Bottom Line:
This bike is LIGHT, FAST, and TOUGH. It's everything you could want in a XC mountain bike. Even after 7 or 8 years of it being out it's still a top end model and still a top of the line bike.
The only thing i don't like about the bike is the original shock it comes with, THE ROCK SHOX SID. The shock itself works great, but it tends to have a very slow leak in it meaning I have to pump pressure back into it every couple of rides. However, you can't beat the smoothness of the SID when your riding, super sweet ride (6'0 155lbs).
IF YOU WANT THIS BIKE, DON'T THINK TWICE. GET IT!!!
Submitted by
Nunya Biz
a Weekend Warrior
from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007
Strengths: GREAT FRAME! (Yeti) very good geometry, excellent climber, very strong, lite, fast, good handling. Couldn't really ask for a better hard-tail.
Weaknesses: I'd have to say NONE except for the RS Judy XC fork but even then those aren't that bad (for their age) if you are a light rider (under 160#). I'm 5'10" & 195# so they are a bit to soft for me.
Bottom Line:
Change the RS Judy XC to a 2007 Marzocchi MX Pro ETA and what you have is one of the best hard-tails ever made. I have had no problems with paint or anything else. Bike is 7-8 years old and still in great condition, rock solid and smooth as silk. This bike is pretty hard to beat, if you see one for sale BUY IT!. 5+ chilis
Bike Setup: RS Judy XC, XT Hallowtech Crank, XTR front & Rear derailleurs, XT SL-M748 8 Speed Rapid Fire shifters, Avid BB7 front Disc, Mavic 222 rear/223 front rims, Holy Roller tires. I'm picking up a 2007 Marzocchi MX Pro ETA front fork soon for $250. This will be a pretty unbeatable hardtail at that point at any price let alone the $650 I will have into it.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Thorne Saunders
a Weekend Warrior
from High Point, NC
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2006
Strengths: This Bike is awesome. I have had lots of bikes. For the money nothing is better - period.
Weaknesses: Not sure what the deal is with everyone's paint. I bought my bike new in 98, still looks very good, with little to no paint loss.
Bottom Line:
Now that it is year 2006, I feel my bike could stand a little upgrading, especailly the front disc brake. But as for the frame itself, best handling, climbing, turning frame out there. Sad that Schwinn no longer has anything that compares!
Similar Products Used: Nothing quite like the true Homegrown.
Bike Setup: Rock shox disc brake, XT shifters with rear XTR.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2005
Strengths: Without a doubt, fit and stiffness of frame.
Weaknesses: Fork is a bit soft.
Bottom Line:
This is the second one I've owned (I was stupid enough to sell my first one when I bought a full suspension bike and kicked myself ever since). There is no other hardtail that I've tried that rides so fast and climbs so well. This bike literally is a love at first ride bike. Replacable derailleur hangers means this can be a bike for a lifetime.
Similar Products Used: There is nothing similar to the homegrown!
Bike Setup: stock xt
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Nate Snell
a Downhiller
from Hood River, OR USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Strengths: 6061 Aluminum frame is light and stiff. Handles nice and tigbht in the DH and climbs like a greased monkey.
Weaknesses: Rock Shox disc brakes just plain suck. Switche dout to XT V's and I'm a happy camper. Judy XC is a bit too soft for a 6'2 185 guy that pounds the roots and rocks in the DH singletrack the way I do.
Bottom Line:
After I "lost" my M2 I was on the hunt for a comperable bike but had a limit of $ 800.00 to spend. I wanted the highest quality at the cheapest price. I read all the reviews that the 98' Homegrown XT had and they all gave the 98' XT 5 flamin' chili's! What other bike can say that? I bought this on Ebay for exactly $ 678.00 and I have never been happier with a downhill bike. Hmmmm...if my wife wouldn't mind I'd bring it to bed with us every night. Don't F*%#K around, buy a Homegrown!
Similar Products Used: Stumpjumper M2, Rockhopper.
Bike Setup: 19" 6061 frame in awesome bassboat orange sparkle. XTR rear D, XT hollowtech cranks, XT V brakes, Mavic 221 rims, Chris King headset, Wildgripper tires, Time Atac composite clipless MTB pedals ( these work sooo well in the mud!)
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Kennedy
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitewater, WI USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Strengths: Great handling, terrific climber and is a blast on the singletrack. Cool Bassboat Orange paint and hotrod decals. All around nice xc bike. Also Rock Shox disc brake has been very capable, though I can't compare to others.
Weaknesses: Scott pedals blew up on me in less than a year. Paint chips easily and the decals pealed after a few "non-harsh" washings.
Bottom Line:
Room to upgrade parts, but solid mix (other than the pedals) for the price. Surprisingly happy with rapid rise rear derailleur. Can't understand the criticism, especially on uphills. Disc hasn't given me reason to complain, yet. I'd recommend this bike to any xc rider. Still gets positive looks and comments after 3 years!
Favorite Trail: John Muir(& connector) LaGrange WI
Duration Product Used: 2 Years
Price Paid:
$1050.00
Purchased At: Wheel & Sprocket
Similar Products Used: Trek 8300 & 7000, Gary Fischer Paragon, Schwinn S20.
Bike Setup: Installed Shimano 747 pedals. Soon to replace Judy xc with SID xc. Likely won't change much else until parts break down or wear out.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jim Kennedy
a Cross Country Rider
from Whitewater, WI USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Strengths: Great handling, terrific climber and is a blast on the singletrack. Cool Bassboat Orange paint and hotrod decals. All around nice xc bike. Also Rock Shox disc brake has been very capable, though I can't compare to others.
Weaknesses: Scott pedals blew up on me in less than a year. Paint chips easily and the decals pealed after a few "non-harsh" washings.
Bottom Line:
Room to upgrade parts, but solid mix (other than the pedals) for the price. Surprisingly happy with rapid rise rear derailleur. Can't understand the criticism, especially on uphills. Disc hasn't given me reason to complain, yet. I'd recommend this bike to any xc rider. Still gets positive looks and comments after 3 years!
Similar Products Used: Raleigh M50 with Mag 21 shock.
Bike Setup: Serfas ARC women's saddle, riser bar, 10 degree rise 120mm length,velociraptor tires,and the Rock Shock seat post to ease those bumps. With these modifications, climbing is a little slower but much more smooth and responsive downhill.
I got this bike last Febuary and have had it about 10 months at the time of this review (this is a follow up). The components that come stock on the bike are all very good, but I was not pleased at all with the Rock Shox stuff. Start with the brake, I would not recomend it to ANYBODY, it is was just horrible. The pads were gone really fast and I bent the roter about once a month! It was crazy, so I finnaly got fed up and got a full hydro Hayes and what a difference. The fork was not that bad, just kind of a pain in the butt. I wanted to switch the springs out to lighter ones, but it was a lot harder than I thought. The top caps on it were cheap soft plastic and when you go to take them off, they get all mushed and are $15 a hit. Once you get them off the spring change was very simple, but they really need to give better top caps. Ther performance was still not great, to fast of rebound, even with the dampaning all the way on. I got sick of the RS crap and got a Marzocchi Z-2 BAM wich I am yet to have to mess with (great fork). Even with the two bid bad things, it is still a great bike. It's true that the paint comes off, but that doesn't matter. The components are great and are still working perfect after 10 months of hard riding. This is a great do anything bike. I have raced it in any kind of race from a super hard MTB race at 10,350 ft to a SuperCup cyclocross race. I would recomend it to anybody.
Bike Setup: I put on a Z-2 BAM, a Hayes and cool BLUE anodized stuff
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Flipside
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999
Strengths: great components/stiff, but not punishing frame/ great geometry for climbing/
Weaknesses: RS Judy XC fork /scott pedals
Bottom Line:
The Homegrown XT is a SWEEEEET-ASS ride! I got it for REAL cheap since it was a 97 and I have never been happier. Great all-around cross-country bike. You can make it lighter if you wanted, but if you're not a racer, don't worry about it. I am a Homegrown junkie now and I don't think I'll ever ride another bike. If you have the means... I highly recommend it - it's so choice. The only thing wrong, is the RS Judy XC fork - go for the new 99 model or do what I did and get a Marzzochi - what a difference!
Similar Products Used: GT zaskar, cannonshit/ rocky mountain t.o. vertex
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Louie Weber
a Cross-Country Rider
from Wheeling WV
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1999
Strengths: Disc Brake up front, Judy XC performance, XTR rear derailer, geometry of the frame
Weaknesses: Paint chips in some spots, scott pedals, Wildgripper tires 2.1 are to wide, Grips don't stay still
Bottom Line:
The bike rides fast!! I have only been in two races with it so far, and both times excellent performance, whith the exception of the scott pedals which i switched out for times. The disc brake and plush ride of the judy XC makes taking downhills a charm not to mention faster. Even with the 8 speed rear casette I am able to climb almost any hills because of the great geometry. The bass boat orange adds to the whole package to give some seriously great looks that turn heads. This is a great ride and I would recommend it for anybody who wants to get serious about riding and get into some races, or even for a beginner who wants to get into the sport and get a good ride at the same time. I have not had any problem with the disc brake pads, as told in other reviews about the rockshoc disc, but have replaced the rear v-brake pads already do to excessive riding because I can't stay off the bike for more than a couple of hours at a time. I even bought the thing on close-out so that made the deal even sweeter.
Bike Setup: Switched to Time pelals for mudd clearance
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Tyler Waugh
a Cross-Country Rider
from Truro, Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999
Bottom Line:
I just bought this bike about 2 months ago and so far im lovin it, the disc has soo much stopping power it isnt funny! and can be unpredictable at times, especially once it starts to heat up, and yes its true the brake pads will wear out fast(organic) so replace them with metallic,they arent cheap at 60$ a pair but they should last me at least a year! ive raced this bike 3 times already and the first time my back got really sore but i heard all schwinn's have extremmely stiff seat stays, oh yes the disc does have some drag not a whole lot but enough to sometimes make a squeaking noise every turn, just spray some water and it should go away. the bike climbs really impressive, it seems to never loose traction, the tires are a little fat(wildgrippers 2.10) so a good upgrade may be to skinnier tires. the bike handles very well, although i find it sometimes a little rough in rooty sections but im guessing thats the difference going from cromo to aluminum,my bike also has the rapid rise XTR deralliur and i prefer it because its great for not craming gears while pedaling hard up hills and shifting up at the same time.overall yes they are a great race bike the frames due run small, i have a 17 schwinn and its standover height is a lot lower than my 17 specialized but im begining to prefer the smaller frame for better technical riding,and the brass boat orange color looks soo sweet in the sun!! so far only upgrades are XTR rear V-brake and Time pedals, wouldnt mind upgrading my fork(Judy XC) either im mean its super plush and works excellent but id like something a little lighter like an SL, well truely a great race bike encourage anyone who hasnt riden one yet to go ride one!
Submitted by
Hugo
a Cross-Country Rider
from Lake Worth, Florida
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999
Strengths: Weight, front disc, handling.
Weaknesses: The Michelin tires and the self inflicted chips on the paint job from hard riding.
Bottom Line:
Purchased the bike at Bicycle Village when I was out in Colorado and it's sweet. After three months, the only regret I have is not getting a disc brake on the rear also. The only other upgrade I may consider is to get a suspension seatpost. I would highly recommend the bike in all aspects!
Bike Setup: Went from a Mongoose full suspension to the Schwinn XT.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ephram
a cross-country rider
from Terre Haute Indiana
Date Reviewed: March 10, 1999
Bottom Line:
I am getting a Home Grown XT next and when I rode it for the first time it was like riding a dream. It handles great and has good components. This is also a very light bike. If you are thinking of getting a bike and have 1000 to 1500 dollars than I would seriouslt look at a homegrown.
the "sweet spot" on my schwinn homegrown XT full suspension wasn't so sweet on its last ride. it split wide open after five years of very, very hard use. i love the design and, m Read More »
Hey guys,
I am selling my 98 Scwhinn XT/XTR/Cross Max Homegrown:
1998 Bass Boat Blue schwinn Home Grown
fully maintained, race ready includes the following:
Frame: Easton Read More »
[B][/B] 4 SALE 1998 Schwinn Factory Suspension XT that has no serial number but rather is stamped "PROTO Q" on the swingarm. Extremely rare bike to be without a serial number.
Read More »
