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Submitted by
Palek
a Cross Country Rider
from Center Ridge, Ar, USA
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Atilla Tha Hun | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Arkansas Cycling and Fitness | | Strengths: | Nice Strong Frame good component set for a beginner everyting held up really well under hard use and little maintenacne | | Weaknesses: | None considering the price. I think it is the best bike. But if you want to compare it to a 3000.00 bike all the components could have been better | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | factory for the first 3 years then... manitou X-vert Super fork, Sram X-7 rear dearileur, deore crankset, SRAM 7.0 hubs, SRAM 7.0 trigger shifters, IRC Mythos XC tires, Velocity rims | | Bottom Line: | This is the ideal bike for someone in the 300.00 budget looking to get into mountain bike riding. It held up under pretty hard riding for several years and the frame is still holding up today so it definitly get the highest rating as far as i'm concerned. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rafael Lopez
a
from bethesda, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$325.00 | | Purchased At: | Capital bikes | | Strengths: | First of all: the color. I got mine as the yellow/black/white combination, which looks really cool. The frame is cool, handles bumpy rides well, the seat looks like one you would buy seperately! Tires don't wear out easily. The frame supports disk brakes if youi want to add them some other day. | | Weaknesses: | It's to bad it doesn't have disk brakes. It would be better with them. the back derailour/shifter is really really bad, it worked for about 2-3 weeks and then you had to shift 2 down and 1 up for it to go one down. I eventually got a new one and it is much better | | Bike Setup: | 17 inch, no disk brakes. | | Bottom Line: | This bike is really good for begginers-more advanced people, probably not good for hardcore mountain bikers. Ofcourse, the only way you'll get this bike is if you get it used because......Schwinn no longer exists! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Te-Shai (aka Miss Piggy)
a Cross Country Rider
from Harrah, Oklahoma
Date Reviewed: September 21, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Stanley Draper has some good ones | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$140.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle store in OKC | | Strengths: | Good frame, takes junk and bumps and falls well. I like the way it has a simple makeup, as opposed to dual suspension, and disk brakes, etc, because I like being able to take apart my bike and fix it or clean it or whatever. Or, just to take it apart for fun. Great "starting" bike. (Which is what it is for me.) | | Weaknesses: | I've only had this bike for less than a year, so I really haven't been able to find any weaknesses as such. Of course this is also my first "authentic" mountain bike, so I'm not too familiar with other bicycles and the way they handle and ride. Oh, there is one thing I don't like: the pedals start grinding with a little dirt in them and I haven't figured out how to get them off to clean them. I love taking care of my bike, and that's a good thing because I ride in a lot of dusty dirt, but that's probably why none of my components have been needed to be changed. (I do ride about 4-6 hours a week.) | | Bike Setup: | Factory setup, had a different seat put on, however everything's basically the same. | | Bottom Line: | I like this one: it's about 30 pounds and shifts well. I like the tires, the hardtail, the brakes, (even though they squeal a little when you stop super fast, but, what can you expect?), and I even like the color! (via Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason V
a Cross Country Rider
from Verner Ont Can
Date Reviewed: April 1, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Sturg sky lodge | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Best friend | | Strengths: | Strong, cheap, upgradable, looks good, schwinn quality. | | Weaknesses: | The fork has become so stiff I might as well be riding a rigid frame. Front derailler has worn lots (probably from poor maintanance from friend). The red is hard to find a perfect match when touching up. | | Similar Products Used: | GT zaskar (best friends) | | Bike Setup: | New saddle, LX front Derailler, LX rear, Deore shifters, deore hub and cassette. Soon going to put on a judy TT fork | | Bottom Line: | The bike is pretty cool considering the price I paid for it. My friend borrowed it once and got hit by a car. he told me the bike went flying, so I was worried it was damaged. Only the rear wheel was bent and bad, but the frame didn't bend at all. Only wish it had rear disk brake tabs but a pair of good V-brakes should compensate. The newest mesa's are getting cheap in the parts area so i would commend getting a mesa GSX or something if you are getting started in mountain biking or your broke. other wise check out a moab or something. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chad Fine
a
from Crownsville, MD, USA
Date Reviewed: January 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Patapsco (I don't know if that is spelled correctly or not) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | I got it at Capital bikes on sale for $370 | | Strengths: | This is a review of a 1998 Schwinn Mesa GS
The bike was a good starter mountain bike because of it being cheap enough. The frame is good and light enough for me. I really can't say too much bad about this bike. | | Weaknesses: | The shocks do suck now that I have bin riding the bike for 4 years now but when I had first gotten it it was real nice considering I stepped up from a no suspension framed bike. The bike does not hold up vary well in the rain,last year after I rode in the rain for a day every thing loosened up and to this day I still can't figure out how to fix it so I can't use the first and last gear but that does not stop me.The bike does not hold up vary well in the rain,last year after I rode in the rain for a day every thing loosened up and to this day I still can't figure out how to fix it so I can't use the first and last gear but that does not stop me. | | Similar Products Used: | Mesa gsx | | Bike Setup: | I put some system 1 ATB pedals but besides that every thing else is stock. | | Bottom Line: | A vary nice bike for the money and an awesome bike for stepping up from a non suspension frame. Even though I am going to buy a Schwinn Rocket 88 Disc soon I am going to still keep this bike because I love it. If you are a beginner or intermediate then go with this bike because it is a nice cheap entry level bike.
Hope this helps some of you.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Austin Keesee
a Cross Country Rider
from Martinsville, VA USA
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Carvins Cove | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | from friend | | Strengths: | strong frame, light frame, strong wheels. | | Weaknesses: | The RST fork isn't good at all, I didn't like the grip shifters, and the chain rings got really loose after a while and there isn't anyway to adjust them. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | I replaced almost everything on the bike including: Rock Shox Jett fork, new seat& seat post, front wheel, tires, shifters, stem, headset, computer, chain, crank& chain rings, clippless pedals, grips, brake levers, brake pads. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great, light, fast bike. I ride it very hard and It has heid up really good I even won an XC race on it. Even though it has been a great bike, today I ordered an `01 Schwinn Moab 1 because I want a really good bike for the upcoming XC season. If your thinking of buying a Schwinn Mesa don't hesitate, but you definetly need to replace the front fork. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MIKE
a Weekend Warrior
from CANADA
Date Reviewed: September 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | MY HOME | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | NORTHAN SPORTS | | Strengths: | NICE LIGHT FRAME. STRONG ANG GREAT FOR JUMPS | | Weaknesses: | THE SHOCKS SUCK FOR JUMPING | | Similar Products Used: | DONT KNOW | | Bottom Line: | WELOL MI AD MY BIKE FOR A WILE AND IT IS GRAET. THE ONLY THING THAT SUCK BOUT IT THE SHACKS ARE TO SOFT SO IF U ARE A ALLAROUNG GETB HARDER SHOCKS | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tyler B
a Cross Country Rider
from Winona, MN
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | All | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | The frame is extremely solid. | | Weaknesses: | The RST shocks are pretty bad. The shifting cables tend to stretch easily and preform badly when wet. Derailers need some adjustments. | | Bike Setup: | as is | | Bottom Line: | I have put almost 4000 miles on this bike including 6 races and I am very pleased. I bought it as a bike to introduce me into the world of mountain biking. Everything exept the back wheel and shifting cables are still the original. I have taken plenty of hard crashes on this bike and nothing ever broke on it. The frame is awesome. This is a good entry level bike. You dont need anything more expensive than this if you are just starting. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jesse conroy
a Downhiller
from rexford,ny
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | showcase at gore | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | the frame is awsome, I have taken some pretty bad falls and
its always held up,the rims are not the best but in my 2 years of riding I have only bent them once | | Weaknesses: | the shocks suck thats why I put judy xl on it this has increased the bikes performance greatly and I can soak up
huge hits with no problem a new seat,stem,pair of handlebars,and definetly new shifters | | Similar Products Used: | mesa gsx | | Bike Setup: | I put judy xl,hellbent handlebars,titec stem,shimano shifters,lx rear deraller,sdg comp set,bmx pedals,mtb chain tensioner,new grips,kore skewers uno seatpost,salsa seat flipper quick bolt,and aheadset-headset | | Bottom Line: | I needed a bike that was extremely cheap and took hits like
a tank this was the bike and after I put the judy xl on it
with a triple clamp design the bike was unstopable yes I do downhill with a hardtail but I seem to keep up with fullsuspenions greatly im getting a 4-banger and my good bye to this bike will never be forgoten thats if i do sell the bike | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan "MT BIKE KING" Dow
a Cross Country Rider
from Denver, Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Cherry Creek Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | I have the Mesa GS bike. The strengths include frame, which is heavy, but forgiving.
| | Weaknesses: | The RST shocks suck! It has a very heavy frame! The seat is made for fat people! | | Similar Products Used: | Mesa GSX, Huffy | | Bike Setup: | I put a '99 Manitou SX and a new seat, and some '99 Lx V-brakes on it. Once I put my clipless pedals on it, it was pretty good! | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bike for just cruising. After I upgraded the shocks, brakes, and changed it to a threadless headset, it was pretty good. I use it as an "urban assault" bike, and it has stood up pretty good in the year+ that I've had it. The rear wheel is different, because of a retard in a car, but the front wheel is still true! The bike, after upgrades, still weighs 31#, so it get's you in shape!! | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Villalobos
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Il
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, cheap price, great superficial look factor, | | Weaknesses: | brakes, rear derailleur, handlebars, cables, pedals | | Bike Setup: | This bike did not come with shocks as most others listed did. I actually cannot find a Mesa without shocks anywhere online, even on the Schwinn website!. | | Bottom Line: | This was my first real mountain bike. I always rode local trails as a kid, until my bikes all got stolen. I always loved the local trails and gradually got back into biking. Before I got the Mesa, I used to ride local trails on a 67' Schwinn Stingray Fastback that I found in my neighbors garbage!!!! This bike (Mesa)was super cheap, I picked it up for $279 new. I rode it around the city for about a week until it stopped shifting accurately. I took it in for a tune-up and the problem stopped. I have since beat the hell out of it everyday at school. Between riding it in snow, mud,rain, and trying to do tricks on my own, I subjected it to alot of abuse. After ridng it in snow for a half of a month the the rear derailleur stopped shifting unless it was kicked while riding. The bike would also shift whenever it felt like it. After jumping off stairs for a week or two, I bent the handlebars bad enough that it hurt my wrists to ride for over a half an hour. The shifting problem continued, the brakes wore out, I grew annoyed. I tore my shins up because the bike would shift during a hard foot stroke and the pedals would swing around and take a bite out of my shin. While experimenting with endos, I got so sick of the little annoyances, that I decided to get a new bike after only two months of use! This bike is good for BEGINNERS. I managed to almost ruin everything on the bike in two and a half months, and I was not a experienced mountain biker. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Baldwin
a Cross Country Rider
from West Union, IA U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: February 17, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | EXCELLENT FRAME Steel frame is very forgiving comes with a halfway decent fork excellent Schwinn Quality | | Weaknesses: | Brakes fork may not be what you want (terrain you ride on) | | Similar Products Used: | Schwinn Hurricane | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa frame with Rock Shox Judy XC fork and Alivio and STX-RC hubs and good wheels Michelin Wildgripper Lite tires | | Bottom Line: | Good bang for the buck needs some upgrading excellent Schwinn frame | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Zachary
a Weekend Warrior
from Canton Ohio
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | This had all around good schwinn quality. A very dependable bike at a good price. | | Weaknesses: | The brakes were bad but you just should upgrade right when you get it | | Similar Products Used: | I have tried the mesa gs which is basicly the same bike. | | Bottom Line: | good tough dependable bike that can take a beating | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
nick ong
a Cross-Country Rider
from kuala lumpur
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: |
hulu langat | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
paintwork and decals
welding | | Weaknesses: |
heavy,
downhill riser bar,
7-speed gripshifts,
rear deraileur | | Similar Products Used: |
marin muirwoods,
khs al1000 | | Bottom Line: | the gripshifts and rear deraileurs stopped functioning after three rides and had to be replaced.
rst shocks are too heavy and too soft | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Weekend Warrior
from Frederick, MD
Date Reviewed: January 2, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
dose well in mud
shocks are soft | | Weaknesses: |
shifters | | Bottom Line: | This product is good for beginner mtn bikers. It dose well in down hill conditions, handles well in offroad/onroad conditions. The Schwinn Mesa will take you where you want to go, when you want to go. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich
a Cross-Country Rider
from Westfield, NJ
Date Reviewed: May 16, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Excellent value, light,
Aluminum frame is
excellent plus a great warranty. | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
Put a Judy shock on the
front of base Mesa | | Bottom Line: | The base model Mesa is a great frame/platform to
start with, then swap up-range to better parts as they wear, break or bother you. I would suggest buying the base model - great deal for $300!
need e | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mr. Bill
a weekend warrior
from New York, NY
Date Reviewed: February 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Purchased the GS model (1998)bike for my son (11). What can you say about it except that the colors (blue/yellow) and graphics sold him on the spot. I on the other hand admired the excellent frame and decent hardware. After nine months of riding I hear no complaints about the bike and have only had to make some minor adjustments. An excellent mid price first ride that can be upgraded as needed. Thanks Schwinn. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron Shawgo
a weekend warrior
from Lincoln, IL
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I am a member of the Logan County Mountain Bike Search and Rescue Team.( http://www.abelink.com/personal/lrfpd/mountain ) I purchased the GS model for that particular use and I must say that I highly recommend this entry level bike. I also ride with the Lincoln Police Mountain Bike Team. This bike has held up to the rigors of not only wilderness type terrain, but is also comfortable for street patrolling. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a weekend warrior
from Western North Carolina
Date Reviewed: October 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This bike is great. Living in the mountains it handles the rugged terrain really well. The shocks are pretty good. I have the old model (97) It's a little better than the 98, and a heck of alot better than the 99. If anyone has any tips to upgrade this bike e-mail me please. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Crash
a cross-country rider
from Radford, VA
Date Reviewed: October 11, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had this bike for about a year and a half now, and it has yet to really let me down. Like some other have said, the components that come stock with the GX version could use a little work, but hey, isn't that why it's called entry level? The cro-mo frame is plenty stiff, and handles nicely on singletrack. I've upgraded the fork, shifters, and brakes on mine, and through all of the abuse I put it through it just keeps coming back for more. My advice would be if you want to get into biking, this is a good frame to build on untill you've decided to move to the next level. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adam
a weekend warrior
from Springfield, MO
Date Reviewed: September 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a really good bike. This is the one I am going to be getting in a couple of weeks. If you have any good ideas about what I should buy to go with it, or what i should upgrade to, please E-Mail me!!! I hate how they make you write 50 words or more. Oh well, this should take care of it! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a weekend warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: August 27, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is really a good bike for the price. Sure the front forks aren't the greatest and it's a bit heavy, but you get what you pay for. This bike has taken a fair amount of abuse and is still holding up. Upgrading parts will make this bike a better one, but for the initial entry cost it's one of the best buys around. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Ashbrook
a cross-country rider
from Maryville, IL
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Over the summer, I was in charge of the mountain bike program at a church camp in western Illinois. The camp bought three new Mesas at the beginning of the summer. They did great for awhile. I began to discover, however, that they weren't meant to take the abuse that we gave them. The RST shocks SUCK hands down. After the first couple of weeks, they froze up completely and I had to overhaul them every weekend thereafter which I must say was a royal pain in the butt. I also began to have problems with the rear deraileurs. They all were having problems with returning to the small cogs and were sluggish in general. I also disliked the Gripshift system although that's just a matter of personal preference. Overall it is a great frame and great for an occasional or beginner rider. If you plan to really ride and abuse a bike, pay a little more and get the Mesa GSX which I bought for myself and am still extremely happy with after three months of singletrack riding almost every day. Minus two chiles for crappy parts and fork. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Martinez
a weekend warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: June 23, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased my MESA last August and have had a great time with it, it hasn't let me down yet! I've since upgraded to LX v-brakes and crankset, clipless pedals and Manitou SX shocks (had to replace the cheesy RST's). The only problem is the bike is heavy and will kill you on the hills, but all in all a good price, for a starter and not bad for a low entry bike, but next time I'll save my money and upgrade to a MOAB!! Minus 1 chile for weight. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ramone
a weekend warrior
from missouri
Date Reviewed: April 15, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I thought this bike was alright when I first got it. The main problems I have with it are the forks, front derailer, and sprocket. The suspension forks tend to make a popping sound whenever you land from some good air, the front derailer broke in the first month, and the sprocket has been chipped. The bike is still a good deal for those just getting into biking but I would suggest purchasing something a little more expensive | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Spopsych
a cross-country rider
from Blue Springs, MO
Date Reviewed: March 31, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I used to think this bike was pretty nice until I rode my Huffy again. BTW, I have a Schwinn Badlands, which is quite comparable to this. It's heavy...about 29 pounds...which is ridiculous for a HT. Save up a few more hundred and get a better HT, like a Kona, or Trek. | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a weekend warrior
from New Hampshire
Date Reviewed: March 22, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I think the mesa is a great bike. I got it last summer in july. Since then I have up graded to LX-V brakes and shimano clipless petals. I guess the front suspention isn't the best but I am planning to up grade it to Indy C or Indy XC. I beat the crap out of it but it is still in good condition. I'm a pretty small guy, 5'5 105, but it is still easy to controle.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Owen
a weekend warrior
from MA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a very nice bike, I upgraded the kinda-sucky RST 161b's though. This is a nice bike for those who want cheep reliable front-sus. frame. I plan on having this one for a long time. The ACERA X components are a bit shakey but for a small price it is upradible... GET ONE!! (4 1/2 chillies) | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marko
a weekend warrior
from Slovenia
Date Reviewed: February 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought Meas last July and first impression was not pretty good. After upgrading brakes to LX-V's and forks to RS Indy I found it very nice, even on steeper and more technical trails. Now (after 7 months) it has 2000 km without any truble. Mechanical construction is very good, materials are good, and I thing it is really very good bike for weeknd warriors. Slovenia has many different MTB terrains to ride and I tryed all kinds: mud, snow & ice, rocky DH tracks... and Mesa allways works. I have only one complain: kenda tires which came with bike wear out in around 1000km. But hey- it's another company. Now I put pair of michelin wildgrippers... what a difference. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kent Rhoads
a weekend warrior
from Cedar Falls, IA
Date Reviewed: February 12, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The Mesa is an awesome bike, I got the bike last year in July and the first weekend I had it I beat
it up good. There was no evidence that it had even been used that weekend, except the dirt all
over it. My body was beaten and bruised but the bike just kept asking for more. E-mail will be
returned. | | Overall Rating: |
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