Strengths: Strong, lightweight, nimble, responsible, climbs like a goat, practically bulletproof.
Weaknesses: For today's sake (2012) component spec is weak. But, with a few minor up grades (SD-7 brakes w/ Kook-Stop pads. and planned upgrade to SRAM 7 drivetrain), it should be the ultimate low-cost hardtail.
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike new in 1998 and have never regretted keeping it until now, 2012. A sure KEEPER.
Similar Products Used: Hardtails, none. Specialized Stumpy 2007 FS, and my current heavy7" DH/FR FS bike.
Bike Setup: Stock, other than a soften saddle for "manly concerns," SD-7 brakes replaced, riser bars, WTB Velicpaptor tires, Lizard Skin Moab grips, et al.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Gregory Horn
a Weekend Warrior
from Gainesville, Fl.
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002
Strengths: Frame!!! Great feel, ride, and control. Love the blue paint on my '97 aluminum Moab. Couldn't beat the price at $200 bucks. Didn't know what I was buying at the time. Talked into it by a friend. Wow!!! Glad I did.
Weaknesses: Killed the BB after 6 months of wet/dry sandy rides and too much cleaning. A little heavy at 28 lbs. Forks were ok until I bought a real set of '02 Psylo's. Heavy but awesome.
Bottom Line:
Loved the bike from the start. Sold a heavy dual suspension bike when I found this one and don't miss it a bit. This bike really rips now with the mods. Just did 12 miles today test and tune. Had to add the heavier front spring for my 185 lb. frame. Biggest problem is me being out of shape at 43 (married with children). Got into mountain biking to give me and my 10 year old daughter excersize. Does it ever work! Lost allmost 20 pounds and feel beter than ever. I can't even begin to ride this bike to it's full potential. Working on it though. JAMMER
Strengths: Frame is strong and good looking.Good mix of original components,just this year have I started udgrading..
Weaknesses: Alittle on the heavy side,but after a few upgrades,it's slimmed down abit...That's more than I can say for myself..
Bottom Line:
I bought this bike in 99 for 500 bucks and here we are in 2002 and it has been the best purchase I have made..It's quick and responsive.I've raced it...crashed it...jumped it...and everything else...I ride 3 to 4 times a week and it's still here....I recomend this bike to anyone....who can find one that is!!!!!!!!
Similar Products Used: GT Zaskar LE(stolen off my front porch)
Bike Setup: Moab1 frame.Ryno lite w/xt disc hubs.XT front and rear der..Raceface cranks...Kore,hellbent,XTR shifter/brake levers and Avid disc on front...
Strengths: Solid solid bike. I have the original forks, seat, rear wheel, tires, brakes, and derailures and they are all working as well as the day I bought them.
Weaknesses: it is not my mom
Bottom Line:
I ride hard, alot. I probably ride 3 times a week. Nothing has worn out, down to the drive drive train. I lean more towards freeriding and the bike has never held me back, but I have also raced in expert classes and it was light and quick enough. Plain and simple, the bike is my best friend. It is reliable, good looking, light, and tuff.
Bike Setup: race face bars, cranks, bottom bracket. LX front wheel.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Jerry Dalley
a Cross Country Rider
from Sterling Hts. Mi (USA)
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2001
Strengths: Bought the frame for $50 smooth riding great response and handling, this bike really knows how to listen to me. I rode an Ibis mojo for a while,but I like this one better, it just handles and rides nicer.(Mojo was kinda squirrly.) they even had the exact same components, I just switched em, I haven't bent a rim yet.
Weaknesses: no complaints here, except paint chips off really easily
Bottom Line:
Good bike couldn't beat the price (very happy with this product.)
Similar Products Used: Trek single track w/front suspension. I think it was an 870 cromo.
Bike Setup: Nice riding cromo frame, all upgraded components, raceface turbine cranks,race face bars,raceface system, 1996 Judy xc built the wheels myself w/ ultegra 28 hole front hub single cross w/mavic 230 rim,97'xt cassette, shimano xt rear 32 hole hub 97'w/ mavic 230 rim, regular old alloy seatpost, 95' look clipless pedals, sram 9.0 v-style brakes w/ 9.0 carbonfiber levers. xt front and rear derailers,
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Philip
a Weekend Warrior
from Brussels, Belgium (Europe)
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2000
Strengths: Moab 1 cromo (1997): great geometry, riding comfort, good components (LX/XT), nice paintjob AND A LOT OF VALUE FOR THE MONEY YOU PAY
Weaknesses: heavy tires, heavy rear wheel, frame could have been lighter, medium/poor LX-V-brakes, gearing to tight for high speed rides, hard saddle, paint scratches a bit too fast
Bottom Line:
OK, let me first say that I should have bought a 18" instead of a 19" (although I have raised the saddle significantly only a week ago and I rides even better than it did before - less BMX-style though). I also haven't had that much of opportunity to go offroad since I have this bike (time, transportation and physical contraints - severe knee injury) so I've used it more for long road trips and "urban assault purposes" than for MTB'ing. But now, for the review: well, this is a great bike. It's fun (always wanted a BMX, now I think I got one), it's comfortable (beware: seriously consider a new saddle for longer rides)and it drives very easy. OK, the geometry took me a little time to get used to, but then... good cornering, good climbing and medium acceleration (although the frame absorbs some energy and the rear wheel feels quite heavy). It's very easy to adjust a rear wheel or even a minor front wheel slide. The bike feels confident in downhill situations but rear braking could/should have been better (I'm considering Avid Arch). Do something with the Rock Shox INDY XC: replace it or put in Englunds. Elastomer/spring rebound nearly cost my teeth or neck (or both, didn't exactly want to find out). Also replace the tires: too heavy and not that great in muddy conditions. The wheels are heavy too (Mavic 238 with LX-hubs) but can take quite a beating (thought I ruined them by hitting a sidewalk fast in the dark. Did nothing (though Englunds took the hit up front)!). The XT-rear derailleur is great and needs only minor maintenance. Also nice bar-ends for people with smaller hands like me. So what it comes down to is that Schwinn - which was relatively rare at that time in Belgium - has gained my trust by delivering the best bike I ever had for a soft price. I recommend it for weekend warriors like me who like short fast trips as well as the longer rides. Riders who want decent performance coupled with comfort and... FUN. People on a budget who appreciate a good frame (and therefore upgradability) and a worthy component package. I don't easily give high marks, but the Moab 1 (1997) DESERVES:
Similar Products Used: Ludo Carson, Specialized Rockhopper
Bike Setup: new front shock and internals (RS Indy SL with Englunds), pedals (Shimano M535), brakes (LX) and levers (XT), rear brake booster, tires (Michelin Wildgripper XC front / Lite rear)
I haved used my MOAB 1 ALU for two years worth of sport class racing, and after some upgrade for expert level as well. I have found this to be an excellent bike (albiet heavy) for a hard rider or sport racer. My only gripe was with the wheels. I weigh only 140 lbs and continually had to retrue the rear wheel. I replaced the spokes with some DT's of the same gauge and have trued it once in a entire year. The originally tires were also very heavy and really didn't seem to grip anything well. I have cut about 2 pounds by replacing the stem, tires and rear cogset. Now its about 24 lbs and rides great. If you find one used it could be a good deal. Not crazy about the seat either
Submitted by
David Sennes
a Racer
from La Crosse, WI, USA
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2000
Strengths: Great frame, props to schwinn for making a cro-moly frame that is light, durable, quick and easy riding. The bike had good parts for the ones that are expensive, the judy xc front shock, mavic x221 rims, kore stem. Good avid single digit v-brakes
Weaknesses: It was a little bit pricey, and the drivetrain i disliked alot, the shifters and brake levers could be changed. Dislike the stiffnes of the seatpost
Bottom Line:
Very good frame and key accesories, good bike to start riding on, has a few bad points but i think schwinn makes some of the best frames. GO SCHWINN!!
Submitted by
Randall Baker
a Weekend Warrior
from Roseville, CA
Date Reviewed: November 28, 1999
Strengths: Awesome paint job, lightweight, mostly good components, handles well
Weaknesses: PC-41 chain: please have dealer upgrade to 51 or 61 unless you enjoy racking yourself as the chain breaks on a steep uphill.
Bottom Line:
This bike is a solid performer! Although I paid full retail-$1000 I still feel it was a bargain. Haven't had any trouble with the Moab (Velo) seat. After a 3 1/2 hr. ride the only thing that is sore is my lower back. All the components last well except for the chain (I weigh 160). The aluminum frame doesn't bother me although I am not a big jumper. No troubles with the Judy XC fork.
Bike Setup: 98 MOAB 1 AL After two years I have only replaced the brake pads with XT/XTR brake inserts, shortened the bar ends and put Lizard Skins on, shortened the handlebar, put a quick release on the seat post and put a Velocirapter on the rear.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
D. Williams
a Cross-Country Rider
from Provo, UT
Date Reviewed: September 27, 1999
Strengths: Bike feels quick and the frame is tough. Good Drivetrain and brakes.
Weaknesses: Stock bars, seat, seatpost and rims are weak. The 98 Judy XC was a piece of junk. Stock chain was recalled because it kept breaking.
Bottom Line:
This bike handles better than I could have hoped for it to. It is smooth through the corners and has a great feel for climbing. It is limited by some of its stock components though (particularly if you are a heavier rider). I have beat this bike hard and have ended up having to replace the bars, seat, seatpost, and rims because of this. With these changes, though, I'm not even thinking about buying a new bike. The only problem is that I still have the junk up front in the Rock Shox. I'm hoping it somehow dies so I can rationalize changing it out. Overall this bike is fantastic, and performs great for the price. Don't hesitate getting one.
this bike rips! Stiff,responsive,strong frame,all you would expect from an aluminum frame. Ditch the stock fork guts (they're made by mattel). otherwise BUY THIS BIKE! IT's a true thoughoghbred racer that begs to be ridden,hard and fast.It loves to be put away wet. A great buy.
Bike Setup: englund air cartriges, bontrager wheels and bar ends,ritchey pedals and bar, SDG comp ti seat and XTR shifters
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Cross-Country Rider
from Asheville, NC
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1999
Strengths: value looks shock most everything
Weaknesses: ass numbing seat stock barends wheels? tires
Bottom Line:
I got mine for 799. Its really responsive on singletrack and climbs decently. After about 80 miles though, the cassette came apart. Don't really know what that was all about...Bike shop fixed under warranty. Put a new seat on before you ride any, unless you like not being able to feel your butt for the rest of the day. The tires are OK but not great. About a week ago, I bent the rear rim slightly. That was my fault really and the bike shop said it wasn't a problem. Other than that, I love my bike. It jumps over almost anything with no effort and likes to go very fast. Go find one on sale somewhere and get it.
Bike Setup: 98 Cromo, Judy XC, LX/XT, orange Profile barends, badass Onza grips - red w/porcupines, red Serfas seat
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ace
a Cross-Country Rider
from CANMORE ALBERTA
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1999
Bottom Line:
This bike rules! I bought it for DIRT CHEAP. ONLY $1177 CANADIAN!!!!!!!!!! The only problem i've had was a broke a chain ring but warrenty fixed that. I used to hate the hard ass seat but i gave it some time to wear in and i LIKe IT! FIVE flameing dogs!!
Strengths: Duribility of frame I built MY bike from the frame up
Weaknesses: I had to spend $$ to get rid of factory stock items
Bottom Line:
I built this bike from the frame up..after the local bike shop boys and I became friends..Sweet bike, and I'd ride it in winter if we didn't have soo much snow..It handles great in everything from Swamps, to forest, to sand, to flying throug the urban jungle
Sorry, but the other one was getting messy!
Only 30% chances of precip and some warmer days. Any thing shapin up there Moab folks? I'll take a friggn dry 2 miles and just go b Read More »
Im looking at possibly replacing the fork on my moab to something thats a little less bouncy. Alot of the time I feel like jumping on a water bed when Im trying to pedal with some Read More »
[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4017/4658905946_cf84697df8_b.jpg[/img]
This is just a teaser.
More on this topic later because tonight, I am BEAT ! Read More »
I had a corrupt video file that was giving me fits on this project but I finally fixed it. :thumbsup:
Amasa Back, Rockstacker, Jackson from Rick Gravesen on Vimeo. Read More »
Hey all, about three of us are heading out to Moab next week. We'll be there Monday morning, riding mon-Tues, and running back to Denver.
Anybody want to shuttle UPS, Whole Enc Read More »
