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Schwinn Homegrown XT

MSRP $ 2000.00
# of Reviews 16
Average Rating 5/5
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Submitted by josh1377 a Racer from bradford nh usa
Date Reviewed: November 19, 2009
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Purchased At:outspoken
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
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Eddie a Cross Country Rider from Spartanburg, South Carolina
Date Reviewed: December 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:Tour De Dump
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $500.00
Purchased At:EBAY
Strengths:Everything, even after 7 years.
Weaknesses:Flaking paint, but if your going fast who cares?
Similar Products Used:TREK 6500, TREK 8000
Bike Setup:XTR EVERYTHING
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!!!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Nunya Biz a Weekend Warrior from Raleigh, NC, USA
Date Reviewed: June 20, 2007
Favorite Trail:Joshua Tree National Park
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $400.00
Purchased At:private party
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.
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.
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
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Thorne Saunders a Weekend Warrior from High Point, NC
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2006
Favorite Trail:All single track in NC
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $1200.00
Purchased At:Schwinn shop in High Point
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.
Similar Products Used:Nothing quite like the true Homegrown.
Bike Setup:Rock shox disc brake, XT shifters with rear XTR.
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!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Matt a Cross Country Rider from Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: December 25, 2005
Favorite Trail:anything with a hill
Duration Product Used:More than 3 years
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:ebay
Strengths:Without a doubt, fit and stiffness of frame.
Weaknesses:Fork is a bit soft.
Similar Products Used:There is nothing similar to the homegrown!
Bike Setup:stock xt
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.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Nate Snell a Downhiller from Hood River, OR USA
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000
Favorite Trail:7 Streams in Hood River
Duration Product Used:3 months
Price Paid: $700.00
Purchased At:Ebay
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.
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!)
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!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jim Kennedy a Cross Country Rider from Whitewater, WI USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:John Muir(& connector) LaGrange WI
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $1050.00
Purchased At:Wheel & Sprocket
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.
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.
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!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Jim Kennedy a Cross Country Rider from Whitewater, WI USA
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Favorite Trail:John Muir(& connector) LaGrange WI
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Price Paid: $1050.00
Purchased At:Wheel & Sprocket
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.
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.
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!
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Mary Reskusic a Cross Country Rider from San Clemente,CA
Date Reviewed: July 5, 2000
Favorite Trail:That's a secret
Duration Product Used:2 Years
Strengths:My Schwinn Homegrown is a sweet ride; the best purchase I've made yet. The frame is durable and has survived a few good spills.
Weaknesses:The zero degree rise stem from the factory is at disadvantage for neck comfort and DH.
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.
Bottom Line:Homegrown is an incredible hardtail with a sweet frame and shock setup.
Value Rating:5Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Dave a Racer from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: December 2, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Amasa Back
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
The frame, the components
Weaknesses:
The stock fork and disk brake
Similar Products Used:
A lot
Bike Setup:
I put on a Z-2 BAM, a Hayes and cool BLUE anodized stuff
Bottom Line: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.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Flipside a Cross-Country Rider from Chicago, IL
Date Reviewed: September 16, 1999
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
great components/stiff, but not punishing frame/ great geometry for climbing/
Weaknesses:
RS Judy XC fork /scott pedals
Similar Products Used:
GT zaskar, cannonshit/ rocky mountain t.o. vertex
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!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Louie Weber a Cross-Country Rider from Wheeling WV
Date Reviewed: July 23, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the ones outside!!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
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
Similar Products Used:
Cadd 2 F500, Big Sur
Bike Setup:
Switched to Time pelals for mudd clearance
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.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Tyler Waugh a Cross-Country Rider from Truro, Nova Scotia
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Martock Ski Hill
Duration Product Used:
3 months
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!
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by Hugo a Cross-Country Rider from Lake Worth, Florida
Date Reviewed: April 26, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Markham park
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Weight, front disc, handling.
Weaknesses:
The Michelin tires and the self inflicted chips on the paint job from hard riding.
Similar Products Used:
GT Avalanche
Bike Setup:
Went from a Mongoose full suspension to the Schwinn XT.
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!
Overall Rating:5

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.
Overall Rating:5

Submitted by David a racer from Boulder, CO
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1999
Bottom Line:

I just got this bike for only $999 and it rocks. I love it. It is the best hardtail you can buy! It climbs very well and is not to hard on the downhills. I love the levers and the shifting works great. At first I did not know about the disk brake but after a little bit I love it. Just don't grabe the wronge lever and pull very hard when moving. It hurts bad. The paint job also rocks, the bass boat looks SO cool in the sun. Buy this bike, you can get it for pretty cheap now is go for it! You will be very glad that you did! I have not had it for that long though so I will update latter.
Happy Riding!!!
Overall Rating:5






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