[1MOREMOD]

i just picked up a schwinn homegrown for 100 bucks yesterday in really good condition. dont know anything about bikes and would like some input into what i have. seems it is the last of american hand made frame. From what i can tell its all stock components. 6061 aluminum frame, Rock shock front suspension, 24 speed shimano, mavic wheels and titec enduro bars. what do i need to know? thanks

[XDEEDUBBX]

Pictures would help. Anything wrong with it? I wouldn't dump too much money into fixing up an old bike. It also depends how serious you want to get. I ride trails atleast 1-2 times a week so I would say i'm pretty serious about biking. Try it out just the way it is, if your happy with it then just keep using it, if you feel you want a better bike with better components find your price point and we can go from there.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by XDEEDUBBX

Pictures would help. Anything wrong with it? I wouldn't dump too much money into fixing up an old bike. It also depends how serious you want to get. I ride trails atleast 1-2 times a week so I would say i'm pretty serious about biking. Try it out just the way it is, if your happy with it then just keep using it, if you feel you want a better bike with better components find your price point and we can go from there.

no looks like nothing wrong with it. a few minor scapes on the frame. isnt the value of this kind of high for an older bike? not going to be very serious at all just for riding with my wife.

[1MOREMOD]

here are a couple quick shots. dont really know anything about bikes as havent ridden one since i was a kid.

[XDEEDUBBX]

Well depends what year schwinn it is. The company as a whole took a crap and was never the same so the quality went way way down. Thats why they sell them at target now. Honestly i wouldnt waste any time modding it. Seems like a good everyday run around the block type of bike. Just keep it the way it is but i would recommend a tune up at your local bike shop. Here's a pic of mine.

[1MOREMOD]

So your saying there are homegrown frames that aren't hand built? From my research they stopped making the hand built frame in 2000.

[shadow191]

Schwinn had lots of non hand made frames. You got yours about the time they went into decline. The late 90's they had some really high end stuff. They got bought up by Pacific and now it's pretty much low end department store stuff.

For $100 just ride it and enjoy it. Don't bother upgrading it, not worth it since a lot of the standards will have changed. Check the frame for cracks, they were pretty lightweight.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by shadow191

Schwinn had lots of non hand made frames. You got yours about the time they went into decline. The late 90's they had some really high end stuff. They got bought up by Pacific and now it's pretty much low end department store stuff.

For $100 just ride it and enjoy it. Don't bother upgrading it, not worth it since a lot of the standards will have changed. Check the frame for cracks, they were pretty lightweight.

Right I know they made low end stuff. Thought the homegrown frame was the last of the high end frames before their bankruptcy.

[shadow191]

It's a decent frame, the 6061 is the "regular" model. The Factory ones were made from 7005 at a different factory (Yeti). I would just double check the frame for stress cracks, aluminum bikes built in the '90's are not known for durability. I've broken several over the years. I'd maybe thing about replacing the handlebar and stem for the same reasons. Finally, check the fork. If it's an elastomer model, those are probably shot since they're just foam. I think the Judy's were, can't remember though.

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Right I know they made low end stuff. Thought the homegrown frame was the last of the high end frames before their bankruptcy.

[Red Bread]

Yep, old aluminum scares me, it all has a finite life (regardless of when it was made). But for $100, if you don't plan on being too hard on it, just ride it until you need to replace things. The bar breaking likely means your collarbone will get to hang out with the stem, and the seatpost breaking means your backside may have a new exit, so those things can be worth replacing, just for peace of mind. The frame breaking will likely not be too disastrous, as most tend to break on a chainstay near the bottom bracket.

[1MOREMOD]

Okay. May just take it in for a service and see what they have to say about it.

[mdosu]

surprised it hasn't collapsed under your ass yet

[1MOREMOD]

I am pretty jacked. Didn't you get those special photos I sent?

[tony20009]

You need to know how to ride a bike and where you would like to ride it.

Is there something in particular you want the members to discuss?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by tony20009

You need to know how to ride a bike and where you would like to ride it.

Is there something in particular you want the members to discuss?

not really got it because my wife forced me. im a powerlifter and dont do much of this type of thing. she runs marathons and i go with her at times when she trains.

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by tony20009

You need to know how to ride a bike and where you would like to ride it.

Is there something in particular you want the members to discuss?

i don't think they make training wheels for bikes that size, and people that heavy.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by mdosu

i don't think they make training wheels for bikes that size, and people that heavy.

how fat do you think i am?

[mdosu]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

how fat do you think i am?

400 lbs?

[1MOREMOD]

what are you like 5 foot 6 and 140?

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

...what do i need to know? thanks

OK...it was nice of you to share.

[lsal]

Originally Posted by tony20009

OK...

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by lsal

Well, you can only lead a horse to water....