So, time to jump in and post a bike! This is a 1996 Schwinn Factory Homegrown XT with the well-known Sweet Spot URT rear suspension in 19" large.
I bought this bike as a frame only and built it over the last year. For those unfamiliar with the Schwinn Homegrowns, this bike was welded by Anodizing Inc. in Portland, Oregon, and was assembled in Durango, Colorado during Schwinn's famous collaboration with Yeti Cycles in the mid to late 1990's. The Homegrown's of this era were well thought of by the mountain bike community at the time and were considered high-end bikes. 1996 was the first year of the Factory Homegrown XT's. I wasn't looking to build a catalog bike, but I did use Shimano m739 XT derailleurs, crankset and brakes. It still has the original White Industries bottom bracket. I also had the original Fox Alps 4R shock rebuilt by Risse Racing. Risse tuned the shock to slow the rebound with a slightly heavier oil.
Instead of the usual period Rockshox fork, I found a really clean 1996 Marzocchi XC700 that works really well with the bike.
I wanted something kind of off beat for the wheelset, and finally found a set of hardly used gold anodized Mavic 217s laced to Hadley GT hubs in the right color. The gold rims tie in nicely with the forks, the Alps shock and the pivot bushing.
I had an original Homegrown embroidered saddle stashed away for this build, and also found an unobtanium Homegrown neoprene chain-stay guard, the only one I've ever seen.
Titec Ringleader bars and stem make the bike a little more comfortable, and Ergon grips with Schwalbe 2.1 tires add a little contemporary touch.
Wider tires won't fit past the brakes with this frame. The bike is light at 25 lbs, is a great climber with the URT suspension, and always gets compliments.
I bought this bike as a frame only and built it over the last year. For those unfamiliar with the Schwinn Homegrowns, this bike was welded by Anodizing Inc. in Portland, Oregon, and was assembled in Durango, Colorado during Schwinn's famous collaboration with Yeti Cycles in the mid to late 1990's. The Homegrown's of this era were well thought of by the mountain bike community at the time and were considered high-end bikes. 1996 was the first year of the Factory Homegrown XT's. I wasn't looking to build a catalog bike, but I did use Shimano m739 XT derailleurs, crankset and brakes. It still has the original White Industries bottom bracket. I also had the original Fox Alps 4R shock rebuilt by Risse Racing. Risse tuned the shock to slow the rebound with a slightly heavier oil.
Instead of the usual period Rockshox fork, I found a really clean 1996 Marzocchi XC700 that works really well with the bike.
I wanted something kind of off beat for the wheelset, and finally found a set of hardly used gold anodized Mavic 217s laced to Hadley GT hubs in the right color. The gold rims tie in nicely with the forks, the Alps shock and the pivot bushing.
I had an original Homegrown embroidered saddle stashed away for this build, and also found an unobtanium Homegrown neoprene chain-stay guard, the only one I've ever seen.
Titec Ringleader bars and stem make the bike a little more comfortable, and Ergon grips with Schwalbe 2.1 tires add a little contemporary touch.
Wider tires won't fit past the brakes with this frame. The bike is light at 25 lbs, is a great climber with the URT suspension, and always gets compliments.
