
I found an old Schwinn Rocket 88 with a Fox rear shock and Manitou forks, and have been slowly rehabilitating it. It is a very old bicycle, from after Schwinns’ association with Yeti, yet obviously showing marks of their influence. The four point rear independent suspension is quite a attractive feature on this bicycle, and it ostensibly costs a great deal to license it for use on a bicycle.

The suspension does a good job of keeping the rear wheel grounded and providing traction. Which is nice, because the front wheel is a bit light. It has a 24 gear drivetrain, commanded by some nice snap shifters and Deore derailleurs. The wheels are Tioga rims with some old Michelin 2.5″ tires. I am happy with the way this whole package fits together and runs the trails.

The size is bit of a problem, as you can tell by the seat post. Schwinn was offering limited sizes in mountain bikes on some models in that time. To its’ credit, though, the bike is quite comfortable to ride as it is. It has a lot of reach. This may have been the last year for the USA made Schwinn mountain bikes, and I am lucky to have one in any size. This gets me back on the trails for autumn..