Schwinn made huge strides in the UK last year and look likely to go further, faster in ’01. As a company they’re speccing Shimano groups, Hayes disc brakes, forks from Manitou, Rock Shox and Sync.

Credible mtb’s start with the steel framed, rigid Frontier at a frankly bonkers £199 and soar up to the lofty, and mind-numbingly desirable, Home Grown Factory Ltd – take a look, that frame weighs less than 2.9lbs!

After a few durability probs last year with the bottom bracket shell mounted rear suspension pivot Schwinn have raised it up above the BB and deployed (other manufacturers please take note) standard skate board bearings. Good work. Rockets start with the £849, Fox Vanilla R and Sync 327 suspended Stage 4. The Rocket 88 Stage 1, pictured, is a tasty bit of kit, as it should be for £1799, dripping with trinkets.

We’re going to go and ride the new bikes in a couple of weeks so we’ll let you know how they ride then.

‘Come on then, let’s have a look at their website www.schwinn.com‘.