Can the disk be trued by eye using just crescent wrenches? I don't have any of those fancy tools.
@NewBikers - I think you said you tried the Schwinn Link (the blue hybrid) before buying the 29er, how would you compare the fit for your long legs? I ask because I scaled photos of the two bikes and it seems that the geometry is very similar, the 29er's frame is higher off the ground, but the distance from the seat post to the handlebars is nearly identical, as is the distance from the seat to the peddles. Which kind of makes sense since W-mart wants their bikes to fit the "average" guy, but concerns me because I'm tall like yourself.
to answer the 1st question.
yes you can true it by eye and by using the brake pads themselves
put the bike in a bike stand to do this it's much easier.
If you dont have a stand take a piece of wood. put it under the down tube and put the wood across the back of 2 chairs so your front end of the bike is sitting off the ground.
now you need to spin the wheel and listen for any rubbing
as you listen for the rubbing also watch the pads near the rotor
as you spin them you will see the rotor hitting the pads
take a piece of tape and mark the area of the rub
and put an arrow going down or up on the tape.
now depending on the size of the warp you will need to use 1-2-3 wrenches like is shown in the picture.
if its tiny use 1 wrench. if its medium. (2 or 3 inches of warp) i would use 2 to encompass the whole warp area
now this is where technique comes into play. you need to GENTLY pull the disc away from the area it was rubbing.
Do it gently then spin the tire again. watch for any rubbing. if you still see it continue pulling till the disc is true.
If you have 1 high spot (hitting the top pad) and 1 low spot (hitting the bottom)
Mark both places and work on one at a time.
Make sure you mark what one is high and low so you dont get confused
Once all your adjustments are made. you can unbolt the mechanical brake cable on the brake assembly and pull all the slack out of the line. Once the slack is gone tighten the allen nut back down and use the groupo thumb screw to make finite adjustments
Your brake system should be running perfectly at that point.
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Question 2. I never got to actually sit on the Schwinn link but it has 700c rims so i'm guessing the geometry is similar.
one thing i did notice is the down tube on that bike possibly wouldn't accept a engine very easily.
If i remember correctly it was rectangular
