With the demise of the Homegrown Factory Suspension LXT for 1998, the Homegrown Factory Suspension XT became the entry-level model in the XC-oriented full suspension bikes featuring John Castellano's Sweet Spot® URT design. Though the 3.75 inches of rear suspension travel was the same as the Homegrown All Mountain line, the frame geometry and shorter-travel suspension fork make the Homegrown Factory Suspension' a sportier handler. As in 1997, the 6061 aluminum frames were made by Anodizing, Inc. in Portland, Oregon.