Originally Posted by
friendofpugs
Hi, and welcome to C&V. If you tell us your height/inseam and what size bike you think you need, we can scour CL for you and pick out the best options if you want to go vintage. Making armchair recommendations is what we do best.
Of those you listed, I'd recommend the Trek as a great entry into the C&V world - well built machines that don't cost an arm and a leg.
+1 The Trek is the best one of the bikes you listed. If you are looking at upgrading parts in the future, you want to focus on a quality frame, which in this case means full chromoly. Of the Schwinns you listed, all of them may have a chromoly main tubes, (True Temper), but lesser quality hi-tensile steel seat/chain stays and fork. If you went up to the Schwinn Tempo, you would have a quality, full chromoly, upgradeable frame and fork. You should be able to find an original, clean example for under $300 The same goes for Trek, some of their models will advertise Reynolds 531 or Ishiwata main tubes, but have "gaspipe" stays and forks. Two resources in your search should be vintage-trek.com and trfindley.com. You will be able to view every Trek and Schwinn catalog from the early 80s to the mid 90s, pinpoint which model year you are looking at, and see complete specs on that bike. If you are looking to modernize, another resource will be RJ the Bike Guy on youtube. He will show you how to convert a 6 speed drivetrain to a 10 speed, as well as bottom bracket and headset conversions. Above all, ride as many as you can and make sure you get a bike that fits. Good luck!