Old Man's Silly Bike Question
#1
Old Man's Silly Bike Question
I ride flat easy creek trails - 10 miles - once a week. Takes about an hour. I'm 6ft3in. Love bigger than ordinary bikes. My current bike, don't laugh, is a Schwinn Voyageur 2 XXL with one of those wide comfort seats. I only use the 2nd gear - middle of the three on the left handlebar. So, I'm using, and very happily, 7 gears only. Love the bike. Except for one thing which is making me crazy. The brakes never work right. Had them repaired twice in the past year. Still don't do what they're supposed to. I disconnected the rear brake last month and just use the front brake. Like I said my weekly ride is flat so just the front brake is cool.
Here's the question. I've been thinking of buying a Cannondale Quick XXL for a while. Give or take $800, Plus, I assume, cost to replace its skinny seat with a comfort seat, If you were me would you make the purchase/switch to the Cannondale?
Here's the question. I've been thinking of buying a Cannondale Quick XXL for a while. Give or take $800, Plus, I assume, cost to replace its skinny seat with a comfort seat, If you were me would you make the purchase/switch to the Cannondale?
#2
Junior Member
Since you love the Schwinn, I'd get the brakes fixed right. Maybe the shifter too. You could probably fix them yourself using this forum and YouTube. And then I'd probably get another bike soon after.
Likes For Oakman:
#3
OM boy
either ; fix/replace the schwinn brakes (all the related parts as well) - knowing that the best working of the brakes relies heavily on the condition of the wheels
or - buy the other bike
if the brakes' are not working to your satisfaction - using only one of them doesn't really make sense, especially if you find a need for them to work really well at some future time.
you also asked ... if I were you, I'd be riding much more than once a week...
Ride On
Yuri
or - buy the other bike
if the brakes' are not working to your satisfaction - using only one of them doesn't really make sense, especially if you find a need for them to work really well at some future time.
you also asked ... if I were you, I'd be riding much more than once a week...
Ride On
Yuri
#4
climber has-been
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Posts: 7,510
Bikes: Scott Addict R1, Felt Z1
Liked 4,057 Times
in
1,999 Posts
#5
Am-a-tour
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: NOVA
Posts: 131
Bikes: 2020 New Albion Privateer, 1983 Schwinn Super Sport, 2022 Rivendell Atlantis
Liked 66 Times
in
41 Posts
If it were me I'd try some kool stop brake pads and new cables and housing first to see if the brakes sort out. Seems like what you need might be a some advice at a good shop or bike co-op or a buddy who's got the interest in getting your schwinn set up so that it works right for you.
Likes For nick_a:
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,077
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Liked 2,322 Times
in
1,220 Posts
From what I can tell, the Voyager II should have V-brakes.
In my experience working on all level of bikes at the co-op, the V-brake design is the best design for low cost brakes. While cheapo stamped-steel sidepulls are utterly worthless and unservicable, cheapo v-brakes may be heavy and ugly but they STOP the bike. They can be disassembled and cleaned and lubed, balanced left/right with screws, and adjusted to be close to the rim. While older Schwinns had slippery chrome rims, I'm pretty sure this bike will have an alloy rim with a decent brake track. Cables/housings are easily replaced. Disconnecting the rear brake is a weird response to poor braking; was this done due to an out-of-true wheel, or were the brakes sticking? In either case, that's fixable.
As you whether you should buy a new bike, the answer is a resounding yes. Always buy a new bikes. But not because of shoddy brakes, rather because new bikes are new fun.
If you want to keep your current bike, find a co-op, a good mechanic, or if you're mechanically minded then watch some youtube videos. Otherwise, buy the new bike (which will soon become an old bike that needs maintenance).
In my experience working on all level of bikes at the co-op, the V-brake design is the best design for low cost brakes. While cheapo stamped-steel sidepulls are utterly worthless and unservicable, cheapo v-brakes may be heavy and ugly but they STOP the bike. They can be disassembled and cleaned and lubed, balanced left/right with screws, and adjusted to be close to the rim. While older Schwinns had slippery chrome rims, I'm pretty sure this bike will have an alloy rim with a decent brake track. Cables/housings are easily replaced. Disconnecting the rear brake is a weird response to poor braking; was this done due to an out-of-true wheel, or were the brakes sticking? In either case, that's fixable.
As you whether you should buy a new bike, the answer is a resounding yes. Always buy a new bikes. But not because of shoddy brakes, rather because new bikes are new fun.
If you want to keep your current bike, find a co-op, a good mechanic, or if you're mechanically minded then watch some youtube videos. Otherwise, buy the new bike (which will soon become an old bike that needs maintenance).
#7
Senior Member
If you like the bike, no need to replace it. I vote for spending a little money on tools & parts to fix the brakes yourself. What shouldn't take long at home becomes a costly ordeal if you have to take it to a bike shop.
If it's made so cheaply that it's falling apart (is it a 'bike shop' Schwinn or a 'big box' Schwinn?), that's one reason to get another bike. I can see another reason: The upright posture discourages you from putting as much effort into pedaling, as you would if your position on the bike had you leaning forward some. Bike racers are bent over the bars not just for aerodynamics but because their bodies leaned over become fulcrums for the torque applied to the pedals. I find that relatively small differences in the position of pedals vs saddle vs handlebars make big differences in how hard & fast I want to pedal.
If it's made so cheaply that it's falling apart (is it a 'bike shop' Schwinn or a 'big box' Schwinn?), that's one reason to get another bike. I can see another reason: The upright posture discourages you from putting as much effort into pedaling, as you would if your position on the bike had you leaning forward some. Bike racers are bent over the bars not just for aerodynamics but because their bodies leaned over become fulcrums for the torque applied to the pedals. I find that relatively small differences in the position of pedals vs saddle vs handlebars make big differences in how hard & fast I want to pedal.
#8
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,612
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Liked 9,103 Times
in
5,054 Posts
I'm thinking from your post that you feel like you've done as much as you're willing to do on the rear bike. Because of your size, a good fit is hard to find, so try the Cannondale on a test ride and buy it if it fits.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Golden, CO and Tucson, AZ
Posts: 2,900
Bikes: 2012 Specialized Elite Disc, 1983 Trek 520
Liked 826 Times
in
464 Posts
Please tell or show us what kind of brakes the bike has. If it's old enough to have cantilever brakes and they haven't been maintained right over the years, the straddle cable is probably way out of adjustment and braking torque can almost disappear. They can be pretty difficult to set up correctly but once they are, they're fine.
#10
V brakes are incredibly simple and easy to work on. A mechanic who fails that test is no mechanic. New cables, casings, pads could be purchased but that is not the problem.
The only reason to buy a new bike is you really want a new bike and found one that you just have to have.
The only reason to buy a new bike is you really want a new bike and found one that you just have to have.
Likes For Outrider1:
#12
Tragically Ignorant
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: New England
Posts: 15,612
Bikes: Serotta Atlanta; 1994 Specialized Allez Pro; Giant OCR A1; SOMA Double Cross Disc; 2022 Allez Elite mit der SRAM
Liked 9,103 Times
in
5,054 Posts
V brakes are incredibly simple and easy to work on. A mechanic who fails that test is no mechanic. New cables, casings, pads could be purchased but that is not the problem.
The only reason to buy a new bike is you really want a new bike and found one that you just have to have.
The only reason to buy a new bike is you really want a new bike and found one that you just have to have.
I suspect that OP is probably a bit big for the existing brakes so whatever service is done has limited (in duration) effectiveness. It's probably a matter of getting beefier brakes rather than servicing the existing ones.
But, yeah, if OP wants a new bike, who are we to suggest otherwise?
#13
Senior Member
A new bike will probably be lighter and have modern amenities like a threadless stem, indexed shifting, disk brakes, etc. Does the old bike even have water bottle mounts? My old bikes never did.... Anyway, a flashy and fast new bike just might make him want to ride more and for longer distances.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,357
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,313 Times
in
1,992 Posts
#15
Senior Member
Definitely try riding the Cannondale. The fit will probably be different as I imagine the bars on your Schwinn are several inches above the saddle where the Quick will probably be just about level with the saddle (based on manufacturers' pictures of both of them online).
Changing the relationship between the bars and the saddle will change your position on the bike and how you sit on/in the saddle. You're probably sitting fairly upright now (which is why you like the cushy, padded saddle), while the lower bars and more aggressive stance of the Quick will have you riding leaning more forward. That will likely change the type of saddle you prefer (leaning forward like that has you putting more weight on your legs (they will also be acting as your suspension) and less on your "sitz bones" and will cause a padded saddle to push more up into your perineum (causing the dreaded "numb genitals").
You might like the different relationship of bars to saddle or you may hate it. But try it and find that out. It'll at least make you stop wondering "what if" and potentially change what you're looking for.
Changing the relationship between the bars and the saddle will change your position on the bike and how you sit on/in the saddle. You're probably sitting fairly upright now (which is why you like the cushy, padded saddle), while the lower bars and more aggressive stance of the Quick will have you riding leaning more forward. That will likely change the type of saddle you prefer (leaning forward like that has you putting more weight on your legs (they will also be acting as your suspension) and less on your "sitz bones" and will cause a padded saddle to push more up into your perineum (causing the dreaded "numb genitals").
You might like the different relationship of bars to saddle or you may hate it. But try it and find that out. It'll at least make you stop wondering "what if" and potentially change what you're looking for.
#16
Senior Member
I have one of the old sports tourers in my queue to build into a touring/commuting bike if I ever get around to it (and can find an excuse for my wife about why I need another bike - frames and all the parts, she doesn't seem to notice as much as another bike parked in the garage).
#17
Thanks so much everyone for the replies.
I went to take a couple of pics of the bike as a whole and the brakes.
I see [MENTION=129463]himespau[/MENTION] (thanks for the pic) beat me to it - and I can't figure out how to upload the pics on here anyway.
I guess the question I'm poorly asking is this.
Is the Cannondale Quick a better enough bike to make me want to ditch the above pictured Schwinn in favor of?
I went to take a couple of pics of the bike as a whole and the brakes.
I see [MENTION=129463]himespau[/MENTION] (thanks for the pic) beat me to it - and I can't figure out how to upload the pics on here anyway.
I guess the question I'm poorly asking is this.
Is the Cannondale Quick a better enough bike to make me want to ditch the above pictured Schwinn in favor of?
#18
Senior Member
To be able to post pictures, you need to have made at least 10 posts.
Likes For himespau:
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,357
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,313 Times
in
1,992 Posts
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bastrop Texas
Posts: 4,768
Bikes: Univega, Peu P6, Peu PR-10, Ted Williams, Peu UO-8, Peu UO-18 Mixte, Peu Dolomites
Liked 1,843 Times
in
1,181 Posts
Brakes? Who needs Brakes?
https://youtu.be/VqomZQMZQCQ
__________________
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Middle of da Mitten
Posts: 12,493
Bikes: Trek 7500, RANS V-Rex, Optima Baron, Velokraft NoCom, M-5 Carbon Highracer, Catrike Speed
Liked 755 Times
in
463 Posts
...although if adjusting linear brakes is beyond his skillset, adjusting mechanical discs will be, too.
I agree, the logical response to brakes not working correctly is NOT normally to disconnect one of them. I suspect that was done because the rear wheel is out of true and the brake was rubbing. If the rear wheel has been trued a few times and it still has too much run-out, it might be time for a new wheel.
I agree, the logical response to brakes not working correctly is NOT normally to disconnect one of them. I suspect that was done because the rear wheel is out of true and the brake was rubbing. If the rear wheel has been trued a few times and it still has too much run-out, it might be time for a new wheel.
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,357
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,313 Times
in
1,992 Posts
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 6,006
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Liked 2,277 Times
in
1,393 Posts
You are somewhat in no man's land "if you need new wheels" because the rear wheel can't be trued sufficiently and you need a stronger wheel. Only a bike shop can tell you what has to be done. But if you are looking at a few hundred dollars to replace/fix what is needed, then looking at a new bike might be a better way to go.
If there is a concern that weight is an issue with the wheels, that will need to be considered in whatever you decide. If you go to the Cannondale, you can transfer your saddle and get an adjustable stem if that is what you want. The Cannondale has trigger shifters and not twist. If you do little shifting that is probably not going to be a problem. You can swap them out for twist, but then again you are adding cost on top of the cost of a new bike.
The final piece comes down to whether you want to move on from the Schwinn of not. If you don't want to, just fix it and ride it. If you want a new bike, go that route.
I would guess a high number of people don't replace a bike based on need.
John
If there is a concern that weight is an issue with the wheels, that will need to be considered in whatever you decide. If you go to the Cannondale, you can transfer your saddle and get an adjustable stem if that is what you want. The Cannondale has trigger shifters and not twist. If you do little shifting that is probably not going to be a problem. You can swap them out for twist, but then again you are adding cost on top of the cost of a new bike.
The final piece comes down to whether you want to move on from the Schwinn of not. If you don't want to, just fix it and ride it. If you want a new bike, go that route.
I would guess a high number of people don't replace a bike based on need.
John
#24
Senior Member
+1 with nick a; there's no reason why you can't make linear brakes very effective with Kool Stop pads and careful setup. Then as others have mentioned, start riding at least every other day.