Schwinn road bikes a are...insert answer here
12-28-09, 01:34 PM
#101
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: one of each
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
12 Posts
Yum. Actually, one day many years ago, I put on my best suit and combed my hair and went test driving fancy cars at the various lots around town. I actually liked the 140 better than the XKE. Seemed a little more direct, less insulated, even though the XKE is faster. I've never been in an XK-120.
Honestly, I'd trade every bike in the basement for any of the 3.
Honestly, I'd trade every bike in the basement for any of the 3.
12-28-09, 01:40 PM
#102
surly old man
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Carlisle, PA
Posts: 3,392
Bikes: IRO Mark V, Karate Monkey half fat, Trek 620 IGH, Cannondale 26/24 MTB, Amp Research B3, and more.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 42 Times
in
18 Posts
My dad was into old English sports cars, so I grew up around a couple of old 120s. Damn that was a sexy car. And it must be the most beautiful sound any internal combustion engine ever made when you opened one of them up. He did have a couple of faster cars, but nothing really had the raw physical appeal of the 120.
jim
jim
__________________
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
Cross Check Nexus7, IRO Mark V, Trek 620 Nexus7, Karate Monkey half fat, IRO Model 19 fixed, Amp Research B3, Surly 1x1 half fat fixed, and more...
--------------------------
SB forever
12-28-09, 05:34 PM
#103
Senior Member
I'm here to tell you, that they already have. I got my Miyata 1000 and a pile of useful stuff, for my chrome 11.8.,,,,BD
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
12-28-09, 06:22 PM
#104
Hebrews 10:20a
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 141
Bikes: '74 Viscount Aerospace GP
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
... confusing to a buyer of the 1970s
Many buyers were confused as well. They did not know the EF frames were different altogether; while I knew they weren't welded, I always assumed they were internally lugged frames; until I read the article on the EF process on Sheldon Brown's website this year.
If you thought the frame was welded, and you realized the bike was heavy, the bike books at the time would tell you that was a cheap bike; one to be passed up like a Huffy or Murray.
But, if well taken care of, they lasted forever. They were heavy, but they were also rugged. They were like the large American cars of the same era: heavy, slow, not great in corners; but nice riding, and built to last forever.
I disagree very strongly. I never wanted to own a Varsity or anything like it, but let's examine some of the technical aspects.
Comparing a Schwinn of that variety with a Columbia reveals many fundamental differences:
The frames were both welded at high temperatures, requiring heavy, thick tubes. But the Schwinns were much stronger. Colliding with a brick wall would typically bend the Columbia frame or fork drastically. The Schwinn would be intact. Huge difference there.
The difference in bearings is major, not minor. The bearing and threaded portions are precisely ground and of very hard steel on the Schwinns. They are of soft, inferior steel on the Columbia.
The rims were prone to bending on the Columbia.
The brackets all over the bike were prone to bending on the Columbia.
The Columbia often came with super-soft steel brake calipers. These brakes didn't stop well and couldn't be adjusted well, even by a good mechanic.
When I started out as a mechanic, I confused the Schwinn with other cheap, poor-riding, heavy bikes such as Murray, Huffy, Iverson, and Columbia. The designs are similar, but the materials and construction are fundamentally different.
Comparing a Schwinn of that variety with a Columbia reveals many fundamental differences:
The frames were both welded at high temperatures, requiring heavy, thick tubes. But the Schwinns were much stronger. Colliding with a brick wall would typically bend the Columbia frame or fork drastically. The Schwinn would be intact. Huge difference there.
The difference in bearings is major, not minor. The bearing and threaded portions are precisely ground and of very hard steel on the Schwinns. They are of soft, inferior steel on the Columbia.
The rims were prone to bending on the Columbia.
The brackets all over the bike were prone to bending on the Columbia.
The Columbia often came with super-soft steel brake calipers. These brakes didn't stop well and couldn't be adjusted well, even by a good mechanic.
When I started out as a mechanic, I confused the Schwinn with other cheap, poor-riding, heavy bikes such as Murray, Huffy, Iverson, and Columbia. The designs are similar, but the materials and construction are fundamentally different.
If you thought the frame was welded, and you realized the bike was heavy, the bike books at the time would tell you that was a cheap bike; one to be passed up like a Huffy or Murray.
But, if well taken care of, they lasted forever. They were heavy, but they were also rugged. They were like the large American cars of the same era: heavy, slow, not great in corners; but nice riding, and built to last forever.
12-28-09, 06:35 PM
#105
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,583
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 513 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7395 Post(s)
Liked 2,561 Times
in
1,490 Posts
Exactly. Built not for speed but for durability.
I test rode that Varsity for a few miles. I went down a hill at high speed with no hands. I don't think I ever went so fast riding no-hands. And I don't regret it. I was totally in control.
But riding uphill was another experience altogether.
I test rode that Varsity for a few miles. I went down a hill at high speed with no hands. I don't think I ever went so fast riding no-hands. And I don't regret it. I was totally in control.
But riding uphill was another experience altogether.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-28-09, 06:36 PM
#106
You gonna eat that?
This.
I picked up a '73 Varsity at the city dump this year and it works pretty much perfectly, despite obvious neglect. It cleaned up good, too.
The other thing Schwinn bikes are: nostalgic. Yeah, there were Columbias and other makes, but Schwinn was the "it" bike of the 60s and 70s.
I picked up a '73 Varsity at the city dump this year and it works pretty much perfectly, despite obvious neglect. It cleaned up good, too.
The other thing Schwinn bikes are: nostalgic. Yeah, there were Columbias and other makes, but Schwinn was the "it" bike of the 60s and 70s.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-28-09, 06:55 PM
#107
soonerbills
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Okieland
Posts: 935
Bikes: 25 at last count. One day I'll make a list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
The other thing Schwinn bikes are: nostalgic. Yeah, there were Columbias and other makes, but Schwinn was the "it" bike of the 60s and 70s.
Another post on this thread compared them to the old Pinto as a ugly workhorse. I would compare them to the base model Mustang of the 60's.
The Varsity, like the 6 banger auto stick Mustang was made to look like something it was not... a sports car or in the Varsity's case a sports bike.
The base Mustang was slow and it's brakes were over matched by it's weight...
But.. it was new...and it's style was appealing and they made them by the millions and so were relatively cheap.. Ford built them heavy,strong and reliable and marketed them very well so every kid wanted one. In the end they defined the era as did the Varsity.. IMHO
Another post on this thread compared them to the old Pinto as a ugly workhorse. I would compare them to the base model Mustang of the 60's.
The Varsity, like the 6 banger auto stick Mustang was made to look like something it was not... a sports car or in the Varsity's case a sports bike.
The base Mustang was slow and it's brakes were over matched by it's weight...
But.. it was new...and it's style was appealing and they made them by the millions and so were relatively cheap.. Ford built them heavy,strong and reliable and marketed them very well so every kid wanted one. In the end they defined the era as did the Varsity.. IMHO
12-28-09, 07:11 PM
#108
You gonna eat that?
Bingo.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
12-28-09, 07:15 PM
#109
Bottecchia fan
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 3,520
Bikes: 1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo (frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame), 1974 Peugeot UO-8
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Exactly. Built not for speed but for durability.
I test rode that Varsity for a few miles. I went down a hill at high speed with no hands. I don't think I ever went so fast riding no-hands. And I don't regret it. I was totally in control.
But riding uphill was another experience altogether.
I test rode that Varsity for a few miles. I went down a hill at high speed with no hands. I don't think I ever went so fast riding no-hands. And I don't regret it. I was totally in control.
But riding uphill was another experience altogether.
__________________
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
12-28-09, 08:09 PM
#110
Muscle bike design spec
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Sterling VA
Posts: 3,688
Bikes: 70 Atala Record Proffesional, 00 Lemond, 08 Kestrel Evoke, 96 Colnago Master Olympic, 01 Colnago Ovalmaster, 76 Raleigh Gran Sport, 03 Fuji World, 86 Paramount, 90 Miyata CF, 09 Ritchey Breakaway CX, Bianchi Trofeo, 12 OutRiderUSA HyperLite
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Schwinn (road and other) bikes are:
classic
heavy
light
slow
fast
donors
durable
shiny
non-descript
cool
cheap
expensive
classic
heavy
light
slow
fast
donors
durable
shiny
non-descript
cool
cheap
expensive
__________________
Korval is Ships
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
Last edited by robtown; 12-28-09 at 08:17 PM.
12-28-09, 08:41 PM
#111
K2ProFlex baby!
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: My response would have been something along the lines of: "Does your bike have computer controlled suspension? Then shut your piehole, this baby is from the future!"
Posts: 6,133
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Liked 56 Times
in
31 Posts
__________________
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
You see, their morals, their code...it's a bad joke, dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. I'll show you. When the chips are down, these...These "civilized" people...they'll eat each other. See, I'm not a monster. I'm just ahead of the curve
01-01-10, 12:39 PM
#115
soonerbills
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Okieland
Posts: 935
Bikes: 25 at last count. One day I'll make a list
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Well not to rehash a well picked over thread but.....
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Varsity-...item5883d836be
Somebody thinks they are worth a lot! Wow!
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Varsity-...item5883d836be
Somebody thinks they are worth a lot! Wow!
01-01-10, 12:52 PM
#116
Elitest Murray Owner
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,657
Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Well not to rehash a well picked over thread but.....
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Varsity-...item5883d836be
Somebody thinks they are worth a lot! Wow!
https://cgi.ebay.com/Schwinn-Varsity-...item5883d836be
Somebody thinks they are worth a lot! Wow!
01-01-10, 11:40 PM
#117
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,583
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 513 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7395 Post(s)
Liked 2,561 Times
in
1,490 Posts
Well, it is clean!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-02-10, 12:31 AM
#118
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 1,226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
How may the bidding history on that sale be displayed? I like the Schwinn Varsity, but I can't imagine why a 1973 model would sell for $400, plus $65 shipping, even if it was in showroom condition.
So I guess "Schwinn road bikes are..." sometimes able to fetch inexplicably high prices.
So I guess "Schwinn road bikes are..." sometimes able to fetch inexplicably high prices.
01-02-10, 01:17 AM
#119
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,583
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 513 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7395 Post(s)
Liked 2,561 Times
in
1,490 Posts
Agreed, DavidW56. That bike is fun for some purposes, but not $400. I sold one in perfect running order. I wanted $150 for it, so I listed it at $170, and a buyer surprised me by paying my asking price.
Then again, when a bike is very, very clean, it can command a heck of a high price, so there you go.
Then again, when a bike is very, very clean, it can command a heck of a high price, so there you go.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
01-02-10, 09:37 PM
#120
Senior Member
There's a guy locally on CL who wants $500 for a rusty chained, split cabled, rotten tired 684. I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad.,,,,BD
He also has some internal lugged Peugeot with no wrap, for $250....
He also has some internal lugged Peugeot with no wrap, for $250....
__________________
So many bikes, so little dime.
So many bikes, so little dime.
05-14-23, 05:02 AM
#122
Newbie
Join Date: May 2023
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Great buy! Nostalgia with Durability
A throwback to the days of my youth and surprisingly, most of the bikes I found were in good shape. I found a later model, 2 actually, the 1988 Premis and a 1990 434. The majority of the bikes I saw were both operational, needing very little effort to get them going. In addition, most were pretty good looking.
I am not a "serious" rider, I sought a bike at my doctors direction in order to try and get more a bit more fit. I ran an average of 30 miles a week for most of my 20 year Army career and this contributed to the two new titanium and industrial plastic hips the surgeon installed over the last couple of years at the young age of 60. This stated, I do enjoy riding and the sensation of speed. In my limited biking experience, the Premis and 434 both provide accurate shifting, sufficient braking, etc. other people are surely much more knowledgeable than I when it comes to bicycles (but I think my bikes are way cool).
I freely admit that nostalgia played a huge part in my bike search and purchase. I wasn't in a family that could afford a name brand bike when I was young and I was indeed envious of my best friend who got an Orange Crate for Christmas! I can now afford any bike I want, but I see either of these Schwinn's fully capable of meeting my needs and I think they are just awesome neat! The guy I purchased them from (Facebook Sales Group) said he was selling them from a mini warehouse auction and I paid $200 for them......total. I think I got an awesome deal!
In the wind again......Blink
I am not a "serious" rider, I sought a bike at my doctors direction in order to try and get more a bit more fit. I ran an average of 30 miles a week for most of my 20 year Army career and this contributed to the two new titanium and industrial plastic hips the surgeon installed over the last couple of years at the young age of 60. This stated, I do enjoy riding and the sensation of speed. In my limited biking experience, the Premis and 434 both provide accurate shifting, sufficient braking, etc. other people are surely much more knowledgeable than I when it comes to bicycles (but I think my bikes are way cool).
I freely admit that nostalgia played a huge part in my bike search and purchase. I wasn't in a family that could afford a name brand bike when I was young and I was indeed envious of my best friend who got an Orange Crate for Christmas! I can now afford any bike I want, but I see either of these Schwinn's fully capable of meeting my needs and I think they are just awesome neat! The guy I purchased them from (Facebook Sales Group) said he was selling them from a mini warehouse auction and I paid $200 for them......total. I think I got an awesome deal!
In the wind again......Blink
