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Panasonic 1000 vs Schwinn Continental

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Panasonic 1000 vs Schwinn Continental

Old 09-23-19, 05:51 PM
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Alexander1990
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Panasonic 1000 vs Schwinn Continental

New to cycling looking for some advice. Both the bikes listed above are for sale locally for around $75. Just not sure which would make a better starter bike. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.
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Old 09-23-19, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexander1990
New to cycling looking for some advice. Both the bikes listed above are for sale locally for around $75. Just not sure which would make a better starter bike. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.
The Panasonic but only as long as it fits you. Fit really is the most important thing. If neither one of these bikes fit, keep looking.

Edit: here's a basic guide to bike fit. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/bike-fit.html
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Old 09-23-19, 05:57 PM
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I'm 6' and it's a 21" frame is that a good size for me?
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Old 09-23-19, 06:36 PM
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Not knowing your leg length I would bet that frame will be too small. I really doubt that at 6 feet you would stand over a 21 inch frame and only have an inch between you and the top tube. A lot of the modern charts for sizing seem to be for modern sloped top tube bikes. I am 6"2 and ride a 25 inch frame (63cm). Assuming you don't have unusually long or short legs I'd bet you are at least a 23 and possibly a 24 frame. The only way to check for sure is a test ride or a professional measuring. Personally I'd jump straight to looking for a larger frame size than a 21...
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Old 09-23-19, 06:43 PM
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Pansonic 1000 vs Schwin continental

New to cycling looking for some advice. Both the bikes listed above are for sale locally for around $75. Just not sure which would make a better starter bike. Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance.
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Old 09-23-19, 06:57 PM
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I’d say that the 1000 is a better bike in many ways. Lighter and probably faster with more modern components (though still old). The Continental is easier to work on with basic tools. But, condition is probably a big factor to consider.
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Old 09-23-19, 07:04 PM
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The Schwinn is a tank, the Panasonic is a bike.
Much depends on condition, how you will use it, and your expectations for it.
And, probably most importantly, size.
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Old 09-23-19, 07:13 PM
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I'm 5' 11", with a 32" leg length...measured barefoot, from the floor to the top of the crotch.
My sweet spot frame is 22.5". I agree that a 21" frame for a 6 footer is a hair too small - unless you are all torso with short legs.
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Old 09-23-19, 07:18 PM
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They're paying you $75 to take the boat anchor Continental away, right?

If so, take the Schwinn, and use the $75 to buy the Panasonic 1000.

-Kurt

P.S.: Hold off flaming me, electro-forged fanatics. I'm still trying to get my Nomex suit on.
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Old 09-23-19, 07:21 PM
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He also has the same pansonic in a 25" same price. I'm on the tall side of a 34" inseam
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Old 09-23-19, 07:47 PM
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Duplicate threads merged.
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Old 09-23-19, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by cb400bill
Duplicate threads merged.
Thank you! I apologise for the double post.
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Old 09-23-19, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by 67tony
I'm 5' 11", with a 32" leg length...measured barefoot, from the floor to the top of the crotch.
My sweet spot frame is 22.5". I agree that a 21" frame for a 6 footer is a hair too small - unless you are all torso with short legs.
That's more than a hair-

I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and ride a 21.
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Old 09-23-19, 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexander1990
He also has the same pansonic in a 25" same price. I'm on the tall side of a 34" inseam
Then that 25" Panasonic 1000 is the bike for you! As others say, the Schwinn is cool, and a tribute to midcentury American industry, but heavy and old-fashioned and the brakes won't work as well - nice to look at and talk about, but a bit of a pain to ride. The Panasonic is lighter and the rims will likely be aluminum which means the brakes will work better and everything in general on that bike is a bit more modern.
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Old 09-23-19, 11:49 PM
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+1 on 25" frame and doing a test ride, its all about fit first -pictures OP?
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Old 09-25-19, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by The Golden Boy
That's more than a hair-

I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam and ride a 21.
I am within an inch or two of your height. Slightly more legs than arms. I ride a 21" road frame happily, and have since 1978 at 13 year old growth spurt. And I am now 55. Second the bike fitting you mattering most. That said, I am a Panasonic fanatic as I am also about Bridgestone and Miyata, the best production Japanese frames in this era.
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Old 09-26-19, 06:34 AM
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Originally Posted by Alexander1990
He also has the same pansonic in a 25" same price. I'm on the tall side of a 34" inseam
The stand over height of a 25 inch frame should be close to 33.5-34 inches, depending on the tire size. That would be much closer to your size and could be fine tuned with adjustment to seat and handle bar height and reach.
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Old 09-26-19, 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Alexander1990
I'm 6' and it's a 21" frame is that a good size for me?
Yeah, 21" would be small for you. I am 6' and ride 57cm (22.4") or 58cm (22.8") frames in traditional geometry. I have long legs, fwiw.
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