Schwinn 11.8 Noodle
08-11-20, 08:48 PM
#1
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Schwinn 11.8 Noodle
I have a HUGE 68cm Schwinn Voyageur 11.8. Its really a noodle. Schwinn just went bigger with same tubing as smaller bikes! Any thoughts on best uses for this thing? The Voyageur SP was so much better. Not sure what to do with this old turd.
08-11-20, 10:44 PM
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Um, ride it? And maintain it?
Your question is really vague. Are you looking to mod it, restore it, do period upgrades, some combination thereof? What kind of shape is it in, and how is it built up now? What's missing from your stable that is of interest to you?
Your question is really vague. Are you looking to mod it, restore it, do period upgrades, some combination thereof? What kind of shape is it in, and how is it built up now? What's missing from your stable that is of interest to you?
08-11-20, 11:03 PM
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Some people like 'em noodly. I've started a Vitus 979 club here in Cambridge. I'm sure one of our tall riders would love the hell out of that thing. What to do with it? 650b conversion comes to mind, especially since it's likely an earlier model without cantilevers. It'll "plane" with you just standing over it. And such a large frame assures a proper French fit.
Sounds like you're set for the next PBP, Jan Heine style ...if quarantine is over by then!
Sounds like you're set for the next PBP, Jan Heine style ...if quarantine is over by then!
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Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
Owner & co-founder, Cycles René Hubris. Unfortunately attaching questionable braze-ons to perfectly good frames since about 2015. With style.
08-12-20, 12:25 AM
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Hand it over to RiddleOfSteel , it seems he's recently rediscovered Big Boy Bikes, sized to fit his own lanky frame. Though he's strong enough a rider he'll probably turn that noodle into a pretzel. 
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
08-12-20, 12:35 AM
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Me duelen las nalgas
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My early '90s Univega Via Carisma has a 58-60cm frame (depends on whether I'm measuring seat tube or top tube) that's kinda flexy and noodley. I like it for leisurely rides. I set it up with albatross swept bars to replace the original flat bar, since it was more hybrid than MTB-lite to begin with.
It has Univega's nifty "bi-axial oval frame," which looks cool but doesn't seem to do anything special. The bottom bracket flexes noticeably when I stand to pedal or mash while seated. The fork is curved almost as much as a 1970s Motobecane, and very flexy.
The only time the noodley feel grabs my attention is when it's loaded pretty heavily with groceries or other stuff. Especially on the front end -- the fork is very flexy. But without at least a little load up front, a heavy load on the back makes it feel unbalanced.
Other than that it's been a fun bike for years and my favorite when I want a more relaxed ride than my road bikes. Especially for gravel, rough roads and casual group rides. Between the flexy frame and 700x38 or so tires it's a very forgiving ride.
It has Univega's nifty "bi-axial oval frame," which looks cool but doesn't seem to do anything special. The bottom bracket flexes noticeably when I stand to pedal or mash while seated. The fork is curved almost as much as a 1970s Motobecane, and very flexy.
The only time the noodley feel grabs my attention is when it's loaded pretty heavily with groceries or other stuff. Especially on the front end -- the fork is very flexy. But without at least a little load up front, a heavy load on the back makes it feel unbalanced.
Other than that it's been a fun bike for years and my favorite when I want a more relaxed ride than my road bikes. Especially for gravel, rough roads and casual group rides. Between the flexy frame and 700x38 or so tires it's a very forgiving ride.
08-12-20, 12:42 AM
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Ride it like @madpogue said? That's a solid start, IMO. It's a bike! There are certainly some BF members, who may or may not be commenting presently, who could be interested in it, or at least know what to do with it.
Pictures would be most appreciated. 1982 I presume? That's the only year the 11.8 came in 27" / 68.5cm form, per my research.
It's a bike! There are certainly some BF members, who may or may not be commenting presently, who could be interested in it, or at least know what to do with it.Pictures would be most appreciated. 1982 I presume? That's the only year the 11.8 came in 27" / 68.5cm form, per my research.
Last edited by RiddleOfSteel; 08-12-20 at 12:50 AM.
08-12-20, 12:50 AM
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Hand it over to RiddleOfSteel , it seems he's recently rediscovered Big Boy Bikes, sized to fit his own lanky frame. Though he's strong enough a rider he'll probably turn that noodle into a pretzel.
08-12-20, 04:11 PM
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Noodle noodle noodle...
