Sierra

I did that with both my '88 LeTour and '88 Prelude.
I used Shimano MegaRange(freewheel on the LeTour, Cassette on the Prelude). I like them because you get a fairly tight set of cogs and then a big jump to the 34 tooth bailout cog. The freewheel jumps from 24t to 34t and the cassette jumps from 26t to 34t. This gives a nice set of ratios with even jumps using a crossover shift sequence and then gives your bailout gear when things get really tough. I'm using a Shimano Deore XT model 750 rear derailleur on both bikes.

bikenut2011

Update on MY bike... . UPS is in possession and its scheduled for delivery on Tuesday !!! WOOHOOO In the meantime, i guess i will just keep drooling over all these prime examples of a golden era for Schwinn!!

Nice Bikes... I especially love the super sports, i think I'm going to keep my eyes peeled for one of those babies. That Pink and white one on page one just grabs me for some reason. I also love the red/ white combo. Of course all these bikes are great and a cut above!!

@Sierra: Thanks for the great info on the gear change. I was thinking about the mega range freewheel 34T w/ 7 speeds. What would be the most economical new derailluer that you would even consider using with one of these?? I saw this one, but the price is really scaring me. anyone know anything about these? Would they even bolt up to the bike?

https://www.niagaracycle.com/product_...ucts_id=414546

Im not trying to spend a bunch of bread, I've been buying WAY too much bike stuff!!!

andy

mazdaspeed

Here is a little bit better picture of it. Also, FYI, the rear triangle was resprayed so it's all white. Normally the seat stays are pink (magenta, whatever). As I said I regret selling it, although the '89 prelude seems to feel pretty much the same (in '89 they changed the high-ten fork to a tange mangalloy, I'm not sure what the super sport had). The complete 600 group was something to behold!

bikenut2011

^^ it may not be "correct" on the paint scheme...but, it just speaks to me for some reason. Perfect road machine in my eyes. Thanks for sharing!! Hope i didnt offend by calling it "pink"


andy

bikenut2011

Love this bike too!! Missed it the first time reading this thread... I think i was distracted by the yellow one below it.

NICE!!


andy

MikesChevelle

Sierra

Sorry Andy. Can't help with that.
I never buy anything new...that's why I hang out here on C&V.
You wouldn't want the mounting "claw" on that derailleur though. You want to mount to the integral derailleur hanger on the dropout.

mazdaspeed

Does every tenax schwinn have a 26.6 seat post? Just curious.

bikenut2011

Yes i was thinking something didnt look right with that!! I'm sure i can find something that will work and be reasonable priced. Thanks for the input.

Is it Tuesday yet? haha

andy

Lug Steel

My '88 Paramount w/ Dura-Ace 7400-Found on craiglist for 600.00 last year-

tugrul

The Schwinn catalogs actually mention seat post diameters. Quickly flipping through them, the only exceptions I see are the 1989 "Tenax SL" Tempo with a 27.2mm post, and the 1985 Le Tour Luxe with a 26.4mm post.

wrk101

1986 Paramount as found, original Dura Ace components. Bought from a Charlotte DKO flipper. Its really too small for me, but it is a sweet Waterford Paramount, so I just can't let it go...)





1987 Prologue as it sits today (updated with nine speed Ultegra drivetrain). Bought off ebay. I also have a second 1988 Prologue in the same color combination.




I've had several other late 80s Schwinns pass through the workshop in the last few years including a really sweet 1987 Tempo and two 1986 Preludes. The Tempo was really hard to let go, as it was my size.. I'm a big fan of the Tenax Schwinns.

Next project is to swap out the Ultegra bits on the Prologue with nine speed Dura Ace parts, just for something different (I've got the Dura Ace bits in hand, garage sale find). The current Ultegra set up is the third drivetrain I've had on this bike. Then I will put the Ultegra bits on my 1992 Paramount Series V.

Sierra

Quick snapshot of the updated '88 LeTour and the recently completed '88 Prelude.
These are the ones that are running wide range gearing with MegaRange freewheel & cassette respectively.

Collin2424

This thread is awesome! Some beautiful Schwinns here. Glad to see them properly taken care of. Here's my latest restoration project that I'm working on; a 1986 Peloton w/ Superbe Pro. I've almost got all the original parts tracked down.



-Collin-

Collin2424

The saddle bag on your LeTour matches perfectly; very very cool.

-Collin-

gomango

I've had a couple of these since last fall.

A 1988 Tempo, or fairly close to that.

This one is going bye-bye tomorrow.

They ride great and are values, no doubt!

This one was covered with garage dust, but otherwise shows like a new bike.

We regreased her, put on new tape, pads, and new tires.

The kids cleaned her to a beautiful shine and our neighbor bought her on the spot today.

bikenut2011

Wow. Just when i thought the thread might be fading in to oblivion, more amazing bikes show up!!!! Nice job all of you!! I am really liking the white/black paint combo on this. Is the Peloton one of the higher end models? What exactly would the hierarchy be on the late 80's Schwinns any way?

You do know you will need a chain to ride that thing right??

andy

mazdaspeed

Here, you'll enjoy these:





Also note that at some point in the late 80's, the prelude went from sport touring geometry to racing geometry.

cycleheimer

Fenders came off an old 5-speed Bridgestone Kabuki "touring" bike that somebody gave me, and the Brooks B-17 I bought new as a kid for my '77/'78 Bridgestone Kabuki Diamond Touring that I also bought new and still have. During the summer this bike makes my day.

brockd15 

That change happened in '88. It has HT/ST angles of 72.5/72.5 in '87 and changed to 73/74 in '88. The wheel base stayed at 39.75", a 1/4" longer than the higher end models with 39.5". Then in '89 the wheelbase was shortened to 39.4" along with the other models.

Sierra

Really nice bike there!

I've had my eye out for one those for several years now but haven't found one yet in my size and at a price that I can afford.

Sierra

The Peloton and the Circuit seemed to take turns from year to year as the top model sold as a complete bike(The Paramount and Prologue were sold as framesets only). I think there may have been one year where they were both offered though, and I don't remember which one outranked the other.

The hierarchy changed a bit from year to year with models appearing and disappearing.
The best way to see it is to browse through the catalogs on Tom Findleys website.

https://www.trfindley.com/pg_schwinn_cats.htm

bikenut2011

Awesome info!! Thanks for taking the time. I will be bookmarking that one.

andy

Doohickie

Fork's bent!

(j/k.... lookin' good, brock)

mazdaspeed

Ah, thanks for the clarification.