waterboy5281

Yet another Schwinn from SoCal - asking price for this is a whopping $450. Claiming all original parts and very well maintained.

Metacortex

Here is the CL ad you are referring to: Schwinn Continental 1971 Classic Road Bike - 55cm

That is a '71 Continental with a small 22" frame in Sierra Brown, here is the original catalog page:



It looks to be clean and original and as such might be worth about $150 to $200 if the small size fits.

xiaoman1 

+1 on above.....maybe for a collector if mint it might go higher ....so unless you need one of each in the Schwinn line-up I would pass.
Regards, Ben

0.2HP

OK looks like you are posting about 70s and 80s Schwinns.


Like most bike companies, Schwinn made a few frames and bolted different parts on to create different models. This bike and the Varsity you posted about earlier both had the Schwinn "light weight" electro-forged frame. Electro-forged was the Schwinn marketing name for arc welded. More info here:


Inside the Varsity
The Schwinn Varsity (1960-1986)
Chicago Schwinns


These frames are extremely sturdy and long-lasting, but also heavy and do not offer "lively" handling. If you ride on the flats and are not trying to tear around the corners this does not make a difference. If you are going up hills and flying down them, a lighter frame will serve you better.


Models that used this same frame 1960 through 1982:


Varsity
Continental
Collegiate
Caliente?
Suburban


The Continental had the highest quality components compared to the other models, mostly (all?) made in Europe, and was therefore the top of the line. But you don't have to look hard to find a 70s bike with better components than a Continental.


Ironically the steel rims on the Continental were made by France by Rigida, and IMHO were inferior to the Schwinn made rims on the lower models.


The first Continental models, in 1960-61, are sought after collectibles, especially the 8 speed, wing-nutted and suicide shift models, like this one:


1960 Schwinn Continental at Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County


All others? $100 if it is ridable, $0 is it is not.

waterboy5281

Correct, 0.2HP. I really want a Schwinn. Realize there are better bikes out there, but I really just want a 70s Schwinn.

I've been surprised at how much some of these owners are asking for their vintage bikes. Maybe southern California is an inflated market? Maybe nostalgia is priceless? I don't know. But, there's been a pretty consistent one or two hundred dollar gap between honest bikeforums appraisals and the CL asking prices.

Thanks a ton for the insightful post. Learning more and more by the day. Maybe one of these days I'll actually be able to contribute meaningfully!

0.2HP

In my opinion, these are decent Schwinns, listed for prices I think you could negotiate down from (you are going to have to figure out the size you need):


Made in Chicago:
Schwinn Varsity
77 Schwinn Suburban Replace the front wheel with one with an aluminum rim
Vintage Classic Schwinn Sport Collegiate This is a 5 speed, not a 10 speed
Vintage Schwinn Suburban road bike
Chicago Schwinn 1970s Varsity bike Might have 24" wheel and if so is too small
schwinn continental 1960 Collectible bike, but way overpriced
schwinn 10 speed


Made in Greenville, MS:
Vintage Schwinn Road Bike Single Speed Chromoly Lightweight & Fast Price is right for someone who works on bikes
Super Nice !!!!! 58cm Schwinn Le Tour road bike


Made in Japan:
Vintage Schwinn Voyageur II.8 64cm 1980 Great bike for a great price, but too big
1980's Schwinn Tempo, 49cm, Shimano components


Made in Taiwan:
49. CM. SCHWINN. WORLD. SPORT. ROAD. BIKE.
1970's VINTAGE SCHWINN TRAVELER ROAD BIKE Change the pedals

waterboy5281

Hey 0.2HP! Thanks again for the really great feedback. What do you think about this 72 Continental I found on eBay? It's local and the price seems reasonable.

1972 Schwinn Continental | eBay

Metacortex

I agree they are definitely collectible, however note that the Continental was introduced in 1960 as a 10-speed model (even the link you posted shows a 10-speed model) while the Varsity was introduced that same year as an 8-speed. These are the 1960 catalog pages:



It appears to have a ding in the top tube and the saddle is not original. It also has the smallest size 22" frame. Another interesting observation is that it has cheaper Varsity pedals, however they may be original to the bike since according to a dealer bulletin in early '72 Schwinn temporarily substituted Varsity pedals on Continentals for a short time due to a shortage. Normally the Varsity came with Union made steel "Schwinn Approved" pedals while the Continental (and Super Sport, Sports Tourer) came with higher quality Atom 440 pedals.

waterboy5281

I don't see a ding in the top tube. I do see what could look like a ding, but it looks more like dust/shadowing.

Metacortex

On a second look I agree, no ding.

waterboy5281

My other bike is 53-54 cm (measured from mid crank to the top of the seat tube). So the frame should fit, right?

Metacortex

I can't promise anything about fit but note that Schwinn measured this size to the very top of the seat tube, which extended about an inch over the top tube. In fact for 1970 and earlier they listed this exact same frame size as 21" even though the dimensions were identical.