Bike trade
01-25-18, 10:31 PM
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Bike trade
Someone offered to trade me this bike:
Schwinn Le Tour 1984
For a my work bike:
Motobecane Fixie Cafe (Upgrade)
My brother tells me I would be downgrading if I made this trade. Soon I will be moving to LA and I can only take one bike. What do you guys think?
The only reason I would make this trade is so that I can convert the schwinn to a single speed. As it is, it's probably an iron horse regardless of the frame being 4130 double butted chromoly steel. If I wanted a road bike I would get a modern one.
Schwinn Le Tour 1984
For a my work bike:
Motobecane Fixie Cafe (Upgrade)
My brother tells me I would be downgrading if I made this trade. Soon I will be moving to LA and I can only take one bike. What do you guys think?
The only reason I would make this trade is so that I can convert the schwinn to a single speed. As it is, it's probably an iron horse regardless of the frame being 4130 double butted chromoly steel. If I wanted a road bike I would get a modern one.
01-25-18, 10:55 PM
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Right. I guess that even if I made the conversion it would still be inferior unless you're a "steel is real" kinda guy. But it's interesting to read your opinions.
01-26-18, 12:27 AM
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If it was a nice older bike, then maybe, but this would just be a new cheap bike for a 34-year-old cheap bike.
01-26-18, 08:39 AM
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Convert what you have to a single speed if it isn't already. Like, flip the wheel, and you are done. No way I would trade for that old Schwinn.
01-26-18, 04:24 PM
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There is zero special about the Schwinn. The main tubes are 4130 but the stays and fork are gonna be hi-ten. Stamped dropouts. Boring lugwork. In fact, looking at the decals I don't even think it's an '84. But I'm not gonna check to confirm because it's totally unnecessary.
Walk away, don't look back.
Walk away, don't look back.
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-26-18, 05:53 PM
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That Schwinn looks way larger than your present bike. Likely wouldn't even fit you...
01-27-18, 10:30 PM
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In my view the frame would be a decent raw material for a low end build if someone gave it to you and you already had a bin full of parts ready to use. I got a bike last year for such a purpose, but paid 10 bucks for it.
I think there are drawbacks to an older bike that have to be reckoned with. Importantly, the wheels will be 27 inch, meaning that tire selection isn't great nowadays. Practically anything you do in order to turn it into a decent single speed will end up costing money.
I think there are drawbacks to an older bike that have to be reckoned with. Importantly, the wheels will be 27 inch, meaning that tire selection isn't great nowadays. Practically anything you do in order to turn it into a decent single speed will end up costing money.
01-28-18, 01:54 PM
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Clarification: This applies to low-end bikes. High-end vintage bikes were sporting 700c farther back than most people realize (mid 70s).
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A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-28-18, 02:17 PM
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Very good point. I'm a bottom feeder, so I rarely see such fancy gear. And if I get a chance to build new wheels for an old bike, they are always 700c.
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