1977 Schwinn Volare
#1
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1977 Schwinn Volare
Hey all,
I've been cruising my local (Dallas) Craigslist for some time in search of a Poor Man's Rivendell (inspired by another post on the forum, not enough forum posts to provide the link). I'm looking for a steel commuter and coffee shop runner that can carry some stuff (whether racks or something like a Carradice bag system). Hopefully it would also have fair tire clearance and the potential for fenders, although I have another bad weather bike, so not a hard need for fenders. Biggest desire is the slack/upright geometry of a Rivendell.
So far, Dallas has not had much in my size in the past ~year of searching. I am 6'1" and am likely after a 58 or 60cm frame.
This 1977 Schwinn Volare came across my search and I was curious what you all think. It seems to hit a lot of the aesthetic considerations and the components and frame material seem to be premium, but I am thinking perhaps its posture is a bit too aggressive for what I'm after? I would definitely look to swap the bars for something more upright. Bike looks to be in good shape, but very pricey at $600, though I understand this model to be sought after.
It looks like I still do not have enough forum posts to link the bike or pictures. It looks to be in great condition, with all original components. That may contribute to the high price; honestly, I'm not all that interested the "originality" of the bike, I'm interested in it being a fun, comfortable ride. Again, I welcome your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Edited to say: I've linked an imgur album of pictures to my bio since I can't attach to the post.
I've been cruising my local (Dallas) Craigslist for some time in search of a Poor Man's Rivendell (inspired by another post on the forum, not enough forum posts to provide the link). I'm looking for a steel commuter and coffee shop runner that can carry some stuff (whether racks or something like a Carradice bag system). Hopefully it would also have fair tire clearance and the potential for fenders, although I have another bad weather bike, so not a hard need for fenders. Biggest desire is the slack/upright geometry of a Rivendell.
So far, Dallas has not had much in my size in the past ~year of searching. I am 6'1" and am likely after a 58 or 60cm frame.
This 1977 Schwinn Volare came across my search and I was curious what you all think. It seems to hit a lot of the aesthetic considerations and the components and frame material seem to be premium, but I am thinking perhaps its posture is a bit too aggressive for what I'm after? I would definitely look to swap the bars for something more upright. Bike looks to be in good shape, but very pricey at $600, though I understand this model to be sought after.
It looks like I still do not have enough forum posts to link the bike or pictures. It looks to be in great condition, with all original components. That may contribute to the high price; honestly, I'm not all that interested the "originality" of the bike, I'm interested in it being a fun, comfortable ride. Again, I welcome your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Edited to say: I've linked an imgur album of pictures to my bio since I can't attach to the post.
Last edited by reluctantsuburb; 03-11-20 at 09:42 AM.
#2
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...they were nice bikes at the time. For 600 bucks here (and NorCal is considered a higher priced area for used steel bikes), I can buy something significantly more upscale. That's the lower threshold for some of the decent Italian stuff here. And over the winter, I've seen at least one Paramount in that price range (admittedly not pristine, but not that bad). Almost everything from before the late 70's/80's will have tyre clearance and most of them will have fender eyelets (although some of the full race Italian stuff might not).
Slacker geometry is often encountered in the frames designed and sold in that era as "touring", although if you can go back to the early 70's/60's almost everything will seem pretty slack. If you want a good, all around bike for your purposes that usually flies under the radar in terms of pricing, the Voyageur series from Schwinn (especially the earlier ones) are a good bet. But there are many, many others floating around. Try a search of the local CL for "touring" in bikes.
...they were nice bikes at the time. For 600 bucks here (and NorCal is considered a higher priced area for used steel bikes), I can buy something significantly more upscale. That's the lower threshold for some of the decent Italian stuff here. And over the winter, I've seen at least one Paramount in that price range (admittedly not pristine, but not that bad). Almost everything from before the late 70's/80's will have tyre clearance and most of them will have fender eyelets (although some of the full race Italian stuff might not).
Slacker geometry is often encountered in the frames designed and sold in that era as "touring", although if you can go back to the early 70's/60's almost everything will seem pretty slack. If you want a good, all around bike for your purposes that usually flies under the radar in terms of pricing, the Voyageur series from Schwinn (especially the earlier ones) are a good bet. But there are many, many others floating around. Try a search of the local CL for "touring" in bikes.
#3
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Thread Starter
.
If you want a good, all around bike for your purposes that usually flies under the radar in terms of pricing, the Voyageur series from Schwinn (especially the earlier ones) are a good bet. But there are many, many others floating around. Try a search of the local CL for "touring" in bikes.
If you want a good, all around bike for your purposes that usually flies under the radar in terms of pricing, the Voyageur series from Schwinn (especially the earlier ones) are a good bet. But there are many, many others floating around. Try a search of the local CL for "touring" in bikes.
I've been searching for touring bikes for some time, but it seems like Dallas largely has road bikes and vintage MTBs (at least in my size!). Again, thanks for your reply.
#4
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You might want to start a new thread. If you give an idea of what sort of bike you are looking for, the size you need, and where you live (Dallas in this case), posters will search CL and help you find a suitable bike or two or three.
#6
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Here is another forum members 1986 voyageur:
__________________
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|^^^^^^^^^^^^^^| ||
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#7
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Quite delightful to ride, in more of the sport touring category.
#9
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Thanks for sharing your experience and the pics. Looks like a great bike. I think sport touring is an accurate description of what I'm after, based on what I've read. The bike in question is here, if you can help me with any particulars of this specific one!
Likewise, thanks for the pic for reference. And I hear ya on sellers potentially not knowing. Here is the bike that's currently available in Dallas at or near my size, if you have any thoughts.
Thanks for the brand list. I try to investigate everything from late 70s-80s that is Japanese built, at least!
It it's truly from the 80's, it's steel and the seller might not be aware. I really like the Voyageurs, but you should be aware that they did change in spec a lot. I like the mid-80s models. Those are full blown touring bikes with cantilever brakes. I think it's good advice not to get hung up on brands. Lots of manufacturers were cranking out fantastic touring bikes in the 80s. Miyata, Lotus, Centurion, Schwinn, Cannondale, Trek, Panasonic, etc.
Thanks for the brand list. I try to investigate everything from late 70s-80s that is Japanese built, at least!
#10
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Thanks for linking! Looks like I just hit the 10 post mark to be able to post pics; appreciate you helping.
It is a beautiful bike. Appreciate you weighing in on its value.
It is a beautiful bike. Appreciate you weighing in on its value.
#11
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Great suggestion, can you help me on forum etiquette: is there a particular sub-forum that would be best in?
#12
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Just post a new thread in the valuation forum with an appropriate heading and put the pertinent information in the first post.
#13
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Thanks for sharing your experience and the pics. Looks like a great bike. I think sport touring is an accurate description of what I'm after, based on what I've read. The bike in question is here, if you can help me with any particulars of this specific one!
Likewise, thanks for the pic for reference. And I hear ya on sellers potentially not knowing. Here is the bike that's currently available in Dallas at or near my size, if you have any thoughts.
Thanks for the brand list. I try to investigate everything from late 70s-80s that is Japanese built, at least!
Likewise, thanks for the pic for reference. And I hear ya on sellers potentially not knowing. Here is the bike that's currently available in Dallas at or near my size, if you have any thoughts.
Thanks for the brand list. I try to investigate everything from late 70s-80s that is Japanese built, at least!
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#14
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I reached out to the seller and he said that he bought it for $700 in California and had $200 in upgrades into it, so wouldn't budge on price. Maybe I'll see if it sits for a while.
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Move on. There are so many great bikes available for less than that. The fact that the seller overpaid (assuming the seller is actually telling the truth) is not your problem.
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#16
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Too much $$$$$ IMO
Be on the lookout for a 1971 -1975 Schwinn Sports Tourer !!!
I have a few of these and they are GREAT!!!
VERY smooth ride, and comfortable !!!
Range should be 200.00 to 400.00 depending on the condition
Good Luck and be patient
Be on the lookout for a 1971 -1975 Schwinn Sports Tourer !!!
I have a few of these and they are GREAT!!!
VERY smooth ride, and comfortable !!!
Range should be 200.00 to 400.00 depending on the condition
Good Luck and be patient
#17
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#18
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Avoid that Voyaguer. Bike is from around 1981, fork is around 1986. Forks do not get "lost" they typically get damaged in a CRASH.
BTW, I prefer the Voyageurs from the mid 1980s: cantilever brakes, better components, etc.
BTW, I prefer the Voyageurs from the mid 1980s: cantilever brakes, better components, etc.
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2. He paid too much for it.
3. You rarely to never get your money out of upgrades. You do them for yourself, and either un-upgrade the bike, or consider the upgrades to be a donation to the new owner. I am kind of known for over-upgrading my personal bikes. Some I have un-upgraded prior to selling, others I have taken the hit. Its how it goes.
All that being said, its a waste of time trying to convince a seller to be reasonable. Sellers have the right to ask too much. There is a seller in my area asking $2500 for their Santana tandem. They have held that price for FIVE years. Meanwhile, there is another Santana for sale right now for $350....
I've got some Washington Mutual stock, I paid $14 per share. I can let it go for $12 (nice discount). Oh yeah, they went bankrupt during the financial meltdown. That money is GONE, GONE, GONE.
+1,000.000 to below: Want a Rivendell knock-off? 1980s rigid frame MTBs are the way to go. And FB marketplace around here has the best deals (fewer buyers, more sellers).
Last edited by wrk101; 03-11-20 at 12:11 PM.
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Hey all,
I've been cruising my local (Dallas) Craigslist for some time in search of a Poor Man's Rivendell (inspired by another post on the forum, not enough forum posts to provide the link). I'm looking for a steel commuter and coffee shop runner that can carry some stuff (whether racks or something like a Carradice bag system). Hopefully it would also have fair tire clearance and the potential for fenders, although I have another bad weather bike, so not a hard need for fenders. Biggest desire is the slack/upright geometry of a Rivendell.
So far, Dallas has not had much in my size in the past ~year of searching. I am 6'1" and am likely after a 58 or 60cm frame.
This 1977 Schwinn Volare came across my search and I was curious what you all think. It seems to hit a lot of the aesthetic considerations and the components and frame material seem to be premium, but I am thinking perhaps its posture is a bit too aggressive for what I'm after? I would definitely look to swap the bars for something more upright. Bike looks to be in good shape, but very pricey at $600, though I understand this model to be sought after.
It looks like I still do not have enough forum posts to link the bike or pictures. It looks to be in great condition, with all original components. That may contribute to the high price; honestly, I'm not all that interested the "originality" of the bike, I'm interested in it being a fun, comfortable ride. Again, I welcome your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Edited to say: I've linked an imgur album of pictures to my bio since I can't attach to the post.
I've been cruising my local (Dallas) Craigslist for some time in search of a Poor Man's Rivendell (inspired by another post on the forum, not enough forum posts to provide the link). I'm looking for a steel commuter and coffee shop runner that can carry some stuff (whether racks or something like a Carradice bag system). Hopefully it would also have fair tire clearance and the potential for fenders, although I have another bad weather bike, so not a hard need for fenders. Biggest desire is the slack/upright geometry of a Rivendell.
So far, Dallas has not had much in my size in the past ~year of searching. I am 6'1" and am likely after a 58 or 60cm frame.
This 1977 Schwinn Volare came across my search and I was curious what you all think. It seems to hit a lot of the aesthetic considerations and the components and frame material seem to be premium, but I am thinking perhaps its posture is a bit too aggressive for what I'm after? I would definitely look to swap the bars for something more upright. Bike looks to be in good shape, but very pricey at $600, though I understand this model to be sought after.
It looks like I still do not have enough forum posts to link the bike or pictures. It looks to be in great condition, with all original components. That may contribute to the high price; honestly, I'm not all that interested the "originality" of the bike, I'm interested in it being a fun, comfortable ride. Again, I welcome your thoughts. Thanks in advance!
Edited to say: I've linked an imgur album of pictures to my bio since I can't attach to the post.
#21
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Any models in particular jump out to you? I see a lot of rigid stumpjumpers come across. Aside from that, I don't really know how to distinguish them.
#22
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...that Volare does look pristine. If the upgrades include some kind of custom wheel build by someone who knows what they were doing, and the wheels are in good shape in terms of even spoke tensions, and I was looking for a sport touring bike, and I had been looking for something in my size with no luck, and I didn't already have so many bicycles, I'd be very tempted to just buy it. Paying a couple of hundred bucks more for a bike that people here tell you is worth less, and is in more or less pristine condition, requiring no work or further investment at all on your part, often turns out not to be all that crazy. I paid $1200 bucks for a local Cinelli here a few years back, had to do some significant paint touch ups, and I still am not unhappy with it.
But it has to be a great fit and you need to make sure there is nothing currently wrong with it that will cost you money. A set of decent fenders are pretty cheap, and you can rack that one easily. Make sure the rims have a bead hook, because some of the Schwinn bikes from that era have alloy rims, but the bead hooks are small or non existent, so it's hard to use high pressure tyres. But you should check for fender clearance, because with the current tyres, it looks close.
I routinely drop a couple of hundred bucks into a used bike I buy to ride around here.
...that Volare does look pristine. If the upgrades include some kind of custom wheel build by someone who knows what they were doing, and the wheels are in good shape in terms of even spoke tensions, and I was looking for a sport touring bike, and I had been looking for something in my size with no luck, and I didn't already have so many bicycles, I'd be very tempted to just buy it. Paying a couple of hundred bucks more for a bike that people here tell you is worth less, and is in more or less pristine condition, requiring no work or further investment at all on your part, often turns out not to be all that crazy. I paid $1200 bucks for a local Cinelli here a few years back, had to do some significant paint touch ups, and I still am not unhappy with it.
But it has to be a great fit and you need to make sure there is nothing currently wrong with it that will cost you money. A set of decent fenders are pretty cheap, and you can rack that one easily. Make sure the rims have a bead hook, because some of the Schwinn bikes from that era have alloy rims, but the bead hooks are small or non existent, so it's hard to use high pressure tyres. But you should check for fender clearance, because with the current tyres, it looks close.
I routinely drop a couple of hundred bucks into a used bike I buy to ride around here.
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#23
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...that Volare does look pristine. If the upgrades include some kind of custom wheel build by someone who knows what they were doing, and the wheels are in good shape in terms of even spoke tensions, and I was looking for a sport touring bike, and I had been looking for something in my size with no luck, and I didn't already have so many bicycles, I'd be very tempted to just buy it. Paying a couple of hundred bucks more for a bike that people here tell you is worth less, and is in more or less pristine condition, requiring no work or further investment at all on your part, often turns out not to be all that crazy. I paid $1200 bucks for a local Cinelli here a few years back, had to do some significant paint touch ups, and I still am not unhappy with it.
But it has to be a great fit and you need to make sure there is nothing currently wrong with it that will cost you money. A set of decent fenders are pretty cheap, and you can rack that one easily. Make sure the rims have a bead hook, because some of the Schwinn bikes from that era have alloy rims, but the bead hooks are small or non existent, so it's hard to use high pressure tyres. But you should check for fender clearance, because with the current tyres, it looks close.
I routinely drop a couple of hundred bucks into a used bike I buy to ride around here.
...that Volare does look pristine. If the upgrades include some kind of custom wheel build by someone who knows what they were doing, and the wheels are in good shape in terms of even spoke tensions, and I was looking for a sport touring bike, and I had been looking for something in my size with no luck, and I didn't already have so many bicycles, I'd be very tempted to just buy it. Paying a couple of hundred bucks more for a bike that people here tell you is worth less, and is in more or less pristine condition, requiring no work or further investment at all on your part, often turns out not to be all that crazy. I paid $1200 bucks for a local Cinelli here a few years back, had to do some significant paint touch ups, and I still am not unhappy with it.
But it has to be a great fit and you need to make sure there is nothing currently wrong with it that will cost you money. A set of decent fenders are pretty cheap, and you can rack that one easily. Make sure the rims have a bead hook, because some of the Schwinn bikes from that era have alloy rims, but the bead hooks are small or non existent, so it's hard to use high pressure tyres. But you should check for fender clearance, because with the current tyres, it looks close.
I routinely drop a couple of hundred bucks into a used bike I buy to ride around here.
#24
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Vintage (rigid) stumpjumpers are fine bikes. I own two of them. Also good are the lugged 900 series Treks. The Bridgestone MB series are also excellent. There are other good mountain bikes but any of those three will make a fine platform to build a Rivendell type bike.
#25
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