SkitZoid

Hi all,

Pursuing the local thrift shop, I noticed a lovely red and chrome 1988 Schwinn Circuit, surrounded by rusted Huffy bicycle no less.

I'm a total beginner to cycling; even so, at the first touch of this bike (so sleek and light!) I knew it felt very different from the usual bikes that grace the thrift stores.

I'm not sure what the bike is valued at, certainly more that the amount I purchased it for ($30).

Some photos of it here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/galactic_ambitions/sets/72157627015620804

Took it to a reputable bike shop for a tune-up and new tires, I can hardly wait to take it for a spin next week.

Just wanted to share my excitement for a quality find.
Cheers!

TMP

That's one hell of a find! Congrats!

I spy full Sante components.

dmeador21407

Nice buy! Thrift stores can be like hunting for treasure haha.

MFilkins

There should be one more 0 on that price tag. Awesome bike!

TugaDude

I am soooooo glad that that bike is way too small for me because I was fixin' to get really jealous!

Seriously, From about 1985 into the early '90s, Schwinn had a number of models that kicked butt and that is one of them. I have a Tempo, one step down from Circuit, and it rocks. Enjoy!

rccardr 

Yep, been riding my '87 Tempo down here on the Outer Banks on vacation this week. 20 milers each day, average speed= 19.8 mph.

Those Tenax frame Schwinns ARE AWESOME.

Bianchigirll 

that was a great deal. I really need to start hitting the Salvation army store down the street.



wasn't there ones of these on feebay last week that ended early for some sort of shananagans?

septacycles

Great find... great deal... I dig the shimano sante group especially when it is clean. Probaby the best $30 you ever spent. Enjoy

Scooper

For $30, you stole it.

The Circuit was at the top of the steel frame model line-up out of the Greenville, MS factory in 1988. The frame was actually Columbus SL, with 23" and larger frames using SP down tubes.

Congratulations on a great deal.

Here are the specs:

https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...0/1988_16.html

leftthread

A stone cold groove.
This auction netted $281 for an '88 60cm:
ttp://cgi.ebay.com/88-SCHWINN-CIRCUIT-ORIG-SHIMANO-SANTE-60CM-NICE-NO-RES-/250831041288?pt=Road_Bikes&hash=item3a66b1f308

Teon

Excellent find, imo, noob that I am.

ScottNotBombs

Nice bike! My girlfriend just paid $300 for a prelude in a similar size and condition, but with cyclone.

Only thing at thift stores by me are Free Spirits or Huffys or similar for about $30... and that's if I'm lucky.

rough2005

Second only to Schwinn Paramount for only $30....WOWWWWWWWWW!!!!

rekmeyata

Fantastic find, and yes those Columbus Tenax frames are great frames, they were related to Columbus SL or maybe SP frames as one poster mentioned and they were relabeled Tenax for the Schwinn company, not sure why some said the frames had cosmetic imperfections? I don't know if that's true, I have a Tenax frame on my 85 Schwinn Le Tour Luxe and it rides wonderfully.

Tenax was a bit heavier then higher end Columbus steel but it was really durable and found it's way into touring bikes. Some have said Tenax was straight gauge, my sticker says double butted so it's not straight gauge. Some said their heavy frames, mine's lighter then a friends modern Trek 520 touring bike, and mine weighs 24 pounds which is the heaviest bike I own besides the Giant Rincon at 30. Some said they were rolled, seamed and welded, mine is lugged. Mine even has stainless steel dropouts. My Le Tour Luxe was one model down from the Voyager which were Schwinn's best touring bikes and their second place Voyager had the same frame as mine! The first place Voyager actually used labeled Columbus SL and SP mix thus the same as Tenax? maybe cosmetically superior to Tenax? or maybe just a tad lighter? I don't know.

I think it's a very good frame, while not the best, but still very good, I think they were highly underrated and that's why you can find them cheaper then Columbus branded SL or SP.

But you found a great looking bike for cheap, congrats on your find.

kevman

I own a 1988 Schwinn Circuit. I am the original owner and I only have about 200 - 300 miles on it.... it is mint! I am attempting to get myself back in riding shape after many many years of being a slave to my job, going through a bad ex situation, etc. It looks exactly like this... https://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7...988Circuit.jpg <<< Seems the forum broke my link. (the pic is not a pic of my bike but of what it exactly looks like)

oddjob2

Enjoy it Kevman. Your link doesn't work.

Scooper

The late eighties Circuits are unquestionably high end bikes. You had excellent taste when you bought it in '88.

The photobucket link doesn't work (Sorry. This person moved or deleted this image).

kevman

Link should work now. Hopefully.

kevman

Thanks! Check the link again.

Scooper

Yep; it works now. Your link is to the '88 Circuit catalog image in my photobucket library (user k4drd).

kevman

See... you didn't delete the picture!

rekmeyata

That is one sweet looking ride...and you bought such a beauty and almost never rode it? Uuh? I hope you do start riding that thing.

jjames1452 

I was ready to drive fron Dayton Ohio to Lexington KY and pay $250 for a Circuit in my size.
Great find!!!!!

kevman

That is my plan. I would have been back riding again, but I hurt my knee and need to wait for it to heal.

rekmeyata

Take it easy when you first start riding and spin in taller gears so you don't put so much pressure on your knee by cranking in a hard gear. I'm sure you already know all of this.