brodyreinhard

I found this at the local Goodwill. It had the original booklet on it and looked like it had been garage-kept. I didn't buy it but I was just curious if this is something anyone thought might have some value to it?

cudak888 

Looks like a very well preserved pre-1972 Schwinn Continental - 1972 saw the introduction of randonneur-bend handlebars, which this doesn't have. Originally, the fork would have been painted to match the frame - the chrome fork, close as it is to the original, is likely a replacement (why?).

I believe the seattube decal should make it pre-1971, but I've owned a '71 Continental wearing the previous year's decal, so the combination is not out of the question. The bars on mine (below) were originally the same AVAs as the one in your photo. They were changed out due to the usual stem cracks and tweaked handlebar.



Schwinn literally made millions of these. As a road bike, they're one step from the Schwinn Varsity as an utter joke - and I know I'm going to get the wrath of a few members who lovingly have upgraded theirs for saying this.

Many have childhood memories of this being the "10 speed to have," and for kids that would abuse the living daylights out of their new wheels, there was no better choice really - Schwinn's electroforged frames are pretty much made out of unbreakium. I do not feel the same way about the 27" knurled Schwinn rims though.

If converted to an upright-bar English-style roadster, they can be fun to toodle about on. Schwinn made a fair number of other models based around this same frame concept (some with EA3 wheels, some with 27" wheels) with this exact configuration though; easier to start with that.

-Kurt

noglider 

As for value, no.

cudak888 

This.

Amusement value, at best.

-Kurt

cb400bill

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

curbtender

Cuda hit the nail on the head. These bikes were tanks. They are simple and parts are easy to find. And someone cared enough about it to get that City of Livermore license, home of the Cowboys, yee haa!

Kdogbikes

Root beer continental. I’m a fan of these. What was the price?

zukahn1 

Looks to be a a 1970 metalic Brown Continental in very good original condition for age nice paint and chrome. Cleaned up and ready to ride worth about $150 there just isn't a lot of money in these even when there this nice.

Deal4Fuji

From the Sheldon Brown website:

For a quarter century the easiest way to show you were a sophisticated, discriminating cyclist has been to make disparaging remarks about the Schwinn Varsity (and its slightly upscale brother, the Continental). It's true that the Varsity has the oxymoronic distinction of being one of the heaviest lightweight bicycles ever built. But to understand the bike, I think you have to take it in its historical context.

The Varsity is the single most significant American bicycle.

Full article: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/varsity-shaddox.html

count me as a fan

brodyreinhard

I believe they were asking for 40 at Goodwill. I know that the quality of this Scwhinn wasn't exceptional in terms of part quality but definitely quality in indestructibility but I thought maybe the booklet might add nostalgic value for someone and that could swing it for some.

madpogue 

At least one of the Schwinn catalogs from that era lists the Continental as "Built for Durable Enjoyment". It's been speculated that following a nuclear holocaust or zombie apocalypse, only cockroaches, Twinkies and Varsity/Continental bikes will survive.

bikemike73 

Offer 30 and take it to ride !!!!

Would clean up nice too.

I had one of these as a kid. Couldn't afford the SS or ST.

Now I ride the ST ( sports tourer ) among other lightweights with 3 pc cranks

ramzilla

I always heard this about them: Schwinn Continentals are so heavy duty that when the planet explodes they will be floating around in space for eternity.

brodyreinhard

I believe it was 40. sorry for the late reply