I Can’t Stop Buying Vintage Schwinn Road Bikes
08-01-23, 01:04 PM
#51
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All/most/many of these are fantastic upper middle range models, great deals, punch well above their weight class.
It seems it was a bit of a "whack a mole" marketing as there were so many models and most were good.
You really can't go wrong with any of them, find one in your size and color you like at a good price and make it so.
Trying to parse minutia on these can be futile.
It seems it was a bit of a "whack a mole" marketing as there were so many models and most were good.
You really can't go wrong with any of them, find one in your size and color you like at a good price and make it so.
Trying to parse minutia on these can be futile.
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08-01-23, 02:06 PM
#52
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Thread Starter
I realize different light, different cameras and whatnot can alter the color of the bike in pictures. That said, the color sure looks to have a stark difference between the two years. For what it’s worth, I really like the frame color on my Circuit. Looks elegant and classy. In fact I was going to build a custom bike with a custom paint job with a color that was very similar. Might have to go a different route with the custom color now that I have the Circuit.
08-01-23, 02:10 PM
#53
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Let us know how it rides once you get some saddle time in. I'm sure I'm not the only one really curious on the differences in ride qualities between all the lightweight late-80s Schwinns. Honestly there are so many models I tend to get confused...Premis, Prelude, Circuit, Super Sport, Prologue, Peloton, etc. What is the hierarchy? I've tried to go back to the catalogs, but some catalogs have some models, yet not others. Its always fun to instead, put down the catalogs and just see how the things ride.
Looking forward to your ride report, and I'm also interested to see how the larger frame size changes the ride.
Looking forward to your ride report, and I'm also interested to see how the larger frame size changes the ride.
Took the Premis out today for a 20+ mile ride. I find I enjoy riding it more than the Sport or Tempo (which both ride nice). Premis is just more responsive, which surprises me since I believe the Tempo was more expensive and seen as slightly higher on the food chain.
08-01-23, 04:31 PM
#54
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I did some more research on the frame color of the 1988 vs 1989 Circuit. He’s what I found per the Scwhinn catalogs:
1988 Circuit - “Colors: Bright Red, Protective Clear Coat”
1989 Circuit - “Colors: Candy Red, Protective Clear Coat”
IMO both look great, but prefer the 1989 color.
1988 catalog
1989 catalog
1988 Circuit - “Colors: Bright Red, Protective Clear Coat”
1989 Circuit - “Colors: Candy Red, Protective Clear Coat”
IMO both look great, but prefer the 1989 color.
1988 catalog
1989 catalog
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08-03-23, 09:53 AM
#55
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OK, yes, "candy red" does describe my '89 well. And agreed, I prefer the depth/richness of that red over the "Radio Flyer" red of 1988. 'Course, that bright red looks pretty sharp on my old Kona Lava Dome MTB.
08-07-23, 09:13 PM
#56
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I still own the Schwinn Sierra mountain bike I bought when I was in high school (over 30 years ago!). Other than that MTB, I’ve never owned another Schwinn in my life, until now. Over the last month I have bought 4 Schwinn road bikes: a 1988 Premis, a 1987 Super Sport, a 1987 Tempo and a 1986 Tempo.
I have no idea why I all of a sudden have the vintage Schwinn bug. All of them were acquired for a low price, and I guess I felt the need to restore them to some degree…hate seeing bikes that have been neglected.
The Premis is 100% original, including the saddle and tires. The only consumable that may not be original could be the bar wrap.
The Super Sport has the original Shimano 600 groupset. Original saddle as well. Need to rewrap the bars white to match the original look of the bike.
1986 Tempo has 105 groupset. Since the saddle was in bad shape I decided to wrap it with custom leather and then matched the bar tape as well.
1987 Tempo has the 105 groupset with replacement saddle.
At this pint my only hope is people stop posting vintage Scwhinns in my area! I’m going to run out of room! LOL.
1986 Tempo
1987 Super Sport
1988 Premis
1987 Tempo
I have no idea why I all of a sudden have the vintage Schwinn bug. All of them were acquired for a low price, and I guess I felt the need to restore them to some degree…hate seeing bikes that have been neglected.
The Premis is 100% original, including the saddle and tires. The only consumable that may not be original could be the bar wrap.
The Super Sport has the original Shimano 600 groupset. Original saddle as well. Need to rewrap the bars white to match the original look of the bike.
1986 Tempo has 105 groupset. Since the saddle was in bad shape I decided to wrap it with custom leather and then matched the bar tape as well.
1987 Tempo has the 105 groupset with replacement saddle.
At this pint my only hope is people stop posting vintage Scwhinns in my area! I’m going to run out of room! LOL.
1986 Tempo
1987 Super Sport
1988 Premis
1987 Tempo
Congrats on the start to a great Schwinn Collection!
and nice work getting them road ready
Last edited by justcynn; 08-07-23 at 09:17 PM.
08-07-23, 09:19 PM
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there must be a twelve step programme for this particular form of OCD...
Step Nr. 1 -
neither read nor accept any input from @gugie
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there must be a twelve step programme for this particular form of OCD...
Step Nr. 1 -
neither read nor accept any input from @gugie
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08-07-23, 09:26 PM
#58
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there must be a twelve step programme for this particular form of OCD...
Step Nr. 1 -
neither read nor accept any input from @gugie
-----
there must be a twelve step programme for this particular form of OCD...
Step Nr. 1 -
neither read nor accept any input from @gugie
-----
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08-08-23, 11:17 AM
#59
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I Can't Stop Buying Vintage Schwinn Road Bikes
I still own the Schwinn Sierra mountain bike I bought when I was in high school (over 30 years ago!). Other than that MTB, I’ve never owned another Schwinn in my life, until now. Over the last month I have bought 4 Schwinn road bikes: a 1988 Premis, a 1987 Super Sport, a 1987 Tempo and a 1986 Tempo.
I have no idea why I all of a sudden have the vintage Schwinn bug. All of them were acquired for a low price, and I guess I felt the need to restore them to some degree…hate seeing bikes that have been neglected.
The Premis is 100% original, including the saddle and tires. The only consumable that may not be original could be the bar wrap.
The Super Sport has the original Shimano 600 groupset. Original saddle as well. Need to rewrap the bars white to match the original look of the bike.
1986 Tempo has 105 groupset. Since the saddle was in bad shape I decided to wrap it with custom leather and then matched the bar tape as well.
1987 Tempo has the 105 groupset with replacement saddle.
At this pint my only hope is people stop posting vintage Scwhinns in my area! I’m going to run out of room! LOL.
I have no idea why I all of a sudden have the vintage Schwinn bug. All of them were acquired for a low price, and I guess I felt the need to restore them to some degree…hate seeing bikes that have been neglected.
The Premis is 100% original, including the saddle and tires. The only consumable that may not be original could be the bar wrap.
The Super Sport has the original Shimano 600 groupset. Original saddle as well. Need to rewrap the bars white to match the original look of the bike.
1986 Tempo has 105 groupset. Since the saddle was in bad shape I decided to wrap it with custom leather and then matched the bar tape as well.
1987 Tempo has the 105 groupset with replacement saddle.
At this pint my only hope is people stop posting vintage Scwhinns in my area! I’m going to run out of room! LOL.
I have a Schwinn Traveler that rides and feels an awful lot of my, dare I say it ........... Serotta Club Special. Now before you comment, please keep in mind that Ben Serotta came up with the Club Special as an kind of all around sporty bike, not a criterium racer. So it was a little more comfortable than some of the Italian race bikes, and that was a full ten or more years ahead of Schwinn. With the availability of good quality double butted tubing Schwinn was able to offer a frame that was similar to a custom builder ten year ago.
08-08-23, 04:21 PM
#60
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08-11-23, 11:07 AM
#61
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I’m getting close to finding all the parts to complete the Circuit. The Schwinn catalog says the 1989 Circuit came with a San Marco Rolls saddle.
Does anyone have a picture of the back/rear of the saddle? Would it have looked like this?
Does anyone have a picture of the back/rear of the saddle? Would it have looked like this?
08-11-23, 01:07 PM
#62
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Yes.
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08-12-23, 08:54 AM
#63
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Thread Starter
Quick question…
So I can purchase a San Marco Rolls to match the original saddle or can re-wrap a vintage saddle I already have with black leather.
Do you think it is worth the extra cost to have the Circuit as close to original as possible with Rolls saddle or is there some “forgiveness” (meaning the value is essentially the same) when it comes to non-original saddles (similar to other consumables)?
So I can purchase a San Marco Rolls to match the original saddle or can re-wrap a vintage saddle I already have with black leather.
Do you think it is worth the extra cost to have the Circuit as close to original as possible with Rolls saddle or is there some “forgiveness” (meaning the value is essentially the same) when it comes to non-original saddles (similar to other consumables)?
08-12-23, 09:14 AM
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Saddle and bar wrap is always a personal choice. Would look nice with a turbo on there. If your point is to keep it original then go that way. Worth is what you determine and someone else agrees to.
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08-12-23, 09:52 AM
#66
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Well as luck would have it, the extra saddle I was going to wrap in black leather is a Turbo. It has several cracks from drying out too much, so I may just go that route and rewrap and use that saddle.
08-15-23, 06:18 PM
#67
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Thread Starter
Making progress. Found a Cinelli 110 stem and 64-42 handlebar. Ordered some new tires and decided for now to use the old Turbo saddle. Once the bar tape arrives and is installed I will go through and adjust everything. Can’t wait to take it for a spin and compare it to the other Schwinns.
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08-19-23, 04:12 PM
#69
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Bike is all done. Took a quick 5 mile test ride…wanted to ride farther but it is 105 degrees here today in Kansas City.
Bike rides so smooth, quiet and the Sante shifting is precise. Alot of fun to ride and can’t wait for a better day to take it on a longer ride. Will need to adjust the seat position and stem as my hands had a little more pressure on the hoods than I am use to. Of course part of that is due to knowingly riding a bike that is too big for me. Doesn’t matter I plan to keep it and enjoy it.
One final picture of completed bike along with the new lineup of road bikes.
Bike rides so smooth, quiet and the Sante shifting is precise. Alot of fun to ride and can’t wait for a better day to take it on a longer ride. Will need to adjust the seat position and stem as my hands had a little more pressure on the hoods than I am use to. Of course part of that is due to knowingly riding a bike that is too big for me. Doesn’t matter I plan to keep it and enjoy it.
One final picture of completed bike along with the new lineup of road bikes.
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08-20-23, 12:45 AM
#70
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YES.
Also, guess who wants their long-sold '85 Peloton back?
Also, guess who wants their long-sold '85 Peloton back?
08-20-23, 12:47 AM
#71
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This color combo and the Captain America red/white/blue Preludes from the same period are my favorite fun color Schwinns. I've come across a few in my size, but all have been a good bit rougher than I'd like. Someday...
08-20-23, 07:36 AM
#72
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I already own a Premis but I am quite confident if I find one in my size with that paint scheme I’m taking it home. Something about that frame that says “Buy Me!”.
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08-21-23, 06:50 AM
#73
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The way you titled the thread, I thought you had a lot of them. 
I'm the same way with 1970's Raleighs. I got started before you apparently, but you may be on your way to catching up. There may not be a cure for our disease, but it's not like we're hoarding derelict cars.
I'm the same way with 1970's Raleighs. I got started before you apparently, but you may be on your way to catching up. There may not be a cure for our disease, but it's not like we're hoarding derelict cars.
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08-21-23, 06:11 PM
#75
Joel Zieve
I can understand the addiction - I've only refurbished one, but it was so fun to work on and turned out great.