1982 Schwinn Voyageur SP (vs '83-'85)
04-23-23, 08:56 AM
#1
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1982 Schwinn Voyageur SP (vs '83-'85)
I've always played with the idea of getting a touring bike, so I occasionally do local Marketplace and Craigslist searches for Miyata 1000s, Univega Specialissimas, and Schwinn Voyageur SPs. Of course, being relatively rare bikes, nothing tends to come up! Until this week!
Voyageur SP
It looks pretty darn clean to me and it should be my size (23''). They listed it for $300, but this is Craigslist pricing, so who knows what I could get it down to. Based on the lugs, I'm going to say it's a 1982 model, rather than the more desirable 1983-85 years. My question is: What would I be missing out on by going with this bike over the later ones? According to a blog post online, the 1982 year "lacks certain amenities," but does not say what those are! It also lacks the later Columbus tubing of the '84-'85.
(one more post after this and I can share an image of the bike
)
Voyageur SP
It looks pretty darn clean to me and it should be my size (23''). They listed it for $300, but this is Craigslist pricing, so who knows what I could get it down to. Based on the lugs, I'm going to say it's a 1982 model, rather than the more desirable 1983-85 years. My question is: What would I be missing out on by going with this bike over the later ones? According to a blog post online, the 1982 year "lacks certain amenities," but does not say what those are! It also lacks the later Columbus tubing of the '84-'85.
(one more post after this and I can share an image of the bike
)
Last edited by Ess4Bee; 04-23-23 at 09:01 AM.
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04-23-23, 09:00 AM
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the obligatory one more forum post so I can share photos... see edited original post!
04-23-23, 09:09 AM
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My 85 VSP is a wonderful riding bike. I have no reference to earlier or later models, as I’ve only ridden two 85 SP’s and an 86 Voyageur. I will say that I thought the plain old Columbus Tenax felt just as the SL/SP.
I might suggest you go for the local bike and ride it until you find an 84/5 to try.
you may end up happy with the 83.
here is a gratuitous pic of my 85 which makes me realize it has three spots for water bottles.
Also note that if you want to stick with 27” wheels, tires are limited. These are Sand Canyon 27x 1 3/8.
here is a list of specs from the web with various years, though the seat post diameter is incorrect for at least 85.
https://sandro.knot.org/wp-content/up...comparison.pdf
I might suggest you go for the local bike and ride it until you find an 84/5 to try.
you may end up happy with the 83.
here is a gratuitous pic of my 85 which makes me realize it has three spots for water bottles.
Also note that if you want to stick with 27” wheels, tires are limited. These are Sand Canyon 27x 1 3/8.
here is a list of specs from the web with various years, though the seat post diameter is incorrect for at least 85.
https://sandro.knot.org/wp-content/up...comparison.pdf
Last edited by Lbxpdx; 04-23-23 at 09:18 AM.
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04-23-23, 04:48 PM
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I have seen and referenced this chart for YEARS- and never noticed that the seat post diameter is wrong- it's 27.2 for the 1984 VSP.
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04-24-23, 12:51 AM
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My 1985 VSP is 27.2mm as well. Really appreciate that!
