Local idiot spends good money on another old Schwinn
06-11-23, 10:50 AM
#1
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Local idiot spends good money on another old Schwinn
The idiot is reportedly neither a bike mechanic nor a photographer, though he's "doing his best." Residents questioned whether the garage capacity could support another bicycle. Sources close to the idiot indicated there was no rational explanation for the acquisition.
The bicycle was identified as a 1976 Schwinn Superior, hand-built in Chicago around a fillet-brazed frame. Demonstrating Schwinn's "obsolete when new" design philosophy, this bicycle was 2-3 lbs. heavier than foreign lugged-frame competitors despite being positioned toward the upper end of the brand's line.
The bicycle was identified as a 1976 Schwinn Superior, hand-built in Chicago around a fillet-brazed frame. Demonstrating Schwinn's "obsolete when new" design philosophy, this bicycle was 2-3 lbs. heavier than foreign lugged-frame competitors despite being positioned toward the upper end of the brand's line.
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06-11-23, 11:01 AM
#2
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Old Schwinns are like cockroaches, they breed in the dark, and next time you turn on the light there are ten of them.
Nice find, It's beautiful.
Nice find, It's beautiful.
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06-11-23, 11:09 AM
#3
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This bike is great:
- The handling is agile but predicable. Just super nicely balanced.
- It's a real road bike. It wants to move and it will.
- The gear ratios chosen by the factory, at 14-32 and 40-54, surprisingly work well. Many bikes are geared stupidly from the factory, often too high. Not this one: its range extends just high enough, and just low enough. The spacing between the chainrings is about one and a half cogs on the rear so that no ratio is redundant with another. Sadly there are no 5-speed freewheels in production with 14-32 gearing for when this one wears out.
- The suicide levers, flat pedals without clips, and the Pee Wee Herman-spec bullet headlight and bottle generator (already removed) suggest this bike was set up for a customer who was perhaps not an avid cyclist. Especially the suicide levers: that's a promise from God that a bike wasn't ridden hard or often. Someone fitted new tires and salmon Kool Stop pads around 2003 or so.
- Even the plastic saddle isn't the worst.
Last edited by jpc2001; 06-11-23 at 11:43 AM.
06-11-23, 11:10 AM
#4
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You didn't cover the most important issue.
The only relevant question:
Is the "idiot" happy with his acquisition?
The only relevant question:
Is the "idiot" happy with his acquisition?
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06-11-23, 11:14 AM
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We're all subscribers to The Idiot's Digest. Thank you for your submission.
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06-11-23, 11:19 AM
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I’m just idiot enough to feel this is a great pickup of a bike that’s kind of a tough find. Superiors don’t come up often in my area. Congratulations!
06-11-23, 11:23 AM
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jpc2001 you wrote above; "Sadly there are no 5-speed freewheels in production with 14-32 gearing for when this one wears out."
Don't worry. I can help with such a challenge. Easy peasey.
BTW, great find!
Don't worry. I can help with such a challenge. Easy peasey.
BTW, great find!
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06-11-23, 11:29 AM
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I'm not a mechanic. If I took this bike apart into 200 pieces like y'all who do beautiful restorations, it'd never come back together.
On my other steel roadies I just replace components with modern ones as needed. If a new part costs a few bucks, bolts on, and fixes the problem, then the worn or balky one is trash.
For this one though, I've designated a cardboard box for original parts in case someone wants to do a restore in the future.
On my other steel roadies I just replace components with modern ones as needed. If a new part costs a few bucks, bolts on, and fixes the problem, then the worn or balky one is trash.
For this one though, I've designated a cardboard box for original parts in case someone wants to do a restore in the future.
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06-11-23, 11:44 AM
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06-11-23, 11:45 AM
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I'm not a mechanic. If I took this bike apart into 200 pieces like y'all who do beautiful restorations, it'd never come back together.
On my other steel roadies I just replace components with modern ones as needed. If a new part costs a few bucks, bolts on, and fixes the problem, then the worn or balky one is trash.
For this one though, I've designated a cardboard box for original parts in case someone wants to do a restore in the future.
On my other steel roadies I just replace components with modern ones as needed. If a new part costs a few bucks, bolts on, and fixes the problem, then the worn or balky one is trash.
For this one though, I've designated a cardboard box for original parts in case someone wants to do a restore in the future.
And you may be underestimating yourself. If you have the tools, and take your time, there are plenty of resources in the C&V forum to guide you through anything on that bike. It looks to me to be in good survivor condition and it wouldn't take much to get it in tiptop shape with original components save for consumables. Even the ubiquitous kickstand would stay. If it was installed carefully all the damage that should be to the chain stays is some scratches.
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06-11-23, 11:52 AM
#12
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06-11-23, 12:05 PM
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The first thing for the box, someone would love o have that speedometer trigger
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06-11-23, 02:19 PM
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Nice bike! I'd be proud to own one of the fillet brazed Schwinns.
Besides, bike collections are like heaven, there's always room for one more.
Besides, bike collections are like heaven, there's always room for one more.
06-11-23, 02:20 PM
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I'm vibing with this purchase - great pickup. I passed on one of these about a year ago for $120 that was in about the same shape as yours, might slightly worse. I think about it now and then, and end up thinking that I should have picked it up, but if I had done that, I have been working on that instead of having spent all that time on the Huffy, so my quality of life would have improved dramatically - can't have that!
Everyone needs an armageddon bike, and this is probably about the best option ever made. My current armageddon bike is a Trek 750 Multitrack, another good candidate. But nothing can beat a Schwinn for that.
Everyone needs an armageddon bike, and this is probably about the best option ever made. My current armageddon bike is a Trek 750 Multitrack, another good candidate. But nothing can beat a Schwinn for that.
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06-11-23, 02:21 PM
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06-11-23, 03:10 PM
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A few years back my mail carrier at work asked me to go through his 1980 or so Schwinn Le Tour 4 so he could start riding it again. He bought it new and after seeing some of my bikes , thought it would be cool to start riding his old ten speed again. I took it apart and waxed , polished, replaced cables , bar tape , then greased and tuned the bike. When I was done , it looked new. The chrome and quality of the bike surprised me ….but it was HEAVY! Like boat anchor territory. I took it for a ride and did a major climb up a hill behind my house, where I would’ve been walking on one of my light weight racers. That thing was a billy goat and climbed up the hill with determination. The gearing was designed for it.Then , downhill was smooth and controlled. That bike surprised me . With the Superior a few ticks above the LeTour , or several ticks , I’m sure it rides nicely.
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06-11-23, 03:59 PM
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06-11-23, 05:57 PM
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Great find, I've been wanting to find one of these fillet brazed schwinns for a long while to turn into a IGH path racer/grocery getter.
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06-11-23, 09:35 PM
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I like it. Condition is nice.
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06-12-23, 08:33 AM
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Nice find. The Superior was a well-made bike and a higher-end model. Not a foolish buy at all.
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06-12-23, 10:44 AM
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I too, am very fond of fillet brazed Schwinns, and according to my wife, also an idiot!
Tim
71 Sports Tourer
Tim
71 Sports Tourer
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06-12-23, 12:02 PM
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Maybe your version of heaven needs a fillet brazed Schwinn?
06-12-23, 05:49 PM
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Fillet-brazed fanatics
Nice! I have a Schwinn Superior and a Super Sport. Neither is stock, just like my first Superior I had 30 years ago.
I resto-modded the Superior with first series Shimano XTR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohpv/a...7642470085394/
I built the Super Sport into a three-speed town bike:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohpv/a...57670249022375
I resto-modded the Superior with first series Shimano XTR:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohpv/a...7642470085394/
I built the Super Sport into a three-speed town bike:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ohpv/a...57670249022375
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06-13-23, 08:10 AM
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If I ever find a Superior or Sports Tourer in my area in an agreeable color, I'm going to grab it. I think they are really nice bikes.
I just don't want to ship one..
I just don't want to ship one..