Post your Schwinn Voyageur!
#451
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1st cousin to the Voyageur - '85 LeTour Luxe. This was branded as the "entry level" model after the Voyageur SP and Voyageur in '85. Its my understanding the LeTour Luxe became the Passage in '86. Its now wearing Kenda 27x1 3/8 Gumwalls as well as a Brooks Honey Saddle and Top Cabin Brown Faux Leather Bar Tape. Otherwise it came as you see it. Both my Voyageur and Luxe came with a Mallard 5 Spd Cassette which both are very gummed up, I don't believe that is the original on the Voyageur and plan is to go back to 6 Spd on the Voyageur.
With these two additions, my stable is Tour Ready with (2) '80 Voyageurs in Chrome, '85 Voyageur Frame to be built in Wine Red, this '85 LeTour Luxe in Cocoa Brown, and an '89 Voyageur in Emerald Green. Also have an '87 Trek 520 Cirrus. Time to do some touring!
With these two additions, my stable is Tour Ready with (2) '80 Voyageurs in Chrome, '85 Voyageur Frame to be built in Wine Red, this '85 LeTour Luxe in Cocoa Brown, and an '89 Voyageur in Emerald Green. Also have an '87 Trek 520 Cirrus. Time to do some touring!
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#453
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For those who've done the 27 to 700c conversion: If you're running fenders and tires labeled 35mm, what's the measured width of your tire? I'm getting slight rubbing between the front tire and fender with a 35mm Gravelking SS, which runs true to size.
Apparently, I also need to go back to the drawing board for cantilevers to make the conversion work as the Dia-Compe NGC 982 doesn't do the job. (More info HERE)
Apparently, I also need to go back to the drawing board for cantilevers to make the conversion work as the Dia-Compe NGC 982 doesn't do the job. (More info HERE)
#454
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I got the Dia-Compe 981's, and they have yet again proved to be the key. Schwinn Voyageur 27" to 700c conversions and Dia-Compe 981's w/ Kool Stop Thinlines — it just works. I'm still disappointed the 982s couldn't make it happen. They've been moved over to my Trek 950 project. If the fork on this frame weren't so narrow, I'd be inclined to have the canti posts moved and get the frame repainted. I'm not opposed to over-the-top, slightly unnecessary work, but I don't know if I love the frame enough to go that far. I still need to massage the front fender a bit, so it'll play nice with the 35mm tire and the tight clearance there.
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#455
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The front fender fits about as well as it can after dimpling where it meets the fork crown. I could indent the sides to curve around the fork blades to eke out slightly more clearance. A quick test ride (in a light drizzle no less!) verified no obvious rubbing other than the "feelers". Anyway, for your viewing pleasure, the tightness that is 35mm tires, and 45mm fenders on a narrow VSP fork.
#456
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Rooney are those true 35's? On my 85 Voyageur (non-SP) a Pasela 38 (which measures 36) have more a bit more room than yours.
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#457
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Yup, true 35's. I was a bit surprised as it's the first time I've had a tire actually measure out to the stated size. I can just barely get the (fully inflated) tire past the cantilever mounts. After reading others' experiences, I have a theory that the 85 (and maybe 84) SP's have narrower forks. Worst case, I'll run a 32 in the front.
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#458
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well I have pretty much everything I ever needed and there is not much I want ....and I usually exercise self control but if I ever find a chrome Voyageur sp in my size within driving distance......I will sell some of the wives stuff and go and get it....absurd price would not stop me.......I would even clean the garage .....sleep with the dog.....eat peanut butter for weeks........I MIGHT even go so far as to sell one of my other bikes
homelessjoe's new bike
#459
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I'm new to the Voyageur party. Just read the entire thread. Given all the beautiful bikes shown, I'd say mine is the other side of the bell curve! It was given to a friend of mine, and he already has plenty of bikes. I told him I wanted to build a gravel bike for riding dirt roads in the area (Fraser, Colorado), so I got it for the princely sum of . . . free.
Other than the Specialized Touring tires, which are dry rotted, I think it's original. I don't think the wheels have been swapped to 700s, but the tires are marked as such.
It's a 23" 1980 Voyageur 11.8 in what once was Black Sable. The frame is rough and decals mostly gone. I've been perusing the powdercoat thread. Might go that direction, might paint it myself, might leave it as is and just bathe the rusty parts in white vinegar. This is a huge learning process for me, as you all throw around terms of parts that I know nothing about. So, I'll have questions. Heck, I might even start a build thread to ask them and show progress.
I was in such a hurry to get going, I didn't even snap a photo of the bike in its given-to-me state. Here are a couple taken during disassembly.
The tripometer is hazed over. Might have to pop the cover to see mileage to date.
No braze ons for bottle cages and racks like later years. If I strip it for pc or paint, I may have some brazed on.
After reading the Voyageur thread, I've become a fan of the cantilever brakes. Another reason to strip the frame to have bosses brazed on.
I removed everything but the bottom bracket (and headset races). I have Park Tool's wrench on order to finish the job.
Other than the Specialized Touring tires, which are dry rotted, I think it's original. I don't think the wheels have been swapped to 700s, but the tires are marked as such.
It's a 23" 1980 Voyageur 11.8 in what once was Black Sable. The frame is rough and decals mostly gone. I've been perusing the powdercoat thread. Might go that direction, might paint it myself, might leave it as is and just bathe the rusty parts in white vinegar. This is a huge learning process for me, as you all throw around terms of parts that I know nothing about. So, I'll have questions. Heck, I might even start a build thread to ask them and show progress.
I was in such a hurry to get going, I didn't even snap a photo of the bike in its given-to-me state. Here are a couple taken during disassembly.
The tripometer is hazed over. Might have to pop the cover to see mileage to date.
No braze ons for bottle cages and racks like later years. If I strip it for pc or paint, I may have some brazed on.
After reading the Voyageur thread, I've become a fan of the cantilever brakes. Another reason to strip the frame to have bosses brazed on.
I removed everything but the bottom bracket (and headset races). I have Park Tool's wrench on order to finish the job.
#460
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finally getting around to building the 1984 NOS Voyageur Frameset. This one is getting a modern parts build with the goal to be a solid all arounder.
Today I cold set the frame from 120 to 130 to accommodate a 700 - 10 Spd cassette wheelset. Mounted the 700x38 Pasela skin walls (still plenty of room - also tried a set to 40mm which would have also worked).
waiting for the following parts to arrive:
Today I cold set the frame from 120 to 130 to accommodate a 700 - 10 Spd cassette wheelset. Mounted the 700x38 Pasela skin walls (still plenty of room - also tried a set to 40mm which would have also worked).
waiting for the following parts to arrive:
- Praxisworks 34/50 Crankset with Box Two BSA bottom bracket
- Dura Ace 10 Spd Bar End Shifters
- Ultegra Medium Cage Derailleur
- Crane Creek SCR-5 Ergo Brake Levers
- SRAM 11-32 10 spd cassette
- Koolstop thinlines in grey
- Grey Handlebar Tape to match the grey in the Schwinn logo
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#461
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Yup, true 35's. I was a bit surprised as it's the first time I've had a tire actually measure out to the stated size. I can just barely get the (fully inflated) tire past the cantilever mounts. After reading others' experiences, I have a theory that the 85 (and maybe 84) SP's have narrower forks. Worst case, I'll run a 32 in the front.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
#462
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Rooney I can't measure currently but my '86 is running 35mm Paselas with 45mm fenders and clearance is fine. Definitely maxed out, but fine. Could go up to 40 without fenders I'm sure. I believe I do have more clearance in the fork than the stays, so your theory could be correct.
This article was already posted here I think but this guy has 45mm up front and 42mm in the back on his 86, although the back is far too close for my comfort haha. No fenders of course: https://bikepacking.com/news/readers...winn-voyageur/
This article was already posted here I think but this guy has 45mm up front and 42mm in the back on his 86, although the back is far too close for my comfort haha. No fenders of course: https://bikepacking.com/news/readers...winn-voyageur/
Last edited by polymorphself; 09-21-21 at 03:50 PM.
#463
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Clearance is tight enough that when I took my fenders off recently, I had enough trouble getting them back in place without any rubbing that I've left them off. I measured 50mm between the front canti posts and 40mm between the chainstays at the tire. For this particular bike, I think the best solution would be a 27" wheel, with a 130mm hub and cassette, and 27 x1 1/4" tires and fenders. After a bit of fiddling, the cantilevers still don't hit the 700c rim close enough to squarely for me to be content either, but they do the job.
For as much as others have had luck with the 27 to 700 conversion, I'll be a vote against it. Although, I do appreciate the 8-speed cassette upgrade.
For as much as others have had luck with the 27 to 700 conversion, I'll be a vote against it. Although, I do appreciate the 8-speed cassette upgrade.
#464
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I'm in need of a new wheelset and think its finally time to take the opportunity to have my first bike with some "modern" components. Aka a cassette. I'm ok spreading the triangle to 130mm but I'm worried about compatibility issues I may run into with the drive train. For example, I'm not sure my stock Shimano Light action RD will play well with whatever cassette I choose. But again, I've never messed with post 1980s components so I'm looking to learn here.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
Last edited by polymorphself; 10-07-21 at 04:11 PM.
#465
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I'm in need of a new wheelset and think its finally time to take the opportunity to have my first bike with some "modern" components. Aka a cassette. I'm ok spreading the triangle to 130mm but I'm worried about compatibility issues I may run into with the drive train. For example, I'm not sure my stock Shimano Light action RD will play well with whatever cassette I choose. But again, I've never messed with post 1980s components so I'm looking to learn here.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
I feel like you might be opening a can of worms with this. Switching wheelsets, switching RD, switching cranksets, what else is that going to lead to? Are you looking to go full modern drivetrain or just replace the wheels? (And I'm assuming 700c rims?)
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#466
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I'm in need of a new wheelset and think its finally time to take the opportunity to have my first bike with some "modern" components. Aka a cassette. I'm ok spreading the triangle to 130mm but I'm worried about compatibility issues I may run into with the drive train. For example, I'm not sure my stock Shimano Light action RD will play well with whatever cassette I choose. But again, I've never messed with post 1980s components so I'm looking to learn here.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
Any good examples/recommendations of setups that keep the classic look but work well on a voyageur as a bit of an all arounder that mostly does flat commuting with the occasional loaded weekend trip? The current chainrings are biopace and I don't love them so no problem swapping those out as well. Have been reading about the benefits of a compact double but don't have any experience there either.
Tagging in ravenix and Scottybigs who look to have gone this route.
#467
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I just got this yesterday. It's an 80 but was bought new in 82. I've wanted one for quiet a while. It has less than 20 miles on it. Only the first 3 gears in the freewheel have grease on them. The others have never been used. The large chainring has not been used. The bike is basically new. The original Schwinn tires have no wear.
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#468
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Whats the meaning behind the 11.8 in the name of the bike? Why did Schwinn call the Voyageur 11.8?
#470
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11.8 KG. Which is also 26 lbs.
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#473
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scored a Black Shimano 105 3x9 Group for one of my Longer Wheelbase Bikes. I'll call it the black Friday find. Dad why did your alarm go off at 9:25AM, hold on kids - I need to go win an Ebay auction - be back with you at 9:30. old school style. Stole it in the final 15 Seconds!. I'll call it the black Friday score while the wife and kids cruise the dept stores..
Planning it for one of my longer chain stay, big tire clearance framesets. The options are the '84 NOS Voyageur Framset in Wine Red, The '88/89 Emerald Green or an '81 LeTour that was NOS.
I was thinking the 'Emerald Green cause it would be just plain cool and I would ride it a alot, but I just can't bring myself to dismembering such a nice survivor and I am thinking someone might really appreciate this as is if it ever leaves my care.
The '84 is planned to be 50/34 10 Speed Set up and I didn't have plans of the '81 LeTour yet other than big tires and gravel type bars.
The only knock on the LeTour is its a 1020 frame with no bottle bosses. Is there that much difference in the ride quality of 1020 vs 4130 (my 80 Chrome Voyageurs) and the Columbus Tenax?
Decisions, Decisions. I'm leaning towards the LeTour. Forgive me for posting a LeTour in the Voyageur Appreciation section, but not too many LeTour threads out there
'84 NOS Voyageur
'88/89 Emerald Green Voyageur Survivor
'81 LeTour New Old Stock Frame, with a mismatched chrome fork
Planning it for one of my longer chain stay, big tire clearance framesets. The options are the '84 NOS Voyageur Framset in Wine Red, The '88/89 Emerald Green or an '81 LeTour that was NOS.
I was thinking the 'Emerald Green cause it would be just plain cool and I would ride it a alot, but I just can't bring myself to dismembering such a nice survivor and I am thinking someone might really appreciate this as is if it ever leaves my care.
The '84 is planned to be 50/34 10 Speed Set up and I didn't have plans of the '81 LeTour yet other than big tires and gravel type bars.
The only knock on the LeTour is its a 1020 frame with no bottle bosses. Is there that much difference in the ride quality of 1020 vs 4130 (my 80 Chrome Voyageurs) and the Columbus Tenax?
Decisions, Decisions. I'm leaning towards the LeTour. Forgive me for posting a LeTour in the Voyageur Appreciation section, but not too many LeTour threads out there
'84 NOS Voyageur
'88/89 Emerald Green Voyageur Survivor
'81 LeTour New Old Stock Frame, with a mismatched chrome fork
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#474
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The '89 Emerald Green Voyageur rides again- 16 mile shake down today on a 75 Degree day in December - WINDY but will take it!
Overall very pleased with the ride - but have some items to work out.
Overall very pleased with the ride - but have some items to work out.
- Braking power is not there, I used the original 981's with koolstop thinlines as suggested elsewhere in this thread, Either aren't tight enough and/or needs some more adjustment. Adjusting Canti's is prob my least favorite thing, but must be done...
- Not thrilled with the look of the threadless stem adapter & threadless stem - that is going to need some updating. I kinda wish I had stayed with the original stem, but I have a nice black Profile two bolt stem I could swap in without stripping the handle bars - so will try that first
- Pedals need updated. I have some nicer examples in the parts bin
- Swapped out the original 3x5 Set up for a Very nice used Shimano 105 9 Speed Groupset. Kind of a shame to not keep it original, but pleased with the results of the swap (plus I dont believe this bike was originally a 5 Speed so not sure what the history on that was)
- The tires are 700x38 Panracers mounted on a 700 Wheelset with older 105 hubs. The wheelset was a $4 find at the local bike collective.
- Shifting is good, but still needs some adjustment. I have my LBS do all my cabling, I am just not that good at it. Gonna have to go back for some more adjustment
- Aestichally, this build achieve the look I was going for the most part.
- Total budget for this build was just under $800. ($150 for the bike, $230 for the 105 9 Speed Groupset, $100 for Brooks Cambium Saddle, $80 for the tires and tubes, $78 in other misc parts and $130 in Labor at my LBS to put it all together. I may be able to sell some of the parts that came off it to offset some of this but the goal for this bike was if I could only have a few C&V bikes, make it one I would really like to ride
- .
- Overall pleased with the look and the ride,
Last edited by justcynn; 12-10-21 at 03:05 PM.
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#475
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Scored this 1991 Voyageur last week. The bike looks like it has less than 100 miles on it. Paint & decals are pristine, & the new-to-me Suntour Accushift barcons shift amazingly well. Gonna ride it for a while to see if it's a keeper.