Upgrading my Schwinn
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2022
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Upgrading my Schwinn
I am looking for opinions on what upgrades you would do.
The bike. Schwinn trail wind. Stock and a decent rider
The purpose. I was given this bike for recognition of all the work i do for 70x7. I would prefer a higher end bike as i ride 30 or more miles a day. I also want to be seen riding what is the end goal for many of our clients.
Now what would you all do to keep the over all look of this bike but also lighten it, improve performance and here is the challenge. on a non profit budget, that means cheaply. i plan on modifying many of our bikes to be used as daily drives. the bikes that are donated are mainly beaters. the riders deserve the best we can give them at a reasonable cost. the trail winds are all new but few will get them.
The bike. Schwinn trail wind. Stock and a decent rider
The purpose. I was given this bike for recognition of all the work i do for 70x7. I would prefer a higher end bike as i ride 30 or more miles a day. I also want to be seen riding what is the end goal for many of our clients.
Now what would you all do to keep the over all look of this bike but also lighten it, improve performance and here is the challenge. on a non profit budget, that means cheaply. i plan on modifying many of our bikes to be used as daily drives. the bikes that are donated are mainly beaters. the riders deserve the best we can give them at a reasonable cost. the trail winds are all new but few will get them.
Last edited by cb400bill; 09-07-22 at 07:48 AM.
#2
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 21,153
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy Viscount Aerospace Pro Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Liked 7,490 Times
in
4,189 Posts
Does yours look like this one?
__________________
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 18,341
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
Liked 4,188 Times
in
2,471 Posts
About the biggest bang for a buck in making a bike a nicer ride is the tires. However for an urban transportation bike running lightweight tires that are supple will likely increase the rate of flat tires. This is no "upgrade" (never liked that term for a few reasons) IMO.
The smartest thing to do, again only opinion, is to make the bike fit the rider best. Not just the rider's stance/reach/seat height but more the bike's outfitting for its intended use (lights, racks/bags, locks and such). I also suggest doing the maintenance that the bikes need to be as reliable as reasonable.
The non profit I help at makes no bones about their being about keeping the riders on bikes, and not trying to make the bikes what they are not. Andy
The smartest thing to do, again only opinion, is to make the bike fit the rider best. Not just the rider's stance/reach/seat height but more the bike's outfitting for its intended use (lights, racks/bags, locks and such). I also suggest doing the maintenance that the bikes need to be as reliable as reasonable.
The non profit I help at makes no bones about their being about keeping the riders on bikes, and not trying to make the bikes what they are not. Andy
__________________
AndrewRStewart
AndrewRStewart
Likes For Andrew R Stewart:
#4
Senior Member
Light bikes are light b/c a majority of the parts are lighter than average.
Since bike parts are a lot more expensive piecemeal than when fitted to a bike, thorough upgrades rarely make financial sense.
I agree that making the bike fit the rider - and the use - is probably your best bet rather than an upgrade or lightening as such. Saddle, bar, grips. Gear ratio, maybe even crank length. Pedals, bike shoes.
Since bike parts are a lot more expensive piecemeal than when fitted to a bike, thorough upgrades rarely make financial sense.
I agree that making the bike fit the rider - and the use - is probably your best bet rather than an upgrade or lightening as such. Saddle, bar, grips. Gear ratio, maybe even crank length. Pedals, bike shoes.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 6,006
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Liked 2,277 Times
in
1,393 Posts
Is it a Schwinn Tailwind or Trailway?
The Tailwind is an ebike and the Trailway is a hybrid.
Decades ago I went into a bike shop with my Seats Free Spirit and asked the same question, I’ll give you the same advice the older gentleman gave me, “Buy a better bike and don’t waste your money on that bike.”
As tough as it was to hear, it was the truth. I got a better (real) road bike and sold my Sears bike at a garage sale.
John
The Tailwind is an ebike and the Trailway is a hybrid.
Decades ago I went into a bike shop with my Seats Free Spirit and asked the same question, I’ll give you the same advice the older gentleman gave me, “Buy a better bike and don’t waste your money on that bike.”
As tough as it was to hear, it was the truth. I got a better (real) road bike and sold my Sears bike at a garage sale.
John