Scwin Varsity and Continental
Thread started by
aksendz at 12.3.08 - 12:10 am
thought and criticism on those bikes?
4 months in and no new bike.
just want to make an informed decision before spending my few saved up dollars
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clunky, heavy, possibly rusty. steel rims or aluminum? save more and get some good steel tubing like columbus and other lightweight steel tubing manufacturers of the late 80's and early 90's. these bikes could be useful as a get around, lalagag around type of bike but not if you're in for some serious riding.
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 12:14 am
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200 on CL
and 350 ish on bikesdirect or w/e that site is.
i need a bike that will let me go fast.
i know its mostly the rider
but the machine is important too.
aksendz12.3.08 - 12:26 am
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definitely nice to have a solid ride.
have you made a decision if you wanted to go geared or fixed yet?
KiMS112.3.08 - 12:28 am
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anton,
what do you mean by CHICAGO era?
chicago the band?
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 12:29 am
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its so creepy being referred to your real name on the itnernet...anyways.
i ono.
its a Schwin Varsity 'Chicago' or the Continetal 'Chicago'
70's I think.
I'm useless I know
aksendz12.3.08 - 12:34 am
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i have a feeling those bikes are coming with original components from that time period.
no go.
unless the owner switched them out with newer components.
i think you're looking at a lot of renovating/adjusting with those bikes.
if you dont mind fixed,
i really think you should stick with bikesdirect.
they come with shit wheels but its something you can ride for the time being as you save up some dough for a new backwheel/ hub.
KiMS112.3.08 - 12:38 am
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just saw your e-mail on face book and pictures of the clunkers...
and to that i say this:
unless you want to restore these clunkers to their prestine shape for the sake of collecting vintage i wouldn't invest in any of these except for maybe the raleigh, the yellow one. that one is awesome looking but needs some love. if you want to train on a roadbike and dominate the roads i'd look for something more modern. save your money, learn your size of frame and shop smart for something newer and better.
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 12:39 am
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my old stolen road bike was a customized cheapy road bike from bikesdirect. i'd go with one of their roadbikes. aluminum, double butted, aluminum and carbon fork combo is good too. they will most likely come with a tiagra set up but you can upgrade that a year later or so with a decently used or new 105 or higher.
the component hiarchy for shimano goes as follows:
sora, tiagra, 105, ultegra and dura-ace. dura ace being top of the line of course.
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 12:43 am
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dang thats a bummer :(
how much would i be spending for a 'good' bike.
i have a bike now a trek w/e with a broken derailler and front break and mtb tires.
i guess I can just fix that up and get new tires and be happy?
I was thinking of buying this on bikesdirect.
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/wellington1_IX.htm
and then getting a new hub i guess.
how much are new hubbs.
i'm a 56cm so that makes CL searches easier but now totally worthless
aksendz12.3.08 - 12:45 am
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what about 605?
and ima write that down
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:02 am
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id get this one...
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/motobecane/miragesport.htm
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 1:02 am
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windsor
hmmm, those shifters attached to the stem is a real pain in the ass.
you should stick with downtube shifters bc theyre easier to access.
STI and ergo shifters would be ideal but thats out of ur budget
this bike is ur size and it has a shimano 105 set up,
you should look into this one before it gets swooped up
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bik/941084715.html
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:04 am
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oh man, free shipping, thats pretty fucking sweet.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:07 am
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400 dollars is a big commitment :P
is the one for 300 worth?
oh the choices.
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:07 am
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drop down bars are easy to find and put on right?
i dont like the generic bars
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:09 am
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do it. it's a better bike and more worth upgrading later!!!
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 1:14 am
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the $300 centurion maybe worth it.
i ran shimano 105's for awhile and it was great.
if you have the time, meet up with the guy and give it a test ride. if everything shifts fine and it seems solid, then, hey, it could be it.
as for the mirage from bikesdirect (or other bikes for that matter), look up some reviews for the bike and see what others have said, start here:
http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index.php/t-123217.html
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:16 am
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which one gopez?
the one on bikes direct right?
and for 50 bucks more is it worth it to get the carbon fork?
hmmm those fixies look good too
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:16 am
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btw thx guys so much for helping me our right now
no sqwabble, a can of beer from me for both of you
how does it feel to be on a shifter bike?
i've been riding my trek with that broken derailler so thats basicly one speed
its the smallest disc thing (<---LOL) on the wheel and the crankset
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:22 am
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first and foremost, this forum is for helping other ridazz out
and second, yeah ill take a beer hahaha,
STI and ergo shifters are the fucking shit. theyre so fucking killer. you can haul ass and never have to take ur hands off to shift.
down side: for lower end components, you may have to constantly readjust them to keep them smooth. otherwise they may slip or just make a bunch of noise/ grind on each other, etc.
indexed downtube shifters, i dont mind them, theyre the same thing as the above shifters but you just gotta reach down real quick.
downside: its kinda sketchy trying to shift gears when standing up climbing up a hill. only when ur standing up though.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:28 am
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exactly what mike just said about shifters... ditto ditto ditto.
Oh, and i'll take a cold one too. hahaha
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 1:31 am
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man, i would KILL for some high end components.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:34 am
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i never knew those were shifters! i thought there were tension adjusters, shows what i know!
those are a definite no for me.
i think i am inching much closer to that bike! yay.
but i'm reluctant about the 24 speeds.
does it really affect your ride
or am i making a big deal out of this!
and i agree kim, but some peopel are very opinionated.
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:36 am
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this just looks sexy
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/dawes/lt1000.htm
or is the mirage better?
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:39 am
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what do u mean when u say ur reluctant about the 24 speed?
i honestly dont think ur gonna be using more than 4 or 5 different gears, and im pretty sure ur not gonna be using that lower end triple chain ring up front.
that mirage would be cool to ride around for awhile and when u save up enough, switch out the rear derailleur with a 105 (or higher) set. then, i think you'd be set.
that is of course, if you can shell out 4 bills.
that free shipping thing is so sick.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:42 am
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regarding the dawes bike
im not familiar with the 2200 components so i cant say.
i dont think theyre compatible with other shimano components so that may be pain in case you need a replacement part.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:46 am
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like you said, i'll be using 4 or 5 speeds anyway
and i'm used to single speed, regardless of the hill.
so (here we go again)
maybe a single speed?
the 105's cost 400?
dang.
thats some serious components.
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:48 am
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single speed or fixed?
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:49 am
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i have an eddie merckx strada pearl and blue scheme columbus steel tubing handmade belgium frame that is dying for a nice wheel set, grupo, seat post, stem, handle bars, etc... (which is why i haven't built it) im definately going to modify it to have friction ergo shifters, ultegra or dura ace but most likely ultegra...
she kinda looks like this one except mine is more rare of a color scheme (electric blue that transcends into a pearl white int eh front section of the frame) but the chain stay and chrome fork are very similar
an old friend who went to switzerland brought it back and i bought it from him for $200.00, it's almost mint condition and could go for $600 or $700 easily. i can't wait to build this baby.
Eddie GOpez12.3.08 - 1:50 am
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looking at the prices of the fixed bikes and geared bikes, its about $50 more to go geared.
if your plan was to go geared, i think you should spring for the extra 50 for the gears.
but if you dont really have many hills to climb in ur area and ur short 50 bucks, then hey, just go fixed.
i had a geared bike for awhile and then converted my bike bc my drive train crapped out. my riding hasnt really changed though. still the same ol routes and rides.
KiMS112.3.08 - 1:56 am
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well i'm planning on a 13 mile commute from Koreatown to Santa Monica College
some hills but would it be too hard on a fixie/single speed? and if i'm spending 300, extra 50 won't hurt
aksendz12.3.08 - 10:02 am
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More than likely there will be some bikes up for sale after xmas if you can wait. I'm talking your lbs and cl.
User112.3.08 - 10:52 am
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got a 70s varsity from someone on craigslist for $50 bucks a couple months ago and converted it to single speed for my bay area clunker bike that i leave at my gfs. its heavy. so are the rims, luckily i had an extra pair that i could use. the crank is one of those one-piece things similar to bmx so don't even bother if you're thinking about changing out a crank or chainring on the cheap. other than that, its a heavy duty bike. built like a tank and weighs like one. however, some people do value those virtues.
sciencefriction12.3.08 - 10:57 am
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thanks for the ride offer eric
i've got my own gas guzzling demon :]
my semester doesn't start till beginning of february so I can wait.
aksendz12.3.08 - 11:32 am
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A good deal is a good deal.
User1 may be right, there may be an increase in used bike sales after Christmas, but you'll also face competition from more buyers, and with a popular size like 56cm, that's a lot of competition.
In addition, the folks that do the yearly trade-up are likely going to be selling bikes that are out of your price range.
If you see a deal, grab it.
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 1:13 pm
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oops, that should be spelled...... Niitaka
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 1:27 pm
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true about the deal thing.
thx for finding those bikes.
i emailed the owners.
buying a bike is harder then finding a wife
oi vey :]
aksendz12.3.08 - 1:31 pm
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Stay away from the carbon alan. Carbon becomes brittle when it gets old and on top of that that bike was built before manufactures really knew how to use carbon. Notice how they were thinking lugs back then and now all carbon frames are one piece.
larsenf12.3.08 - 1:37 pm
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There are plenty of reliable, vintage, lugged carbon frames. It's certainly no reason to avoid buying one after a careful once-over.
And that's not what they were "thinking," as if that thought was wrong, it's just the method of production that was used at the time.
Anyone more informed on carbon, can you add some opinion here.
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 1:50 pm
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Also don't those early carbon bikes get all whippy and stuff? That's got to be pretty scary at high speeds.
Stick with steel!
I marked it see how much all those components will go for!
User112.3.08 - 1:51 pm
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Craig's List is cool but you have to get lucky and people flake or sell it to the guy who shows up five minutes before you. Just do a search for "road bike" on eBay and use their handy finder to narrow down your options.
You're lucky that you ride the most common size. In my experience the shorter or taller sizes end up paying more simply because the bikes are rarer. Nice 56cm road bikes are dime a dozen on eBay. Shipping isn't too bad, either. You shouldn't have to pay more than $50-$80.
You might also want to try this guy, he's in Silver Lake:
http://www.cocosvariety.com/
My two cents regarding the Varsity or Continental: Not worth the hassle of dealing with nonstandard bottom bracket, American-sized bolts, and other weirdness so you can ride a heavy frame with overly relaxed angles built up with heavy steel components. Important bikes, historically, and if you've got one that you love and ride it that's cool, but there's better options out there for sure.
cabhauler12.3.08 - 1:52 pm
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"the shorter or taller sizes end up paying more simply because the bikes are rarer."
This has proven to be incorrect, in my experience. The number of competing buyers for a 65cm bike is almost zippo compared to a 55cm.
I got my last road bike, a complete, 68cm Stowe with full DuraAce group, for under $300. It had 180mm crank arms!!!!!!
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 2:01 pm
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i cant find anyone to buy my 63cm trek, so im keeping it and building it back up.
ruinedbyidiots12.3.08 - 2:02 pm
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ALANs are cool bikes, and that one is sweet, but it's really more of a "take it out on the Sunday vintage ride" bike. It's probably going to sell for like $500-$700.
Those carbon tubes are glued into the aluminum lugs, so it's meant to be ridden by a lean 145-pound pro. It's not something I'd want to beat up everyday and take to Midnight Ridazz.
For a daily rider you're better off with a good steel bike.
cabhauler12.3.08 - 2:03 pm
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mmm bicycle lingo :D
ty google images.
i'll check out cocobikes sometime soon.
for 200-300 dollars can I build up my own bike at bicicocina?
or would it be better to just buy something?
aksendz12.3.08 - 2:07 pm
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Eric, you're probably right about taller frames. It's rare to find a person who needs a 63cm frame, but there's plenty men of below average height and women who ride short frames.
cabhauler12.3.08 - 2:07 pm
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____________________________________________
I think the reason why I am so indecisive is becuase I am talkign out of my ass.
I dont even know if my bike is steel or alumn.
if someone feels supa' generous can i borrow for like one hour a steel bike and an aluminum bike
ride it around
see what I like more.
should of realized this before asking questions :D
aksendz12.3.08 - 2:38 pm
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cabhauler, totally; the one consistent issue I've heard of with carbon tubes glued into lugs is that the glue can fail over time.
i know this is kinda like comparing apples and...carbon fiber apples, but the bike that franz was using (kieron's Vitus, which is a lugged aluminum tube frame) was said to be a very harsh ride.......so that suggests very rigid properties attributable to lugged frames, on top of a notably rigid material (aluminum)
seem that a lugged carbon tube frame might be quite comfortable, yes? anyone have experience with the ones that TREK made back in the 90s?
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 4:25 pm
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"for 200-300 dollars can I build up my own bike at bicicocina?
or would it be better to just buy something?"
Why not just buy a new rear derailler for $80-$100 (or a used one at one of the bike co-ops for $10-20), and install that?
Trek's a pretty solid brand, so with a little maintenance, that could be a solid bike.
JB12.3.08 - 4:34 pm
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It wouldn't take too much to fix it if the shifter or derailleur is the only issue. That's something you could do in very little time at a bike co-op. Any old derailleur will work really well if you're just doing friction shifting.
Which Trek do you have? I have a couple of old lugged steel Treks, I love them.
cabhauler12.3.08 - 4:43 pm
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If you don't mind the extra weight, the Varsity and Continental can be great commuting bikes. I think Sheldon Brown called them the heaviest lightweight bikes ever made. I've never had any problem finding parts for my Continental, and the double walled rims are pretty indestructable - you don't have to pay as much attention to pavement conditions. If you are going to ride 25 miles a day, you might like the smoother ride from the heavier bike - they ride more like an old Raliegh 3 speed (in 'feel') than a modern 24 speed. Just my .02.
NixonTwin12.3.08 - 5:30 pm
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i don't know which one...
i'm inclined to say trek 420 for some reason.
and I know I can fix it up but my trekky looks like a commuter/mtb
i want something fast :P
eric, i love you mang.
haha
you're just awesome
aksendz12.3.08 - 5:33 pm
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love ya too buddy.
sendin an email in a sec for a ktown ride-to mosey ride, look for it.
Eric Hair12.3.08 - 5:45 pm
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so much for the alan
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140286022873&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123
aksendz12.3.08 - 10:11 pm
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it would be cool to own a cf frame from the 80s to display, but i wouldnt dare ride it on the streets.
ruinedbyidiots12.3.08 - 10:13 pm
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