Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

alfeng

I am pretty sure the BB has standard/English threading ... so, the only thing that would be problematical for replacement is the seatpost.

You could certainly start with the Walmart Schwinn, upgrade as your budget allows, and then eventually move almost "everything" (except the seatpost) to another frame if/when (or, never!) you decided to.

e0richt

actually, yeah, tires were needed and the LBS is putting them on (even though I could do that myself, guess I went for the convenience...

e0richt

hmmm, are you saying that LBS has some ethics problems as well? maybe that factors in why people are trying to look elsewhere for bikes. We all know that
if you spend 700 or more on a bike, you aren't going to screw around with things
on it yourself so you take it back to the LBS for service...

is there a manual on bikes that you would recommend for use in learning about
doing those kind of repairs?

as a background note, I used to fix my '72 dodge charger while I was in college (not a lot of money to throw around then as well...) but I at least had
a "chilton" manual that would describe the repair.

alfeng

Oh, you are trying to get me into trouble ... I intentionally didn't post in a recent thread which questioned whether it was felt that LBSes should be supported ...

Well, I think that if you can find a GOOD service individual OR shop, be it automotive, cycling, HVAC, plumbing, whatever, then that person/firm deserves all the repeat & referral business s/he can handle ...

Unfortunately for me, I have yet to find one (bike shop, that is) ... others have been luckier either because they have actually be lucky OR they don't know better ...





You can get most of the information you need on the web, now:

http://sheldonbrown.com/repair/index.html


http://sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html

www.parktool.com

et cetera ...

If you want a hardcopy book, the ZINN "series" is well regarded. I haven't seen any of his books ...

As with ALL the info (and, whatever I say), there may be differing opinions as to what works best ...

With SOME things (e.g., rebuilidng a suspension fork), the manufacturer's technical info is what should be followed.

Bikes are actually EASEIR to work on now than in the distant past ... the only thing which requires a small amount of precision are setting the indexing AND wheelbuilding. Cartrdige-this & cartridge-that means that BOTH manufacturing & maintenance are expedited ...

There are only a few people who shouldn't do their own work, IMO ... surgeons who depend on their hands (you never know when a tool may slip) & hand models (who, again, depend on their hands) are in one group ... people with arthritis or other physical handicaps ... and, people with spouses who know how to do the work.

There are only a few truly bike-specific tools ... MOST of what anyone needs are in those relatively inexpensive (~$50US) toolkits ... most of those tools are of just-okay quality, but if you were to buy the few tools you actually wanted separately, the price would probably approach $50.





What you'll probably need (eventually):

BB tool (for cartridge BBs) Chain (rivet) Tool

Cassette Tool & Chainwhip
Cone wrenches (for Shimano & older hubs)

Pedal wrench

BB wrenches (for older bikes) / headset wrenches (older bikes)

Metric Allen Wrenches

GOOD "dikes" OR a cable cutter (I have a pair of pliers whose wire cutter is exceptional in that it can cut derailleur & brake cable, cleanly ... set came with diagonal cutters which were equally good, of course).

Air pump / patch kit

Spoke wrench(es)

Adjustable & open-end Metric wrenches
Light grease, household oil ... there ARE homebrews for some (but, not all) of the exotic lubes.

That's what comes to mind ...

backtobiking

The reasons that I bought this walmart varsity is this. I've always had Schwinn bicycles. I guess anything else just wouldn't feel right. And the biggest reason I bought this one is most of the LBS stopped carrying Schwinn. The ones the still do around me are rinky dink. My 3 choices of bikes that I really wanted to look at were the fastback comp, fastback cx, and the supersport dbx. Non of which anyone had, but they are more than glad to take your money to order one. The last time I looked at schwinns new line up was like 12 years ago. I kinda have to see these new bikes in person for the kind of money they cost. Money was the final issue. I used to bike like I was a pro. Then I got my first mustang . I haven't really biked in 16-17 years. Getting back into it after all this time is fun. I need to exercise. Boy am I out of shape! I have a friend that I ride with and we are pushing one another. In fact he bought one of these Varsity bikes also. While this all lasts I'm game, but what if it doesn't? I'd sure hate to have had the big investment only to have the flame die out. Maybe if things get crazy and we start biking like Forest Gump runs, maybe then I spend the big bucks for a super nice bike. After all most of my paintball markers are over a grand. My tournament one I have 2k in it. So if I get the bug I'll spend the coin.
/Ohh yeah. The varsity is hard to find at the local Walmart. It believe the only ones you might find one at is the super stores. I called 8 stores in 3 counties to find these 2 bikes. One store had one as a fluke, but it sold.

// Called Schwinn today. Told them my problem and they are going to ship me an intire rear wheel assembly. I should have it next week. Happy about that! I hope it well be like a taco bell commercial and be good to go.

e0richt

I have a raleigh Talon bike (hybrid) from a yard sale. front shifter has a problem getting into the highest gear. This is now going to be my project bike. The one thing I DO have to change is the shifters. I am not sure what
they are called but they are located at each end of the handle bar and
rather than using a thumb lever, they have 2 "buttons" that are spring loaded
and are used to change the gears. I don't like them and want to change that
anyway. Has anyone tried converting a "hybrid" to a road style bike with the
drop handlebars?

alfeng

Here (attached picture) is a hybrid which was converted to a "road" bike that I did last year for someone I know ... with the fork with cantilever bosses, the front end is at least a half inch higher ...

BTW. Are you thinking of "bar end" shifters? They don't have buttons ... just a lever. They remain popular because they are used on time trial & triathlon bikes.

Attached Thumbnails

 

backtobiking

Well I spent alot of time tuning it as best as I could minus the new parts that are on the way. I did a quick 5 miles and it isn't nothing to write home about. To be honest there is a good chance on it being returned. My old Schwinn Crisscross/hybrid is far better quality wise across the board. I feel 100% safe on it is the biggest thing. I might just save up for a better bike. To be honest my younger brother's Huffy bikes back in the day felt better out of the box. My friends new Varsity seems far better suited for him. His works ok and he really likes it. But he is much lighter than me also. If I make my goal of weighing once again 200lbs maybe this bike could hold up, but not currently. I'm going to visit a Marine Corps buddy tomorrow. He says He has a Schwinn shop near him. Maybe they will have some SuperSports or Fastback models on hand being closer to the city and all? I'm a pretty brand loyal guy with everything, but I'm seriously thinking of dropping Schwinn. Very few shops carry them and there is no shops carrying a full line anymore that are fairly close.

Rocket_Man

Backtobiking...If you don't mind me asking...About how much does your friend weigh? I've got my wife talked into letting me spend about $200-250 on a road bike vs. about $650 originally. I weigh about 150 lbs...You think it would still be a decent ride for me? I don't really have anything to compare it to, other than a MTB...so I guess I wouldn't really know the diff.

backtobiking

My friend is a about 5'11" 180lbs I'd guess. I'm looking at Ebay for deals right now on used older higher end. Kind of luck of the draw on this one I feel. Even still it is far from great.

Rocket_Man

Yeah...I've been watching Ebay, not much luck there. Then I've also been doing the Garage/Rumage Sale thing...Hoping that someone doesn't know what they really have...No luck there either. I just want a decent road bike, and cant figure out the best way to go.

alfeng

Well, it's not just a weight "thing" ...

I think that the limited (one?) FRAME SIZE may ultimately be the deciding factor as to whether or not the "new" Schwinn Varsity is a suitable bike for any rider -- you can only make so-many adjustements with stem & saddle to accommodate the rider.

If the top tube is 54cm (?, c-c), for example, then the bike may be on the large-side for a rider who is 5'6", or shorter, AND on the small side for a rider who is 5'10", or taller...

Outside the "ideal" parameter (whatever THAT is!?!) will probably make the bike seem unwieldy or unstable to the rider.

FWIW. Bike shops will as-often-as-not usher a customer out the door with a bike whose frame is not ideally suited for the rider, IMO ... so, the potential advantage of shopping at an LBS is thereby lost.

e0richt

ok, did a little looking up on the web, the shifters I have are the "rapid fire" "under the bar" type of shifters popular with mountain bikes. Im not sure I would want the "bar end shifters" because I will probably spend most of my time
on the brake hoods.

do they make stem mounted index shifters for a 7 speed shimano Acera derailleur? or will I have to use a "friction" type of shifter?

alfeng

Isn't that what they have on the less expensive GMC-version of the Varsity?