Page 6 - Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

21-07.-2006, 11:36 PM

#76

tcar5

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 68

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket_Man

Hard to say what the "feeling" difference was. I know since I have replaced the ahead, forks, seat and seatpost its a very different feeling bike and is actually quite comfortable for me.
I posted a few updated comments on the long term performance of the bike and here is another update:
I rode for about three house last night and the front and rear derailers are just not staying true to their settings. They keep shirfting mid pedal and last night the front actually shifted the chain right off the crankwheel. I got that put back on and in the last 15 minutes of the ride the chain broke. The brake hoods are starting to tear and the brakes need adjusting but that is normal for the amount of time I'm riding it.
Anyway, it looks like I am going to need to invest in a new chain, and might as well look at upgrading the shifting components and new brake handles as well since I can't find just brake hoods in black.
To sum it up, this is what will be left of the original bike:
Frame, crankset front and rear cog, handelbars, brakes, frame and wheels and tires. I have spent $300 total for the bike and expect to dump another $200 for upgrade parts. This puts me into the $500 bracket and yup, I am starting to get into the low entry level area. If I bend a rim or have any problems with the crankset, it will put me over the top.
I still recommend this bike even with its flaws for the beginner. Its a minor investment to see if you will like riding road bikes. If your seasoned and looking for a new bike, your probably not reading this forum anyway.
I have ordered a Vincolo all carbon with all Ultegra parts ($1500) but I will keep riding the Varsity for now.

24-07.-2006, 08:38 AM

#77

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket_Man

Well...for what its worth...
I was FINALLY able to check the Varsity out. It...didn't really meet my expectations...and they were not very high, coming from Wal-Mart. To me, the bike just...Didn't feel right. And that was basically the first time on a road bike.
I had been looking at a Trek 1000 SL at my LBS...but having a hard time talking the wife into spending $650 on a bike. Needless to say...I went to check out the Trek a little closer. And with just standing over the top...WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! ...WOW...it was Night and Day. The Trek just...Felt GOOD. I also did try sitting on a Scott, they basically felt the same. Today, I'm planning on checking on a Giant and Speciallized...just to see.
Now...with all that being said. I did, just to make sure, go back to WM and sat on the Varsity again. I don't know what it was...???...but it didn't feel right/good. ??? After thinking about it, I figured it must be the different accesories on the bike? (Handlebar, seat, wheels?) So, I basically built up the Varsity to the same componetry as the Trek. I came up to $645 going on eBay, doing "Buy it now". To me...it just doesn't make sense to go with the Varsity. One 'plus' is that I could be on the road...tomorrow. But I know that over the next few months, I will end up spending more than waiting to buy the Trek. Not only would the parts end up costing the same, but I didn't figure in Shipping Charges or Shop costs (if I cant do something)...needless to say, also, if I would buy the wrong parts.
And just for the record...I was fit into a 54-56 Trek frame. I believe the Schwinn is about the same Stand Over height. ???

I don't mean to sound like I am putting the Varsity down. But...for me...a beginner 'Road Rider' I think that other options would be wise to look into.

ok, I didn't go with the varsity, I went on ebay and bought a "dawse lightning sport" this is a 14 speed road bike with a chro-molly frame, has a Shimano 7 speed indexed stem shifters. You can't really find "stem shifters" on bikes much anymore so this is kind of old technology, but since the last "road bike" I had was about 20 years ago from "k-mart" and had friction stem shifters, I
knew what I was getting and had no problem with them...

It comes in "dealer ready" condition so it required some assembly, but nothing that required anything special...

I was able to get a "parking lot" test ride out of it and I enjoyed the way it
"glided" over the pavement. I am looking to start to put in some miles on it to
really test it out, but so far it is everything I was looking for. the bike feels
solid, not as light as the higher end road bikes but for $209.00 I got what I feel is a good bike.

because I only got a very short test ride out of it I didnt really get to test the shifting. I tested it in my shop and I didn't have to adjust the derailleur but the proof will be on the road sometime tomorrow...

oh and I said this before, there are other component setups that you get for this bike like the sti shifting as well... (of course, its more... :-)

oh and one other thing... you don't get a kickstand with it... kind of surprising but I got toe clips with it so I would have had to buy something one way or the other I guess... :-)

24-07.-2006, 09:45 AM	#78
backtobiking Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 61	Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!) Well I'm on the hunt for a used Schwinn lightweight from the later 80's like a premis or something like that myself to get me by for now. I had the chance to ride a Gunnar. Well I believe I'm in love. I've never felt this great on a bike. You just know when something suits you and this one is for me. That awesome frame feels like no other I've been on. I'm a big guy and nothing ever really felt great to me ever, until now that is. I must save moola because I must have one these dream machines made for me and they are not cheap. Maybe I can have one built by Christmas. Oh what a sweet thing that would be by the tree!

24-07.-2006, 10:23 PM

#79

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar5

I was thinking about your drivetrain problems... is the derailleur skipping because it can't hold onto the cable properly? if so have you thought of just
replacing the cable? cable is fairly inexpensive to replace and I noticed on the
bike I just purchased the cable seemed thicker than I remember on my old x-mart bike...

25-07.-2006, 06:33 AM

#80

tcar5

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 68

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by e0richt

I did replace the cable when I rebuilt it. The cable that was on it from the store frayed really easy and needed to be replaced. thanks for the suggestion though. I just blew my first tire on it. The inner tube ripped away from the valve. (common). I need to say it again.....THESE BRAKES ARE FANTASTIC. Someone cut in front of me and I damn near launched myself off the bike hitting the brakes and the tires that came on the bike are quite grippy.
Aside from the drive train problems, This bike is a good runner. Hopefully the new Ultegra drive train will arrive in the mail soon. Next up on the replacement list is new shifters and brake handle combo. The current thumb shifters are geting in the way of my aero bar.

26-07.-2006, 08:02 AM	#81
backtobiking Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 61	Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!) I snagged me a '92 Paramount Series 5 for the same price as the wal-mart varsity. I know it isn't a waterford, but it might as well be in comparison. Happy Dance! My friends Varsity jumped a few gears while climbing a step hill. He thought he had bumped the shifter. Humm, maybe not. It hasn't happened again. The thing is however not holding the adjustment so well.

27-07.-2006, 12:56 AM

#82

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar5

you might want to take a look at this article...
http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

sounds like your problem might just be only the chain...

27-07.-2006, 01:34 AM

#83

tcar5

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 68

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by e0richt

you might want to take a look at this article...
http://sheldonbrown.com/derailer-adjustment.html

sounds like your problem might just be only the chain...

I have read the article, actually its printed out and is what I refer back to everytime I adjust the thing. I also took two links out of the chain to shorten it thinking there was too much play, it actually seems worse now. If I am pedaling flat and hit a bump, it shifts to the next lower gear on the cog, if I am climbing and hit a bump it shifts to the higher cog gear. Its really like having an automatic transmission. Maybe there is a new concept here. In any case new Ultegra parts are on their way and that should resolve any problems.
Thanks for the advice.

28-07.-2006, 03:24 AM

#84

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcar5

according to the article, autoshifting can be caused by "cable friction" or
"frame flex"... hopefully, its not frame flex... I would think that would affect
the ultegra components as well...

29-07.-2006, 04:31 AM

#85

tcar5

Registered User

Join Date: Apr 2006

Posts: 68

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by e0richt

according to the article, autoshifting can be caused by "cable friction" or
"frame flex"... hopefully, its not frame flex... I would think that would affect
the ultegra components as well...

For good measure I was going to replace the cables with Ultegra grey cables also. But the frame flex I forgot about....thanks for reminding me. I sure as heck hope its not that, but then again the core of this project is a Walmart frame. I think I will check for stress fractures. I am 5'10 and 180 so I should not be pushing the envelope on the weight this frame should handle but factory defect could be an issue.....I will update with what I find.
Thanks for the suggestions
Tim

31-07.-2006, 12:56 PM

#86

wescoas1

Registered User

Join Date: Jun 2004

Posts: 11

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insight Driver

Younger people won't resonate with this name.

Sure they will, I just went out riding my father's original Schwinn Varsity 2 days ago.

02-08.-2006, 10:52 PM

#87

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by wescoas1

Sure they will, I just went out riding my father's original Schwinn Varsity 2 days ago.

what I don't understand is why it seems to be a problem to manufacture a bike today that has the same quality today as one that was issued about 20 years ago... (with the same type of components) to be a "low end" bike... one that
will last as long as the original schwinn varsity...

they still make cro-molly frames... (which I prefer over aluminum stuff...)
I can't believe that you can't get some decent components for the bike (and by that I mean that "work" not as in newer tech like STI and in finding the
high end "alloys" for lightness. It seems that the brakes are good on the walmart version of the varsity according to tcar... so there are solid components out there...

03-08.-2006, 12:07 PM	#88
backtobiking Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 61	Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!) I believe the original was far better. Here in town before they redone the sidewalks they used to have a naste couple of steps down town. Not remotely close of being accessible for handicap people or able people in the winter for that matter. Nice for BMXers. It was a sudden 3' drop with crappy steps. I used to jump Off the sidewalk with the green meany varsity. Never did I wreck a rim, damage the frame or have the derailleurs not work! It is hard to get a brand new Varsity that isn't dinked up in some way brand new or will last a season without a problem, let alone BMXing it like I did mine as a kid. I vote hands down for the old school varsity.

06-08.-2006, 03:07 AM	#89
blindsaint Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 22	Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!) I just bought this bike last night (with birthday money). Went on a short ride (probablay 2 miles at the most) today just to get the seat feeling right and make sure the breaks and gears work... I love it so far. I'll be riding everyday (if the weather permits it). I'll be looking for a better seat pretty soon I think, possibly a whole new post too. You can't it out on the bike though, some seats are just uncomfortable.... It's a great bike if you don't have alot of money. I definetaly prefer it over a used bike (where you can never be sure how new all the parts are, or how well they have been maintained).

07-08.-2006, 11:00 PM

#90

e0richt

Registered User

Join Date: Jul 2006

Posts: 363

Re: Schwinn Varsity back from the dead (at Walmart!)

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindsaint

I just bought this bike last night (with birthday money). Went on a short ride (probablay 2 miles at the most) today just to get the seat feeling right and make sure the breaks and gears work... I love it so far. I'll be riding everyday (if the weather permits it). I'll be looking for a better seat pretty soon I think, possibly a whole new post too. You can't it out on the bike though, some seats are just uncomfortable....

It's a great bike if you don't have alot of money. I definetaly prefer it over a used bike (where you can never be sure how new all the parts are, or how well they have been maintained).

well, this last saturday, I went for my first recreational group ride. I was under the impression that it would be a 20 mile ride and I have done 15 before so I didn't think that was too much of a stretch. I was able to really try out my "Dawes Lightning Sport". It handled great and I was able to feel the
difference in terms of amount of energy I had to use to get speed out of it
(much better than the hybrid). Unfortunately, the ride that I thought was a 20 mile ride really turned out to be a 28 mile ride. It got a bit uncomfortable
toward the end of that due to no fault of the bike, except for maybe the
seat...

I think it might be a better alternative to the reborn "Varsity"... it certainly is
similar in price...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode