Classic & Vintage - Advice needed for 80's Schwinn Sprint

Hi. I have a 1980's Schwinn Sprint that I purchased to use as a beater bike/train commuter. I really wanted a 70's Le Tour since that's what I rode in high school, but I couldn't find one in my size, 49 - 50cm. Anyway, I would like to replace the wheels on the Sprint with somthing lighter. Quick release would be great, but not necessary. Also, since this is a beater I don't really want to spend a whole lot of money. Any suggestions on where to find decent, inexpensive wheels?

Also, I was wondering how difficult it is to find replacement parts once they start wearing out? Such as freewheels and derailleurs? Is is possible, or even practical to upgrade this bike to more modern components and 700cc wheels? I have a 9 speed Tiagra group just laying around.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

-Lisa

Hi. I have a 1980's Schwinn Sprint that I purchased to use as a beater bike/train commuter. I really wanted a 70's Le Tour since that's what I rode in high school, but I couldn't find one in my size, 49 - 50cm. Anyway, I would like to replace the wheels on the Sprint with somthing lighter. Quick release would be great, but not necessary. Also, since this is a beater I don't really want to spend a whole lot of money. Any suggestions on where to find decent, inexpensive wheels?

Also, I was wondering how difficult it is to find replacement parts once they start wearing out? Such as freewheels and derailleurs? Is is possible, or even practical to upgrade this bike to more modern components and 700cc wheels? I have a 9 speed Tiagra group just laying around.

Thanks in advance for any advice or suggestions.

-Lisa

I used to have a 70's vintage Schwinn - complete with Huret components, Stronglight crank, and Normandy hubs. Reliable but heavy - hence your desire to lighten things up. However, as I recall, those older frames ran a 120mm (I think) rear spacing, and most new 9 and 10 speeds frames are wider at 130-135mm. so I don't think your newer 9-speed gig will work. But you should be able to find some vintage parts that will fit and certainly improve the ride - Suntour's Superbe Pro and Sprint are sweet.

A switch to alloy rims (if the bike has steel rims) will buy you some weight savings and additional braking (especially when wet).

I believe Harris Cyclery has 27" alloy wheels listed on their site... others also exist.

Upgrading to 700c may work, depending on brake reach, but then you may have to deal with rear spacing as the other poster mentioned since your hub will probably be the wider more modern width. Unless you have a cache of 700c tires, there probably isn't great advantage to spending the additional money to upgrade a beater. *Mart stores in my area still carry 27" tires, so availability should not be a problem.

I have a 1979 Schwinn Suburban that I got a used set of alloy wheels for, and expect to use it for my beater starting in the spring.

I am also updating it to 18 speed from 10 by using a 6 speed freewheel that came on the wheels, and a triple chainring from Harris Cyclery for my ashtabula (single piece) crank.

After I bought the wheels from another BFN member, I also ran across another set on a bike in a thrift store, so I have a spare set for the $20 that the bike cost.

Spare parts and upgrades are both possible, check out Sheldon Brown's site. I find it a gold mine, with realistic ideas about maintaining or upgrading older bikes. He discusses various conversions, cold setting frames to accomodate wider hubs and a variety of other interesting topics giving positive and negative issues associated with many of them.

back from the dead . . . . .

I hate to bump this thread but I've got a question. I have a Schwinn Suburban with a freewheeling bottom bracket. I noticed sheldonbrown has an adapter for sale:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/harris/images/opc-adaptor-truvativ.jpg

will this work on my bike?

Yes. You also need to replace the freewheel and possibly the rear derailleur. Roger