Classic & Vintage - Schwinn models..........

If I happened across a Schwinn frame from the mid '70's to mid '80's, what would be the model names and ranks, i.e., is a Traveler better than a Varsity?
Are there other models? Is there a number on the frame which will tell me the year of manufacture?

The answer to your question would fill a book, in fact, it has filled several books. If you use the "search" function to search old "Vintage" threads, you will find some lengthy Schwinn threads that contain links to on-line Schwinn catalogs from that era.

However, even when you look at old catalogs, comparing one Schwinn with another can be difficult. The "Le Tour" name was used on some rather average Schwinns, but was also used for some distinctly above average Schwinns.

If a Schwinn has the original drivetrain and brakes, they will tell you a lot about the "ranking" of the bike. The Schwinn road bikes built with Campy drivetrains were top quality, as were the models with Shimano Dura-Ace and Shimano 600 components, and the models with Sun Tour Superbe components.

When I see an old Schwinn at a yard sale, or at Goodwill or Salvation Army, the best models are priced about the same as the worst models (such as the sturdy, but clunky Varsity). So, if you are patient, and willing to spend some time looking, you can often find an old Schwinn that is comparable to a $600 or $800 2006 bike for just $25 or $35. Happy hunting.

Anything in Schwinn that starts with a P. Paramount, Peloton, Prelude, Premis, is a good place to start. Late 80's Travelers are also nice rides. The head badge on Schwinns will have a date code on them. The last digit indicates the year but not the decade. Decals and components will indicate the decade. Bottom line is if you see a nice bike for cheap, buy it! Figure out the rest at your leisure. You can always use the parts anyway.

I'm not a Schwinn expert, but I asked a similiar question after I purchased a World Sport. Scooper who, in my opinion is a Schwinn expert, gave the following response:

It varied slightly from year to year in the mid eighties, but looking at the 1985 catalog, Schwinn generally categorized the "lightweights" into four classes. From the top of the line to the bottom, they were competition (Paramount, Peloton, Super Sport, Tempo), touring (Voyageur SP, Voyageur, Le Tour Luxe), Sport/Recreation (Super Le Tour, Le Tour), and recreational (Traveler, World Sport, World). The Sprint, World Tourist, and Collegiate models are in the catalog after the World as "high value" bikes, but don't appear in the technical specifications chart. The Madison, a single speed track bike, also appears in the catalog but not the technical specifications chart.

My personal opinion is that the World Sport is a very nice bike (chrome-moly, Sun Tour AR derailleurs, SR crankset, Dia-Compe alloy side-pulls, Araya alloy rims) near the bottom of the mid-eighties line-up. The catalog lists the World Sport's weight as a respectable 27 pounds.
Does that help?

Why does everyone always forget the Volare? I think it belongs in the number two spot, below the Paramount.

Why does everyone always forget the Volare? I think it belongs in the number two spot, below the Paramount.
Didn't forget about it, never heard of it. What years was it available?

Didn't forget about it, never heard of it. What years was it available?
The Volare in 1977 and 1978 was, indeed, just below the Paramount and was made with the same Reynolds 531 double-butted tube set that was used in the Paramount. While the '78 Paramounts had Campy components, the Volare had Dura-Ace. It was a great (not just good) bicycle.

Just for reference, the 1978 Paramount P13-9 Road Racer cost $800, while the 1978 Volare was $550. The Super Le Tour 12.2 that year was $250, and the Superior was $230.

Thanks folks. I might start going to garage sales in hopes of finding something to work on over the winter.

Anything on the 1970's bikes would also be appreciated.

**Edit**.....I just found a sticky with a link to a great deal of info about all Schwinns. Thanks again.

Yeah, there are a lot of models to sift through. I'd buy based on weight and components. You'll probably find a nice Le Tour, but keep your eye out for the Paramount!

You might find this useful...
http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn/

Bob Hufford has put together website with 1960s and 1970s Schwinn catalogs, specifications, original price lists, and lots more.

Schwinn Lightweight Data Book (http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/contents.html)

Scooper,

Thanks. The link you posted is the one I found in the sticky. Amazing amounts of stuff in there. Thanks again.

The Volare in 1977 and 1978 was, indeed, just below the Paramount and was made with the same Reynolds 531 double-butted tube set that was used in the Paramount. While the '78 Paramounts had Campy components, the Volare had Dura-Ace. It was a great (not just good) bicycle.

<sobbing> Crap!
I just saw one of these at a garage sale and ignored it. It was dirty, missing the rear D, and had a tacoed front wheel. I saw the name and thought "Volare? Volare sounds cheap." Crap-crap-crap.

I just saw one of these at a garage sale and ignored it.
Arrggghhhhh! :(

<sobbing> Crap!
I just saw one of these at a garage sale and ignored it. It was dirty, missing the rear D, and had a tacoed front wheel. I saw the name and thought "Volare? Volare sounds cheap." Crap-crap-crap. Dewed, go back, knock on the door and ask them if it hasn't been thrown out yet!

Just because the yard sale is over dosen't mean they couldn't use another ten or twenty bucks!

The fancy chrome lugs should have given you a clue!