Bicycle Mechanics - Is a "Volvo" bike worth upgrading?

I primarily ride for exercise on city streets so I ride a hybrid. However, I would like to get an additional bike with more speed so I can take rides with friends on road bikes who can easily outpace me on my hybrid. No desire for racing so I don't need any high end or expensive bike but I do want something reliable that can keep pace with road bikes.
My neighbor has a road bike for sale which has a Volvo logo on it. It is a 7 speed with down tube shifters. I can get it cheap but I would want to make some changes such as replacing the down tube shifters with something I would feel more confortable with.
My question is...does anyone know who made the Volvo bike? Was it made for the Volvo car company and who made it for them? Is the frame worth upgrading with new shifter and brakes....maybe even new wheels.

Oldokie,

Volvo and Cannondale had a partership for sometime. Some Cannondale bikes featured the Volvo logo along with the usual Cannondale insignia, including the Cannondale CAAD2 F700. I have a vague memory of some Cannondale road bikes also featuring the Volvo insignia.

Have not seen an exclusively Volvo signed bike, though.

Regards,

Greg

Most likely a Cannondale bike, as their mtb team was sponsored by Volvo. Could be a roadie an mtb racer owned (my neighbor raced for Cannondale and they gave him road bikes too), or it could have just been someone who liked the team and bought the stickers. Ask your neighbor if he knows.

Anyway, upgrading from 7 speed is a little tricky because the spacing needs to be wider for the 8, 9, and 10 speed setups with the nicer shifters on the brake levers. If it's a Cannondale, it's an aluminum frame and I don't recommend spreading that to accomodate larger axles.

Anyway, upgrading from 7 speed is a little tricky because the spacing needs to be wider for the 8, 9, and 10 speed setups with the nicer shifters on the brake levers. If it's a Cannondale, it's an aluminum frame and I don't recommend spreading that to accomodate larger axles.

I'd put bar end shifters on it.

There are 7 speed Sora brifters available on-line. You could also use 8 speed Sora if you attach the shift cable at the rear derailler on the other side of the anchor nut. This will give the extra pull needed for the wider spacing between cogs. Clipless pedals and stiff biking shoes will also allow you to pedal more efficiently. This bike will give you a more speed, but it is really your legs that you will need to upgrade.

This bike will give you a more speed, but it is really your legs that you will need to upgrade.

I recommend Quadriceps 4.0

Is the frame worth upgrading with new shifter and brakes....maybe even new wheels.

Did Volvo offer the Turbo option that year.:rolleyes:

Do Volvo bikes qualify for the Volvo High Mileage Club (https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/acatalog/HIGH_MILESAGE_BADGES.html)?
https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/acatalog/hmc5k.jpg
Better buy a Brooks!

I'd put bar end shifters on it.
Yeah that's true. I'm just very against bar end shifters, with no good reason because I have never used them!

Volvo's are amazing.

If I could find a bike like the one your describing, it would be in my garage as quick as possible.

What is unique about the Volvo bike? Sounds like it is a Canondale with a Volvo sticker. Would it be a high end Canondale? Is so, what Canondale model would it compare to?