Living Car Free - Trying to live Car Free

So we just took my car off insurance and bought an older road bike! Being interesting so far and have enjoyed riding around Grand Rapids, MI! A couple questions, the bike I have is a 1984 World Sport Schwinn, from which I understand is an old entry level bike. I have added the a front and back light, lock and a front bag for misc items. Is there anything else that would be a necessary? Also I have been wondering about upgrades to it and have no idea what is needed and what is a "desire". My goal is ride this while I save up for something "better". Any advice is welcomed advice, thanks

So we just took my car off insurance and bought an older road bike!

Congrats,and welcome.

Being interesting so far and have enjoyed riding around Grand Rapids, MI! A couple questions, the bike I have is a 1984 World Sport Schwinn, from which I understand is an old entry level bike. I have added the a front and back light, lock and a front bag for misc items. Is there anything else that would be a necessary?

I personally would reccommend a mirror of some sort, I prefer the Take a Look mirror.

Also I have been wondering about upgrades to it and have no idea what is needed and what is a "desire". My goal is ride this while I save up for something "better". Any advice is welcomed advice, thanks

You say that like there is a difference.

An extra inner tube, a patch kit, a small air pump.

You could take it to a bike shop and have them see if it needs any repairs or maintenance. You might have to spend up to a couple of hundred bucks if it needs a lot, like a new bottom bracket (the internal rotating parts that connect the two pedal cranks together through the bottom of the frame), hubs, tires, brake pads, chain, gear cogs, cables, etc, Even if it costs more than the bike originally cost, it may be worth it, and you could ask the store's mechanic's advice on that. Unless it has been damaged in some way that 1984 steel frame could last for decades to come, and you should consider it to be "vintage" rather than "old".

You should get a good bicycle maintenance and repair guide, and a set of basic tools - hex keys, tire levers, floor pump (the kind with a base that you stand on), mini pump (to carry with you), patch kit, crescent wrench if the bike has nuts and bolts as opposed to hex bolts; and eventually as you develop more skills, more specialized tools like chain repair tools, cassette removal tools, repair stand and other exotic equipment. All of it will pay for itself over time.

If you are bike commuting, fenders, a rear rack and a pannier (saddle bag) are very useful.

You can ride in street clothes but if you are in the saddle a lot you may prefer to get specific cyling clothing eventually. Many people like to get cleated shoes and clipless pedals, but I prefer ordinary pedals and shoes for utility riding (commuting, shopping) - I find it way more convenient.

Fenders, baskets/racks are always my first recommendations. Keeping the bike in good safe mechanical condition is also primary. Learning how to do things yourself is a huge bonus. Eventually you will probably want a back up bike.

That World Sport is a great bike to start on. That is actually a pretty decent frame set and is similar to what most of my bikes are. Yours was built by Giant and is CroMo 4130. Here is a link to the original specs (http://www.re-cycle.com/bikes.aspx?pic=2460). Most car free people seem to gravitate towards touring type bikes or the older non suspension model mountain bikes. With a few getting cargo specific bikes and others going with city style bikes like the old Raleigh 3speeds.

Keep riding what you have and learning what works best for you. Come winter time consider getting a second bike and setting it up with studded tires.

Aaron :)

Once you've had the servicing done, get a rear rack and some panniers. Racks are not expensive and for commuting use,, you could do well with basic commuting panniers. which won't be fully waterproof but will provide some protection from rain.

Fenders would be good, depending on the rain you experience in your part of the world.

One other item is a decent saddle. You'll spend a lot of time on that bike so it makes sense to be comfortable. Talk to the people at your bike shop. They'll be able to find one that fits you properly.

Fenders if you are commuting you will need these. Let me know how it goes. I would love to go car free, but think that I have been spoiled beyond repair with convenience.

Congratulations! You got a great starter bike. Keep it in good condition and it should last you for years.

I see a lot of bike commuters when I'm in Grand Rapids. The downtown and nearby residential areas look fantastic for cycling. GR is a beautiful city, but like most cities it has some serious sprawl issues. I was born there, but they haven't gotten around to putting up a statue or anything yet! ;)

Congratulations! You got a great starter bike. Keep it in good condition and it should last you for years.

I see a lot of bike commuters when I'm in Grand Rapids. The downtown and nearby residential areas look fantastic for cycling. GR is a beautiful city, but like most cities it has some serious sprawl issues. I was born there, but they haven't gotten around to putting up a statue or anything yet! ;)

Let me know when...and if they do. I will fly up for the unveiling ;) :D

Aaron :)

So we just took my car off insurance and bought an older road bike! Being interesting so far and have enjoyed riding around Grand Rapids, MI! A couple questions, the bike I have is a 1984 World Sport Schwinn, from which I understand is an old entry level bike. I have added the a front and back light, lock and a front bag for misc items. Is there anything else that would be a necessary? Also I have been wondering about upgrades to it and have no idea what is needed and what is a "desire". My goal is ride this while I save up for something "better". Any advice is welcomed advice, thanks

I liked the World Sport. I had a ladies frame version for several years until it's attempted theft made me permanently use folding bikes only. It is a solid, durable bike that will serve you well. It is very adaptable for many types of uses. Upgrades are to adjust the bike for the use(s) you intend it for. So plan accordingly. And do locate a nice bike shop that you like to do business with. Even if you do your own work on it, it is wise to have them as a back up for any reason-like you don't have the time to work on it.

When you are ready to buy another bike, you will have far more experience and know what you want in it better. It will save you money in that way. And keep this bike as a back up.

A lot of people here are are suggesting racks and fenders. I'd like to +1 that, but just make sure they are installed correctly. You don't want a front fender getting tangled in your spokes, and you don't want your rack falling apart with 30 pounds of groceries on it. The prior of those scenarios happened to a good friend of mine, and a busted lip and 12 stitches later she realized the importance of proper instal. The latter happened to me with my first rack, and 30 lbs of lost groceries and a torn pannier later I learned the importance of proper instal.

As far as the rest is concerned, just start the lifestyle. Everything else you need will occur to you as you go along. I'm sure that you'll be making purchases in a few months that you don't even know exist right now. But that's how bikes work, no matter what kind of cycling you do. At first, you just see bikes. Then you see different types of bikes. Then you see different types of components and accessories. Then you try them out yourself. Then you decide what's right for you.

A lot of people here are are suggesting racks and fenders. I'd like to +1 that, but just make sure they are installed correctly. You don't want a front fender getting tangled in your spokes, and you don't want your rack falling apart with 30 pounds of groceries on it. The prior of those scenarios happened to a good friend of mine, and a busted lip and 12 stitches later she realized the importance of proper instal. The latter happened to me with my first rack, and 30 lbs of lost groceries and a torn pannier later I learned the importance of proper instal.

I prefer to buy fenders and racks at a good LBS, and have them install them. This costs a little more (well, maybe a lot more) than buying on line or from a bargain bin, But it's better than buying equipment that will never fit your bike.

So we just took my car off insurance and bought an older road bike! Being interesting so far and have enjoyed riding around Grand Rapids, MI! A couple questions, the bike I have is a 1984 World Sport Schwinn, from which I understand is an old entry level bike. I have added the a front and back light, lock and a front bag for misc items. Is there anything else that would be a necessary? Also I have been wondering about upgrades to it and have no idea what is needed and what is a "desire". My goal is ride this while I save up for something "better". Any advice is welcomed advice, thanks

I've seen a number of these Schwinn World bikes from the 80s and to me they are one of the best commuting/utility bikes you can find. Relatively lightweight, sturdy steel road bikes. You can fit racks and relatively wide tires on them. They are easy and cheap to maintain.

Get a "nicer" bike if you like, but keep this classic for a backup.

I've seen a number of these Schwinn World bikes from the 80s and to me they are one of the best commuting/utility bikes you can find. Relatively lightweight, sturdy steel road bikes. You can fit racks and relatively wide tires on them. They are easy and cheap to maintain.

Get a "nicer" bike if you like, but keep this classic for a backup.

Isn't there quite a market for them right now because they're easy to convert to fixed gear?

I've seen a number of these Schwinn World bikes from the 80s and to me they are one of the best commuting/utility bikes you can find. Relatively lightweight, sturdy steel road bikes. You can fit racks and relatively wide tires on them. They are easy and cheap to maintain.

Get a "nicer" bike if you like, but keep this classic for a backup.
All quite true. This bike is an excellent primary bike as well as backup.

I'm partial to this Schwinn World Tourist Model circa 1983-84. Picked it up in great shape for $15 at a garage sale and added the saddle that I picked up for DM5 at a Frankfurt Germany flea market. Keep this one at my sister's house near Philadelphia for use when I visit her.

Isn't there quite a market for them right now because they're easy to convert to fixed gear?

Not as much as there used to be. The mid to late aughts saw a huge inflation in the price of the old Schwinn for the sake of an FG conversion, but most folks have moved away from that.

Not as much as there used to be. The mid to late aughts saw a huge inflation in the price of the old Schwinn for the sake of an FG conversion, but most folks have moved away from that.

I can't say I'm sorry to hear that.

Welcome to living car free! It will have it's challenges, but it will be totally worth it!
Rona