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Schwinn Traveler (ladies) 1977[?]

Old 07-07-16, 12:37 PM
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Schwinn Traveler (ladies) 1977[?]

Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your help.

I'm in the Bay Area where I spend my summers (2 months per year) and am looking to buy a cheap road bike that I can use to get around and take on the BART/Caltrain rather than rely on my in-laws for lifts. I probably wouldn't do more than twenty miles on it at most in a single day (I'm also never here in rainy weather, which may be a pertinent detail as regards brakes & rims).

I've found this bike on craigslist which particularly caught my eye as it's very close to me and could be wheeled home without a car: Vintage Schwinn Traveler bike

I wanted to ask what people thought of the price (which in any case I was planning to ask the seller to reduce to $80 given the catastrophic state of my idiotic country's currency at the moment). A search of completed ebay listings suggested that this price would actually be pretty good, but that method of checking prices doesn't offer much precision as regards the condition of the bike.

I'm going to see it later, so I also wanted to ask if there's anything particular I should look for. I'm not knowledgeable about bikes; I do ride an awful lot, but the tyres on this one are flat, so I'm not going to be able to take it out for a test ride, unfortunately. I don't mind doing some basic work on it if it's not in perfect condition. Oh, and I notice in the picture that the front fork is a different colour from the rest of the bike. Does that mean it's been replaced? Is it a problem, do you think?

Whilst researching, I've read several of the threads on Schwinns on here and I see that the date of manufacture can make quite a difference to the frame quality (TrueTemper or not). I also note a divergence of opinions on Japanese/Taiwanese-made Schwinns. So I'll try to find out these details when I see it. Anything else I should look for?

Thanks for all your help!
Kate

Last edited by hanswehr; 07-07-16 at 12:43 PM.
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Old 07-07-16, 12:50 PM
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PS, I've also checked the other Schwinn appraisals & inquiries threads, but they are both a bit old now and (if I remember correctly) related primarily to 1980s models. This one is probably older, so I get the impression it's going to be worth less.
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Old 07-07-16, 01:13 PM
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You don't get much for $80-$100 and that Traveler proves the point. I would keep looking and expand your budget, because that bike looks extremely neglected, not something that had a $200 extreme makeover 2 years ago.

First, the fork and front rim don't appear to be original, suggesting a front end accident at one time causing possible stress near the steering tube. The rear rim doesn't look original either as it is a nutted axle rather than QR.
Second, the cost of a new saddle and bar tape will add a minimum of $50 to the cost, plus installation.
Third, lots of scrapes and scratches on paint.

Overall, as presented IMHO it is a $30 bike, that should be donated to the legions of Bay Area homeless.
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Old 07-07-16, 01:36 PM
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^+1 to all the above except to say that the Traveler had bolt-on wheels standard.
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Old 07-07-16, 01:46 PM
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Ever so helpful, thank you both. Confirmed my suspicion as regards the front fork. Funny, the seller just added extra information to the listing (about the $200 tuneup) today in response to my email questions. I wonder if she got ripped off for that tuneup or is just misremembering how much she spent...

I might see if she can be bargained down to something closer to your $30 valuation, oddjob2. I don't mind sitting on a rubbish seat given the short amount of time I'll be using it (what's wrong with the bar tape though?). But I'll keep my eyes peeled for others, and not touch it at the current price. I can't expand my budget though--I'm skint, the exchange rate is terrible and this is ultimately a bike I'm only going to use for two months a year.

Cheers again for your Schwinn expertise!
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Old 07-07-16, 02:22 PM
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Fuji Del Rey, decent deal
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/5661263575.html

Jamis hybrid excellent condition
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/5670891797.html

Specialized Hard Rock for $85, nuke proof mtb
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/bik/5670937306.html


I had 2 friends in the UK during Brexit. One said it was eerily quiet the day after the vote; by the day after that, the Asians were spending money like mad at Harrods and other fine shops.

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Old 07-07-16, 03:43 PM
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Aw, thanks for looking these out for me. They're not exactly what I'm looking for, but your silence on the other contents of the SF bay craigslist bike page helpfully indicates that there's nothing on there you think is a good deal If nothing else comes up, I might go over to Waterside Workshops to see what kind of range they have--I'm sure I won't find any gems there but at least I know the bike I get will be in good condition and ready to ride.

Brexit also occasioned a 57% rise in hate crime aimed mostly at Polish people and Muslims... I haven't seen any positive consequences at all yet...
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Old 07-07-16, 04:00 PM
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I was coming home from my wife's place of employment and seen the same bike in better condition with a free sign on it. I decided to leave it for someone else. When I drove by later it was gone.
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Old 07-07-16, 04:10 PM
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I'd love that to happen to me! As it is the original bike I was looking at has gone instead to a family member of the seller (after all that research!), and the workshop that does up old bikes says their price range is $200-250. So it's back to the drawing board... I'm currently looking at a ten-dollar JC Penney that "needs TLC"
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