New ride... barn find 1991 Schwinn 354 via CL
02-13-16, 10:22 AM
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New ride... barn find 1991 Schwinn 354 via CL
While surfing CL the other day I came across this ad and was intrigued and using google had figured out what it was after about 5 minutes of research. Contacted the seller and requested a frame measurement and brake/gearset pics to determine A, if it was my size and B, if it was in good condition (rusty bits etc) I was excited to see that there was no rust on the hardware and it was indeed my size. Due to mixed schedules we arranged a 6:00am meeting time and this morning I got up at 4:40 to drive nearly an hour to go pick it up. He said his Dad had bought it new and didn't ride it much and then gave it to him when he was visiting 6yrs ago and he just isn't going to ride it so it had been hanging up in his barn since then.
So.. I realize it's not a super impressive bike, but I think it's pretty neat and it's as close to "straight from bike shop to garage" as I've ever seen & the price was right... plus I like the stuff from the period of my youth. I was 10yrs old & riding a Bridgestone 300 at the time this was new and would have LOVED to have it. I'm really looking forward to going thru it and shining it up and adding it into the rotation.
So.. I realize it's not a super impressive bike, but I think it's pretty neat and it's as close to "straight from bike shop to garage" as I've ever seen & the price was right... plus I like the stuff from the period of my youth. I was 10yrs old & riding a Bridgestone 300 at the time this was new and would have LOVED to have it. I'm really looking forward to going thru it and shining it up and adding it into the rotation.
02-13-16, 10:26 AM
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I like it a lot, nice find.
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"When I hear another express an opinion, which is not mine, I say to myself, He has a right to his opinion, as I to mine; why should I question it. His error does me no injury, and shall I become a Don Quixot to bring all men by force of argument, to one opinion? If a fact be misstated, it is probable he is gratified by a belief of it, and I have no right to deprive him of the gratification."
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02-13-16, 10:27 AM
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Nice bike and great pic in front of the bail of hay. This really does qualify as a barn find, 
02-13-16, 10:50 AM
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Neat Schwinn! I like that wishbone seatstay. I didn't realize Schwinn used the same wacky front hub safety locks into the 90s.
Should clean up really well.
Should clean up really well.
02-13-16, 10:56 AM
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Nice! Should clean up and give you a great ride.
Love the Exage levers with their hidden quick release feature.
Love the Exage levers with their hidden quick release feature.
02-13-16, 12:19 PM
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Last edited by Scooper; 02-13-16 at 12:22 PM.
02-13-16, 01:12 PM
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Great bike, and from the catalog, the frame's the same right up the line, and you don't have to have a quill seat post.
I always liked those hoods, thought they were better than the other Shimano hoods at the time.
That would be fun to see on a charity ride, instant conversation.
I always liked those hoods, thought they were better than the other Shimano hoods at the time.
That would be fun to see on a charity ride, instant conversation.
Last edited by RobbieTunes; 02-13-16 at 01:16 PM.
02-13-16, 10:20 PM
#8
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Great find. That looks like it is great shape. Sweet!
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
02-14-16, 09:39 PM
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While surfing CL the other day I came across this ad and was intrigued and using google had figured out what it was after about 5 minutes of research. Contacted the seller and requested a frame measurement and brake/gearset pics to determine A, if it was my size and B, if it was in good condition (rusty bits etc) I was excited to see that there was no rust on the hardware and it was indeed my size. Due to mixed schedules we arranged a 6:00am meeting time and this morning I got up at 4:40 to drive nearly an hour to go pick it up. He said his Dad had bought it new and didn't ride it much and then gave it to him when he was visiting 6yrs ago and he just isn't going to ride it so it had been hanging up in his barn since then.
So.. I realize it's not a super impressive bike, but I think it's pretty neat and it's as close to "straight from bike shop to garage" as I've ever seen & the price was right... plus I like the stuff from the period of my youth. I was 10yrs old & riding a Bridgestone 300 at the time this was new and would have LOVED to have it. I'm really looking forward to going thru it and shining it up and adding it into the rotation.
So.. I realize it's not a super impressive bike, but I think it's pretty neat and it's as close to "straight from bike shop to garage" as I've ever seen & the price was right... plus I like the stuff from the period of my youth. I was 10yrs old & riding a Bridgestone 300 at the time this was new and would have LOVED to have it. I'm really looking forward to going thru it and shining it up and adding it into the rotation.
02-14-16, 10:33 PM
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Schwinn's lawyers recommended the factory install them to prevent lawsuits from incompetent owners.
02-15-16, 09:34 AM
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"Lawyer's Lips" is what I've heard, and it's not disrespectful, it's accurate. At one time, lawyers did what their clients asked. Now, many orchestrate the asking. I don't think respect was intended in that regard. YMMV.
02-15-16, 11:16 AM
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Nice find! FWIW, my Miyata has an Exage group (either 300 or 400, I think?) and I really like it a lot. The brakes have terrific stopping power, and the shifting is very smooth. Now, go get out and ride it!
02-15-16, 08:13 PM
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When I was a kid, I knew about these things. When I heard the explanation of "lawyer lips" I assumed it was a misspelling of "lawyer clips"- because "lawyer lips" made no sense to me- those things are "clips" not "lips." It seriously wasn't until my wife got her 2008-ish aluminum Trek that I realized what "lawyer lips" are.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
02-15-16, 08:19 PM
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Nice. I'd happily ride that bike. I had Exage as well on a mtb a while back and it shifted very well, very solid. Also I know someone mentioned those Schwinns were supposedly teeth rattlers but I'd take it on a few long rides and decide for myself. What's hard on some people can people be just fine for others. Anyway great find. 
02-15-16, 08:28 PM
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I use the term "Lawyer Lips" on a regular basis. I can assure you that it is used with as much disrespect as I can muster. The first thing I do with a bike is file those #%¥ things off. Every bike. Every time.
02-15-16, 08:44 PM
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I have one of those seat clamps , got it off the bay . Guy had the dia . listed wrong so it's in my B.O.C. er I mean box of stuff that doesn't fit .
02-15-16, 09:27 PM
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And so it begins... it's cold out in the garage. Moved into the office.
02-16-16, 09:42 PM
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Today's progress. I was annoyed that the FD is 400ex. I've examined multiple images of these 354 models and it seems tho they were advertised as having 300ex drive-line, the FD is 400ex on every one of them. Granted it appears to be a superior unit, it just bothers me that they don't match... There is what looks like a real nice matching RD on ebay for $40 I've half a mind to buy, but I'm not sure I want to spend the extra $ on it. (thoughts?) It's not as though this is a particularly rare or desirable bike that would loose value for it's state of non-originality and it won't be my main ride unless I decide I really like it and want to keep some miles off my Specialized. (especially considering my just-finished 3-years in the making wheel set with matching w/ ultegra 6400 hubs and new open pro rims)
02-16-16, 09:46 PM
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Today's progress. I was annoyed that the FD is 400ex. I've examined multiple images of these 354 models and it seems tho they were advertised as having 300ex drive-line, the FD is 400ex on every one of them. Granted it appears to be a superior unit, it just bothers me that they don't match... There is what looks like a real nice matching RD on ebay for $40 I've half a mind to buy, but I'm not sure I want to spend the extra $ on it. (thoughts?) It's not as though this is a particularly rare or desirable bike that would loose value for it's state of non-originality and it won't be my main ride unless I decide I really like it and want to keep some miles off my Specialized. (especially considering my just-finished 3-years in the making wheel set with matching w/ ultegra 6400 hubs and new open pro rims)
02-17-16, 04:13 PM
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Lots of bikes come with FDs that are a level higher than the rest of the kit. Cheap upgrade that gets the name of a better level grouppo on the bike.
02-17-16, 07:54 PM
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Unfortunately the cranks are 170mm. I have 175 on my mtb and the specialized. 172.5 on the Panasonic. It'll feel like a kids bike... big frame for such short cranks.
