lu35173

I want to buy a cheaper used road bike, so a Schwinn Traveler came up in my searching. The price is $100, the condition is supposedly good.

don't know much, if any, tech details about bike. Just want to get a decent ride to find out if it is only a fever i have.

This is a pic of the unit -



only info supplied -- Schwinn Traveler (1980s, made by Giant), lugged steel frame, 12 speed, Good commuter bike. $100

What do you think for a newbie purchase?

mstrpete

Probably good enough to see if you've got the fever. Could you do better? Maybe. Could you do worse? Definitely. If you buy it and decide to change, you could probably get back what you paid for it. For that money, though, it should both fit you and be ready to ride. Keep us posted!

LordBass

If it is in good shape, $100 is a fine price. We want better pics if you do buy it.

I've been on the lookout for a red '85 Traveler. They're not 'special', but I love how they look. I've seen two, but both were overpriced [$200+].

Ex Pres 

I saw that one here on CL myself. The price sounds reasonable (not cheap, though) if it's in good shape. Make sure the cables, tires & brake pads have some life left, no rust on the chain, and that the stem and seatpost will both move in and out. At 26# it's fine for a lot of the riding around here, but you'll notice the extra weight on the hills.

mstrpete

Think of the weight as resistance training I can get a 30# Fuji plus 10#+ of stuff up a 7% grade at 10 mph. If it tracks straight and shifts smoothly you should be fine.

lu35173

thanks for the responses. the bike was sold the same day as listed, never got to see it.

I think $100 would have been fine, had it seem road worthy enough. Not too bad of a price to see if it would break the fever.

but, did make a good contact. seems the guy rehabs used and vintage bikes as hobby. maybe he'll have something else later.

thanks again.

mstrpete

Ouch! Missed it. Keep looking; another deal will come along soon.

roccobike

Please let us know your location. Many of us on this forum would lend a hand to someone just getting into the hobby if they are close by. As an example, I just provided a newbie to C&V a 83 Schwinn Traveler with new tires, tuned, cleaned & relubed all eight bearing surfaces, waxed the frame and replaced the chain for $70. The guy was so thrilled he parked his car in front of my house while he rode the bike through my neighborhood.

angelo

I have a traveler. The frame is heavy but strong. You don't have to worry about dents from leaning it (or even slamming it) onto light poles. Excellent choice for a fixed conversion. I would replace the wheels with alloy rims w/stainless spokes, replace the silly brake levers with some old-school aero levers, and consider making it a single speed or fixed. Here a pic of mine...



You can make very narrow "bullhorn" handle bars by cutting the drop bars with a pipe cutter and then flipping them over on the stem. Aero brake levers will then fit "backwards" and "upsidedown" on the bars (see pic). Note that I stuffed wine corks into the bar ends to hold the bar tape.

I have since switched to really fat 45mm tires. Clearance is not a problem with the right brakes. Very comfy. I use it to perform local errands like going to the grocery store.

lu35173

it'd be great to find someone local with a spare. I'm in birmingham, AL.

i'm also looking for my 26yo daughter.

Seems i've found an excellent resource with this forum and the members.

Thanks

wrk101

My advice on Craigs List, be ready to move fast. Good deals do not last long enough typically to poll others. Develop some basic criteria and go for it. I have similar criteria for garage sale and thrift store bikes.

I highly recommend Craigs List as a source of used bikes.

bspurrie

Just sold a red 85 traveler for $50 last month. Found it in the trash, it needed tires and grips but that was all. I rode it for a year and it was rock solid. Sold it once I found an 86 Miyata One Ten in the trash. I also had an 87 Traveler, great bikes to get into cycling with.