Rae418

Hi! I am currently looking for a decent beginner's road bike for my husband. I found a 1979 Schwinn Collegiate Sport 10 on Craig's list for $100. It is stated in the ad that it has Shimano shifter. Looks by pics to be in decent shape. What does anyone know about these bikes? Would this be a good choice for someone looking to switch from a hybrid Trek? No racing, just wanting to get in better shape and be able to ride longer distances, more often with me.
Thanks for any and all input!

pastorbobnlnh 

Rae,

Welcome to C&V. While a '70s Collegiate is a well constructed bike, almost indestructible, it is probably not the best bet for your husband, unless he is an fan of 30 year old bikes built to last through several generations of abuse from the American teenager.

Why might it not be a good choice? Here are several reasons:

1. It is heavy. Weight would be about 35-40 lbs.
2. Shifting. Your husband probably has indexed shifting on his Trek. If he has not used friction shifting, especially on a Huret derailleur equipped Schwinn, it is a world of difference.
3. Maintenance. A Collegiate usually needs constant "fiddling." A regular tweak here and there is not unusual.

Before any of us make any recommendations, tell us what kind of bike do you ride? How far and how often do you ride? How good are you with bike maintenance and bike building? How much do you have to spend? Where do you live (helps with pricing)?

cb400bill

Is this the bike in question? If so, at 20", it is a frame made for riders who are around 5' 6".

https://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1079856051.html

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jack002

Ah, I can tell you one thing about this one, Its heavy. Can you say 40 pounds? Whoa. It wont break, (the frame that is).

Tell us more about the type riding you do.

Rae418

Yes! that is the bike I'm looking at!

My husband is around 5'7" (he'd like to say around 5'8" haha). I am 5'6" and yet he has shorter legs and a longer torso than I do. Currently, he is a "weekender" and he will do +- 25 miles and mostly when I prod him. We have done several charity, etc. rides approx. 45 miles is max for him. However, he has had some health conditions creep up within the last year and was told to start exercising more.

I will bike to/from work daily Spring - Fall. Then will do several rides on the weekend. When he rides with me I always have to shorten my ride. The Trek hybrid he is riding now is just more cumbersome. I know as it used to be mine until I switched to a Specialized Dolce 54cm and love it. Something about the more upright position does not agree with either of us. His goal is to start keeping up with me, be able to go longer and to not have so much knee pain when riding.

The reason I'm scouring Craig's list is because he has an extreme aversion to spending that kind of money on a bike for himself. He keeps finding these bikes on Craig's & Ebay, but I just don't know enough about them.

As far as "fixing" - I can change the tire and do the maintenance cleaning, etc. More than that - changing out components (other than the seat), etc. I get nervous about.

Thank you so much for all of your assistance!

pastorbobnlnh 

Now that we know you are in Detroit and the size bike your husband needs, let me recommend a few that might give more satisfaction then the Collegiate (which is an acquired taste).

Here's a few possibilities in his size:

For $125, https://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1079652601.html, not a bad deal if it has aluminum rims.

At $650, https://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1078367100.html, way more then you want to pay, but a nice bike that will easily last him for many years. Who knows, maybe you can ask for a better price?

At $150, https://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1077872504.html a good price for a nice bike (if in good condition), and much better then the first one for $125.

I hope this is helpful. Best of luck on your search.

sailorbenjamin

Do I see a Shimano front freewheel system on that bike?

cb400bill

Check this one out for him.

https://detroit.craigslist.org/bik/1080950455.html

Rae418

The ad does say that.

Rae418

Thank you all so much for your assistance! You have been extremely helpful and thank you for not making me feel like the bike-doofus that I am

I've got hubby on the job of researching these today - will let you know if one works out...