Tabor

I have never owned a vintage road bike before, but I am looking for a spare road bike that would cost me less if it was stolen than my Surly Pacer. I found this Late 60's Earl 70's Schwinn Varsity on craigslist, and I just wanted to know if $130 is a fair price? I have read that the Schwinn Varsity is a very heavy bike, is that true? Just curious, probably wouldn't stop me from buying it.

Thanks!

cudak888 

Nutty price for a mess like that, although the aluminum rim is a decent upgrade. Not such a stellar example either. I'd pass.

-Kurt

SoreFeet

I get my varsity bikes from the dumps. I would not pay more than 25$

Old Fat Guy

I have one that anyone here can have for free in Ann Arbor, MI...Come and get it, it's in good condition, to boot.

tcmers

Old Fat Guy....IM sent.

guygadois 

That is actually funny. I got my last Varsity at a dump.

wrk101

Varsities are extremely heavy, very low end. I would highly recommend you seek a better vintage steel bike, like one of the steel Treks for example. I have seen good Treks from the 1980s with decent components for around $150 +/- on Craigs List.

IF you are serious about the Varsity, I would instead go to your local thrift store and pick up a Huffy or Roadmaster. I see them all of the time for about $20, no better or worse than a Varsity.

mswantak

Yeah, right. That's why you see so many 30-40 year old Huffys. You needn't be dismissive of something just because you don't know anything about it.

jwa

The generally-accepted description of a Varsity is "built like a tank" - heavy but resilient. Hard to tell from the pics, but I don't think a late 60's-early 70's Varsity had quick release hubs - someone will correct me if I'm wrong - so either it's a mid-late 70's, or the front wheel has been replaced, also. Either way, it doesn't appear to be in "spectacular condition" & $130 is waaaay too high. $25-50 at thrift shops.

Tabor

Thanks everyone. I might buy a varsity in the future but I will make sure I don't pay too much for it. I will keep an eye out for older treks.

bigbossman 

For $150, I'd expect to receive a very clean/close to new condition run-of-the-mill Varsity, even in my hot bike market. There are "collectible" ones out there (such as really early ones), but for the most part their value lies in their durability and nostalgic connection to one's past.

Varsities are very heavy relative to most any of their counterparts, but are well made and indestructible, and are very solid rides. They will share the post-nuclear world with the cockroaches.

Old Fat Guy

I still have a red one for free in Ann Arbor, about a 22". Need tires, paint good.

rm -rf

I had one when I was a kid. I recently lifted one at the local used bike store. WOW, it felt like 40 lbs or more! How did I ever ride that!

eppoh

As a kid, in the 60's I rode a Schwinn Speedster, but really wanted a Varsity. Worked all summer mowing lawns. Traded in the Speedster for the Varsity. What a mistake- anda piece of junk that was.

Oh well, the mowing jobs were good for keeping me out of trouble.

Fissile

For $130 it better be in as new condition.

I like gas pipe Schwinns, but the Varsinentals were built in such huge numbers -- and survived in such huge numbers -- you can't justify that kind of price for a beat up version.

For a run of the mill beater Varsinental, in ridable condition, I'd go $25 to $30 dollars.

bikeman68

Hey
That bike, the classic Schwinn Varsity was such a tank, and they dont die, they keep on coming back to the bike shops for tune ups.I say fix em up if needed, then give away to needy kids, or send to Africa, but dont ride them if you want to live a little and ride a much more lively bike thats faster and more fun.
The Schwinn Sting Ray is hot if in good shape, it was the bike that started the real BMX craze in CA back in the early 70's.Id put more on a Sting Ray, just ask Stu Thomsen, BMX legend.