TDNash

Hi everyone. I know very little about all this so far, so my questions are very basic.
Right now I have and ride a Schwinn Varsity women's bike. Got it for $60 on Craigslist, and put new tubes and tires on it. The brakes suck, which is why I crashed over the weekend.
Anyway, the bike rides well except for the brakes, and the frame is in really good shape. Rims are straight. My main problem is that it really weighs a ton, and I am looking to do a two-day, 170-mile ride next year.
So, my questions are: how do I determine what year the bike was made? Is it worth putting $ and effort into the bike? Do I need to look for something newer/lighter for the ride? Is this a bike any collectors might be interested in? Or should I just hang on to it for the kids to play on?
Thanks

wrk101

Not worth putting much money in. I would keep an eye out for an upgrade bike, and in the meantime, ride it and enjoy it. Varsities are not very collectable, they were low end and Schwinn made millions of them. People do appreciate that they are heavy duty bikes, built like tanks, can take a beating for sure.

Braking is somewhat limited any time you have steel rims. Lots of commentary and theories out there on how to make it a little better.

Google Schwinn serial number, all the information is out on the web. The web info on Schwinns probably exceeds all other brands combined.

On women's style bikes, people prefer the "mixte" style. Here's an example of my Schwinn LeTour IV mixte.

cb400bill

Not really collectible, either. Ride it and enjoy.

BTW, your kids probably won't kill it, either.

old and new

Let the kids play on it as you said. It's not really worth the effort otherwise as you've already been proven that yourself, they're heavy.
From a fun, quaint point of view it's OK but many other bikes will provide a more rewarding ride.
Even other Schwinns, Asian builts for instance. Such bikes are inherently "better" for distances & hills.
It's obvious to me that you have it in you to find a perfectly suitable bike for two hundred or less (or more). Use the Schwinn as a model for your size as well as visiting a Local Bike Store (LBS) for their help in det. the size & style that suits. They do it for free, nothing "bad" in enlisting their help as they do it for fellows less mature than you.
You may want to "restore" it to some extent but it has limited potential.
Sites list serial number de-coding charts, it's a Chicago Built I suppose. Look near the head badge for a # or find a # to submit here. Pictures help but I can tell by color.

curbtender

Newer lighter would work. Here is some info on your bike.
https://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/contents.html

curbtender

Here is a nice starter https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/bik/1427967237.html

wrk101

+1 That looks like a major step up, at a low price.

EjustE

Based on this:
I'd say that there is no way you want to ride this bike in that ride for many reasons. I would suggest that you find something lighter and have it serviced at your LBS right away and about a month before the ride.

EjustE

+2 (even though it's aluminum)

USAZorro

Put some baskets on the Varsity and use it to shop for groceries or for similar utilitarian purposes. Also not bad for joyriding around the neighborhood. For a longer ride - definitely something lighter. You could find something that's 60% of the weight for about 60% more than you paid for the Varsity. Japanese made bicycles from the late 70's and 80's are relatively abundant, inexpensive, and in many instances are very well made. I'd poke around for something along those lines for a longer distance rider.

old and new

Good ol' Wald double baskets... great idea !! That frame will take it without notice.

Mos6502

My questions for you would be, do you know anything about bikes?

No offense meant, but do you know how to tighten the brake cables, replace the brake pads if need be.

Likely your bikes brakes could be suffering from a multitude of common problems - loose cables, sticking cables, dried out brake pads, worn out pads, miss aligned pads. Braking with steel rims is somewhat limited, but you should easily be able to cause the rear wheel to skid in dry weather if the brakes are working right. If you cannot do this, your brakes need attention.

As for the bike. $60 is more than I would plunk down for a women's varsity. You've already spent a lot for what it is. It's a great bike for knocking around town - getting groceries etc. But it's not the bike you want to be on for 100+ consecutive miles. It's heavy, the frame is flexible (being a woman's step through) making for less efficient pedaling - you could do a trip that long, but you'd have to be a masochist.

If you're man, or a girl - get a men's bike - the frame is stronger (and usually lighter too), and get something lighter than a Varisty.

jacksbike

The Chicago built Varsity is as bulletproof as possible. If there are either Weinmann or Dia-Compe alloy sidepull brakes on it, they can be adjusted easily so that the bikes stops safely. I would not want to ride this beast 170 miles. Because it weighs between 39 and 43 pounds, it is a monster to move. Try to find a lightweight Japanese or Asian built bike that weighs 10 pounds or more less.

custermustache

What bike weighs 10 pounds?

curbtender

TDNash

Thanks everyone for your info and suggestions. You pretty much verified what I already thought about this bike. I am watching Craigslist (and waiting on a freelance payment to get here). There's a Fuji Sagres on there now for $85!

TDNash

To Curbtender: The link you posted had expired. What kind of bike was it?
Mr. Columbia: I don't have any experience in bike maintence or repair, but I have a book and intend to learn!

wrk101

The best deals go fast, really fast. Do a little trolling through this valuation subforum and you will quickly become an expert!

TDNash

@wrk101: where is the valuation subforum? I'd really like to study up on what to look for. Thanks

curbtender

It's still there, it was kicked up in price from $85 to $140.