85 Schwinn Traveler
#2
Extraordinary Magnitude
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You've got the utility thing going on- it'll do what you need it to do.
If you're happy with it- awesome! 1985 was the apex of "touring" bikes, and the Traveler definitely benefitted from everything that was going on with all the Touring bikes.
If I were to suggest anything, I would suggest not doing your handlebars like that. If you're going to run drop handlebars, run them correctly, if you want more upright bars, use upright bars. This is only my opinion- and since you asked- the upside down drops carry a very negative connotation to me.
If you're happy with it- awesome! 1985 was the apex of "touring" bikes, and the Traveler definitely benefitted from everything that was going on with all the Touring bikes.
If I were to suggest anything, I would suggest not doing your handlebars like that. If you're going to run drop handlebars, run them correctly, if you want more upright bars, use upright bars. This is only my opinion- and since you asked- the upside down drops carry a very negative connotation to me.
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#3
Mr. Anachronism
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Yeah, you'll likely get little love here for the flipped bars... commonly referred to as "DUI bars". With that said, it's YOUR bike. If that configuration works for you, "sticks & stones", right? I accomplished a similar riding position on a similar bike ('84 LeTour Luxe) with a set of 3" low-risers. The upright position worked very well for me when I was dealing with some lower back issues. What's interesting is that since I was able to ride with no more discomfort I rode much more, and that helped my back. Now two of my current projects have drop bars.
My next hurdle will be the funny little shoes with the clips on the bottom...
My next hurdle will be the funny little shoes with the clips on the bottom...
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Last edited by Hudson308; 02-11-14 at 11:32 AM.
#4
Senior Member
dmott,
Bonus points freely given. It is your bike and as such do what you want. Utility set up is right ! What are you going to be hauling?
I have love for the mid to late Schwinn bikes. Have a few and really enjoy them.
Enjoy yours !
Bonus points freely given. It is your bike and as such do what you want. Utility set up is right ! What are you going to be hauling?
I have love for the mid to late Schwinn bikes. Have a few and really enjoy them.
Enjoy yours !
#5
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I don't mean to be rude or insensitive or in any way hurt your feelings or make you feel unwelcome.
Still looks like you lost your drivers license. Sorry.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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#6
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The only issue I can see with those bars is their width. You might find that with the front basket loaded down you need a wider bar for more leverage. Wald makes some cool cruiser bars if you find the need to change them.
#7
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Haha it's ok, im sitting in my truck dreading the drive back to my office (yes drive not ride haha).
thats answers my question which I asked in my post which somehow didn't make it, do people not like it just cause "that's not how you do it?" Or just cause the bum bar/ DUI bar thing? Golden boy seems to be in the DUI bar category.
I do think some nice upright style bars like I've seen on old Raleigh sports would be nicer, but this is purely just to keep it cheap and end up with a more upright position, especially since I found the used 23.8mm crosstop lever (24mm?) for $5.
and I have to say again that I don't think a person would flip them up and around, requiring moving the levers and removing and retaping if they were "forced to ride a bike."
thats answers my question which I asked in my post which somehow didn't make it, do people not like it just cause "that's not how you do it?" Or just cause the bum bar/ DUI bar thing? Golden boy seems to be in the DUI bar category.
I do think some nice upright style bars like I've seen on old Raleigh sports would be nicer, but this is purely just to keep it cheap and end up with a more upright position, especially since I found the used 23.8mm crosstop lever (24mm?) for $5.
and I have to say again that I don't think a person would flip them up and around, requiring moving the levers and removing and retaping if they were "forced to ride a bike."
#9
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I personally don't think I would set my bike up that way, but I love improvisation. I think as long as it's safe to ride go for it. It looks fun -- I love the huge baskets. I do agree with likebike that you may end up wanting wider bars to help with wrestling the front end when you have an assload of beer in there.
#11
Zip tie Karen
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If I drank 24 beers while working on installing the front basket, two certainties would result:
(1) the basket would remain un- or only partially-installed, and
(2) I would be found unconscious beside the bike
Hopefully, I wouldn't be dead...
Also, I like the bike. It makes me happy.
(1) the basket would remain un- or only partially-installed, and
(2) I would be found unconscious beside the bike
Hopefully, I wouldn't be dead...
Also, I like the bike. It makes me happy.
Last edited by Phil_gretz; 02-12-14 at 12:35 PM. Reason: addition
#12
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The same shop that sold me some Wald ape-hangers for like $25 (I think) just got in a shipment last night with some Wald 867 bars that he is selling for $12.99. That is the exact style I wanted, I think it will look nice and should get the posture I want. The only negative is they are only 20" wide and my basket is 21" wide. I guess as long as I have enough leverage to control the bike, having the bars more narrow than the basket will be nice, knowing if the basket fits through, the bike and I will too.
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#13
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I wouldn't recommend polishing the rims; the sides are the braking surface, and polishing just the spoke surface might look incomplete. You'll likely be surprised how well a bit of mineral spirits on a paper towel will work on the hubs and rims, however. Makes a huge difference in appearance. Works great for the brake calipers, too.
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#14
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I suggest using dropouts but other than that, great bike! I have an '88 Schwinn Sprint that has done me well since! You did not go wrong buying it!
Last edited by TheEnthusiast; 02-13-14 at 12:23 AM.
#15
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Lookin' good!
#16
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Looks good. I would dramatically shorten stem shifter housings, that would eliminate a lot of the clutter. Invest in a good set of cable cutters. Heck, even the Nashbar/Spin Doctor cutters are pretty decent, and often go on sale.
Check out the Schwinn catalogs or pictures on the web for guidance.
$14.99 with free shipping:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...59_-1___202376
Check out the Schwinn catalogs or pictures on the web for guidance.
$14.99 with free shipping:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...59_-1___202376
Last edited by wrk101; 02-13-14 at 09:43 AM.
#17
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Looks good. I would dramatically shorten stem shifter housings, that would eliminate a lot of the clutter. Invest in a good set of cable cutters. Heck, even the Nashbar/Spin Doctor cutters are pretty decent, and often go on sale.
Check out the Schwinn catalogs or pictures on the web for guidance.
$14.99 with free shipping:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...59_-1___202376
Check out the Schwinn catalogs or pictures on the web for guidance.
$14.99 with free shipping:
https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...59_-1___202376
#18
Extraordinary Magnitude
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That really does look LEAGUES better.
I don't mean to be picky, and I'm honestly not trying to be disrespectful or anything to you or your bike, I understand that you want to protect your housing from contact with other metal things- hence the electrical tape. If you feel you really need that, perhaps some black electrical tape would be less obtrusive?
I think you may be able to trim your housing so that you don't need any reinforcement of your housing.
I would like you to have a bike that is not only utilitarian, but also something you can be proud of. You have ALL the makings for it.
Best wishes.
I don't mean to be picky, and I'm honestly not trying to be disrespectful or anything to you or your bike, I understand that you want to protect your housing from contact with other metal things- hence the electrical tape. If you feel you really need that, perhaps some black electrical tape would be less obtrusive?
I think you may be able to trim your housing so that you don't need any reinforcement of your housing.
I would like you to have a bike that is not only utilitarian, but also something you can be proud of. You have ALL the makings for it.
Best wishes.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Last edited by The Golden Boy; 02-13-14 at 10:01 AM.
#19
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You have a good thing going on now. Schwinn Travelers were decent bikes and I think it will serve you well. Just buy some good cable cutters (like others have said) and clean up the cable mess. Good work!
#20
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Can you see if a LBS would cut your housing for free? That way you have managable housing lengths, you may not need to have much of any basket contact.
Where do your cables run down your downtube?
I just did the "cross cable" thing on my bike- so the shifter for the FD crosses to the right hand cable stop, and then crosses over the other cable on the way down to the BB and on to the FD. The right shifter crosses to the left cable stop and crosses on the way to the BB then on to the RD.
That may make a gentle enough bend that you can not hit the basket.
Where do your cables run down your downtube?
I just did the "cross cable" thing on my bike- so the shifter for the FD crosses to the right hand cable stop, and then crosses over the other cable on the way down to the BB and on to the FD. The right shifter crosses to the left cable stop and crosses on the way to the BB then on to the RD.
That may make a gentle enough bend that you can not hit the basket.
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#21
Thrifty Bill
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Im thinking good cutters is definitely what I need. I'm using cheap needlenose with the real small cutter, then filing by hand, which takes me a while. I think once I have good cutters I will shorten the shifter housings like you said. Thanks a lot.
edit: the shifter housings are original and they are cramped but worked, that's why they are too long in the first place. If I were to shorten I'm guessing I ould just get a new cable and housing.
edit: the shifter housings are original and they are cramped but worked, that's why they are too long in the first place. If I were to shorten I'm guessing I ould just get a new cable and housing.
As you can see from this link, the shift cables continued up towards the handlebars at approximately the same angle as the down tube, then they did about a 140 degree turn up to the shift levers. Yours dip down a lot towards the fork, creating a downward turn first, then they eventually loop up to the levers. No immediate rush job, its just one of those small details to keep in mind as you acquire some tools (or head to a co-op).
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...985Ltwt19.html
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Please don't confuse ebay "asking" prices with "selling" prices. Many sellers never get their ask price. some are far from it. Value is determined once an item actually SELLS. Its easy enough to check SOLD prices.
#22
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Well I for one am sad to see this. It's never a good feeling to see someone cave to peer pressure. One more sheep in the wall. If I wasn't such a drop bar fanatic, I'd put them upright on mine just to be recalcitrant.
#24
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I'm all for making your ride comfortable and work to the best abilities for what you need. There's just far more reasons to not ride with drop bars flipped upside down than to ride with them that way.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
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#25
Hogosha Sekai
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Ok Im thinking I like the bikes where they have a painted line around the lugs of the frame. Are all of these from the factory like that? Or do some people use touchup paint or nail polish? Im thinking of doing either white or yello, or maybe a little of both if I can think of a nice way to do that.
Any suggestions? Just leave it? I would never paint the whole frame, but Im thinking just the little lines around the lugs would look nice.
Any suggestions? Just leave it? I would never paint the whole frame, but Im thinking just the little lines around the lugs would look nice.