bres dad

Looking at possibly getting a late 80's Schwinn Tempo. Its got 12 speed 105 and appears to be original (new tires, cables, etc but drivetrain & frame are original). What are some thoughts on this? Seems to be a decent bike. I think this might be a nice counterpart to my early 90's Paramount (japanese version not a Waterford.)

hockeyref

I had a 1987 Tempo - Teal & White... bought it new. I liked how it rode and put a lot of miles on it. but it was not stiff enough for me..... lots of chain rub when standing and sprinting. I actually twisted the head tube a couple degrees, pushed the BB out to the left and pulled the rear triangle out of alignment a good bit. Frame shot asked me how log it took me to recover from the crash when they straightend it out..... The only reason I had it checked was that the handling was getting weird and less than predictable and as it got progressively worse, ride no-hands became really "squirriley" until it was not possible at all.....

All in all, I do miss mine and wouldn't mid having it back. It went down the road in favor of a Cannondale in the early 1990's. I still have and use some of the original 105 components.

oddjob2

Well regarded by most Schwinn C&V aficionados. I have one, but haven't put enough miles on it to comment. I do love my 1981 Super Sport. There is also a pretty decent looking Schwinn Super Le Tour in your market, pretty reasonably priced.

3speedslow

I build this winter a 1988 Tempo(red,white and green). It came as a frame only so no ride experience but I have many miles on my 1987 SuperSport and it is a fantastic bike. You should have the same feeling on this Tempo.

rccardr 

Awesome bike, I've owned, refurbished and sold maybe a dozen of them. Each one a peach.
Used them as fast club ride bikes, for centuries, great all-rounder as long as you don't need tires bigger than 25 or maybe 28.
Have a powder coated black one up for sale right now in the FS section.

RaleighSport

I've still got my first 87 Tempo (only got it two years ago if that? From thrifty bill) I love it, mines upgraded to 14 speed and didn't come with any of it's components but the frame is solid IMO and I'm surprised what hockey had to say about the flex and rub.. he must be far more powerful than I! And if you want to see some of the nicest Tempo's ever.. just look through rccardr's collection of ones he's built and sold...

whatwolf

I love mine. It's a 1987 teal/white powder coated pink, set up as a 1x2 commuter with a White Industries double freewheel. Double racks and fenders were a tight squeeze with the Campy brakes but worth the effort.

bres dad

unfortunately there was someone else ahead of me. Now looking at an '87 Le Tour and '90 754. I like the hand made steel but also like the Schwinn aluminum framed bikes.

pamaguahiker 

I started my lightweight love with the adjacent model, the Schwinn Premis, which i love and miss, it was equipped with Suntour XCD7000. Loved those bicycles! They climbed like a dream and were very nice framesets! Whatwolf, that is beautiful!

Lascauxcaveman 

+1 on that. Hockey must be some kinda beast. My '87 Tempo (25" frame) is one of the stiffest rides in my fleet, and with proper wheels and a plain plastic Unicanitor, feels 'racier' than any other bike I have. 700x28c will fit EASILY on this frame, and I've even run a 27x1.25 on the back (but it won't fit in front). It was my first Very Good Bike and I'd probably be induced to spend a little too much money if I could find one with a really nice paint job (mines' a little beat up). I've since gone back to the dark ano rims, but here's a photo of it with the 'pretty' wheelset I've since moved over to ye anciente Super Course:

bres dad

I'm torn between the Le Tour & the 754. I think the Le Tour would be similar to my Paramount (closer than the 754 would be anyway) but I'm concerned it may be a hair small. Can't decide if I wnat to go with heavier vintage steel or lighter vintage aluminum. damn...

michael k

Love this picture.

RaleighSport

ROFLMAO I assure you that paintjob is not "beat up" wear those scars with pride, my frame was someones rain beater >.< warranted a total repaint.
Shortly after repaint, the eye burning has been halted since.

Stevensb 

great choice of saddle colour there @whatwolf

Brad

zukahn1 

I like everything about most Tempos except the pastel pink and white or blue and white Miami vice color schemes. Some of the very best value bikes to buy used you can pick up a Tempo that is almost as nice as anything made in the 80's basic rider wise for under $300 in choice shape.

kunsunoke 

I had one of these back in the early '90s. The geometry was a little too triathlon-esque for me, and I never liked the limitation on tire sizes.

Had I known then what I know now, I'd have swapped out the seat for greater comfort and the rims for fat tubulars.

So much easier to do things you want after twenty years of progress.

kunsunoke 

I had one of these back in the early '90s. The geometry was a little too triathlon-esque for me, and I never liked the limitation on tire sizes.

Had I known then what I know now, I'd have swapped out the seat for greater comfort and the rims for fat tubulars.

So much easier to do things you want after twenty years of progress.

whatwolf

Thanks, wasn't planned, but I like how it looks.