ckFoxTrot

Hey all,

I know this sort of discussion is difficult to have online but I thought I'd fish for some opinions on the fit of an old bike I have.

I ended up with a Schwinn 754 (1989 I believe) a few years back that my mom found at some sort of discount or consignment shop. It's actually in pretty decent condition and I planned on getting into road biking with it. After taking it in to a local shop for a tune-up and basic setup I began to take it out. Unfortunately, it would absolutely kill my forearms/elbows. It feels as if almost my entire weight is on the handlebars. This is with the saddle all the way back (which may or may not be "ideal") and quill stem raised as much as possible. Even distances as short as 4mi would be pretty painful, with around 8mi becoming pretty brutal.

Needless to say, I didn't really take to or keep biking for long. Recently, however, I began giving it another go on the Schwinn, only to be reminded of my previous experience. This time, however, the cycling bug led me towards a closeout 2013 Cannondale CAAD 8 5 from a bike shop in the area rather than giving up.

I have absolutely been loving my CAAD 8 (did 33.3mi no problem earlier today on my CAAD for comparison). There is an astounding comfort difference between it and the Schwinn. I'm sure part/most of this has to do with the difference in frame sizes. My question, however, is can I get the Schwinn to a point where it's comfortable enough to use as a backup bike or to take out here and there. Here's a bit more on both of the bikes and myself:

I'm 6'2" (maybe a bit over) with a 32" pants inseam and something like a 34 or 35" actual inseam (I forget exactly but can measure it again later if it matters).

My CAAD 8 is 61cm and really feels amazing. Stand-over height is fine, reach is great, saddle is a bit back but not much, saddle and bar heights seem to be great (all stem spacers with stock stem flipped up), handlebars block out the front hub in the drops (not that that, or other aspects, necessarily indicate a perfect fit).

Here are the geometry specs from Cannondale: https://media.cannondale.com/media/ca...eo_caad8_8.gif

The Schwinn is 23", or a bit over 58cm. It feels a bit cramped and small overall. The stock 100m (supposedly) stem appears to have been replaced with a 110m stem. The biggest problem seems my overall weight distribution on the bike. I can't pick up both hands off the bars let alone go no hands on it, both of which I can do on my CAAD 8. The saddle is all the way back. It seems like the rails don't leave as much room for adjustment in comparison to the rails on my CAAD's stock saddle. I've played with the handlebar tilt but it hasn't made much, if any, of a difference.

Here are the geometry specs on the 754: https://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1989...89_Ltwt_16.jpg

I ended up ordering an adjustable rise 110m quill stem with the notion of seeing if I can improve the Schwinn's comfort that way but figured, as I said, that I would get some opinions on here before I go about dismantling the handlebars and brakes (down tube shifters), not to mention that I'm sure the brake cables/housings won't be long enough and need to be redone as well (they're already a bit short).

I appreciate any thoughts/opinions on the feasibility of making my Schwinn more rideable/comfortable for me. I will post some pictures of my bikes soon for visual reference/comparison.

cyclezen

diff between the 2 frames is substantial
and not getting into a bunch of geometry - if you were able to use the same saddle and seatpost on both frames (eliminating those variables) and you had your saddle extension at ~ 80 cm (BB to saddetop), then the saddle placed on the Schwinn would be ~ 30mm further forward, than when it's on the CAAD. To get the saddle in the same position means moving back that 30mm.

simple method for getting ~ same saddle position on Schwinn as CAAD:
if saddles are same length, if you get the saddle setback on the Schwinn to be the same as on the CAAD, with the same saddle height/extension, then you'll be roughly/closely at the same saddle position on both bikes. That will greatly determine much of the weight on hands you feel.
Other end is to measure the distance from saddel nose to the center of the handlebar on the CAAD. Measure the bardrop on the CAAD. Then after saddle is positioned on the Schwinn, do whatever is necessary to 'make' the same distances/measurements for the nose to bar and bardrop on the schwinn, as what you have on the CAAD.
Now you'll be handgrenade close.
Bikes will still handle/ride different.
You'll prolly need to put a seatpost, on the Schwinn, with much greater setback than what's on there now - just guessin, but prolly a good guess. A saddle with plenty of rail adjustment would help also.

it'll be an exercise, fun or not, but likely with the old school specs of the Schwinn, it'll never be the same, or similar to the CAAD.