rkmears

I recently upgraded to a 2012 Marin Four Corners. I bought a 2006 Schwinn Super Sport DBX on closeout two years ago for a pretty good price and realized it didn't fit the needs of the majority of my rides, much to the displeasure of my wife. I'm posting because I would love to hear what some of you think I should do with the Schwinn. I have had it posted on CL for a while and would sell it if offered the right price. On the other hand, I think it would make for a decent starting point as my first tinkering bike.

I have been mulling using it as my around town beater. Possibly converting to flat bar, single speed, etc. I would say I lack intimate knowledge of converting to single speed, flat bar shifters, etc. It really doesn't have room for good full coverage fenders on the rear due to the Schwinn frame.

The bike is pretty stock besides an upgraded rear wheel/hub.

Here's a link to the specs and a picture of it.
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...+DBX&Type=bike

What do you guys think?

Juan Foote

You should give it to DaHonMac

BarracksSi

Honestly, I don't see how the Marin is an upgrade, unless it can fit better fenders than the Schwinn will carry. I can vouch for the Schwinn not having a whole lot of room -- I had one and sold it because it was just plain too big for me. It wore full SKS fenders from the previous owner, though, and I ran 28mm Marathon Plus tires while I owned it. I had also wanted to put a dynohub, lights, and a rack on mine, but mounting a light on the fork crown (like I already had on my Bianchi Valle) would be difficult, and the Schwinn's rack mounts are unnecessarily crowded on the dropout by the seatstay welds.

Anyway -- what to do with it now? At first I'd say keep it for rotten weather, but again, your tire choices would be limited by the narrow-ish fenders that fit the frame. The disc brakes are a bonus and a drawback at the same time -- they work all the time no matter how bad the weather is and how beat up the rims get, but they can draw a bit more attention from potential thieves; so if bikes are rare in your area, it'll stand out more.

OH! I just saw the Marin has disc mounts. That was most of what drew me to the DBX in the first place.

I would do whatever I can to sell the DBX and use the cash to upgrade the Marin -- disc brakes, dynohub n' lights, etc.

wahoonc

I would probably sell it and use the money to upgrade the other bike or buy one that would be better suited for conversion.

Aaron

dedhed

This isn't the season for getting max price or interest on C/L in the midwest.

SlimRider

Hi there RKMears!

I think that you have a wonderful idea!

If I were you, I'd join the nearest bicycle co-op and hangout for about 3 or 4 weekends as a volunteer. During the time volunteering, find out the friendliest, most talkative, bicycle mechanic. Make friends with this guy (buy him beers, whatever). Attach yourself to this guys hip and continue to go to the co-op. Only this time, everytime you go there, you'll have your Schwinn SS DBX, to work on.

All during this 3-4 weekend time period (just about a month), start reading all about the specific mechanics of your Schwinn, in particular. First of all, make certain that you can fix a flat and change a tire. Also make certain that you can both adjust and change derailleurs. Learn to replace your chain. Begin to study your Avid BB7 disc brakes. Find out how they work in conjunction with levers, rotors, calipers, and cables. Really get into it! Make certain that you become an expert at one thing in particular. IMO, it might as well be the disc brakes, because, that's what most people don't know about!

In the end, you should be able to completely dismantle your bike and then assemble again. Once you do that, with the Schwinn, then take your 4 Corners there, and do the same thing. Then every month, try to spend at least one weekend, to devote your time to the co-op, and pick your mechanic friends head. Never stop reading and learning about bicycle mechanics and frame materials.

Hey! Before you know it, you'll be just like him!

Good Luck!

- Slim

PS.

Everybody should have at least two bikes!

Just keep the Schwinn for the Winter...

rkmears

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

Retro Grouch 

There is a huge problem with converting that bike into a "town beater" and it's not fender clearance.

By the very fact that you asked the question I can tell that you are in the early stages of CBTD (compulsive bike tinkerers disease). Once you catch it, there's no cure. Your best bet is to convince your wife that it's harmless because it keeps you out of the bars and keeps you from chaseing other women.



Um - PM me and let me know what kind of bike stuff tradeing stock you have and what you're looking for. Maybe we can do some business.