I'm in Love! (my first road ride)
05-21-06, 02:36 PM
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Marin Rider
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I'm in Love! (my first road ride)
so at my church there's been this Schwinn Varsity lying around for several months. being bikeless, i asked my youth pastor who's it was. basically he said he didn't know, and i could have it! so i just got back from riding for about two hours on it near my house doing loops up and down my hill. im exhausted (out of shape, don't laugh) but i had a wonderful time. i mean, the bike's not the best in the world, but i enjoyed myself thoroughly! (on a side note, could anyone give their opinion on this bike?) just thought i'd share 
05-21-06, 02:41 PM
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Fuji Shill
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I had a Varsity about 30 years ago. Is it an older one or the new one they have at Wal-Mart? Got a pic?
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05-21-06, 02:42 PM
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you had a marvelous time. you've already told us enough about the bike... it's a keeper. glad you enjoyed it.
oh... here's a hint: flip it. (inside, beaten to death joke)
oh... here's a hint: flip it. (inside, beaten to death joke)
05-21-06, 02:44 PM
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Shut Up and Ride
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Enjoy!.... welcome to the addiction
05-21-06, 02:59 PM
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Cool, cool! The Varsity's a fun bike; it was very popular as a recreational road bike 30 years ago or so. What I can tell you is that it's very heavy! Some like to restore these old Schwinn Varsitys with shiny new components. Anyway, cool find, have fun with it.
05-21-06, 03:04 PM
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Feed me your soul!
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Ride it. If you find that you enjoy riding it, save up your money and upgrade when you feel like it. That bike is probably a tank compared to something you can get today..even at an entry level, but just ride the hell out of it...then decide if you want to upgrade.
05-21-06, 03:22 PM
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Hi,
I had a 1970 white Schwinn Varsity. I had a lot of fun.
1) Take it to a bike shop and have a tune up done. Does it need tires?
2) Ask the shop if it has steel wheels. If it does replace them. You don't have to do it immediately, but they weigh a ton and you lose braking in the rain.
3) get a helmet.
I had a 1970 white Schwinn Varsity. I had a lot of fun.
1) Take it to a bike shop and have a tune up done. Does it need tires?
2) Ask the shop if it has steel wheels. If it does replace them. You don't have to do it immediately, but they weigh a ton and you lose braking in the rain.
3) get a helmet.
05-21-06, 03:30 PM
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Would that 40 lb bike be considered classic steel?
Get some new cables, a tune up and have the LBS check out the wheesls and tires and you should be good to go. I have 2 old classic Schwinns they bring back memories.
kenal0
Get some new cables, a tune up and have the LBS check out the wheesls and tires and you should be good to go. I have 2 old classic Schwinns they bring back memories.
kenal0
05-21-06, 03:39 PM
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Good to hear that you enjoyed yourself.
05-21-06, 04:13 PM
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Marin Rider
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to answer some questions:
-it's the older varsity model.
-it's yellow (yay!)
-i have a helmet and the tires are pretty much fine. the back one may be leaking a bit)
to ask a question: this guy at the church told me the bike was a "piece of junk" when i was getting it out of the room and offered to let me exchange it for a newer bike of his. i'm not sure how knowledgable he is of bikes and whether or not he just got a x-mart bike. i'm kind of hesitant about this. what should i do?
-it's the older varsity model.
-it's yellow (yay!)
-i have a helmet and the tires are pretty much fine. the back one may be leaking a bit)
to ask a question: this guy at the church told me the bike was a "piece of junk" when i was getting it out of the room and offered to let me exchange it for a newer bike of his. i'm not sure how knowledgable he is of bikes and whether or not he just got a x-mart bike. i'm kind of hesitant about this. what should i do?
05-21-06, 05:03 PM
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The Varsity's heavy, but it's a fun bike. What's the guy gonna trade you? Anyway, you could easily find a great, lightweight European steel road bike on Craigslist for around $50; they'll weigh a hell of a lot less than the Schwinn, and you'll have even more fun. Aren't road bikes great? Anyway, welcome to the forums as well, you'll have fun and learn a lot here.
05-21-06, 05:24 PM
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What you have seems to fit; I'd stick with it. But
I'd also ditch the wheels, it will seem like ten pounds lighter
if you do.
I'd also ditch the wheels, it will seem like ten pounds lighter
if you do.
05-21-06, 05:25 PM
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well hello there
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I had a varsity, years ago (well okay, it was decades ago) and loved it. Welcome to the club!
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
05-21-06, 05:59 PM
#15
riding once again
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Glad you enjoyed your ride. 
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