1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!
#1
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,567
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From: Berwyn PA
Bikes: I hate bikes!
1987 Schwinn High Sierra: The Beast in the East!
The thread title is apt since I live in S.E. Pa and the bike, truly, is a beast! I picked up this bike from CL for $60. All in all it was in nice shape and just needed a complete tear down and rebuild w/ new cables, pads, tires, grease etc.
I had most everything except for the Planet bike fenders, bar tape,tires and front rack. I tried 3 different Blackburn racks (2 front & 1 rear) none of which would fit without interfering with the front brake cable. The rack that is on it is a Pletscher I got from Rivendell for $32. A couple of bends with 2 sets of Channel Lock pliers on the mounting strut and the rack mounted easily.
The bike is very comfortable and I was surprised at how well it handled at low speeds and how well it handles with weight in the front. I guess it is the slack angles and low trail(?) Anyway I put a gallon jug of concrete bonding agent and small container of ready mix concrete in the front basket to test it. I would guess it was around 12lbs and the bike handled fine.
I included a couple of shots of the bike with all of the bags I have(
) and it will hold them all. I took my 4 yr old daughter out for a ride on her trail-a-bike today and the frame did not flex a bit, even when she stood up and yelled "Yeah Baby!!!" going down a hill. Should be a fun ride with her and also for doing errands. Enjoy!
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I had most everything except for the Planet bike fenders, bar tape,tires and front rack. I tried 3 different Blackburn racks (2 front & 1 rear) none of which would fit without interfering with the front brake cable. The rack that is on it is a Pletscher I got from Rivendell for $32. A couple of bends with 2 sets of Channel Lock pliers on the mounting strut and the rack mounted easily.
The bike is very comfortable and I was surprised at how well it handled at low speeds and how well it handles with weight in the front. I guess it is the slack angles and low trail(?) Anyway I put a gallon jug of concrete bonding agent and small container of ready mix concrete in the front basket to test it. I would guess it was around 12lbs and the bike handled fine.
I included a couple of shots of the bike with all of the bags I have(
) and it will hold them all. I took my 4 yr old daughter out for a ride on her trail-a-bike today and the frame did not flex a bit, even when she stood up and yelled "Yeah Baby!!!" going down a hill. Should be a fun ride with her and also for doing errands. Enjoy![IMG]
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Last edited by fender1; 02-16-11 at 08:05 PM.
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 790
Likes: 0
From: Plano, TX
Bikes: 1968 Falcon San Remo 1973 Raleigh International, 1974 Schwinn Suburban, 1987 Schwinn High Sierra, 1992 Univega Ultraleggera, 2007 Dahon Vitesse DH7G
I have one that I ride pretty regularly - i love it. Your frame does look almost new, esp for $60.
#12
NICE, here's my 88 High Sierra, scored recently from CL for $60 as well.
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/10525...ierra?h=315a42
https://www.dropbox.com/gallery/10525...ierra?h=315a42
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,977
Likes: 5
From: Knoxville, TN
Bikes: Schwinn Paramount P15, Fisher Montare, Proteus, Rivendell Quickbeam
You will love this bike. Early MTB's make great utility bikes.
One cool feature of this year of High Sierra's is the lugged unicrown fork.
My High Sierra that I got last year has become my favorite workhorse. I tried the mustache bars for a while, but finally settled on some NOS Nitto Bullmoose bars and I love it even more.

One cool feature of this year of High Sierra's is the lugged unicrown fork.
My High Sierra that I got last year has become my favorite workhorse. I tried the mustache bars for a while, but finally settled on some NOS Nitto Bullmoose bars and I love it even more.

#15
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,567
Likes: 1,065
From: Berwyn PA
Bikes: I hate bikes!
Hey all, thanks for the compliments. After doing some more riding on it I think:
1. I will need a new seat post. This one is at its max on the upward tilt and the nose pointing down makes me feel like I am sliding forward a bit.
2. I think I may need one of these https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...tabilizer.html as the front end tends to flop to one side when parked.
3. Maybe some nicer tires. I have set of 26" Conti Town & Country's on a tandem and they are a much nicer ride than they $7 Kenda specials from Amazon that are on it right now. They look period correct but feel as if they are rolling from side to side sometimes. Like the side walls are weak or something.
4. A Pump for this:
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Anyone got and leads on an old style frame pump that is not expensive?
1. I will need a new seat post. This one is at its max on the upward tilt and the nose pointing down makes me feel like I am sliding forward a bit.
2. I think I may need one of these https://store.velo-orange.com/index.p...tabilizer.html as the front end tends to flop to one side when parked.
3. Maybe some nicer tires. I have set of 26" Conti Town & Country's on a tandem and they are a much nicer ride than they $7 Kenda specials from Amazon that are on it right now. They look period correct but feel as if they are rolling from side to side sometimes. Like the side walls are weak or something.
4. A Pump for this:
[IMG]
[/IMG]Anyone got and leads on an old style frame pump that is not expensive?
#16
i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.
that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.
that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.
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#17
Thread Starter
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,567
Likes: 1,065
From: Berwyn PA
Bikes: I hate bikes!
[QUOTE=-holiday76;12242800]i have 3 or 4 pumps, some of which might work... If not Alan's near me has a box full and they're cheap.
that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.[/QUOTE
I am around all weekend so let me know if you want to come by. I was thinking of doing a ride on Sunday..... As for the bag, it is the large Sackville bag from Rivendell. It is by far the most useful bag I have. It was the cause of "bag envy" when my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were eyeing it on a family vacation to the beach last summer. Tougher than snot and holds a ton. Makes a great diaper bag.........
that bike looks great. It looks like a mule. I'd like to check it out sometime. The bags also. I almost bought that front one you had in the rack in one of the pics.[/QUOTE
I am around all weekend so let me know if you want to come by. I was thinking of doing a ride on Sunday..... As for the bag, it is the large Sackville bag from Rivendell. It is by far the most useful bag I have. It was the cause of "bag envy" when my sister-in-law and mother-in-law were eyeing it on a family vacation to the beach last summer. Tougher than snot and holds a ton. Makes a great diaper bag.........
#18
Extraordinary Magnitude


Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 14,087
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From: Waukesha WI
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Black Chrome is the awesome
I'm thinking of a B-67 for mine. You've pretty much made up my mind on that.


Also have to look out for some gold bottle cages...
I always feel like I'm sliding forward on the saddle- I assume it's because of the saddle...
Right now I'm rolling with 1.75 Panaracer Pasellas.
I'm thinking of a B-67 for mine. You've pretty much made up my mind on that.


Also have to look out for some gold bottle cages...
I always feel like I'm sliding forward on the saddle- I assume it's because of the saddle...
Right now I'm rolling with 1.75 Panaracer Pasellas.
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Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
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; 02-17-11 at 09:06 PM.
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