omahazach

I've been relying on information from this forum as I've been researching to purchase my first road bike for commuting about 12 miles a day. Thank you all for being so knowledgeable!

I'm currently intrigued by this 1985 Schwinn Tempo. It's been redone and it's for sale for $315. The size is right for me. I read another post on here where people were singing the praises of the Tempo, and that's what made me consider it.

I've read complaints on Craigslist before that this guy overprices bikes, so I'm wondering what you guys think.

https://omaha.craigslist.org/bik/4358032676.html

Fahrenheit531 

I love the heck out of my 84 Tempo ... but I don't know if I three hundred dollars love it. Admittedly, I found it for a hundred and that was a smokin' deal, but I'm gonna go out on a limb and say three is at the other extreme. Maybe you fight him down to two hundred plus? If I'd paid that for mine I would have zero regrets.

On the other hand, it's a pretty tall bike with Tenax frame and you're not going to find those every day. If you're in the market for something that size, you may have to bite the bullet and pay close to what he's asking.

TugaDude

I'd say max of $250.00. Also, you need to nail down the size to make sure it fits. Schwinn didn't have a "large", they went by inches, such as 23" or 25" frame. That guy lists tons of bikes, usually listed high, although he says he will entertain reasonable offers.

rccardr 

If it fits you and needs nothing (as it would appear from the advert) then that's a good price.

I've sold at least a dozen reconditioned Tempos in my area for $575 or more, although they were later '87 and '88 models with indexed shifting and full Shimano groupsets.

Scooper

That's a 25" frame (c-t), so you should be pretty tall for it to fit. The fork has Tange CrMo blades, and if it has the original components (Shimano 600 6-speed), it's a nice bike. IMHO, even $315 isn't a bad price if it has been serviced and is ready to ride. I live in the bay area so am used to higher prices.

EDIT - Oops! I was looking at the Super Sport specs column, not the Tempo. The Super Sport has 600 components; the Tempo doesn't.

Here's the '85 catalog page and specs.



1985 Tempo Specs

RaleighSport

I dunno.. I was wondering if that could really even fetch that here. My 88 Premis had been sitting on CL for over a week at $85 when I snapped it up, and it was OEM other than seatpost saddle and tires.

Scooper

Methinks you were very lucky.

zukahn1 

Well the price seems a bit high but not out of the question for the bay area if the rebuild was nicely done and the bike has no issues other junky pedals.

daf1009

But, this would be Omaha...and, even for my Atlanta area, this would be a bit high for that particular bike...although it appears to be a very nice bike.

oddjob2

The subject bike is in good nic and IMHO, high $200's is about right. Today, I just listed a 1982 Voyageur 11.8 in Ann Arbor at $295 and have drawn a prospective buyer. It is smaller, but the paint is not as good as Omaha.

omahazach

Thanks for the help! I wound up falling in love with the bike after riding it and paid $290.

FastJake

You did ok, not a terrible deal. If you like the bike that's what matters.

By the way how tall are you?

RaleighSport

Welcome to the Tenax club enjoy your sleeper.

omahazach

I'm 6'4"

Fahrenheit531 

Congratulations!

systemBuilder

I helped a friend of mine to select a 1985 Schwinn Tempo when his regular bike was stolen back in ... 1985. I read a bunch of reviews until I stumbled across the article in Bicycling magazine which covered the tubing. The Tempo's frame is supposed to be Columbus seamed tubing ("Tenax") but in the first year of production (1985) Columbus didn't have a manufacturing line making seamed tubing so they sold cosmetic rejects of SL or SP racing tubing and this bike is DA BOMB !!! It's a thoroughbreed Italian Racehorse! It was by far the best deal on a 10-speed THAT SCHWINN EVER OFFERED, with the possible exception of THE SCHWINN VOLARE (The Japanese Paramount). Also, the Sugino GLP cranks are some of the most beautiful cranks that Sugino ever designed on their own.

I'd say if the paint is in really good condition, go for it! You won't be disappointed by the liveliness of the ride!

oddjob2

As it says above, the OP bought it on 3-10-2014.

Matsbjorn

It seems like a rumor that Tenax is SL/SP, the topmodel had SL/SP with 27.2mm seat post, the Tempo with Tenax had 26.6mm seat post, according to the 1985 Schwinn catalog...

malcala622

No reply in almost 6 years for this thread. Pretty much a zombie.

DMC707

yep - cant believe I just read the whole thing and didn't look at the dates --- I wonder what that bike would be worth today (methinks $175-200 max) and if the original poster still has it

Matsbjorn

A bike from 1985 is at least as interesting now, even if this thread is some days old.. I ended up not buying one since it impossible can be SL/SP with 26.6mm seat post.

zukahn1 

26.6 it is likely tenax or Tange 2 both of which I would actually consider a bit better than SL.. Check the Schwinn catalogs nearly all Schwinn bikes from 85 had Tenax with DB tubes and strait gage post which I''m pretty sure was 26.4 on the MTB's and 26.8 for the road ones. A nice 26.6 could likely be fitted in either.

TugaDude

I have done the same, jumped into threads and never bothered to look at the dates. Personally I see nothing wrong with resurrecting threads. This is one I otherwise would never have looked at, so it benefited me.

There are a handful of bikes that I wish I would not have sold and a Tempo is one of them. I forget the exact year, but it was the one with the pearly white main triangle and bronze-colored stays. It rode like a dream. Needed to thin the herd and its number came up.

wrk101

Value wise, not as interesting now compared to 6 years ago, as the value of bikes like a 1985 Tempo have dropped significantly.