First foray into Single/Fixed Gear with Schwinn Madison
 

Picked this up on Nashbar for $260 with coupon. Swapped out the cool but totally uncomfortable bars that came with it and installed this Deda Dritto Flat. Threw on some cork grips too. Think it looks just as retro like this and totally more comfortable.

Got rid of the crap freewheel that came with it which was clicking and clunking and replaced with Shimano for $20. Quiet and smooth so far. Also bought three stainless steel cable guides and got rid of the plastic zip tie guides that didn't hold

[IMG]http://i55.tinypic.com/r909kl.jpg[/IMG]
http://i52.tinypic.com/n1taav.jpg
http://i55.tinypic.com/ipcegm.jpg

Looks good. Welcome to BFSS&FG.

Edit: Those brake levers might need to be rotated down just a hair to make them easier to grab.

I dig it, welcome. Now go ride the **** out of it!

Very nice changes that you've made. All with an eye towards actually being comfortable riding it, I like. That has to be one of the best values in bikes I've seen. Enjoy it!

Looks great. I love those brown Maddies and $260 is one hell of a deal! If you haven't already, be sure to check out the "official" Madison thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...n-Madison-love

Thanks,
I am a long time, high mileage roadie but wanted a bike I can just "get on" and ride around town and do some night rides in the summer. No cleats, tights, spandex etc, just one gear and go. I also thought it was a great buy.
Thanks

Hey what size did you get and what is the seat tube measurement on it? I think that the geo chart on Nashbar's site is off.

Hi,
I am almost 6" (5' 11 3/4") and I got a Medium. These are rather large frames so I sized down and nailed it. If you have a short inseam then absolutely size down. I think Nashbar's site has right measurements. Check out this site for geometry.
http://www.mybiketinley.com/2010-Sch...e_p_15904.html

Thanks, they list the seat tube as 58.5 cm for a medium which seems :eek: to me. Seems like they are made for the long legged/short armed.

Yes, seems like old school geometry where a "fistful of seatpost" showing was a way to measure frame size back in the day. Nowadays, road frames with sloping geometry or just a trend toward riding smaller frames allows for more seatpost to show. How tall are you and what is you regular pant inseam???

I'm 6' and have a 32.5 inseam when measured with the book in the crotch system. I ride 58 cm Specialized Tarmac and Langster. I thought about picking up a Maddy for a beater to ride to the beach. I'll proly just get a medium and deal with it being a bit cramped ya know? What cm road frame do you ride?

Go with the Medium IMO. I comes with a 110mm stem on my medium. I am almost identical to your height and inseam and with the flat bar, I am not cramped at all.
My road bikes range in size. My Litespeed is 57cm with a 56.5 tt. Most of my bikes have a 56cm tt. If need be, you could always get a longer stem, but I don't think it will be necessary because I think you will want a more upright position if you are using this as a "city or townie" type bike.

Yeah I was leaning towards the med, the large just seems like it would be uncomfortable for what I am using it for. I have some 1" rise bars I was going to throw on it.

hey! i just ordered a maroon schwinn madison from nashbar. i was just curious on how long it took for the bike to arrive. thanks!

Hi,
They shipped it out day after I ordered it and I got it in only 4 days. You should have it for next weekend.

Dang that's heck fast. Where are you located? Cause I read online that it takes like 2-3 weeks for it to arrive for small shipments to the east coast. So I'm a little impatient on that part haha. Thanks!

I actually just checked my order history on Nashbar. I ordered bike on 2/16/11 and I got it on 2/18/11 via Fedex. Shipped from Ohio to NJ. Amazingly quick. I almost cancelled order but they shipped it out so fast that I am glad they did because it is a great value.

/thread

Until you start going on the roadie rides fixed. :thumb:

Awesome! Thanks a lot! I can't wait! Hope you enjoy the bike!

That bike kicks asz for 260. Now go jump some stairs.

What freewheel did you get? do you have a link?

Hi,
This is the freewheel (Shimano sf-1200) that my LBS had laying around but it doesn't seem available everywhere like the MX30 Shimano freewheel this place also carries. I can vouch for the quietness of the SF-1200 and it is only $27.99. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy better than that POS that came on the Madison.
http://www.bikeman.com/FW1452.html

just run fixed, problem solved

thanks!!