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Singlespeed & Fixed Gear "I still feel that variable gears are only for people over forty-five. Isn't it better to triumph by the strength of your muscles than by the artifice of a derailer? We are getting soft...As for me, give me a fixed gear!"-- Henri Desgrange (31 January 1865 - 16 August 1940)

Schwinn Sprint to fixed?

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Old 01-03-05, 02:20 AM
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Schwinn Sprint to fixed?

i just stumbled upon this Schwinn Sprint a week or so ago... with a sign on it that said "free, merry xmas". i've been looking for a first fixed project bike, and this seems like a good candidate. good drops, size seems to fit ok. and the brief time i've been able to ride it, seems to ride fine. i'm just wondering if any of you with better knowledge than me forsee any problems with converting this to fixed...

i measured it, and it seems like it's a 58cm frame.. from what i can gather anyway.. i can't find markings on it that say what it is. i'm almost 6', and it seems to ride just fine. i have no idea what year it is... tried searching the Schwinn vintage site that someone had previously mentioned, but it doesn't go through the 70's or later... no clue what year this is... serial starts with a 63. any thoughts?
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Old 01-03-05, 02:46 AM
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I don't see any problems with converting that to a fixie ride. By the looks of the font for Schwinn on the seat tube, it looks very early 1980's at the latest. Just hunt down a budget fixed rear wheel and strip off all the unecessary parts and you're set.
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Old 01-03-05, 08:25 AM
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83-87 from what I can tell (I'd say 85). What's this serial number you speak of, and where'd you get it from? What's the four digit number on the headbadge?

That's one of Schwinn's 'cheaper' bikes, but there's absolutely nothing wrong with converting it. Many of us here, including myself (Schwinn World and Fuji Allegro) specialize in riding cheap or free bikes... The thing definitely won't fall apart on you, it just might be a little heavy. There won't be any problems specific to this bike that you may run into, in that respect, it's like any other bike. What I think matters the most is that the frame fits well.

Good luck man!
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Old 01-03-05, 09:38 AM
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my first fixie was a schwinn sprint. SBL is right, its heavy but sturdy. i kind of really miss that bike... i traded it for a centurion accordo frame (upgrade). i did feel bad letting loose the bike that got me into riding.
anyway, its lugged and free so go for it.
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Old 01-03-05, 10:00 AM
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I got a new Sprint for xmas when I was a kid ... in 1983 (22 freakin years ago ... my how time flies). The bike never quite fit me right, but I still rode the stink out of it.

-mark
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Old 01-03-05, 10:50 AM
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Do a before and after weight check.
I'd like to know if you can get it under #25
Enjoy
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Old 01-03-05, 11:08 AM
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Originally Posted by powers2b
Do a before and after weight check.
I'd like to know if you can get it under #25
Enjoy
Oh, sure he can-you're thinking of Varsities and Continentals!
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Old 01-03-05, 11:49 AM
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it was the best price.
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Old 01-03-05, 03:35 PM
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haha, glad to see i'm experiencing what many of you have in the past. there's a serial # on the dropouts, which was previously mentioned in another schwinn post about the year... but i couldn't find it anywhere. there's nothing on the headbadge except "schwinn quality".


soon as this rain finally lets up i'll be able to take it out and then convert it... i'll post some updates in this thread soon as i do... thanks folks!
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Old 01-03-05, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by powers2b
Do a before and after weight check.
I'd like to know if you can get it under #25
Enjoy

My sprint is probally somewhere in that area...maybe a lil over. They are heavy bikes, I love mine though. I smoke vomitron on his goofy looking GT pursuit bike downhill everytime, more ballast, heh heh.
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Old 01-03-05, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by junioroverlord
My sprint is probally somewhere in that area...maybe a lil over. They are heavy bikes, I love mine though. I smoke vomitron on his goofy looking GT pursuit bike downhill everytime, more ballast, heh heh.
every time? try that one time when we were seeing who's bike had more inertia.

if i recall correctly, you eat my dust up, and down hills with your 2-ton stoned-handling death machine.
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Old 01-03-05, 08:19 PM
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hey since we are on the schwinn to fixed topic...

I have an old Schwinn Le tour, in red, that I ride now. I am going to upgrade to a better road bike and make that a fixed.

I asked in the Fixed forum around how much it would cost to convert, and what I needed to keep and what I could strip from the bike.

What are the bare essentials and what is a definite must ditch?

Any ideas on when this bike was made without pictures?


Thank you
Daniel
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Old 01-03-05, 08:30 PM
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Shmanz-

LeTours were made from the 70's to the 90's, actually, so...need more info!
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Old 01-03-05, 08:32 PM
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Any tell tale signs that I could notice and tell you that would determine a more specific time? Anything at all?

Daniel
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Old 01-03-05, 08:47 PM
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Um, any names on the components, any other stickers the frame may have, 27" or 700c wheels, what color are the decals, etc.
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Old 01-03-05, 09:08 PM
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My Le Tour fixie is set up for commuting and the rack and bags makes it back heavy.
The steel is high quality and Tufo tubular clinchers make it nearly indestructable.
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Old 01-03-05, 11:17 PM
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My first bike when I got back into cycling was a Schwinn Sprint. The 58cm frame weighs 6 1/2 lbs. I've since "retired" mine. They do ride real nice and it would make a good fixie.
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Old 01-04-05, 03:40 PM
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here is my fixed schwinn sprint i love it, it may be a bit heavy but nothing to bad i would say around 24.5lbs or so. it has pretty much become my main bike as well, i only have one ride on the MTB since i built the thing a couple of weeks ago.
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Old 01-04-05, 05:28 PM
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Lookin' good, chico.
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Old 01-04-05, 08:33 PM
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No fair, yours is cool than mine!
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