Originally Posted by
davidad
If you are using it as a commuter then buy a rack, fenders and things that you can add to a touring frame at a later date. In the mean time ride your bike and maintain it until you can afford a better one.
+1
This is good advice. Your Schwinn is NOT worth upgrading in the sense of shifters, derailers, carbon parts, etc. It's not a bad idea, however, to get things like a rack that you can transfer to a future bike. 36 lbs? A carbon fork won't even put a dent in that number. Save your money or look for a decent used road bike on craigslist. I have an old Trek I bought for $200, there are good deals out there sometimes.