I've been buying old road bikes for awhile now and converting them. I know what is generally worth over the $150 mark and that Schwinn is about $100 high. 27" wheels are undesirable and they shouldn't be charging that much and I think one or both of those bikes had one piece cranksets too, if so that's more hassle than it's worth unless you have the right tools; I would guess that you don't. Also, if you don't have friends at a shop you should do the math....my guess is that when paying over $100 for the original bike you're going to be right up there with the bikesdirect bikes to get it rideable. Even factor in the gas since you have to travel for one of 'em. And are you converting a freewheel, or are they freehubs, do you need a track wheelset, etc? I was selling on Ebay and making decent money while I searched for a new job right up until bikesdirect got their new line in; there's a reason for that. The prices are cheap and the bikes very rideable as-is for beginners and beyond.