Schwinn Voyageur 11.8
03-18-15, 03:37 PM
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Schwinn Voyageur 11.8
This bike has been on the local CL previously and just popped up again.
I've asked for more information from the seller, but haven't heard back yet. Don't know size, model year or anything else. It obviously looks pretty rough--although they do have the front wheel. I'm starting to keep my eyes peeled for a bike to turn into a light touring machine.
I've seen some really nice Voyageurs that have been set up as tourers, but I'm completely unfamiliar with where an 11.8 sits, if anywhere, in the hierarchy of desirable touring frames
TIA for any help.
STP
I've asked for more information from the seller, but haven't heard back yet. Don't know size, model year or anything else. It obviously looks pretty rough--although they do have the front wheel. I'm starting to keep my eyes peeled for a bike to turn into a light touring machine.
I've seen some really nice Voyageurs that have been set up as tourers, but I'm completely unfamiliar with where an 11.8 sits, if anywhere, in the hierarchy of desirable touring frames
TIA for any help.
STP
03-18-15, 04:07 PM
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OK--I found this link to lots of info about Voyageurs. It appears the 11.8 is one of the early models and much less desirable than the later SP models, especially the '84-'85 models with Columbus tubing.
The 11.8 has only two chain rings, which would make it particularly unsuitable for touring...right?
STP
The 11.8 has only two chain rings, which would make it particularly unsuitable for touring...right?
STP
03-18-15, 04:11 PM
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1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 23" frame, Scarlet Flame
Catalog links:
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_04.JPG
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_10.JPG
That'll get you started at least!
Catalog links:
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_04.JPG
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_10.JPG
That'll get you started at least!
03-18-15, 04:13 PM
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You don't really have to have triple for touring unless your in very hilly terrain or carrying a heavy load.
It looks nice but I wouldn't pay more then $150 or so for it. Since it has been on a trainer for who knows how long it very likely needs a chain and freewheel. It also will need a good tune up and cleaning, tires, maybe cables and certainly handlebar tape.
It looks nice but I wouldn't pay more then $150 or so for it. Since it has been on a trainer for who knows how long it very likely needs a chain and freewheel. It also will need a good tune up and cleaning, tires, maybe cables and certainly handlebar tape.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
03-18-15, 04:49 PM
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What's with the black scrape mark all the way across the length of the top tube?
$250 = seller is dreaming. I sold one in outstanding, perfect, spotless, totally refurbished condition for $225. This bike is far from that condition. Missing lever hoods, 30 year old rotted foam bar grips, old rock hard brake pads, original tires =must replace immediately, crap seat, etc. $100 as it sits. (note, no way would I give that much for it, and no way the seller is going to take $100 IMHO).
And on anyone who is still using 35 year old tires, you can count on the bike not being maintained: headset, bottom bracket, wheel hubs, cables, housings, freewheel, chain, etc: all will either need service or replacement. If you can do the work yourself, fine (but price is too high), pay a shop to do this work including parts and you will spend over $200, perhaps closer to $300 to get it fully ride ready.
I commonly see external rust problems on bikes that have been on trainers. Sweat is VERY corrosive.
Here's how the economics work for me. I have a pile of parts, but I would still probably dump $75 into consumables, plus 4 to 6 hours of my time. Totally upside down. Now if you are in some red hot market, maybe your numbers are better.
Heck, seller even lists the condition as FAIR.
I would keep looking.
Note, the market value for one of the later Voyageurs, one with full touring bike kit, in ready to ride condition is ~ $400. But this bike can't get there. No cantilever brakes, no triple crank, no bar end shifters, etc. Some can be installed as upgrades (more $$ spent), other changes are impossible (cantis).
$250 = seller is dreaming. I sold one in outstanding, perfect, spotless, totally refurbished condition for $225. This bike is far from that condition. Missing lever hoods, 30 year old rotted foam bar grips, old rock hard brake pads, original tires =must replace immediately, crap seat, etc. $100 as it sits. (note, no way would I give that much for it, and no way the seller is going to take $100 IMHO).
And on anyone who is still using 35 year old tires, you can count on the bike not being maintained: headset, bottom bracket, wheel hubs, cables, housings, freewheel, chain, etc: all will either need service or replacement. If you can do the work yourself, fine (but price is too high), pay a shop to do this work including parts and you will spend over $200, perhaps closer to $300 to get it fully ride ready.
I commonly see external rust problems on bikes that have been on trainers. Sweat is VERY corrosive.
Here's how the economics work for me. I have a pile of parts, but I would still probably dump $75 into consumables, plus 4 to 6 hours of my time. Totally upside down. Now if you are in some red hot market, maybe your numbers are better.
Heck, seller even lists the condition as FAIR.
I would keep looking.
Note, the market value for one of the later Voyageurs, one with full touring bike kit, in ready to ride condition is ~ $400. But this bike can't get there. No cantilever brakes, no triple crank, no bar end shifters, etc. Some can be installed as upgrades (more $$ spent), other changes are impossible (cantis).
Last edited by wrk101; 03-18-15 at 04:57 PM.
03-18-15, 07:13 PM
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What's with the black scrape mark all the way across the length of the top tube?
Note, the market value for one of the later Voyageurs, one with full touring bike kit, in ready to ride condition is ~ $400. But this bike can't get there. No cantilever brakes, no triple crank, no bar end shifters, etc. Some can be installed as upgrades (more $$ spent), other changes are impossible (cantis).
Note, the market value for one of the later Voyageurs, one with full touring bike kit, in ready to ride condition is ~ $400. But this bike can't get there. No cantilever brakes, no triple crank, no bar end shifters, etc. Some can be installed as upgrades (more $$ spent), other changes are impossible (cantis).
STP
03-18-15, 07:19 PM
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1980 Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, 23" frame, Scarlet Flame
Catalog links:
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_04.JPG
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_10.JPG
That'll get you started at least!
Catalog links:
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_04.JPG
https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...80/1980_10.JPG
That'll get you started at least!
STP
03-18-15, 08:41 PM
#8
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I have an '80 11.8 that i spent many an hour and $ on turning into what I wanted.
3 ring crank, barcon shifters, rando drops, built wheels for it(my first), new derailleurs and cassette.
It was an excellent learning process because of all the quirks.
It is not some incredible touring machine that will flawlessly get you across the country, but it works for what I want- 1-3 day rides.
The stem post is smaller than most every other- its 22.2 which is apparently bmx size. It had an early cassette which was uniglide instead of hyperglide. Uniglide is dead technology- you cant update it.
Waterbottle holders are clamped instead of brazed.
Odd stuff like that was quirky to work around.
That bike isnt close to being worth the asking price. If the wheelset works, I would consider $100- itll take a lot of rehab.
Later Voyageurs come with canti brakes, water holders, 3 ring cranks, and named tubing.
Good luck on the search!
3 ring crank, barcon shifters, rando drops, built wheels for it(my first), new derailleurs and cassette.
It was an excellent learning process because of all the quirks.
It is not some incredible touring machine that will flawlessly get you across the country, but it works for what I want- 1-3 day rides.
The stem post is smaller than most every other- its 22.2 which is apparently bmx size. It had an early cassette which was uniglide instead of hyperglide. Uniglide is dead technology- you cant update it.
Waterbottle holders are clamped instead of brazed.
Odd stuff like that was quirky to work around.
That bike isnt close to being worth the asking price. If the wheelset works, I would consider $100- itll take a lot of rehab.
Later Voyageurs come with canti brakes, water holders, 3 ring cranks, and named tubing.
Good luck on the search!
03-18-15, 08:49 PM
#9
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Look at the headtube- the part of the bike with the Schwinn logo. The bike came in 3 sizes, 21 23 and 25.
The 25" has 4.5-5" of room between where the top tube and down tube meet on the head tube. A 21" has probably 1.5" or so of room. the 23" will be right in between those two, which it looks like the bike you posted matches that.
Its an easyish way to generally tell how large a frame is on steel road bikes. It doesnt really work for modern bikes or mtbs, from what I have seen because the geometry is different. And it helps to know what sizes the frame in question came in to narrow down possibilities.
The 25" has 4.5-5" of room between where the top tube and down tube meet on the head tube. A 21" has probably 1.5" or so of room. the 23" will be right in between those two, which it looks like the bike you posted matches that.
Its an easyish way to generally tell how large a frame is on steel road bikes. It doesnt really work for modern bikes or mtbs, from what I have seen because the geometry is different. And it helps to know what sizes the frame in question came in to narrow down possibilities.
