I think I let my Schwinn Varsity go for cheap
 

Long story short I bought a motorized bicycle that happened to be a 1970 Schwinn Varsity, I forgot the exact year but I'm certain its from the 1970's, and the color of it was orange.

The frame's paint was a bit worn out, and the brake levers were not functional. I sold the bike for $20 instantly and thought it was something that came out of Walmart. It turns out I was wrong, and this was a quality bike. I was 19 when I did this.

I sorta do wish I had it now since I'm looking for a road bike. So far the only vintage bicycle I have left is a specialized hardrock

Should be able to pick up another one cheap if you want to relive glory days --- I see cherry examples routinely going for $100 , give or take a few dollars

There’s nothing you can do about it now. Don’t worry about it though, it’s not like you let a Schwinn Superior go for 20 bucks.

If you’re looking for a road bike you proabaly wouldn’t have wanted the Varsity for long anyway.

If you absolutely did want a Varsity, there are millions more out there, and if you’re patient, I’m sure you could get one for 20$.

A 1970s Schwinn Varsity may not have been a department store bike, but it's not particularly valuable. It was Schwinn's entry-level road bike and built like a tank -- almost as indestructible and almost as heavy. If it was in good shape, $20 may have been on the low side, but one with weathered paint probably wouldn't come close to $100 even if it was in great working order.

And if you're looking for a road bike, you'd probably want something other than a Varsity.

I got a root beer brown one in 1972 or so and rode the crap out of it . Then I decided to do a 40 mile ride up the coast... OUCH!!! I gave it to a friend who could not afford a bike and bought my first light weight bike and never looked back. Joe

I sold my Varsity for $50 when I was 16. I got it for Christmas when I was 11. My dad paid anout $100 for it with tax, and a whole list of accessories (speedometer, fenders, rack, etc.). It would not be easy to get $50 (2018 dollars) for it today. If it had been a Paramount it would be a whole different story.

I typically donate Varsities when I get them. I’ll pay $10 for one then donate it so I lose $10 on each one. You did better than me!

Note: a Chicago built Schwinn Varsity is a great bike. They are indestructable, very easy to maintain and work on, and were actually used in the past for cross country bike trips. They were an excellent value in their day. Those old Schwinns were perfect for kids, since they were impossible to destroy... no matter how hard a kid tried. They were, of course heavy, which made them more difficult to pedal long distances than lighter bikes. The Alvit-Huret deraileurs also shifted poorly, especially when compared to later SunTour deraileurs. The steel rims also reduced braking power in comparison to alloy rims, in addition to weight issues and chrome flaking. With a vintage replacement wheel set with Araya or Ukai alloy rims, SunTour rear deraileur, and better saddle they are much improved. Bottom line: nice, innovative, early 60s model that was outdated by the mid to late 70s.

You did the right thing. Put it out of your mind. :thumb:

Look at craigslist, always a lot of them on there to check out pricing.

I have a fairly large collection of rideable road bikes up to and including a Paramount and a Raleigh Pro, I don't know why exactly but my Varsity's are my faves.

Looking for a excellent 26" campus green one right now.

Let me put it this way: I probably wouldn't spend $20 on one. You did fine. It's not a valuable bike.

Never had a Varsity, started up the Schwinn chain with a Continental, then Sports Tourer, Supersport and Paramount. Don’t have any of those original bikes anymore. You’ll get over it. Tim

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...the only bicycle I can think of I want less than a Varsity is a motorized Varsity.

I sold my lower end Univega for $100 in 1985 and I think I let it go cheap.

And when I re-entered the cycling hobby I stupidly passed on a mint Univega Nuovo Sport for $40. Probably could have flipped it for close to $200.

So don't worry about the Varsity.

Why do people who bought an inexpensive bike new, still own it, know it wasn't expensive when new, keep coming on here asking what it's worth like the 45 pound bike they bought from K-Mart in 1978 has some sort of value. :foo:

If it makes you feel any better, I sold a perfectly good Schwinn Tempo for $10. Don't sweat it. Cheap, better-than-Varsity bikes are out there for the patient.

To Infinity and Beyond!!!!!!!!!! Damn good idea. There's millions of em still around. Let's strap lithium ion battery packs on em and, turn em inta two wheeled Tesla's

+100 to all the above. Unless you paid more than $25 for it, you did just fine getting $20 back. Only parts of any value were the brakes & yours didn't work.

I read it took 30 hours to produce a quality frame, and Schwinn developed a mechanically automatic welding process to make one in 6 minutes. They did this using inexpensive, heavy steel tubing, then hung mostly steel parts on it.

Don't fret, you can do much better. If you are determined to stay with vintage Schwinns, you can get a Superior, Sports Tourer or Super Sport of the same vintage cheaply if you are patient and learn to haggle. The Japanese made Schwinns or later U.S. made models are even better buys. Don

I don't come on here as often as I have in the past but just saw this thread and have to say:
I've worked on, owned, ridden many bicycles and the Varsity is My favorite.
I have one. Its not normal... neither am I.
Normals are boring.
Ride what you like.
Love your bike.
(I can knock out 40+ miles on my Varsity easily)

peace

OP,
Not sure what year you sold it but either way I don't think a few dollars one way or another will hurt much.
JM2C's, Ben

Don't worry. There will be better Day's ahead.