mrsweetandawful

I recently sold my hybrid and am now looking to get a road bike for a quicker, more exhilarating ride. I came across this Schwinn Traveler on CL. The seller doesn't know what year it is, but is guessing late 70's/early 80's. The frame size isn't mentioned either, but it appears to be small enough to accommodate my height of 5'8. I don't know much about the Schwinn company except that they used to make quality bikes back in the day. My Dad bought a Schwinn Traveler back in the 80's and still rides happily it to this day. The seller's pictures make the bike look like it has rarely even been ridden at all. I was wondering if anyone knew anything about old school Schwinns or even the Traveler in particular. Is this a deal that should be jumped on?

https://providence.craigslist.org/bik/3919166435.html

wrk101

Its a move down from your hybrid. Aim higher. Rarely ridden used bikes are quite common.

Bikes changed dramatically throughout the 1980s. So a bike like this one that was really basic, ended the decade decent.

TiHabanero

Those retailed at 139! Not worth more than 50 bucks as a cheap commuter.

mrsweetandawful

Seriously? Thanks for the info, both of you. I guess I'll just keep poking around to see what I can find.

RaleighSport

Don't think I've ever seen that low end of a Traveler before.. at least not knowingly.

RoyIII

I like the bike, but I'm a Schwinn fan. I resurrected an old Collegiate that I like. I'd buy this one myself.

TiHabanero

Big Schwinn dealer used to blow those things out come sale time. I worked for him early on and he bought two trailers full of closeouts from Schwinn and have huge sales moving 50 bikes a day for a week. Just amazing. World Sports at a hundred bucks. Couldn't put them together fast enough.

PS. I may be a few 10's low on the price of the Traveler, but I do know for sure they would go for well under 200 bucks. No way I would pay 140 bucks for something like that.

cehowardGS

IMO, when you see safety levers, stem shifters and maybe a kickstand, not worth a thought. Now, that is just my opinion, others may differ..

A while back I purchased a real Schwinn Traveler, mid 80s for $20 at a Goodwill store for my wife. I sold the bike $160 but for comparison, here is a real Schwinn Traveler. Again, just my opinion..

RaleighSport

87 in the alternate(ugly) color?

MRT2

Seriously. That Traveler reminds me of the Schwinn I rode in middle and high school, and later, the Nishiki I bought as an upgrade when I outgrew my Schwinn. I used my Schwinn to deliver newspapers when I was 14. Never rode it more than 6 miles, but I was a high school kid, so mostly used for riding around town. Equipped with a rack, that bike might make nice, (cheap) commuter, but fast and exhilarating? Not in this life.

JBC353

Steel rims? If so then ride it fast in the rain and try to stop. Exhilarating.

Seriously, it's a decent bike, nice even, if those are alloy rims. But it sounds like you are looking for a good step up so try for something lighter with better components. Like Thrifty Bill said, bikes improved tremendously through the '80s so I would look at stuff from the late '80s on. And make sure it fits you, find out what frame size you fit and get one in that size, not "about" that size.

oddjob2

Cannondale for $150
https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bik/3979754599.html

Schwinn Voyager
https://providence.craigslist.org/bik/3980912332.html

jjames1452 

That appears to be the earlier, heavier model of the Traveler.
Solid bike, but worth $50-$75 in an average market.

Schwinn made the Traveler into a much lighter, better bike later in the '80's as evidenced by a previous post.

If you look, and are patient, you can find a Le Tour, or Prelude in decent shape for $100. The important items to look for on Schwinn's of that era are 4130 or Columbus steel stickers, shifters on the downtube, and no safety levers. Then check out the bike's function, and upkeep.

If you hit a home run, you can get the next level of Schwinn's Tempo's for a similar price.