midwestrider

Hi everyone!

I am browsing craigslist for a commuter bike that I could also take out on some 10-20 mile rides on the weekends. Looking to get into cycling but can't commit to spending big $$$ on a new road bike just yet.

I found these listings that are similar to bikes I've ridden in the past. Are any of these in good enough shape to take on longer rides?

Schwinn Varsity Deluxe Vintage Chicago Womens 10 Speed Bike
Womens Schwinn Traveler Road Bike Excellent Shape New Tire
Womens Schwinn Sprint Road Touring Bike

Thanks for your help!

Lascauxcaveman 

None of those are too bad, if you want a step-through. The Varsity, while it has the most Retro-Cool, will be heavier than the other two, which will have lighter tubing and more modern components and will no doubt be better performers.

Between the two of those, you might pick the one that has the better wheels and tires, which may be the Traveler. The sprint looks like it has steel wheels, and the Traveler looks like alloy, which is better.

They look like they're all reasonably priced for Chicagoland, but you might also find better values in a Peugeot, Nishiki, Miyata or other Japanese mixte frame.

willydstyle

Unless you want to be able to ride with a skirt, don't be afraid to look at "mens" frames too. Step-through ("women's") frames are a bit easier to mount/dismount but are not necessarily any more suited for women.

midwestrider

Thanks for the help so far everyone!

I found a couple more based on your suggestions:

Fuji Supreme Men's Vintage 12 Speed Road Bike
Fuji Gran Tourer SE Mixte Road Touring Bike
Vintage SCHWINN VARSITY DELUX 10 speed road bike

Any thoughts on these? Or are there some simple rules/things I can look for so I can find more on my own?

Thanks again!

CycleryNorth81

You need to pick a bike that fits you. The Fuji Supreme looks pretty big. The Fuji Gran Tourer is smaller and the better choice IMHO. The Fuji GT also has nice tubing (cro-moly tubing). The Schwinn Varsity is very durable but heavy.

CliffordK

I avoid anything with one-piece cranks. Thus... no Schwinn Varsity bikes (men's or women's).

A few additional things that I look for in a "quality" bike.

• Forged Dropouts
• No "Claw" derailleurs (derailleur hanger part of the dropout).
• Lightweight aluminum rims
• Aluminum cranks
• 700c tires
• No dual brake levers (turkey bars?).

Anyway, in the $100 to $200 range, one doesn't find a lot of high-end bikes. The Mixte bikes are ok, but most weren't particularly good bikes.

The women's bikes:
Fuji Gran Tourer SE Mixte Road Touring Bike
Womens Schwinn Traveler Road Bike Excellent Shape New Tire
Womens Schwinn Sprint Road Touring Bike

These are also similar to the ones you're looking at, for a little less.
Womens 12 Speed 27 Inch Road Bike
Schwinn World Womens Bike bicycle
Schwinn Sprint Road Bike - Women's 19-inch Frame
CUSTOM BUILT WOMENS 10 SPEED SCHWINN WORLD ROAD RACE BIKE TRIATHALON
Womens Road Race Bikes Mixties road COMMUTERS TRIATHLON (two more photos of the red and white Schwinn, plus a couple of Peugeots with horizontal bars).

I would also try to get some photos and more info about this one:
vintage womens bicycle. made in france. peugeot

It is hard to say that one bike is much better than another in that market though. I'd get one that is 95% functional, at the price you want, in the color you want.

Clang

Tossing these suggestions out there, going from low to high. Oddly enough, they're all Schwinns. I'm starting with the assumption that you ride a 19" frame, which may be wrong (the Passage is a 21" frame). How tall are you?

Also, mountain bikes can make decent commuters. I didn't know if you'd consider those, so I omitted two.

[h=2] Schwinn Le Tour Luxe - $150 (West Town)[/h]Schwinn Le Tour Luxe


[h=2] SCHWINN TRAVELER 12 SPEED ROAD BIKE CHRO MOLY FRAME MINT SHAPE!! - $160(pilsen)[/h]SCHWINN TRAVELER 12 SPEED ROAD BIKE CHRO MOLY FRAME MINT SHAPE!!


[h=2]Small Schwinn LeTour Road Bike - Late 80's Made in USA 19in \ 48cm - $200 (Logan Square - Fullerton and California)[/h]Small Schwinn LeTour Road Bike - Late 80's Made in USA 19in \ 48cm


[h=2]SCHWINN PASSAGE BICYCLE - $200 (Skokie, IL)[/h]SCHWINN PASSAGE BICYCLE


[h=2]Schwinn Super Le Tour / All Season tires/ Suntour Mountech - $250 (Chicago/ Can Deliver)[/h]Schwinn Super Le Tour / All Season tires/ Suntour Mountech

cale

These bikes don't qualify as road bikes in the modern sense of the word. They aren't light, agile, or suitable for lengthy rides. Also, when a seller, such as the person selling the Schwinn Sprint, say that the brakes are strong. Realize that this was written to reduce your fears and has absolutely nothing to do with the reality which is that the brakes will suck.

midwestrider

Thanks everyone for the help and info! I am definitely going to chase down some of these.

I am 5'7", and at a bike shop recently they fit me on a 54cm Trek Lexa (it was awesome, but I am a broke grad student so I couldn't get over the sticker shock). I've been looking for bikes around 20-22".

John E

Depending on your leg length, a 22" = 56cm frame may be a bit too tall for you. Depending on your torso and arm length, it may be too long for you.

I stand 5'8", and with a traditional diamond frame with a horizontal top tube, I am most comfortable at 55cm C-T, which is the size of my Bianchi and both Capos.

Clang

Oh, if you're looking more for 21" frames, I'll ad some more. The selection was getting pricier, but I think the Trek would be my pick- their paint always looks much better in person and in the sun.

[h=2]1987 Trek Elance 400 reynolds 54cm - $230 (chicago)[/h]1987 Trek Elance 400 reynolds 54cm


[h=2]Miyata 312/ Shimano Drivetrain/ New Tires700c/ Light Frame/ No Rust - $270 (Chicago/ Can Deliver)[/h]Miyata 312/ Shimano Drivetrain/ New Tires700c/ Light Frame/ No Rust


[h=2]1986 Fuji Sagres Suede saddle/Sugino/Nitto/SuntourLepree - $275 (Chicago)[/h]Fuji/ Suede saddle/Sugino/Nitto/SuntourLepree


[h=2]Binachi Squadra Vintage Road Racing Bike Columbus Tubing - $299 (Chicago)[/h]Binachi Squadra Vintage Road Racing Bike Columbus Tubing



Adding in a pretty Bridgestone MB-6 because I feel like it :]
[h=2]BRIDGESTONE TRAIL BLAZER MB-6 BIKE - $165 (Skokie, IL)[/h]BRIDGESTONE TRAIL BLAZER MB-6 BIKE

randyjawa 

Do this and I bet you will find a good quality vintage road bicycle in short order.

This is not a scam, everyone. For first time vintage bicycle hunters, just contact everyone you know and state your interest. The results, often times, will be amazing.

If you do, let us all know what you find. Also...

Be prepared for N+1.

midwestrider

Thanks again for the help everyone!

I picked up the women's Schwinn traveler today. It was more in my price range and was fun to ride when I took it for a spin. Looking forward to getting out and riding! (If it would ever warm up around here....)

cycleheimer

Looks to be an '85 model ... catalog page at Schwinn catalogs, 1981 - 1990 (211 of 456) ... not a bad choice at all!

Additonal information on it from the same catalog ... Schwinn catalogs, 1981 - 1990 (276 of 456)

SoreFeet

Have fun. Get the crankset and bearings repacked by a good shop and it should run good for awhile.