1983 Schwinn Sierra
04-19-18, 09:52 AM
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1983 Schwinn Sierra
A little while back I picked up a mess of a bike from the local bicycle junkyard. It was buried under a pile of cruisers, but I spotted a set of Suntour ratcheting thumbies so I dug it out. I learned that the junkyard employee was hiding it for himself, but forgot about it!
Turns out it's a 1983 Schwinn Sierra - their first "mountain bike" and one of the last models made at the Chicago plant. It's basically a Sidewinder but with cantilever mounts and a Tange fork. It was in rough shape, but it was all there.
Turns out it's a 1983 Schwinn Sierra - their first "mountain bike" and one of the last models made at the Chicago plant. It's basically a Sidewinder but with cantilever mounts and a Tange fork. It was in rough shape, but it was all there.
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04-19-18, 09:53 AM
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I took it apart and cleaned it up. The stock freewheel is a massive 14-38(!) wide range 5 speed, so I planned on running it as a 1x5. The rims are massive 26"x1.75" Ukais, so I was pretty stoked on fitting some big rubber.
Last edited by tiredhands; 04-19-18 at 10:08 AM.
04-19-18, 10:01 AM
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I wasn't sure if I was going to repaint it, though. The paint was pretty rough and rusty, but had a nice sparkle. However, after doing some wet-sanding, it became apparent that a touch-up job would be pretty extensive.
Then the Box o' Crap got to my house, and I found a certain special sticker that @gugie put in there. I heeded serendipity and stripped the frame...
.. and started to paint.
Add the sticker...
Then the Box o' Crap got to my house, and I found a certain special sticker that @gugie put in there. I heeded serendipity and stripped the frame...
.. and started to paint.
Add the sticker...
04-19-18, 10:13 AM
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Wouldn't you rather ride a Schwinnger? That big bad boy just barely fit...
ftw!
ftw!
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04-19-18, 10:16 AM
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Interested to see where you're going with this.
04-19-18, 10:22 AM
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And here's how it stands as of last night. I've got a basket on the way, and I'll experiment with a few saddles to get the right fit. And I've got to get the kickstand installed... but I was pretty proud of myself and I wanted to share this project early.
It's pretty rad. A 44t chainring up front gives a decent range for Florida cruisin', and I've got the rear mech connected to a Schwinn stem shifter also pulled from the Box o' Crap. The bottom bracket is crazy high, so it really feels like riding a jacked-up truck. A proper photo shoot will follow when I get everything installed.
It's pretty rad. A 44t chainring up front gives a decent range for Florida cruisin', and I've got the rear mech connected to a Schwinn stem shifter also pulled from the Box o' Crap. The bottom bracket is crazy high, so it really feels like riding a jacked-up truck. A proper photo shoot will follow when I get everything installed.
04-19-18, 10:25 AM
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And here's how it stands as of last night. I've got a basket on the way, and I'll experiment with a few saddles to get the right fit. And I've got to get the kickstand installed... but I was pretty proud of myself and I wanted to share this project early.
It's pretty rad. A 44t chainring up front gives a decent range for Florida cruisin', and I've got the rear mech connected to a Schwinn stem shifter also pulled from the Box o' Crap. The bottom bracket is crazy high, so it really feels like riding a jacked-up truck. A proper photo shoot will follow when I get everything installed.
It's pretty rad. A 44t chainring up front gives a decent range for Florida cruisin', and I've got the rear mech connected to a Schwinn stem shifter also pulled from the Box o' Crap. The bottom bracket is crazy high, so it really feels like riding a jacked-up truck. A proper photo shoot will follow when I get everything installed.
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If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
04-19-18, 11:02 AM
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WOW!!! An Electro-forged mountain bike! I never knew such a beast existed. Great work bringing it back to life!
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04-19-18, 11:13 AM
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Electroforged Tricolor goodness. Nice!
04-19-18, 03:05 PM
#11
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I've been tempted to go 1X5 with my 84 High Sierra city bike. It just makes good sense on the flat coast.
That's a great looking project!
That's a great looking project!
04-19-18, 07:16 PM
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Mate, that thing is just awesome! Great job, you should be damn proud
04-21-18, 05:10 AM
#15
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Glad so see you kept the original AG Tech RD. I put an NOS one on my Ross for originality's sake and it it works fine, if a bit clunky, with a hyperglide freewheel. You don't have so many options with that 38T giant freewheel!
04-21-18, 06:31 AM
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@tiredhands fantastic work! If your legs grow tired (sic) of that wide range freewheel, I'll trade you a custom built, freshly serviced, Suntour ultra 6 for it. I'll even cover the postage. Even on that "ridge" on 23rd Street next to the Methodist Church, is there need for a 38T!?!
P.S. I spend a couple of weeks in PCB each year at a small place next to St. Andrews State Park, so I know the geography!
P.S. I spend a couple of weeks in PCB each year at a small place next to St. Andrews State Park, so I know the geography!
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Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
Bob
Enjoying the GA coast all year long!
Thanks for visiting my website: www.freewheelspa.com
04-21-18, 11:14 AM
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Love the color scheme!
Last edited by sunnyone; 04-21-18 at 11:22 AM.
04-21-18, 11:55 AM
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And here it is: ready to cruise! Photo dump!
04-21-18, 12:03 PM
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@DiegoFrogs the AG mech is certainly clunky, but wow is it built like a tank. Who knows how long it was sitting at the bottom of a junk pile.
@pastorbobnlnh Ha! Aside from the bridges, that “ridge” is about the highest point in PC, isn’t it? I do think it would be a shame to separate this absurd freewheel from this absurd bike, but I’ll keep it in mind!
@2cam16 I used Rustoleum’s “American Accents” rattle cans because of the colors, but I actually like the paint quite a bit. It has great coverage and doesn’t run too much. Sealed with a glossy clear.
@pastorbobnlnh Ha! Aside from the bridges, that “ridge” is about the highest point in PC, isn’t it? I do think it would be a shame to separate this absurd freewheel from this absurd bike, but I’ll keep it in mind!
@2cam16 I used Rustoleum’s “American Accents” rattle cans because of the colors, but I actually like the paint quite a bit. It has great coverage and doesn’t run too much. Sealed with a glossy clear.
04-21-18, 05:31 PM
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@2cam16 I used Rustoleum’s “American Accents” rattle cans because of the colors, but I actually like the paint quite a bit. It has great coverage and doesn’t run too much. Sealed with a glossy clear.
04-22-18, 02:55 AM
#25
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I'm curious... How much does it weigh? The thought of a 'beefy' Continental makes me think you'll need the 38T gear on any incline!
The handlebar setup is quite strange. I had thought most were using the bullmoose at this point, but I guess there was a lot of uncertainty and innovation happening in the commercial MTB world at this time.
It's interesting to see what they did in order to incorporate MTB production into the existing manufacturing facilities to get them out as fast as possible. My Ross also bears some of the hallmarks of the other junk they were producing at the time, like the braze-ons and the dropouts. But it has Ishiwata tubing and an English BB.
The handlebar setup is quite strange. I had thought most were using the bullmoose at this point, but I guess there was a lot of uncertainty and innovation happening in the commercial MTB world at this time.
It's interesting to see what they did in order to incorporate MTB production into the existing manufacturing facilities to get them out as fast as possible. My Ross also bears some of the hallmarks of the other junk they were producing at the time, like the braze-ons and the dropouts. But it has Ishiwata tubing and an English BB.
Last edited by DiegoFrogs; 04-22-18 at 03:16 AM.