Classic to me ;)
01-01-19 | 01:58 PM
#1
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From: SW Ohio
Classic to me ;)
Probably not what most would consider "Classic" or "Vintage" but here's my "car" before I had a car 
Not my actual bike (from that time) but a survivor I tracked down and bought; this one makes me smile.
1974 Schwinn Varsity in Lime Green
Not my actual bike (from that time) but a survivor I tracked down and bought; this one makes me smile.1974 Schwinn Varsity in Lime Green
01-01-19 | 02:26 PM
#2
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From: Central Florida, USA
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (7); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Trek (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Quintana Roo (1)
Wow, nice one! Is it all original? It looks like it was lightly used and well-maintained, or refurbished to that appearance. I prefer that look to trying to make an old bike appear new again, though I understand the appeal of doing that too.
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WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May, Jul, Aug, Oct, 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Dec 1985; Apr 1994; May, Jun 1996; May 1997.
WTB: bicyclist May, Dec 1997: Jun-Dec 1998.
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Litespeed head badge (circa 2000)
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May, Jul, Aug, Oct, 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Dec 1985; Apr 1994; May, Jun 1996; May 1997.
WTB: bicyclist May, Dec 1997: Jun-Dec 1998.
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB: Litespeed head badge (circa 2000)
01-01-19 | 02:36 PM
#3
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It is original but for the black brake cables, tires and tubes that are replacements; I have NOS to put on it in the spring. If I thought it would be worthy, I'd bring it to the Coppi event, but looking at the pictures of bikes from past events, I don't think it would fit in.
01-01-19 | 04:05 PM
#8
If I own it, I ride it
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From: Cardinal Country
Bikes: Lejeune(14), Raleigh, Raysport, Jan De Reus, Gazelle, Masi, B. Carré(4), Springfield, Greg Lemond, Andre Bertin, Schwinn Paramount
Eine Varsity! Bist du kidding mer, Hans?
01-01-19 | 04:15 PM
#9
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It is original but for the black brake cables, tires and tubes that are replacements; I have NOS to put on it in the spring. If I thought it would be worthy, I'd bring it to the Coppi event, but looking at the pictures of bikes from past events, I don't think it would fit in.
Worthy of show and tell. There was a good variety of this class of bikes at the 2018 Classic Rendezvous event. Fun --
01-02-19 | 08:43 AM
#10
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Bikes: too many sparkly Italians, some sweet Americans and a couple interesting Japanese
My only wheels when in college and I loved it so. It pains me today to see the abused Varsities and greatly appreciated your post.
01-02-19 | 08:53 AM
#11
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I like it.
Educate me on the Varsity. Head tube is filet brazed? Monocoque carbon? Titanium front triangle?
Educate me on the Varsity. Head tube is filet brazed? Monocoque carbon? Titanium front triangle?
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, ‘81 Masi Gran Criterium, ‘81 Merckx Pro, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, Rivendell Rambouillet, Heron Randonneur, ‘92 Ciöcc Columbus EL
01-02-19 | 09:13 AM
#12
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From: SW Ohio
01-02-19 | 06:17 PM
#13
feros ferio
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
My wife and I were 26 years old when we bought our first car. Before that, her Peugeot UO-8 (now mine, with drop bars and what she calls "toe traps") and my first Capo were our main transportation. We had big bright orange backpacks and Pletscher mousetrap rear racks for grocery hauling.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-02-19 | 06:32 PM
#14
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From: Menomonee Falls, WI
Bikes: 1984 Schwinn Supersport, 1988 Trek 400T, 1977 Trek TX900, 1982 Bianchi Champione del Mondo, 1978 Raleigh Supercourse, 1986 Trek 400 Elance, 1991 Waterford PDG OS Paramount, 1971 Schwinn Sports Tourer, 1985 Trek 670
Looks classic to me. Had a Continental in high school, loved that bike, close cousin to the Varsity. Once you get those things up to speed, not much effort needed, lots of momentum. Love that color!
Tim
Tim
01-02-19 | 07:24 PM
#15
Rustbelt Rider
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From: Canton, OH
Bikes: 1990 Trek 1420 - 1978 Raleigh Professional - 1973 Schwinn Collegiate - 1974 Schwinn Suburban
I love these bikes. They are more than classics, they are icons! I love the spaghetti font logo and candy color paints.
I sold my suburban and replaced it with a British 3-speed. I regret that in hindsight. The Suburban was smooth and solid. The British 3–speeds that I have owned would clank and creak (except for the awesome Raleigh DL-1)
I sold my suburban and replaced it with a British 3-speed. I regret that in hindsight. The Suburban was smooth and solid. The British 3–speeds that I have owned would clank and creak (except for the awesome Raleigh DL-1)
01-03-19 | 06:08 PM
#18
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From: SW Ohio
I thought I'd get run out of here on a rail posting this bike. I guess we're all "Classic & Vintage" because many of us seem to have similar experiences and memories.
01-03-19 | 10:53 PM
#19
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
The lime green is may favorite color for a Varsity, and the OP's is a fantastic example of a 22" framed Varsity.
Acquiring a 24" lime green Varsity has been on my "bucket" radar for a good seven years, but this year I finally found a good example at a good Varsity price.
While looking for the lime green one, I also found a 24" Radient Blue one and a 24" Campus Green one, as well as a 1st-year 24" Continental. Oddly enough, all arrived in 2018!!!
There are original-owner examples hitting the market at this time, even the 1960 Continental came from the original owner! These tend to be better cared for than the vast majority of Electro-forged bikes.
My first Varsity project was a 22" Lime Green one from 1964 that I had acquired through Ebay, for a friend's build. When she later found a different one that she preferred, I took the one with bad wheels and built it up from my parts stash, just to have a little fun.
It proved to be a competent road bike, so I have since been on the lookout for one that fits a little bigger/better, so now I'll have to decide whether to keep the newer 24" bike stock or upgrade it like this one.
Acquiring a 24" lime green Varsity has been on my "bucket" radar for a good seven years, but this year I finally found a good example at a good Varsity price.
While looking for the lime green one, I also found a 24" Radient Blue one and a 24" Campus Green one, as well as a 1st-year 24" Continental. Oddly enough, all arrived in 2018!!!
There are original-owner examples hitting the market at this time, even the 1960 Continental came from the original owner! These tend to be better cared for than the vast majority of Electro-forged bikes.
My first Varsity project was a 22" Lime Green one from 1964 that I had acquired through Ebay, for a friend's build. When she later found a different one that she preferred, I took the one with bad wheels and built it up from my parts stash, just to have a little fun.
It proved to be a competent road bike, so I have since been on the lookout for one that fits a little bigger/better, so now I'll have to decide whether to keep the newer 24" bike stock or upgrade it like this one.
01-04-19 | 07:00 AM
#20
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From: SW Ohio
The lime green is may favorite color for a Varsity, and the OP's is a fantastic example of a 22" framed Varsity.
Acquiring a 24" lime green Varsity has been on my "bucket" radar for a good seven years, but this year I finally found a good example at a good Varsity price.
While looking for the lime green one, I also found a 24" Radient Blue one and a 24" Campus Green one, as well as a 1st-year 24" Continental. Oddly enough, all arrived in 2018!!!
There are original-owner examples hitting the market at this time, even the 1960 Continental came from the original owner! These tend to be better cared for than the vast majority of Electro-forged bikes.
My first Varsity project was a 22" Lime Green one from 1964 that I had acquired through Ebay, for a friend's build. When she later found a different one that she preferred, I took the one with bad wheels and built it up from my parts stash, just to have a little fun.
It proved to be a competent road bike, so I have since been on the lookout for one that fits a little bigger/better, so now I'll have to decide whether to keep the newer 24" bike stock or upgrade it like this one.
Acquiring a 24" lime green Varsity has been on my "bucket" radar for a good seven years, but this year I finally found a good example at a good Varsity price.
While looking for the lime green one, I also found a 24" Radient Blue one and a 24" Campus Green one, as well as a 1st-year 24" Continental. Oddly enough, all arrived in 2018!!!
There are original-owner examples hitting the market at this time, even the 1960 Continental came from the original owner! These tend to be better cared for than the vast majority of Electro-forged bikes.
My first Varsity project was a 22" Lime Green one from 1964 that I had acquired through Ebay, for a friend's build. When she later found a different one that she preferred, I took the one with bad wheels and built it up from my parts stash, just to have a little fun.
It proved to be a competent road bike, so I have since been on the lookout for one that fits a little bigger/better, so now I'll have to decide whether to keep the newer 24" bike stock or upgrade it like this one.
01-04-19 | 12:01 PM
#22
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From: SW Ohio
01-04-19 | 05:58 PM
#23
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I sort of agree. There's just so much of "it" there, all shiny and looking incredibly strong and heavy, brother. It was the 70's.
Once you put the tube socks on and rode in your booty shorts, the crankset faded a bit.
01-05-19 | 06:23 AM
#25
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From: SW Ohio