Schwinn Probe specifics
 

Hello all. just recently got this Schwinn probe I think it is https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a1ded41a49.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b09b66193b.jpg
1986 complete drivetrain is in Ruins but it does roll so it's going to be my daily. I was just wondering if anyone out there had any experience with one knew someone who had one knew what page of which catalog it's in because 86 is a guess? please help me out as I think that my wife got this for me to be my last bike Lord knows how many times I've said that haha.

1989, I think. Nicely lugged, US-made frame that's a bit better than the parts they put on it. I had one very briefly after I was hit by a car on my mtb commuter and needed a frame to quickly swap the parts onto. Found a match to my original frame soon after so I only rode the Probe for like a week.

Take a look at the head badge. There should be a 4 digit number stamped in it vertically. The first number is the last digit of the year it was made and the other three are the day of that year it was made. So "7001" could be January 1, 1977, 1987, or 1997. To my eye those decals look newer than 1986, but I could be wrong.

:)
 

Thanks for the quick response s. The frame/fork are gorgeous and the 26x2.125 butterfly tread make it a monster on wet/icy Spokane alley streets. Looking into the head badge and decals now. You are right.. The crankset is cracked...practically the whole drive train is done. Stuck in smallest cogs both ends... But I can't stay off it lol. I gotta be going through a mid life I love this blue beast.

:)
 

Headbadge is 1359 so must be 1991?

Yes, I'd say built in 1991 on December 24th or Christmas Eve, so most likely a 1992 model.

However, I can't find a Probe in the 1991 or 1992 catalogs.

Too cool... A Christmas eve frame lol. Thank you for all the insight

I think my frame is beautiful. Yours has some real style. Dig the bars
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@LorenMiranda can you post some better pictures along with some closeups of what's going on with your drive train. Thanks!

:)
 

Sure will. The cables are all original. Need replaced. Both crank arms are cracked... Hub and rear cassette look fine for 28 years old lol... Here's some pics. I think I will replace the whole crankset and front sprockets...any suggestions on a crankset?https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...25888565d7.jpg

Both sides cracked at the pedal...no cog side also cracked like this...
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...016f9f2ea0.jpg

Crack going mostly all the way from pedal to bb...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c96973855b.jpg

Cables and cable sleeves (right term?) In disrepair requiring replacement
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b472af4c19.jpg
every cable has seen better days

Can I make this old @$$ 15 speed a 21? I have never seen a dropout like this before... Never played with a bike this age
​https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ed1e6770b0.jpg

Honestly dunno. Novice here

Surely a freewheel if it's a 1989 15 speed bike, but probably best not to assume. Are there any markings on the hub? And then if you could measure the Over Locknut Dimension (OLD), that could be helpful. The image below shows you how, just remove the rear wheel and use a tape measurer or a steel ruler.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0b45067a8b.jpg

:)
 

OK I will try to do that this weekend. Right now I am changing jobs and moving so a lot on my plate. But one thing is certain I love this blue steed too much to leave it in disrepair too long. Found a Schwinn crosscut I might get a crank from :)

Yes the probe is 26. Sitting with 2.125 wide butterfly tread like an old bmx. Its probably the fat tire that makes this thing such an effortless roll. The crosscut is out but scouring still. I was hoping I would have been in the clear with it but missed my opportunity. Job interview Monday... If the bike can make it till my first check I am eyeballing a 1993 deore DX drive train on fleabay lol

Yes the probe is 26. Sitting with 2.125 wide butterfly tread like an old bmx. Its probably the fat tire that makes this thing such an effortless roll. The crosscut is out but scouring still. I was hoping I would have been in the clear with it but missed my opportunity. Job interview Monday... If the bike can make it till my first check I am eyeballing a 1993 deore DX drive train on fleabay lol

:)
 

I honestly am limping this bike. Its all I got and am totally broke relying on it at the same time. Either it holds for 2 weeks come new job or dunno until the first. Pray for the former. Everybody please Give the old girl a respective moment of silence lol.

Those cranks have like a plastic coating that often cracks. It's likely they work fine if the underlying metal is ok, they just look ugly

The Probe was a 1989 only model. The first three digits represent the days of the year and the 9 is the last number in the year of manufacture. So yours was built on the 15th of May 1989. I have the exact same bike. I picked it up a few years ago at a pawn shop for sixty bucks.

I was going to say the exact same thing. I have a cheap city bike that has a single-speed crank with a plastic coating that is all discolored and it has a similar looking crack, and there is good, solid steel inside. I've been meaning to replace it for almost 5 years now, but I don't have the stupid Thun sized crank puller, and I don't want to buy one just to throw the crank away. I'll probably end up doing the deed with a big-gosh-darn hammer.