I know it’s supposed to be a lower end carbon steel made in Taiwan bike, but I’ve read that they have an FF (front freewheel) system where the chain and gears continue moving even while not pedaling, so you can shift gears while coasting, like an internal hub.
There’s a clean one for sale for $35, and I’m debating if it’s worth messing with, just for the weirdness of the drive system if nothing else.
Anyone know anything about these?
thank you!

I wouldn't buy it if it was $5. It takes the same amount of money in parts, and labor in time, to work on a really good bike versus a dog like this one.

I agree with the wisdom of choosing projects how easy it is to get upside down in a resto (bikes, cars or just about anything). I agree this bike could be called low end and if it was mess I'd call it a dog but looking at its apparent conditions I think this one is worthy of some love especially starting with $35.

I often follow the logic of the advice. My VW retains its near stock engine because it would cost twice as much to give it a 200 HP drive train as I spent giving a Camrao a little north of 500 HP.

While I'm not adverse to buying lower end models if the price is cheap enough ( and I've bought some real dogs ) I avoid anything with the Front Freewheel system like a dead skunk no matter how nice or how cheap. I might accept a free one but it would have to have really nice tires on it. There are too many more worthy bikes out there for the same money.

Those look like 1984 Schwinn graphics. I thought FFS was a '70s thing.

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T'is ofttimes helpful to check the archives when one has a question...



Help with and opinions about Shimano Front Freewheel System


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Ah FFS a solution looking for a problem,

After working on a number of entry level bikes, which was great experience, I came to the similar conclusion that I spent the same time and $$ making a Motobecane Mirage nice as I did a Specialized Allez, so I made myself a rule a few years ago, no more Road bikes with safety levers or stem shifters. I have been surprised at the number of nice bikes I have found for good deals, it may be patience, persistence, the softening market or just dumb luck

I tend to agree with those who would rather not bother with it regardless of the cost.

Even if it didn't have an FFS system on it, half of the appeal of an upright-bar English roadster - aside from the riding position of a North Road handlebar - is an internally geared hub. This doesn't have one, which is yet another issue for a bike that has little going for it in the first place.

It doesn't have particularly good sidepull brakes either - not that any English roadster made before Tektro invented the R556/559 had exceptionally good sidepulls to begin with - but it's yet another thing to consider.

Don't get me wrong, this negativity tends to do a disservice to the frameset (which is quite decent and arguably superior to that of a late-1970's Raleigh), but the only reason I'd seriously tinker with this Schwinn is if I had a complete donor (with a lesser or damaged frame) and some Tektros to spare.

The choice could also be influenced by the frame size of the intended rider. I used to pick up any 21" Raleigh Sports that would present itself for my own personal fleet, but I pass on them now, since they're really too small for me. The exception are good parts donors, or those that are deserve to be cleaned up and flipped for the benefit of someone else.

-Kurt

Unless you have a barn full of C&V bike parts, I personally think this is a buy at $35. The condition of the frame looks very nice. It has a nice stem and handlebar, city brake levers, and the fenders look nice as well. If it does have a FFS, I imagine those parts are worth something on eBay for people looking for that stuff. The other parts on that bike are almost certainly worth well over $35 in aggregate.

I have one (an '86) it really isn't that bad of a bike, a pretty nice frame for what it is and the matching color fenders are a bonus. I agree the drive system is quirky and proprietary but all adjusted and working as it should rides/shifts quite nicely.

I am expecting someday that the solid wire to the rear derailleur will likely snap and instead of putting that money towards a replacement perhaps a standard friction shifter/derailleur would be a fairly simple replacement. I believe one could just leave the FFS cranks (albeit weightier this way) and the rear fixed cassette if doing this? I may be wrong about this though and would be interested to know...

Definitely worth $35. I would dis-assemble that bike. It's a treasure trove of parts. Crank, fenders, handlebars, levers, grips, stem, handlebars. OMG!!!!!!!! wow, DEFINITELY WORTH 35$ any day of the week. The Bike Hawk would swoop down and scarf that up in a heartbeat!!!!!!!!!!!

In East Tennessee, I rarely see a road bike under $150 without some compromise on these rules. I will see bikes like the Schwinn World Sport, World Tourist, and old Ashtabula crank Schwinns or Japanese of this class or the bike's in a size which fits a 6" something person. My 1983 Bridgestone Spica is the lone exception. Which I paid $20 for (middle of the line and yes stem shifters and safety levers) Mainly early 2000's mountain bikes or BSO's or it's $400 or higher. If I lived near Asheville, NC or that area, pickings would be fruitful.

My new rule is no stamped rear dropouts and while I shy away from high ten frames and stem shifters everything else depends on the bike. If it's really clean, fairly priced and something fairly uncommon in my size I can overlook some of that. Case in point the 1979 Soma Prestige I just bought.

I like to call those "normal" size bikes.

Which don't fit abnormal me. I am shortish, slightly more legs than arms. And I'm off centered too.

There's someone in the Bicycle Mechanics subforum who just recently needed a part for his FFS bike, and appears to have sourced it from eBay. Demand for this stuff is still out there.

[MENTION=504764]Retroman69[/MENTION], if you don't mind sharing, what is the location of this bike (state/region)?

Thank you very much everyone for your input! Lots of opinions about this kind of purchase. I still think it’s kind of quirky-cool, but I agree not worth it if you’re looking for any kind of investment.
The seller finally contacted me today to tell me the bike sold a few hours after the ad went up.
It was in Tulsa.

Definitely not an investment with a return but an investment in fun, potentially...

Agreed, there is value in both.

The weirdness alone is worth $35. But only if you're actually going to ride it. Which I wouldn't, because it's not my kinda bike.

I picked up a 1981 Schwinn world tourist the other day and I figured I could try starting this thread back up. I saw mixed reactions between "bad investment stay away" and "funky cool 1 off bike" and was wonderful if there was still a market for that funky bike that few other people have. I understand it's not gonna be a super desirable racing bike but there has to be some people who are still interested in it because it's different. That FFS is a different breed and someone has to be interested

Nope. There is still little to no interest.