Schwinn Passage
 

I picked up this Schwinn Chicago Passage a few days ago at GW for a few dollars. Frame and forks are like new.Chrome Araya 27x1.25 steel wheels have small rust spots on them and one broken spoke. Rear derailer is Sachs and front is Suntour. Brakes are Dia-Comp.Columbus-cr/mo. Pedals are SR-250. Chain is shot,stretched and a broken link.It is a 18 speed not a 15 as many are that I have seen pictures of. serial #sj597500 with a 840 under it. I have other projects bikes that I am working on so should I do a quickie on this bike and flip it on CL or is this bike worthy of a better rebuild. Is it worth anything? or is it just another CL road bike for $50-100. The repairs are very easy so I could flip it with used parts quickly.I do not need it to ride,so what would you do? Lots of questions but I do not know much about Schwinn's. I did read that they only made these for two years.
EddyR

Pretty sure it's an 86 touring Schwinn. Not made in Chicago, maybe Greenville. The rims are aluminum. It was between the LeTour and the Traveler. Nice bike, not sure if it has any significant value other than I think it was only a one year model.

Interesting mix...

I haven't looked up the serial numbers, but I think you have a pre-1986 with an upgraded freewheel.

The Passage was the #2 touring bike for Schwinn, after the Voyageur, and whem I was researching my 1986, it was the last year the Voyageur came as a 15 speed. And it came with alloy wheels.

From what I recall, the Voyageur and Passage for 1986 and the few years after that, came with the same rims, although other elements changed, like hubs, and other components....

So I think what you have is pre-1986 where someone upgraded the freewheel.

Is the rear shifting indexed? This also came in for the 1987 models, along with the 6 speed freewheel.

Is there a Columbus sticker on it? Or any other sticker proclaiming Chromo tubing? If so, this would make it something worth putting in your sales ad and adding a little to your asking price.

Although I bought my Voyageur to build up instead of a Surly LHT, I don't think it is the trendy thing to do, so it probably would not bring you much money to build it up more than a normal road bike for flipping.

Maybe a mention of "Touring geometry similar to the LHT"...

I think it would be a nice bike for someone into long relaxing rides and not racing...

You've happened upon a very nice touring bike. The frame is Columbus Tenax double-butted chrome-moly main tubes with chrome-moly stays and forged dropouts.

Specs are HERE and HERE. If you're interested in a quality lightweight touring frame, it's a keeper.

I thought it was around for multiple years... In that case:

It does have Columbus main tubes, and chromo stays, and originally came with alloy rims and 5 speed freewheel... heck read for yourself...

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...986Ltwt17.html

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1...986Ltwt31.html

:D

Nice frame!

A bit heavy by today's standards, but a reasonable touring bike. (Very nice in my opinion. I spent $150 for my Voyageur, and my max bid was higher than that).

EDIT: Beat again. ;)

One other point, if it is like my 1986 Voyageur, it is made in Japan... My Voyageur says so on a label right below the Columbus sticker on the bottom of the seat tube.

Thanks for the reply. I saved all the links. There is a huge amount of information in them. My Passage seems to be stock except the wheels. They are Araya 27" chromed steel with front Shimano and rear Nakno hub. I have not seen at NAKNO hub before. There is no sticker saying built in Japan. It seems heaver than the stated 25 pounds but the wheels may be very heavy and this is a tall bike. I am going to put a good used chain on it and a couple of spokes and ride it for a few weeks and see how I like it. Tires are at the end of there life so it will be for close to home rides unless I keep it and then new tires will go on it.I do have some light weight wheels and tires I can stick on it if the gearing will work. I will try it both ways.
Thanks EddyR

+1......FWIW, I think the Passage was made in Mississippi, unlike the Voyageur which was made in Japan. In fact, your serial number starting with "SJ5" suggests this, but is no guarantee. Should be an '85 model.

edit: actually, the serial number indicates the frame was built so late in '85, the bike is probably an '86 year model.