I picked up a 71 Schwinn Continental from craigslist for free. It was in really rough shape but I was bored and wanted to work on something. I had always rode mountain bikes growing up but now I moved to the city and want to get into road biking. I have very very little money so I thought this was a good start. To simplify everything I'm converting it into a single speed. I picked up the freewheel off of ebay for 10.95 and the only other things I'm planning on buying are a new seat and tyres. Now I'm new to this whole thing so I hope you guys are nice and don't hate on me, but what's a good reasonably priced seat? I plan on just getting the regular road 27 inch Kenda tyres, because I think those are the cheapest tires that wont explode. Below is a picture of the bike, so far I've gotten almost all the rust off of the wheels which were in really rough shape, polished the bars up nice, and am working on sanding the frame down for new paint. (I wanted to keep original but it was in very bad condition) I'm going to cut all the tabs off that held cables and such and sand it down nice and clean. I plan on painting it the original colour or some type of orange/copper colour. So I guess my questions are:

What's a good cheap road saddle, possibly vintage style? (cheap meaning under $50 please)

Is 39/16 an okay ratio to run on flat grounds?

Should I keep the kickstand?

Are standard road Kenda tyres good enough for regular riding?

After redoing everything, what grease should I use to regrease everything?

Don't you feel bad that the little vestibule in the picture is my 'garage?' (dam apartments)








Thanks so much for any input!


-Nic

1. Saddle is really personal but you might see if the local bike co op has anything.

2. Seems reasonable.

3. Would you use it? If so, keep.

4. Yes

5. Go to the local car parts or xmart and get a tub of wheel bearing grease for cars or marine boat trailer water proof wheel bearing grease, you'll have a lifetime supply of really good grease for all your bearings.

What's a good cheap road saddle, possibly vintage style? (cheap meaning under $50 please)
Plenty under $20 on eBay, and locally, you can probably score one for $10 from bike shop junk box.

Is 39/16 an okay ratio to run on flat grounds?
My opinion only, but flat ground? 52/16 or 52/18. 39/16 is some high rpm's for flat ground.

Should I keep the kickstand?
Personal preference. You can get a new aluminum one at Wal-Mart for $5 which is lighter,
but if that one fills your needs, and otherwise the bike would fall over, then keep it.

Are standard road Kenda tyres good enough for regular riding?
Absolutely.

After redoing everything, what grease should I use to regrease everything?
For that bike, what KLW2 says is fine.

Don't you feel bad that the little vestibule in the picture is my 'garage?' (dam apartments)
Well, the kitchen table used to be mine, so nope.

Semper Fi, KLW2

I have been using park tool grease and am happy with it. It was about 10 dollars for a tub of it, thats way better than the little tubes of Phil Wood at 7 bucks a pop.

As was mentioned in the SS/FG forum, don't grind off the cable guides because you'll need a brakes on a single speed bike.

The Schwinns use a special ferrule for the rear brake cable so make sure not to lose them. I could use them if you decide you don't want them.

I also vote to keep the kick stand, normally I toss them but I like how they fit into the frames on a Schwinn.

Matt

Oh yeah, I have had the Kendas on my collegiate for a year and a half with one flat to report. So I am very happy with them.

If you are in Ohio, I have a saddle you can have for free.

darn, wish I was. I'm in WI. Thanks for all the help guys!

Did your bike come with the original Schwinn saddle? If it's just a matter that you don't like it you can sell it on ebay. That should be enough to buy a reasonable replacement.