80s Schwinn Tenax and True-temper bikes
11-02-09, 01:20 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: San Francsico, CA
Posts: 324
Bikes: Schwinn Voyageur '89
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
80s Schwinn Tenax and True-temper bikes
Hey there,
I'm looking at picking up an oldish Schwinn road frame from the 80s. I'm looking at a couple of different ones and am trying to figure out what the differences between them are. The two biggest contenders right now are a Tempo and a Prelude, both with Tenax tubing, but I've seen some others that have True Temper tubing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a) The differences between the tempo and prelude in terms of geometry, finishing, components (I'm looking mostly for a frameset, so this isn't that big of an issue) and tubing if any. Also if anyone has any ideas on the hierarchy of these Japanese-built beauts.
Thank you!
Jake
I'm looking at picking up an oldish Schwinn road frame from the 80s. I'm looking at a couple of different ones and am trying to figure out what the differences between them are. The two biggest contenders right now are a Tempo and a Prelude, both with Tenax tubing, but I've seen some others that have True Temper tubing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a) The differences between the tempo and prelude in terms of geometry, finishing, components (I'm looking mostly for a frameset, so this isn't that big of an issue) and tubing if any. Also if anyone has any ideas on the hierarchy of these Japanese-built beauts.
Thank you!
Jake
11-02-09, 01:23 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 13,954
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 413 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 109 Times
in
78 Posts
Anything with Tenax is essentialy the same. There may be slight differences such as dropout eylets but thats about it.
Last edited by miamijim; 11-02-09 at 01:28 PM.
11-02-09, 01:48 PM
#3
@$#!?&!!$
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Green Country, OK
Posts: 686
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Like Miamjim said the tenax frames are basically the same
The 86 and 87 tempo had a 73 degree headtube angle while the prelude had a 72.5. In 88 they were the same but the wheelbase was a bit longer on the prelude. Some tempo's have eyelets, some don't it depends on the year. The 84 tempo still came with 27" wheels. I do not have any experience with the True Temper Schwinn frames, but I love my tenax Super Sport.
Anything you need to know about 80's schwinns https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1980_1990/index.html
-Jake
The 86 and 87 tempo had a 73 degree headtube angle while the prelude had a 72.5. In 88 they were the same but the wheelbase was a bit longer on the prelude. Some tempo's have eyelets, some don't it depends on the year. The 84 tempo still came with 27" wheels. I do not have any experience with the True Temper Schwinn frames, but I love my tenax Super Sport.
Anything you need to know about 80's schwinns https://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1980_1990/index.html
-Jake
Last edited by junkfoodjunkie; 11-02-09 at 02:01 PM.
11-02-09, 01:52 PM
#4
sultan of schwinn
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 3,536
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
Hey there,
I'm looking at picking up an oldish Schwinn road frame from the 80s. I'm looking at a couple of different ones and am trying to figure out what the differences between them are. The two biggest contenders right now are a Tempo and a Prelude, both with Tenax tubing, but I've seen some others that have True Temper tubing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a) The differences between the tempo and prelude in terms of geometry, finishing, components (I'm looking mostly for a frameset, so this isn't that big of an issue) and tubing if any. Also if anyone has any ideas on the hierarchy of these Japanese-built beauts.
Thank you!
Jake
I'm looking at picking up an oldish Schwinn road frame from the 80s. I'm looking at a couple of different ones and am trying to figure out what the differences between them are. The two biggest contenders right now are a Tempo and a Prelude, both with Tenax tubing, but I've seen some others that have True Temper tubing. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on a) The differences between the tempo and prelude in terms of geometry, finishing, components (I'm looking mostly for a frameset, so this isn't that big of an issue) and tubing if any. Also if anyone has any ideas on the hierarchy of these Japanese-built beauts.
Thank you!
Jake
Here is the hierarchy of the 80s Schwinn Columbus bikes (mostly based on components):
'84-86 Peloton, 87-89 Circuit (Columbus SL/SP frames) around 21-22 lbs (SL or SP)
85-87 Super Sport, 88-89 Tempo around 22 lbs (tenax)
85-87 Tempo, 88 Premis around 22 lbs (tenax)
-85 Super Letour 86-89 Prelude around 24 lbs (tenax)
also, Madison a 19 lbs track-bike was made with Columbus Tenax in 1985 and 1986
and the following Touring bikes
86 Voyageur SP (SP tubing) 24 lbs
85-87 Voyageur (Tenax) 24 lbs
85 LeTour Deluxe 86 Passage (Tenax) 25 lbs
All other years these models were not made with Columbus tubing.
Last edited by EjustE; 11-02-09 at 01:57 PM.
11-02-09, 10:14 PM
#8
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,467 Times
in
1,434 Posts
I bought a Prelude off craigslist. I don't know what I'll do with it. The paint is in terrible shape. The rest of the bike is in decent shape. It rides very well. It's like a racing bike, very tight and nimble.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-02-09, 10:18 PM
#9
sultan of schwinn
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 3,536
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
Or if you don't like it, PM me, we can work a deal
11-02-09, 10:20 PM
#10
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,503
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7348 Post(s)
Liked 2,467 Times
in
1,434 Posts
Yes, people tend to speak well of it. I'd rather sell it. I already have too many bikes. I bought this so I could resell it. You want it? I'd be happy to fix it up in any way you'd like.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
11-02-09, 10:30 PM
#11
sultan of schwinn
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Lehigh Valley, PA
Posts: 3,536
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 15 Times
in
9 Posts
You are within driving distance so this can so happen... PM me. And let me know what the size is. If it is the right size, we'll work it out
