dashuaigeh

Hey all
So, what prompted this post is me finding a CL ad for a Schwinn Voyageur, priced at 175, and the owner said it was negotiable. It looks like a 1986 Voyageur (same as here https://velospace.org/node/23449). On the pluses - has fenders, rack, panniers coming with it, has Scott drop-in bars which I figure I can sell off, has good seat post and stem. on the minuses - the condition is questionable - surprisingly little rust on the underside, but the top tubes are a bit scratched and there are rust spots.

EjustE

That price is a steal for one of the best touring bikes in the 80s. If it were closer, I would be on the phone now

dashuaigeh

whoops. this is an extra post. I'll delete this one (if I can figure out how to)

Ablaut

Just from those pictures alone, it doesn't appear to be in terrifying condition... what rust is there is probably treatable. Considering the extras that are thrown in it's a steal, especially if the price is negotiable. If you can live without perfect paint, jump on it!

atoms

Yes! I have an '82 which is pretty great, but the 85 and 86 were way better. (On paper anyway, I've only ridden my '82.)

Go for it! But negotiate.

dashuaigeh

sweet, will try to negotiate. kinda irks me though; I just spent the last month collecting parts for a 1987 Schwinn High Sierra touring/MTB build, and now this comes along. <sigh> if I had just waited a bit longer, I could probably have spent that time and energy devoted to restoring this one instead.

the rust that worried me the most is actually on the canti studs, but since its not on the tubes, I guess that should be alright. not to hijack the thread, but if I don't have time to remove the rust, would painting a coat of primer over it for now control it at least?

EjustE

Just get the rust scraped out. It should come out easily. It probably is surface rust. The first thing I do in these cases is to use one of those heavy duty green pots and pans scubber things will a bit of white vinegar and elbow grease. It should be out. I cleaned rust from a bike that sat out a whole winter (at least) up here in the NE and got surface rust on each availbable part.

Do not lament the High Sierra loss. a. this is 10 times the bike as a touring bike with a Columbus SL/SP frame (that's what "tenax" is). b. you can always use the Sierra for a path bike.

Sad to see that you haven't gotten it yet.... it's not going to last.

Iowegian

You should try to remove any rust before painting. Even just a stiff wire brush followed by some naval jelly or equivalent should do the trip. Just painting on top of the rust won't do much to stop the rust. You can use a rust converter but it's still best to mechanically remove as much of the rust before painting as you can. Nice bike BTW, hope you get it.

dashuaigeh

I talked with the guy; he gave me first dibs. I emailed him; waiting for a response . If he doesn't flake, then I'll for sure go for it.

ebr898

Yup, A good deal I sold off a 1986 frame & Fork for $90 a couple of years ago. The kid worked at a bike shop and knew what a nice frame he was getting.

cycleheimer

Touring bikes aren't that easy to find used around here in NY.

I was lucky to find these two.

a) 1986 Schwinn Passage (model below Voyageur)
b) 1991 Schwinn CrossCut (set up for commuting/touring)

Both are great riders, and the set-up on the CrossCut works out great.

Have you checked out the Adventure Cycling Association's website?

https://www.adventurecycling.org/features/howto.cfm

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

Touring bikes are also gaining in popularity right now it would seem.

nice bikes Cycleheimer.

OP, 175 is even acceptable for that bike, but if he is willing to negotiate you might as well. Great find.

cycleheimer

[QUOTE=nice bikes Cycleheimer.

OP, 175 is even acceptable for that bike, but if he is willing to negotiate you might as well. Great find.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Z.B.

With all the different riding surfaces and conditions around here, having both the Passage and CrossCut is great.

When it comes to negotiating $125 to $150 would be real nice.

badger_biker 

I hope you can nab it even at the $175 - great bike. Touring bikes have been fetching some premium prices lately and these tend to fly under the radar even though I'd put it up with my Specialized Expedition any day.

I paid a bit over $300 for a 1987 on ebay. It was scratched but less weathering and rust than this appears to have. I was happy with that price since it had both racks and indexed bar cons with it. Still a relative bargain for the quality of bike. I did a sand and paint job and have some pics in this thread.
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...light=voyageur

dashuaigeh

argh, I can't believe I let you guys convince me to buy this . Now I have way too many bikes for one poor graduate student who, up until a few days ago, couldn't even change at tire without getting a pinch flat.

Badger_biker, that is amazing. You're saying you spray painted that!? If so, I want to do whatever you did. The condition of the bike is actually better than I expected, and comparable to your "before" pictures. There's weathering, but rust is minimal (probably thanks to the fenders) and only on the top tube in a few scratched spots. I've been staring at the chrome dropouts for ages now; they're beautiful. This may be the first bike I really try to sand out and completely restore.

End result - got the bike for 140. Came with rack, panniers, fenders, Cinelli stem, xt seatpost, decent saddle, (all good). Also came with Scott Drop-in bars, 27 inch wheels, Biopace chainrings, and downtubes (bad to me, since I'll probably want to replace all of these, except maybe the downtubes).

Found out the reason for the deal was because the guy Bill who owned the bike had died 3 years ago, and left the bike to a friend. Bill loved to ride out to the state parks and camp out there, and this was his primary ride. His friend was seeking out someone who'd carry on the tradition, so lets hope I get many a good long camping trip out of this one.

noglider 

Very nice. Let us know how you like it.

How many bikes do you have now?

Voyageur_guy

i have a 91' LOVE IT!!!! it is my everyday bike its a tank you can take it anywhere. i bought a 92' daccordi this winter and i think i have put more miles on the trusty schwinn then the new bike. if it has 27'' wheels keep them. they cant be stoped.

dashuaigeh

4 and a half.
1) 1986 Schwinn Waterford Paramount
2) 1986 Schwinn Voyageur
3) 1988 Team Miyata
4) 1980s Puch Luzern (531 frame, 600EX components)
3) 1987 Schwinn High Sierra (unbuilt, missing cables, handlebars, seatpost)

Hopefully will be relocating two of them soon to new owners...

dashuaigeh

Really? I've always heard people prefer 700 or 26's for touring. Perhaps this is just for ease of replacement, but I'm not sure I see the added benefit of a 27" over a 700 anyways.

cycleheimer

$140 with everything is pretty good towards the start of the season!

The "tradition" part of the deal doesn't sound too bad at all!

cycleheimer

700s are more readily available in a wider variety than 27s. You can stock up, though, when you see a good deal. I bought Panaracer Pasellas for the Passage at $10 a piece (new), but I've had trouble with the 27 x 1 1/4 size providing enough clearance for the fenders. I was thinking of trying the the Pasellas in the 27 x 1/8 size (Nashbar @ $12 recently) to see if they would give the proper clearance, but thought they might not be optimal for the weight the Passage carries. Right now, I've installed inexpensive tires that I purchased from Niagara Cycle Works (I bought the inexpensive ones, but they stock a variety). So far, so good. Save money, pac k a tire boot?

velo-orange

I have a voyageur with the same paint. I think the entire frame is chrome plated. The paint does not adhere very well and easily chips and scrapes off. But it's a fabulous frame/bike tourer.

jtgotsjets

Well, in theory, the larger wheel should roll over any obstacles just a little bit easier (part of the justification for 29ers vs 26" mtbs), but I'm pretty sure than in practice, those 8mm have little to no difference on the ride. Someone feel free to correct me.

There is something kind of cool and retro about rolling on 27s though and, this being the C&V forum, some of us hold that indefinable "cool and retro" feeling in quite high regard.

badger_biker 

dashuaigeh -

You came out very good on the deal. Even though you may desire to change out some components, the Columbus frame alone was worth the $140.

I sanded out the nicks and then finished with a very fine grit paper. I used a primer and then Duplicolor spray paint and a clear coat. I didn't take the time to touch up any roughness in the paint prior or between clear coats but I wasn't so concerned about that because I still don't know how durable it will be. I did it with the intent of a semi-quick fix and I will resort to a powder coat if it doesn't hold up.

I've found the Biopace to be acceptable but if you need ultra low gearing you need to swap for round on the granny which could cause a bit of an awkward feeling as you shift. I'm running Serfas 27x 1 1/4 tires and like the ride but as cycleheimer pointed out the widths are limited at 27".

I love the intent by the seller to get the bike to someone with the same appreciation and I hope my bikes get disbursed in a similar manner when I'm not around to ride them. Big responsiblity to get out there and tour!

nikkorod

The 86 Voyaguer is not chromed underneath. Maybe the Voyaguer SP was, but no Tenax frames are chromed. I also own an 86 Passage and love it. The mid 80's Tenax Schwinns are great bikes and very underated IMHO.