What happened to the Varsity
10-18-10 | 01:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,176
Likes: 56
From: Clev Oh
Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn
What happened to the Varsity
Is the Varsity reaching cult status or is the Cleveland CL just plain stupid? Whatever the prices seem way to high for 50lb gas pipe bike made by the million.
https://cleveland.craigslist.org/sear...inAsk=&maxAsk=
https://cleveland.craigslist.org/sear...inAsk=&maxAsk=
10-18-10 | 02:05 PM
#2
Seņor Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,637
Likes: 3
From: Boston Burbs
Bikes: Bedford, IF, Hampsten, DeSalvo, Intense Carbine 27.5, Raleigh Sports, Bianchi C.u.S.S, Soma DC Disc, Bill Boston Tandem
I think those prices seem fine for a general beat around town/campus bike. Note though that most of them are a few weeks old and thus haven't sold....
$80-$125 is an OK price for any tuned and ready to ride 10 speed and the Varsity, though heavy, is actually probably better in terms of reliability and durability than the average 10 speed that gets sold on CL. FWIW I've sold 2 Varsities for $100 and $130 respectively.
$80-$125 is an OK price for any tuned and ready to ride 10 speed and the Varsity, though heavy, is actually probably better in terms of reliability and durability than the average 10 speed that gets sold on CL. FWIW I've sold 2 Varsities for $100 and $130 respectively.
10-18-10 | 02:20 PM
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
10-18-10 | 02:22 PM
#4
Too many bikes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
I would agree, that at least in the Boston market, the prices are pretty reasonable. If you can demonstrate that a bike is reliable it pretty much
will sell for $100. If you check the bikeforums archives I think you will see Varsities listed in the $250 range - that is reaching quite a bit.
will sell for $100. If you check the bikeforums archives I think you will see Varsities listed in the $250 range - that is reaching quite a bit.
10-18-10 | 02:34 PM
#6
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,766
Likes: 7
From: Cleveland,Ohio
Well as someone who checks Craigslist on a regular basis, those bikes have not been selling at those prices. I would say that a ready to ride nice looking Varsity would (should?) sell for about $100 give or take in the Cleveland market. None of those bikes looks all that nice or ready to ride.
10-18-10 | 02:41 PM
#7
Too many bikes
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
As far as Boston is concerned, someone has come through with a $260 version:
And this comes up with one at 285:
https://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.c...e=&submit=+GO+
Oh, wait there is one listed for 2K. Maybe a typo???
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/2009580416.html
70's Schwinn Varsity - $260 (Cambridge)
Date: 2010-10-17, 9:51AM EDT
Reply to: sale-pxt4x-2010508863@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
1970's Schwinn Varsidy converted to a fixed gear. Lots of new parts added to a solid frame/fork - rides great.
New parts include:
- Wheels - (flipflop hub) / Rim Strips
- Tires / Tubes
- Cog / Lock Ring
- Crank Set
- Pedals
- Bar / Grips
- Brake lever / Cable-Housing
- Saddle
- Bottom Bracket / Adapter
It has a standover height of 32 ", and should be a good fit for anyone 5'8" - 6'. It currently is a fixed gear, but I will consider a converting it to a single speed.
Email if you would like to see it.
I am willing to deliver in the city.
Date: 2010-10-17, 9:51AM EDT
Reply to: sale-pxt4x-2010508863@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
1970's Schwinn Varsidy converted to a fixed gear. Lots of new parts added to a solid frame/fork - rides great.
New parts include:
- Wheels - (flipflop hub) / Rim Strips
- Tires / Tubes
- Cog / Lock Ring
- Crank Set
- Pedals
- Bar / Grips
- Brake lever / Cable-Housing
- Saddle
- Bottom Bracket / Adapter
It has a standover height of 32 ", and should be a good fit for anyone 5'8" - 6'. It currently is a fixed gear, but I will consider a converting it to a single speed.
Email if you would like to see it.
I am willing to deliver in the city.
https://bike.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/bike.c...e=&submit=+GO+
Oh, wait there is one listed for 2K. Maybe a typo???
https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/2009580416.html
10-18-10 | 02:49 PM
#8
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 0
Fine for a grocery getter, though, or commuting, or for parking in iffy areas.
10-18-10 | 03:03 PM
#9
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
The only bike where I had a bidding war on Craigs List was a 1973 Varsity. I had priced it at full market, and I had a lot of people that wanted it. Nostalgia lives.
I've flipped several of them. To make a useful flip out of one, you just have to get it cheap, really cheap (like $5 to $10 if they need the basics). Otherwise, it will be a waste of time and effort.
I've flipped several of them. To make a useful flip out of one, you just have to get it cheap, really cheap (like $5 to $10 if they need the basics). Otherwise, it will be a waste of time and effort.
Last edited by wrk101; 10-20-10 at 06:15 PM.
10-18-10 | 04:30 PM
#11
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,630
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Bikes: one of each
And don't forget reliable. I never work on my Schwinn. i just ride it. Like this little Honda I had a while back. Couldn't even remember where the hood release was sometimes.
10-18-10 | 04:57 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,176
Likes: 56
From: Clev Oh
Bikes: Specialized, Schwinn
Well as someone who checks Craigslist on a regular basis, those bikes have not been selling at those prices. I would say that a ready to ride nice looking Varsity would (should?) sell for about $100 give or take in the Cleveland market. None of those bikes looks all that nice or ready to ride.
10-19-10 | 10:47 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 702
Likes: 1
From: Boise
10-20-10 | 05:51 AM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota- the frozen tundra
Bikes: 1977 Raleigh Super Grand Prix, 1976 Gitane Tour de France
They sell in that price range in my area as well, They're heavy but people love that Schwinn name.
Of all the ones I've flipped I have to replace very few parts, they're built like tanks, the chrome cleans up great too even with a fair bit of surface rust on it.
I won't keep one in the stable but I they're super easy to work on and they tend to sell fast.
Of all the ones I've flipped I have to replace very few parts, they're built like tanks, the chrome cleans up great too even with a fair bit of surface rust on it.
I won't keep one in the stable but I they're super easy to work on and they tend to sell fast.
10-20-10 | 12:16 PM
#20
Palmer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,165
Likes: 2,271
From: Parts Unknown
Bikes: Mike Melton custom, Alex Moulton AM, Dahon Curl
10-20-10 | 01:33 PM
#22
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,531
Likes: 9
From: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
I can actually see a Varsity making a decent tourer provided you put some good strong wheels on it. Its got a great geometry for stable handling while carrying lots of weight on the frame. Even improperly loaded with 50 pounds on the back and nothing up front mine gets less twitchy than even my Miyata 1000 does when loaded similarly.
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.
10-20-10 | 01:56 PM
#23
Broom Wagon Fodder
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 64
From: Minnesota
Bikes: Fuji Supreme; Kona Wo; Nashbar road frame custom build; Schwinn Varsity; Nishiki International; Schwinn Premis, Falcon Merckx, American Flyer muscle bike, Motobecane Mulekick
I sure wanted a Varsity when I was 13 -- the Continental and Super Sport were out of my price range. I think the nostalgia value is strong with them. I thought lugged bikes were ugly. The electro-forged Schwinns were beautiful and organic and aerodynamic. It was if they were grown or maybe created in a single, brilliant flash.
At a car swap meet on Saturday there were quite a few bicycles. I saw a Continental and a Varsity each for $80. I walked away with a barn-fresh Nishiki Sport for $35. Last year at the same meet I got a Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 for $65.
At a car swap meet on Saturday there were quite a few bicycles. I saw a Continental and a Varsity each for $80. I walked away with a barn-fresh Nishiki Sport for $35. Last year at the same meet I got a Schwinn Voyageur 11.8 for $65.
10-20-10 | 03:54 PM
#25
PanGalacticGargleBlaster
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 7,531
Likes: 9
From: Smugglers Notch, Vermont
Bikes: Upright and Recumbent....too many to list, mostly Vintage.
I don't want to know what happend to the rider who was on this baby when it hit. 
Amazingly the fork is still straight.
Amazingly the fork is still straight.
__________________
--Don't Panic.
--Don't Panic.