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What do you guys think of the Schwinn Tempo?

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What do you guys think of the Schwinn Tempo?

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Old 04-25-11, 07:32 PM
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What do you guys think of the Schwinn Tempo?

I'm thinking of picking one up.

It's stock and made in NA. Should lend itself nicely to my need for a cheap all around roadbike at the moment.

I don't have a lot of space in my apartment, so my goal is to have only one bike.

does anyone have one or have ridden one? What do you think?
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Old 04-25-11, 07:39 PM
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I had one and I thought it was great. Unfortunately, it was too big for me. I would love to find another one. I bought it for $40 in very poor condition. I sold it for $200. If it was my size, I never would have sold it.

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Old 04-25-11, 07:42 PM
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That's good to hear! ...hopefully the one I'm checking out isn't too big, it's at the very top of my height limit.
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Old 04-25-11, 08:24 PM
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Late 80s Tempos were great bikes.
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Old 04-25-11, 08:40 PM
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Ditto. Excellent all-around road bike.
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Old 04-25-11, 08:56 PM
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Awesome, now I really hope it fits me. Sounds like it will be just what I'm looking for.
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Old 04-26-11, 05:40 AM
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Awesome terrific bikes. Daily rider status. Fast, bombproof & comfortable if you happen to fit. They come in 2-inch increments (21,23,25,27" frames), so if you ride a 56 or a 60 you're SOL. For those of us who ride a 57.5cm (23") frame...HEAVEN!
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Old 04-26-11, 08:28 AM
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I will confirm when I get home, but the 1987 23" top tube measurement is actually 22" center-to-center. Seat tube from BB center to TT center should be almost exactly the same.

FWIW I'm 5'9" with proportionally shorter legs and a longer torso and the 23" has just enough crotch clearance for me when I have cycling shoes with Look/Spd-sl cleats on. YMMV.
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Old 04-26-11, 08:30 AM
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Originally Posted by rccardr
Awesome terrific bikes. Daily rider status. Fast, bombproof & comfortable if you happen to fit. They come in 2-inch increments (21,23,25,27" frames), so if you ride a 56 or a 60 you're SOL. For those of us who ride a 57.5cm (23") frame...HEAVEN!
That's actually good news, as that's my size! maybe a bit closer to 57even. Of course the seller doesn't know how to measure a frame so I have to use gas getting there, but I'll definitely update with the results today.
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Old 04-26-11, 09:37 AM
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Those Columbus-tubed Schwinns are really nice. I have an 85 Tempo I picked up for cheap, fixed up to flip. It rode so nicely, I couldn't part with it, and added a modern drivetrain. Now it's my bike of choice; I ride it even more than my carbon-fiber Cannondale.
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Old 04-26-11, 12:25 PM
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Yep, mine has a modern drive train as well: Ultegra hubs on Mavic Open Pro rims, 34/50 compact crankset, 11/25 cassette, 7700 D-A DT shifters, Tektro brakes and levers, Michelin Pro3 tires. Add a new Ritchey Streem saddle, modern stainless cables and lined housing and it rides like, well, a new bike. Finished weight around 21.5 with saddle and pedals.

Did I mention that it's fast?
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Old 04-26-11, 01:27 PM
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Just got home:




...I was blown away by the feel of the bike when trying it out. Not sure what it is, but it feels unreal (in a good way of course).

I'm not used to the size though, so we'll see how that goes, it's at the very top of my size limit.

I'm in love already.
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Old 04-26-11, 01:31 PM
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It rides like it just came off the line today.
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Old 04-26-11, 01:39 PM
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How tall are you? That looks like the 25" size.

The Tempo is what made me fall in love with bikes. I'm 6'3" and ride my pops' 1985 25.5" Tempo comfortably, though I generally ride a size or so smaller.

Requisite pic of him on the bike circa '89:
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Old 04-26-11, 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by Oregon Southpaw
How tall are you? That looks like the 25" size.

It is a 25"
I'm 5'11 with a 34.5 inseem.

It baaaarely fits.

EDIT: ...and awesome picture.

Last edited by s34s0ns; 04-26-11 at 01:59 PM.
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Old 04-26-11, 02:29 PM
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Thats a sweet ride for sure. Do you mind if i ask how much it set you back? $$$ Congrats and hope it fits ok

andy
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Old 04-26-11, 02:36 PM
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350.

I was looking to spend around that for a new bike or frame. Not sure if it was a deal or not, but It feels about right. There's another in my area for 450 right now.
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Old 04-26-11, 02:41 PM
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I think thats about right for CA prices, enjoy!! I have a couple columbus tubed schwinns and they are a real joy to ride!!

andy
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Old 04-26-11, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by s34s0ns
It is a 25"
I'm 5'11 with a 34.5 inseem.

It baaaarely fits.

EDIT: ...and awesome picture.
don't get hung up on the CPSC standards for Stand-Over height and the whole "Well, you are XXX tall so you should ride XXX size bike".

I'm of the opinion that the top tube fit is the most important and that Stand-Over height isn't really a big deal.
Most folks would say that i'm too short for the frame size I prefer, but if they went and measured em they'd see they're all 58cm top tubes....just varying seat tube(and standover) heights
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Old 04-26-11, 04:52 PM
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Oh yeah, definitely.

If I stuck to the 'chart' I probably wouldn't have picked this up, but it feels so good that I couldn't not pick it up.

Hopefully that doesn't change after putting some miles into it.

Either way I can recoup the cost of the bike on a resale so minuswhale.
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Old 04-26-11, 09:27 PM
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Congrats... nice bike.
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Old 04-26-11, 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Doohickie
Congrats... nice bike.
Thank you!
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Old 04-26-11, 09:42 PM
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should ride grrrreat! The larger than normal frame size should actually give a more supple ride for long hauls as long as you set up the reach nicely for yourself.
Columbus frames are nice and I'm now working on the Super Sport I picked up.
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Old 04-26-11, 09:43 PM
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You're gonna love it. I have a 1986, the pearl white with gray stays. Awesome ride and only 22 lbs.
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