cuda2k

So my 1992(ish) Schwinn Crosscut is currently disassembled, and will soon be transformed into a drop-bar all-road bike to start training for Cino Heroica next year.

I picked up some 7sp bar-end shifters, going to reuse most of the 400LX group set that was on the bike, changing out the bar and stem for a threadless adapter, Ritchey stem and bar set I had laying around not being used. Swapping out the 38mm city tires for some 32mm cyclocross tires and then going to go find what ever dirt roads I can find around here to ride. But before doing all that, I decided I wanted to do something about the frame. Mostly, I never took a liking to the bright red color, nor the decal style of the early 90's frame. So plan includes getting the frame powder coated, probably a dark british racing green metallic color, and I'm having VeloCals put together some custom decals for it.

Here's the bike, not the best photo, but the most recent I have. Horizontal top tube, but a uni-crown fork, canti's, etc.



JR put together these two decal set ideas for me upon my request, and trying to decide which to go with. So, what say y'all, A or B:



Option A would be downtube decals on either side, and the Schwinn Quality decal on the upper seat tube. Option B would have the Schwinn on the downtube, 'Crosscut' on the forward top tube, etc, standard placement for each style.

repechage

Option A.
Or, go crazy and work with the Paramount script style from the 30's. And use the colored bands and hat in the ring transfer.

And paint it Coppertone.

Gravity Aided

Crosscuts and Crisscrosses are great bikes . I had one with black and white spatter paint . Orange, though (Tangerine Tango) is the color of the year, this year . According to Pantone...

top506

I set up a Miyata Triplecross in a similar fashion.



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rasmith3530

Nice bike. Earlier this year, I picked up a '91 CrissCross and did it up with 100mm riser bars from Electra and a Performance Forte comfort saddle. I liked the bike so much that I just recently picked up a CrossCut to go with it. It looks just like yours except that it still has its original tires. I've got to find a left side brake handle as the one on the bike got bent at some point, but other than that, it is nearly immaculate.

Oh yes, my vote is for option A. I love the old skool Schwinn script logo.

mapleleafs-13 

kickstand :S

cuda2k

Mine has STI integrated shift/brake lever setups. I've seen numerous 7sp flat bar STI sets on eBay recently, not the exact same model as what is on the Crosscut, but direct replacements none the less.

And yes, I leaning to option A. The old schwinn script logo is what I think of when I think of Schwinn. However the first road bike I bought was an 80 Traveler with the option B style.

acoffin 

I am partial to the B style, though I think either will look excellent on your build. Can't wait to see it done!

Maddox

B.

All the way.

Orrery

Cool thread. I just bought a Triplecross off of eBay and am similarly planning my build. Main question is drop vs moustache bars.

cuda2k

Look forward to seeing what you end up doing with yours Orrery. This rebuild was prompted by my plans to use the bike as a training bike for the ride in Montana next September, and thus setting it up fairly closely to how I plan to setup the bike for that ride (the Gazelle A-Frame), Thus the reason for drop bars and bar-end shifters. The hope is that the heavier bike now will help prepare me for riding the lighter bike over bigger hills later. That and see how I like using bar-ends and get me used to using them between now and then.

rasmith3530

That is what mine are as well. I've given half a thought to switching over to V brakes and using separate shifters. Not sure yet what shifters I'd go with.

My CrissCross came with SunTour's XC setup. Their trigger shifters had some issues with indexing correctly, and they are apparently not compatible with Shimano/SRAM, so on that bike, I'm actually going with a set of Falcon friction shifters.

Orrery

I googled the Cino Eroica -- looks awesome! I forgot to add that those custom decals look great. You can't go wrong, but I think I like A the best. Please don't forget pics once you get it powdercoated/built up.

I really like bar ends, and I think I will scavenge some Silver shifters and some other parts from another bike I have to outfit the new Triplecross (assuming it fits me -- we'll see Tuesday). I have some spare Nitto drop bars on hand so I will probably try those first while I wait to find a deal on some moustaches.

WNG

I'd opt for option A. I think the old style would look cool on a modernized CX bike. Elegance in the script.
Looking forward to seeing your final results. I like your horizontal top tubed model. I have a 94 Crosscut in black that switched to sloping top tube. I picked it up this past Summer for a song. I converted it and it's been my favorite ride since. It's very sporty and nimble and compares well to my road bike ride wise even though it's 5 lbs heavier. And since we all like pics, I'll take this as an opportunity to post her again.


IMG_1125 by WNG555, on Flickr

Finished! by WNG555, on Flickr

2011 New Years Eve-2 by WNG555, on Flickr

cuda2k

I think I'm just going to flip a coin in the morning, then email JR to get the order going so I can get this project started. Frame needs a quick wipe down and then run by the LBS to have them pop the crown race off before I take it down to the powder coater. Managed to remove the HS cups without proper tools during disassembly, but the crown race was another matter all together. The existing head set was pretty rough, so chances are I'll probably replace it rather than trying to just throw new bearings in it. As hard as I am planning to be on this bike, something with cartridge bearings may be a wise choice.

Gravity Aided

Still going with British Racing Green for color?

cycleheimer

The CrossCut is a really nice bike. Super versatile. This is what I did with my '91 ... the last photo is of my cyclocross bike ...

top506

What, they are unavailable up there?
Quite useful on a bike ridden with kids, and helps keep it upright when loading the rack. Both of my 'family time' bikes have kickstands

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cuda2k

Well, decided to go with Option B. Call it a throw back to my first bike that I showed up with here on BikeForums C&V all those many moons ago, but figured that would look sharp on the frame. And yes, the plan is for BRG Metallic. Mostly black components as that's what I have.

acoffin 

I think it's a good call. Those decals will mean tough and no nonsense, they should also compliment the bikes clean lines.

cuda2k

Decals ordered from VeloCals, JR is easy to work with and reasonably quick with responses. Should be about a 7 day turn around on those, a few days to ship. Guess I need to get on the ball about getting the frame into powder later this week and get this ball rolling.

dexter9326

I'm a big fan of the Schwinn Cross bikes of the early 90s. I bought a Schwinn Crosstrail brand new in 1994. Then I had kids and it mostly hung around in my garage until I more or less had to start riding it again about 3 years ago. I loved it - especially the Glenn style handlebars. They are perfect for a guy like me - older, overweight. The multiple positions afford a lot of comfort on longer rides.

I did some research about Schwinn Cross bikes and ended up picking up a 1994 Crosscut - black with red lettering as pictured above. It's significantly lighter than my Crosstrail and a very nice ride. I found one for my wife too. She had been riding a women's comfort bike, which is okay for cruising around the park or neighborhood bike trails but definitely lacked when you want longer distances with hills and at a reasonable speed. So now, when the roads are wet or I know we'll be going on trails or paths, I'll take my Crosstrail - it has fenders and is completely original. When I ride with my wife for longer distances, I'll take my 94 Crosscut - as will she.

Just last month I spotted a 1990 Schwinn Crosscut. It's white with red lettering - like the one pictured above. I've decided to set this one up as a flat bar road bike - which really means that all I did was take off rack from the back and replace the current tires with some road tires. I'll use this one when I'm riding solo.

Along the way, I had a Trek 1500 road bike - which I bought new about 5 years ago when I decided to get back into cycling. It was a very nice bike, but I found it uncomfortable. One day, I went to take it out for a ride and it was gone- stolen right out of my garage. It was hanging right next to my Schwinn Crosstrail - which I took out for the first time in at least a dozen years right after I filed the police report on my Trek 1500.

I know that these are not the most prestigious or expensive bikes, but they work well for me. I like it also because they are from the period - as in last few years - that the name Schwinn meant anything - from what I've read anyways.

Orrery

I got my Triplecross from Brown today. Here is a 'Before' pic; I've almost finished putting on the drops/bar end shifters. The paint/decals and pretty much everything are immaculate; this bike must have had very few miles. Previous owner must have recently gotten it tuned up because there was lots of grease in the hubs/etc. The Brooks and Oury's are mine; it was set up with a terrible saddle and awful looking wooden grips.

This must be a 56 which is slightly larger than I usually ride but the TT is 54.5 ctc so it fits OK; I can straddle it fairly comfortably.

BTW Cantilevers are a real PITA to set up! This is my first bike with them and I still don't have them set up to my liking.


IMG_1576 by orrery84, on Flickr


IMG_1578 by orrery84, on Flickr

I figure my build will be a bit different from yours as I will likely put fenders/racks on for commuting/utility.

Can't wait to see the powdercoat/decal application!

top506

Same year as mine.
I bought it as a frame set and have been tinkering with it ever since the first build 5 years ago. IIWM, I'd lose the cantis for V or mini-V brakes; so much easier to set up and now there is more than one option for levers for drops.

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Orrery

Thanks for the tip; I might try that. Do you recommend any particular drop levers for V brakes?