1980 Varsity work in progress.
 

So I recently posted some questions and such about a Varsity I was working on, and I thought I'd post some pictures so people could see what they helped me do. I really appreciate all the good advice, and the help that people have been willing to give recently. It has helped me get this bike going, and it truly has turned into something that has sparked a love for this sport that I know will last forever.



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If that's the saddle position you need, then that bike is waaaay too big for you.

While that may be true, It's all I have for right now. It's not really terrible, but I do know that something a little smaller would be better.

If it feels good, ride it. Most people will say you have to ride a certain bike for certain sizes, but I don't agree fully. If you can get a comfortable position and full power through your pedal stroke, you'll be just fine and don't need to worry so much about the size of the bike.

That being said, if your body naturally fits, say a 58cm, then a 58cm bike is going to be the best if you come across one (just throwing out random numbers). In the meantime, you can get a 62cm to a 54cm bike (or bigger or smaller depending) and adjust saddle, stem and bars and do just fine.

P.S. I like the new color scheme with the white in there.

Thanks! It's in really good shape, and I really love riding it. I just did about 36 miles today, and it really was pretty comfortable. I don't have any problems reaching the drops, and riding top feels good as well. I really like the white. My LBS has a bunch of take off saddles that they sell for $15, and I have my eye on a white Bontrager that I am going to pick up tomorrow. I might end up replacing the drop bars with a lighter aluminum variety when the tape wears out though.

Would you be able to switch out the tires to make them small so the bike wouldn't be to big for you?

Smaller tires and or wheels would NOT change the relative position between saddle/pedals/bars...though might make it more comfortable starting and stopping! :-O I have a LARGE old AustroDaimler, that is WAY too big for me, but I find it comfortable to ride. Looking great for a 30+ year old bike. Varsities were a bit of a TANK, nearly indestructible...don't think I would want to do a century on one, or a long climb, but for just banging around, they are a laid back ride.

I would lose the pie plate and slip in an ultra-6 freewheel.

I'm sorry for sounding daft, but are you referring to the chainring when you say pie plate? I'm pretty good with mechanical things and I'm really getting the hang of cycling equipment, but I don't quite have all the jargen down. Thanks for all the comments everyone!

I think he was talking about the rear wheel gears (pie plate) and the 6 speed freewheel. my best friend and I used to salvage those Varsity's out of the dump and totally strip them down repaint with decals and all to look like new back in the early 70's.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. That makes sense. I really would like to keep riding it, but the frame is huge, and the more I ride it the more I notice it. I have been looking around for a frame and fork, but everyone wants around 150 dollars here just for the frame and fork, so maybe I'll sell this, and buy the bike at the LBS. They have a Fuji Allegro for 150, and it's in really good shape.

Nice looking Varsity. Back in the '60s my friends had Varsities and I had a Sears 3 speed. I still think Varsities are cool.

Thanks. It's been a lot of fun to work on.

Andy, I have a 23" I could sell you very cheap. It's currently taken apart. Shipping might be prohibitively expensive, though.

Thank you so much for your suggestion, and your offer for the frame. I have since sold the tall frame bike, and purchased and Fuji Allegro. It's an amazing bike, and much better suited for my size. I can't believe how much better it rides than the Schwinn did.

Glad to hear it. I'm with you on your other thread.

If anyone wants a 23" Varsity, it's yours for picking it up. It's disassembled, though.