Lark or Sprint?
01-27-15 | 05:39 PM
#1
Thread Starter
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 1,160
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Lark or Sprint?
It's the ultimate derailleur question, perhaps unanswerable by all but the wisest, and yet I shall ask:
Shimano Lark (black, circa 1967) in very good condition, or Schwinn Sprint (Huret, 1964) that looks like hell but is more or less functional?
The Sprint is original hardware on my wife's '64 Collegiate, "Goldie." The Lark came off a parts bike and may, depending on your answers, end up on her bike. Originality isn't terribly important; superior functionality in a grocery/community garden/library environment is.
Shimano Lark (black, circa 1967) in very good condition, or Schwinn Sprint (Huret, 1964) that looks like hell but is more or less functional?
The Sprint is original hardware on my wife's '64 Collegiate, "Goldie." The Lark came off a parts bike and may, depending on your answers, end up on her bike. Originality isn't terribly important; superior functionality in a grocery/community garden/library environment is.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
01-27-15 | 05:50 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
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Bikes: Fillet-brazed Schwinns
According to what I see on the Disraeli Gears site the '67 Lark used 2 cables in a push-pull arrangement: Shimano Lark-W derailleur (1st style)
In that case I'd say stick with the Sprint (rebadged Huret Allvit). But since you don't care about originality and those Sprint derailleurs can sell for quite a bit on eBay to people who *do* care about originality I'd say sell it, buy something new and cheap that works better and pocket the difference: Shimano SIS RD TY18 Rear Mountain Road Bike Bicycle Derailleur 6 Speed MTB New | eBay
In that case I'd say stick with the Sprint (rebadged Huret Allvit). But since you don't care about originality and those Sprint derailleurs can sell for quite a bit on eBay to people who *do* care about originality I'd say sell it, buy something new and cheap that works better and pocket the difference: Shimano SIS RD TY18 Rear Mountain Road Bike Bicycle Derailleur 6 Speed MTB New | eBay
01-27-15 | 05:55 PM
#3
Thread Starter
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 1,160
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Here's the one we're talking about: Lark Black (2nd style) I guess I dated it incorrectly in the original post.
Condition is very nearly as pictured.
The Sprint is in no condition to fetch a decent dollar. It was a Portland bike. Chrome is pitted and rusty, innards are tired but still not giving up the ghost.
Condition is very nearly as pictured.
The Sprint is in no condition to fetch a decent dollar. It was a Portland bike. Chrome is pitted and rusty, innards are tired but still not giving up the ghost.
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
Last edited by Fahrenheit531; 01-27-15 at 05:59 PM.
01-27-15 | 06:02 PM
#4
Senior Member
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Bikes: Fillet-brazed Schwinns
In that case I'd go with the Lark! Keep the Sprint if you ever intend on selling the bike, or sell it separately as even beat-up ones sell pretty well: Schwinn Derailleur Sprint 66 Stingray Fastback Bike Muscle Bicycle Shifter | eBay
01-27-15 | 08:16 PM
#5
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,641
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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
If I am doing it to have a bike to ride, sorry, none of the above. Instead I would pull out a Suntour V with a claw hanger.
The early V GT showed up on a lot of early 1970s bikes. The quick cage design is really nice. Common co-op fodder.
https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/..._style%29.html
The early V GT showed up on a lot of early 1970s bikes. The quick cage design is really nice. Common co-op fodder.
https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/Site/..._style%29.html
Last edited by wrk101; 01-27-15 at 08:29 PM.
01-27-15 | 09:28 PM
#6
Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 29
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From: Thornton CO
I'd say go with the Lark, but keep the Sprint if you decide to sell the bike. I had a Suburban that had the Shimano built GT100 (a big piece of crap) and ended up using a Shimano Eagle to finally get the bike rideable (a teacher gave me a beat up Texas Ranger 5-speed for parts).
01-27-15 | 09:33 PM
#7
feros ferio
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,397
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
If I am doing it to have a bike to ride, sorry, none of the above. Instead I would pull out a Suntour V with a claw hanger.
The early V GT showed up on a lot of early 1970s bikes. The quick cage design is really nice. Common co-op fodder.
SunTour V GT derailleur (2nd style)
The early V GT showed up on a lot of early 1970s bikes. The quick cage design is really nice. Common co-op fodder.
SunTour V GT derailleur (2nd style)
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-27-15 | 10:27 PM
#8
Thread Starter
I AM AI
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 4,285
Likes: 1,160
From: Tucson, AZ
Bikes: 2008 S-Works Roubaix SL, 1979 Raleigh Comp GS, 1978 Schwinn Volare
Now c'mon... make the tough choice!
__________________
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
A race bike in any era is a highly personal choice that at its "best" balances the requirements of fit, weight, handling, durability and cost tempered by the willingness to toss it and oneself down the pavement at considerable speed. ~Bandera
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