Ride Report: Just an Errand Ride. and new tech certainly makes a difference!
 

I rode the old Schwinn Passage today, for the first time in a while. I used it because of the rack and panniers.....and it was like riding a tank! The handlebars are too narrow, and the platform/clip and strap pedals absolutely suck and the bike weighs a ton! I've been spoiled by my Allez. :p Some changes are coming soon on the Schwinn, I can guarantee ya! The only comfortable thing is the saddle. :p

1. Installation of Egg Beaters
2. Wider Handlebars

I got stuck in the straps and almost went down in a 0 MPH fall in the road, as well.:twitchy:

Heh... went out for an AM ride a few weeks back with new shoes and got caught in my eggbeaters... ended up doing the 0 MPH fall. Fortunately I was coming to a stop on the side of a quiet street and fell on the sidewalk. Bruised ego, slightly scraped knee, and a slightly scraped bar-end shifter and brake lever, that's about all.


But by all means get some clipless and wider bars on that bike! If it's that uncomfortable you'll never ride it!!

Oh yeah, I know......

I was just stunned as to the difference between a 22 year old bike and a modern one again. I mean, the frame ride is nice, but talk about heavy! Imagine if it was an old Continental or something rather than the Passage (which was pretty light by Schwinn Standard). What's hilarious is the fact that I've toured on the Schwinn.....

I just got used to clipless pedals and featherweight frame and aerobars. :p

You may need to do more then that to it, first get a tape measure, measure everything on the Allez, and then the Schwinn, and make sure they all match, if the fit is a little different, then that could be part of the problem. Include measurements of the bars, between the brake hoods and between the bar ends, some bars are not narrower, just shaped a little different. Not sure how you could fix the weight issue, other then by updating components on the Schwinn, although if it's a gas pipe frame..... You may find it easier and cheaper to just pick up an LHT :D

No, it's a lugged Columbia Steel Alloy. Not a thing I can do about the weight, but it's lighter than an LHT by a pound and a half. Top tube is shorter, but the stance is more upright. The discomfort is mainly the narrow old style handlebars and the toe clip pedals. It's also sluggish in comparison to the Allez, but then again, it's not a race bike. :p

The bars are a LOT narrower. , by the way...it's not a style thing, it's antique technology.

When was the last time you cleaned and re-greased the hubs and bb? Maybe throw on some faster rubber too.

This spring. New chain, clean and repack the bearings, the bike is in excellent shape, that's not an issue, it's just heavy and needs to have some adjustments made to make it comfortable again. ;) No biggie, I was just reamazed by the difference all over again. The bike rides smoothly enough, and everything works right. ;)

Tires are Continental Ultrasports, by the way, which are a pretty fast tire.

One big issue IMO is wide bars. I thought the bars on the Canni were wide when I got it back in 98. Then the Lemond felt really wide in 05. I felt like I was riding while hugging a barrel. Then realized true what they say, helps the breathing, opening the chest while riding.

Got back on the Canni and thought, "Man, I gotta change these bars to something wider". Really helps with the breathing and leg space while standing.:D

I notice a huge difference on the old bike (1992 Schwinn Criss Cross) versus my more modern bike 2005 Trek SL1000. While the old Suntour components on the Schwinn shift like a dream, and the geometry is pretty nice, the bike weighs 15 pounds more than the Trek.. Interesting (at least to me) is that my 1992 Trek 950 probably weighs about 10 pounds less than the Schwinn, same year, but a different planet as far as the frame. But the shifting on the Schwinn is nicer. Oh well.

The Atlantis has 48cm wide Nitto Noodle bars... AFAIK they're the only bar made that wide. Definitely felt weird at first but I like them on those long climbs!

What does LHT stand for?

Oh yeah... I know. Admittedly the Atlantis is similar to a 20 year old touring bike, it's heavy and kinda slow (although I can get it moving when it's unloaded). I test rode a Novara Squadra, full carbon craziness a few weeks ago (their "XL" is a 58cm frame, too small for me but still fun to crank up hills on the test ride). Frighteningly different but then I think it would be hard to find two road bikes that would be any more different without looking at a super aero tri-bike. Only makes me want to pick up another bike... :twitchy:

Long Haul Trucker. It's a touring bike built by Surley. They're pretty widely available and widely regarded as one of the best deals for a solid, purpose built steel touring bike.

Ah, makes sense. Thanks.

I'm glad you have joined the rest of us true believers!!!

Haha, my jaw about dropped when I picked up my LHT this afternoon and felt how "light" it was compared to my trek 7.2fx. I almost turned around and asked "Are you sure it's OK for me to ride this thing?"

Don't be such a weight weenie! :P

I have a 77 Schwinn Varsity and it is truly a tank. My new Fuji Newest has spoiled me so much that I never ride the Varsity.

Kind of a ditto here. My old one is a 1981 Raleigh. Tank is a good description, although its weight makes it fly down hills (just have a lot of trouble getting back up them again!). My Specialized Allez makes a world of difference.

Must be the engine then. ;) :p :D

While I know what you're saying, I still end up picking my fixed gear, which started off lighter than my road bike, but is now heavier with the rack, fenders and kickstand, over my road bike when I go for ride. I can go faster on my road bike, and it's a comfortable steel frame, but sometimes, speed isn't everything.

Anyway, sounds like a nice project to investigate some new bars and pedals. Maybe some lightweight rims if your budget can cover it.