Hello.While I'm taking a break from college, I would like to get my commuter bike prepared for the rough streets of Milwaukee Wisconsin again.
Its a 1981 Schwinn world tourist, with the stock seat. The stock seat isn't comfortable at all, not one bit. I cant ride it anymore because it hurts so bad.

So far planned upgrades are as follows:
1. Brooks B135 Seat (dual rear springs will hopefully be more comfortable and bouncy?)

2. Some rough weather tires: What brand do you think is good? I would like some knobby tires for getting through snow. (27 inch) Preferably US made.

3. A front hub dynamo: What brand do you have or think would be great to have? along with headlight? I have a 12v Tung Lin botte dynamo on it right now with a homemade 400 lumen headlight retrofitted into an old Union dynamo headlight, but I would like something brighter or more "polished" .

4. Rear panniers for groceries and other stuff:
I made an ammo box one and slapped it on there, but I need something bigger.
Does anyone have or recommend a heavy duty ...and also spacious pannier brand?

Anyone have any recommendations on other things?

The bicycle looks something like this, but is taller and a nice burgundy color. Has fenders but no racks at all yet

Hi!

Can you build a wheel?

If so, I think this is a tough price to beat (roughly €20 or so):

https://www.amazon.de/Shimano-Fahrrad...ds=nabendynamo

I would also look through here and find one person that will ship to the US (rough €50 or so):

https://www.amazon.de/s/ref=sr_st_sca...964de966e6db4d

That should get you started with the hub dynamo!

.

Hello!

Does it actually have 700c wheels? Not my specialty, but I thought that bikes of that era were still mostly 27 inch?

Are you wanting to buy panniers? Most everyone is going to recomend Ortliebs and for good reason. Very durable, easy on-off, solid when mounted (no having to worry about them "jumping ship" on you and ending up in the street), and totally waterproof. The only real downside I see to Ortliebs is they are awkward when you take them off the bike, if you are going to try and carry them around for any distance or length of time.

Depending on what you are planning on using the panniers for, you may be interested in bucket panniers. These can be made quite inexpensively and are good for grocery getting and bike camping. For $10 the city of Portland sells kits for converting 4 gallon food service buckets, that can often be acquired for free. IIRC there is still at least one outfit selling complete ones for ~35 dollars as well.

oops im sorry theyre 27 inch. my mistake. those look like nice durable panniers....but I was also looking at the folding basket type too.

thanks for the tips

ah amazing! See this is why I should move to Europe. Better prices and options. You even have speedometers which I've never seen before on US ebay.