Frames that should never be built.
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member




Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 3,217
From: NW Oregon
Bikes: 1982 Trek 930R Custom, '91 Diamondback Ascent w/ XT, XTR updates, Fuji Team Pro CF road flyer, Specialized Sirrus Gravel Convert, '09 Comencal Meta 5.5 XC, '02 Marin MBX500, '84 Gitane Criterium bike
Frames that should never be built.
my nomination.. A steel Schwinn Ranger MTB... The Medium sized frame weighs 8.9 Lbs, totally stripped. The pogo stick fork that came on it weighs in at 5.2 Lbs.... PORKY. I'd guess the assembled weight of the entire bike at somewhere north of 37 lbs... including the extra-thick Slimed tubes someone installed.......
#2
Along for the ride
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 270
Likes: 250
From: PNW US
Be careful, don't let AdventureManCO hear you say that or he might take it as a challenge.
#3
The 1983 Chicago-forged Schwinn Sidewinder I sold last month at the Tucson swap would probably scoff at the Ranger: "Lightweight." That steel beast was about 15 lbs as a bare frame / fork / headset / stem / seatpost. But archaeologists thousands of years from now will examine it as one of the few surviving relics from our culture and wonder how we were able to forge such a durable artifact.
I routinely ride a Chicago Schwinn cruiser with Wald baskets, steel fenders, and a 7-speed IGH that tips the scales at nearly 60 lbs before you even add a water bottle, toolbag, or human. But I don't mind riding it, as it has relatively light wheels, it's fun, comfortable, and provides a quality workout on a per-hour or per-mile basis. But I probably won't select that particular bike for a crit or time trial. It all works out. And then when I get on any lighter bike, it certainly feels faster.
I routinely ride a Chicago Schwinn cruiser with Wald baskets, steel fenders, and a 7-speed IGH that tips the scales at nearly 60 lbs before you even add a water bottle, toolbag, or human. But I don't mind riding it, as it has relatively light wheels, it's fun, comfortable, and provides a quality workout on a per-hour or per-mile basis. But I probably won't select that particular bike for a crit or time trial. It all works out. And then when I get on any lighter bike, it certainly feels faster.
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Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#4
Dirty Heathen

Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,323
Likes: 1,046
From: MC-778, 6250 fsw
Bikes: 1997 Cannondale, 1976 Bridgestone, 1998 SoftRide, 1989 Klein, 1989 Black Lightning #0033
Picked up one of those Rangers for nearly free, when Twelve (now Fifteen) decided he wanted to learn to ride a "real" two -wheeler when he outgrew his adaptive bike..
For a $250 retail (until recently) bike for a teen/ tween to toss around the neighborhood it does the job.
"Universal 26 MTB" tough enough to take some abuse and V-brake 3x7 is . pretty easy to keep working happily. Also fairly simple/ standard enough for teaching said teen/tweens about how to look after their own bikes.
Also inexpensive enough that you don't have to worry so much about it on the bike rack when they want to ride it to class.
I had a Murray BAJA when I was his age. That bike should never have been built.
For a $250 retail (until recently) bike for a teen/ tween to toss around the neighborhood it does the job.
"Universal 26 MTB" tough enough to take some abuse and V-brake 3x7 is . pretty easy to keep working happily. Also fairly simple/ standard enough for teaching said teen/tweens about how to look after their own bikes.
Also inexpensive enough that you don't have to worry so much about it on the bike rack when they want to ride it to class.
I had a Murray BAJA when I was his age. That bike should never have been built.
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,288
Likes: 4,243
From: The Le Grande HQ
Bikes: Gängl, Trek 938, Raleigh Professional, Paramount, Allez, Guerciotti, Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek 750, Miyata 1000 < Huffy
Be careful, don't let AdventureManCO hear you say that or he might take it as a challenge.
Hahahahaha
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