what would it take to do this.
 

Im about to start riding road bikes in adition to moutin biking and im too poor to buy one so im gonna get my dads old shwin. Its the type with the shifters in the middle. What all would have to be done to put the new style shifters on it and about how much would it cost/ be put on. I just cant stand how the shifter it on it.

Thanks
Ryan

By the middle. Do you mean that the shifters are by the handle bar stem or on the down tube?

by the stem i believe.

I think its this exact bike. The only reson im not sure is its still at my parents house.
http://i24.ebayimg.com/04/i/04/81/e3/ad_12_sb.JPG

Nice bike...i'd take off the reflectors, raise the seat, and probably replace the cables and chain. The friction shifters take some time to get used to, but you figure them out. Other than that, I think your good to go.

Thats not the bike but the same model. And yeah its gona need some TLC before i can take it out only god knows the last time it was ridden.

I did a similar thing with a Schwinn traveler not too long ago. It rode very well...until I crashed it that is. This is what you should do depending on how bad it is:

before you start, i'd list the model name and number. I think you mentioned that it was a schwinn, but i'm not sure what model. You don't want to sink $120+ into a varsity.

Start with the consumables:
*replace tires depending on wear (check the size, you probably need 27", most LBS should carry a basic gum wall type or try K-Mart/Walmart)
*replace tubes and possible rim strips
*replace cables, brake and derailleur
*replace chain definitely <--number one priority. A nasty old chain will damage your gears.
*maybe replace brake pads (Kool Stops)
It should definitely be ready to ride now.
*Raise the stem (handlebars) to the limit line. This will get you used to the road bike position when you ride it and will make it more comfortable, especially if the bike doesn't fit you well.


Next get it working smoothly:
*Oil everything. NO WD40 except when cleaning, but don't lubricate with it. Get yourself a bottle of TriFlow at a bike store. I used automotive degreaser to clean off the really nasty gunk.
*seat post might be stuck, don't pull it off. Go here:
http://sheldonbrown.com/stuck-seatposts.html
*add some pedal clips (probably better to start with), or buy new clip-less pedals and shoes (probably not a good idea until you know you really want to use your bike a lot because they are expensive). If you do take the pedals off to clean them, remember the left side pedal has a left-hand thread (removes clockwise, installs counterclockwise).
*give it some good ol' loving and clean it with some lightly soapy water first.
*a new seat might be in order depending on the condition. On my Schwinn, mine was totally destroyed so I had to buy a new one. I paid $20 for a really cheap one.

Good luck

Complete repair instructions for pretty much everything can be found here:
http://www.parktool.com/repair_help/FAQindex.shtml

-Christian

MORE: depending how long the bike has been rotting, you might want to retape the bars. Go to LBS and get some thick gel stuff to start. If stuff is broken, i'm selling all of my 80's schwinn traveler parts:
http://search.ebay.com/_Cycling_W0QQ...assZdbQ5fvideo

Take everything off and turn it into a fixed gear......chicks will dig it. :D

Definitely go fixie. All you'd need is a new chain ($8) and new rear wheel ($35). You're bike will be way lighter too.

Since no one else really answered the question you asked....

I believe you're talking about the STI shifters (the ones where the shifter and brake lever is an integrated unit).

To avoid having to spread the rear dropouts (or try to stretch it apart every time you put the rear wheel in) you want a 7-speed freewheel. Make sure it's a "freewheel," not a "cassette." Then you need 7-speed levers. Go to eBay for these. I think Shimano RSX had 7-speed? If you can't find 7-speed, 8-speed levers will *probably* work and will be easier to find. $30 for freewheel and $100 for levers.

But, you'll probably have to replace all your cables, tires, tubes, chain, rim strips, etc as others have mentioned. You might need new derailleurs too. Also, you'll presumably need the shop to install the freewheel and levers for you. All this will come close to a total of $300. Probably a lot better to pick up a newer used bike for not that much more money.

Yeah, I wouldn't upgrade it...these old bikes are just not worth it. fix up the basics and ride it how it is until you save up enough money to buy a new bike, or just go ahead and buy a new bike.

thanks thats just what i was looking for. Ill probelly be in the market for a trek 1000 when i pay off my credit card. Guess in the mean time ill just fix the schwin up a little.

Sorry to hear about the crash with your Schwinn. I'm just getting my Teveler finished up, at least for this round of upgrades. The old schwinns are solid bikes, even the lower end like I am currently riding. It took me a few days to get the hang of the stem mounted shifters and taking a hand off the bars to shift when needed. I tend to only shift when really really needed even on my mountain bike with grip shifters so its not much of an issue with me. Take a look at my website (link below) for some pictures and information on what I've done with my Schwinn thus far to clean it up and get it back on the road.

The one thing I am planning to do, but have not yet, is upgrading the rims from the current steel set. I've been looking at Alloy wheelsets for 27x1.25 wheels and they run between 70-120 delivered (and up depending on the website) or check if your LBS may have any for sale.

Bikepartsusa.com and loosescrews.com are great places to pick up the brake/derailleur cables and sleaving that you will want to replace. I did this to the Traveler and it really is quite painless.

If you have any other specific questions be sure to ask around on here, I've learned alot by using the search feature on the forums and asking the questions when I can't find a satisfactory answer. It's better to make an informed decision and spend a little than guess and pay 3x as much because you have to redo or exchange other parts to make new ones fit (so on and so forth).