Hello everyone!
I've recently fallen in love with cycling! I've got a mid 80s Schwinn World Sport 12spd with nonindexed tube shifters... and it's sweet. Problem is... it's old. I'm in a little over $200 since I've had it, which has been about 4 months. I ride recreationally only. I use the bike to get around the city (Chicago) and that's about it. I don't race or spend too much time on it. I got the bike to test myself. Basically, it was to determine whether or not I'd actually use it. I do use it. I love biking.

So... here's the question. It's been developing some creaks which I think are coming from the bottom bracket. So that's $50 to replace right there (and who knows if that's it). There's something weird about the rear derailleur. It won't raise the appropriate height above the gear set (because it's old). It might benefit from some new wheels. Basically, it's an ok bike. It's fiiiine. I can fix it up and still be happy. The thing is, now that I know I'll bike a bit more, I'm ready for a newer bike I think. I'm not quite ready for something that's like $700 because I'm riding in the city, but I'd be ready for something $3-400 and a little newer. While looking on ebay (which I was told is the place to get great deals on bikes), I found a guy on that sells new Dawes frames with cheap with cheap shimano components. Total cost inc. shipping is $250. Here's his description:
He's got 99.9% positive feedback and I've read reviews that I've found on google that seem very positive. I know the 2200s are the bottom of the range, but at least they're index shifters (which I don't have).

Will this bike be a huge piece of crap? (Keep in mind, I'm not going to spend more than $400)

Another option from the same guy is an aluminum framed dawes bike which uses aluminum parts and shimano sora parts for $350.
What do you all think? Remember. City bike. Cheap. Nothing I would cry over if it got stolen.

Your cheapest avenue will be to continue to maintain the Schwinn, assuming there are no fatal problems with it; and if you go ahead fix the bottom bracket and/or whatever else you need to do, it's quite conceivable you could end up with a bike that's better than you could get new for $300-400, while spending less. I would ask a bike mechanic to give it a once over and see if it is worth repairing. Then you could keep riding it, and if you choose, save up for a better bike a year or two down the line.

That Schwinn is identical to the one I started riding on. Don't ditch it. You can repair that baby forever. That BB is not a sealed BB. Some simple old school BB tools and a tube of grease and you can rebuild that BB as often as you'd like.

The wheels are 27" wheels. If they are working then don't try to replace them. Get some basic bike tools (cone wrenches, crank arm extractor (pre-octalink style), Lockring spanner (or hammer and screw driver if you wnat to do it cheap and don't care about looks), pin wrench, and a tube of Phil Wood Waterproof Grease).

Go to the public library and check out a copy of the Bicycling - Bicycle Rapair Manual, or one of the other great manuals, and get to work.

The Rear Derailler can be fixed - odds are. Pull it, clean it, lube it and re-adjust it according to the manual or to Park tools online.

In a couple of months get some new cables and housings, maybe a chain, etc...

Don't "upgrade" to a modern cheap bike. You're much better off with a beautiful classic that will last forever.

https://www.bikesdirect.com

I just did a little googling. The World Sport seems to have been a low- to mid-level bike in it's day (hopefully yours is more "mid" and not so much "low"). Maybe post pictures of the frame, components, decals etc. in classic and vintage, and see if people think it is worth maintaining. Any new bike you get for $300-400 will be ok, but nothing special, and the Schwinn may well be better.

The guy on ebay has a slightly better deal. The $369 one at bikes direct has the 2200s where it's $340 on ebay with Soras. Any more opinions?

Nope, just the same opinion! Does the Schwinn have a 4130 cromo steel frame?

Is that $340 shipped? The guy selling the dawes is most likely bikesdirect. They have like 5-6 different screen names they sell them under. The price on bikes direct is shipped.

Yes.

that's just a beautiful bike. i would definitely keep that up before buying some piece of junk on ebay. seriously dude, that bike just needs a little TLC!

1.) Get rid of the reflectors
2.) Lose the Dork Disk
3.) Say no to Suicide... Levers...
4.) Simple Green the whole bike
5.) New Freewheel?
6.) Clean up the rims
7.) New Tires (looking a little dry)
It's a beautiful bike. Your rear derailer looks funky. ie. Your H & L adjustments look a little drastic. Have you taken it to a bike shop for a tune up to see what they recommend? Also the chain looks kind of long. That could be some of the problems. See how the derailer is compressed in the back?

Fixing up the Schwinn is a good idea, but having a bike with lot of work needed on it will be a problem for your riding. Spend the $340 (or whatever) on the new bike. Then you'll have two and one will always be ride-ready. Fix the Schwinn at your leisure.

The Schwinn is very nice, but as DMF says, if you are determined to spend the money, get the newer bike. Do get the Schwinn fixed up. You will quite possibly like the Schwinn better.

You might want to wander over to the Classic & Vintage forum if you want some more opinions...

And Welcome to BF!

East Hill

I guess I should clarify. I'd sell the Schwinn to get the $199 model. I wish I could set up a poll

The Schwinn frame is cromoly, as Psimet2001 knew it would be, and which marks it as one of the better quality World Sports, and it looks to be in alright shape. Needs some lube on the chain...that might be what's creaking, not the BB. Those older steel frame have some elasticity and are reputed to be more comfortable, and less jolting to ride than the rigid aluminum frames on newer bikes like some of the ones you're looking at online. They also last forever.

Unlike jmarkley710, I wouldn't "lose the dorkdisk" (the plastic spoke protector next to the rear cogs). It's tricky to remove and the only problem with it is that it offends snobs . However, I agree...the suicide levers (brake lever extensions) are dangerous because they don't brake very effectively.

here's my new colours

I'm trying to be nicer these days, but seriously wtf does this have to do with the thread???

Its that time warp thing again.

Nice Colors.....

How can you be nice at 4 AM?

Time zone fail old man

You are so totally effed.

You'll see.

this thread was started by a shill

Why in the world resurrect it, or continue to bump it?

Oops.

Worst thread resurrection ever.