3470john

Hello everyone, new here

My 1985 Schwinn World (which I purchased new with my own money) has finally given out. I am partial to this bike, it was the 1st new bike (only new bike) I ever had (spent every dime I had on it).

I figure I have three options.

1. Buy a new bike and set it at the curb (someone will take it)

2. Buy a new bike and keep it as a 2nd bike for kids rides & bike paths
needs the following
1. new cassette
2. new rear derailure
3. new chain
4. all new cables
5. brakes have to be updated (new dual pivots a must)
6. wheels trued
7. new bottom bracket or overhaul

3. Give it a full overhaul and update. new modern everything.
1. carbon fork. available? cost?
2. 700 alum wheels (most be strong enough for everyday riding)
3. modern drive train w/ full shimano 105 or ultegra and indexed shifters/brakes
4. how many speed rear cassette can she accommodate?
5. modern brakes
6. new headset and bars
7. maybe a carbon seatpost

Option-3 would be my 1st choice, "IF" its possible and not cost prohibitive.
the bike is a 1985 Schwinn World, 23" frame, 27" wheels (steel)

My big concerns are
1. carbon fork - is it realistic?
2. changing wheel size from 27" to 700?
3. rear cassette - what will fit? 7-8-9**********
4. bottom bracket/crank set - compatible with newer?
5. shifters/brakes & derail'rs should be the easy part?
6. modern headset & bars?

H1449-6

In a word, no. The good news is that you've gotten a lot of good use out of it, and that it's worth so little that it won't cost you much to keep it around for sentimental reasons.

Psimet2001 

+1 - Hang on to it for that reason. I am still PO'd I let my World Sport go.


...but totally worthless as an upgrade.

I did upgrade mine to an 8spd Shimano 600 group back in 1991-1992-ish. That was an intermediate step before I got a decent "real" racing frame. The pain was finding a brake caliper combo laying around with enough reach to work with 700 wheels. Luckily a 1st generation 105 caliper worked.

redneckwes

Hit the local Salvation Army/ flea market for a parts bike and start wrenching. The good thing about your bike is that everything on it is standard.

stringbreaker

If you like the bike why not give it a refurb with new and compatable parts. NOS stuff and other used in good shape stuff is all over the place (ie) Craigs list and E-bay . It shouldn't cost you an arm and a leg and you would still have a bike you really like.
Going this route will allow you to get a more modern bike if thats what your needs are and still have a decent second bike

Campag4life

I have owned a few and they are simply not worth refurbishing. You can do anything...cold set the rear triangle for 130mm modern rear cassette spacing etc...but at the end of the day you are throwing good money after bad by trying to bring a woefully outdated bicycle up to modern standards. Simply find used parts to keep it what it is if you can't part from it for personal reasons. I have many fond childhood memories on top of the line Schwinn racing bikes. The bikes of today are superior in every respect.
Good Luck.

rufvelo

Only the Paramount is worth updating.

jgedwa

Everyone has different needs and desires, but I think it is safe to say that updating that road bike would cost so much that you might as well buy a complete bike.

On the other hand, depending on what you use your bike for, it might well make sense to maintain it and use it. Old bikes have their virtues. Cost for one. Theft resistance for another. Retro cool for another. The satisfaction of working on your bike for another. The comfort of knowing you can always fix it when it breaks is another.

If you want to maximize your riding potential then the weight and efficiency of a modern bike is necessary. If you want to ride around and have fun, then perhaps the old World is just the ticket.

Plus, having a beater around is always useful.

jim

MKahrl

An old Paramount does not need updating.

Little Darwin

If you love the bike, then the sky is the limit... Will it be cost effective compared to a new bike? No, but you will still have the bike you love... The choice is yours.

The bike can be upgraded in some ways, and others will be hard to overcome.

700c should be no problem... other than brake reach, which will need to be about 4mm longer than current. This will make it difficult to move to modern braking because of the short reach of most modern brakes compared to vintage brakes... If you can find modern brakes with a long enough reach, you will do fine.

A steel frame can be cold set to accept the wider spacing to go to whichever gearing you want on the rear.

I wouldn't bother with a carbon fork, but if you can find a carbon fork with a 1" steerer and choose a 1" headset, you can do whatever you want.

The bottom bracket will convert perfectly. Schwinns used standard english BB threading.

Seatpost... I am not sure of diameter, so you will have to research availability.

Does the 1985 World have a hanger for the RD or does the RD have a claw? If a hanger, then you are golden...

If you love the bike, an upgrade is well worth the effort, you are simply asking in the wrong forum, ask in Classic and Vintage... you'll get good advice there on keeping a well loved older bike on the road. Some there may argue against making too many changes. There are some over there who have updated vintage bikes.

Here, you will get good advice about the best way to get the best bang for your buck for modern technology... and that usually doesn't include holding onto an old friend.

stringbreaker

+ 1 on the classic and vintage section

3470john

rd has a hanger

stringbreaker

rd hanger very high on the retro scale

Fat Boy

No bikes are worth the money we put in them. If you really like the bike, then spend the $200 or $300 it takes to put it in good shape.

Get a newer bike that can be your 'real' bike and be happy that you have your old bike for days when you want it.

kommisar

1984 World had chromoly frame and steel rims
1985 World had hi-tensile frame and alloy wheels

You sure its a 85 and not an 84?

In either case the frame is a great basis for a errand bike / commuter because it has clearance for wide road tires, eyelets for fenders and racks. In addition it has 72.5 degree head and seat tube angles which means it is a really comfortable stable platform.

I suggest replacing freewheel ($20), derailleur ($20), chain ($8), cables ($8), brake shoes ($5), have the bottom bracket overhauled. Do not upgrade. Dual pivots won't stop you any better, 700c and 27inch wheels are indistiguishable when you are riding, 8,9,10 speeds are a lot more expensive for minimal additional utility. If you want utility invest in a front rack, basket, and rear rack.

Dubbayoo

I would kill to still have my first road bikes. I do have a custom steel in the closet that I will be buried with.

oilman_15106

I did your option 3 to a 1984 Centurion Elite 12. Plan on spending $450 at least and that is scrounging on scambay for decent used stuff. It was fun building and I rode it tonight but I could have used the money toward a new bike. I know the attachment thing. Bought the Centurion new and just can't give it up. Still rides smooth as silk. Carbon fork helped in the weight catagory alot.

RazorWind

If it's still serviceable, I'd keep it around as a spare (or for when you want to have someone ride with you) and get a new bike.

RadioFlyer

umm, what's wrong with it now?

Do you need more/different gears?

I know this will cause a fight, but I think carbon is way over-rated.

Whatever you do, don't get rid of it unless space is at critical mass. In which case, move

Enthalpic

I would do a bare minimum repair to the drive train and put it in your stationary trainer. I find it’s a nice perk not having to swap bikes in and out and it saves wear on your nice stuff.

If you don’t have a trainer hang it on the wall or give it to charity and move on. You will like your new bike too…. probably more.

nesdog

I had a similiar issue with my Peugeot U08....1970...10 speed. In the end, it simply didn't pay however I kept the bike. It now sits on my trainer as a permanent workout machine. And the few times that I take it off for lubes and tune-ups and ride it around the street, I realize just how nice my Giant is!

Sheldon

babydee

I disagree. If you want a good city bike...i.e. a good ride, but less attractive to thieves...the Super Sports from the mid-80's are the bomb s**t. Available for a song, and if the Shimano 600 components are in good condition, they work great.

I got a new wheelset for my '86 Super Sport (with an 8 speed 12-25 cassette), plus new bar end shifters, and I'm glad I did. The 600 works great with 8 speeds, the bike rides great, and the wheels are bombproof (Velocity Fusion, 32xdb-bttd, 105 hibs).

That said, I would not update the World. Better off buying another old, undervalued bike like the Super Sport, or a Trek 560 from the mid-80's - great bikes on the cheap with Columbus Tenax or 531 tubing (not sexy, but ride well). I have a World Sport from 1985 with decent wheels, and I might repair it to use with fatter tires and gravel trails, but that will be a minimal investment.

kendall

I've got an old steel frame mid 90's that I couldn't sell for $50 if I wrapped it in silver. But it fits and is comfortable, have owned two new bikes since I got it and always go back to that one bent frame and all.
I've bought components for other bikes, end up using them on it, have bought other complete bikes with nice components and sooner or later parts end up on the old steel frame, while the other bike gets sold or traded off. I have a nice CF giant in the garage that seldom gets ridden, because it's not as comfortable, and keep looking at the STI brifters and other components on it.

if the frame and fork is good, update components as needed, don't worry about high dollar components, go for what makes the bike enjoyable to ride.
Ken.

dekindy

I have a 1989 that I was thinking about updating until I read about the guy that spent $1,500 and proclaimed what a great bike it was and then got a new one and sold the Paramount. I don't want to make the same mistake.

I did find out that I can change the shifting by purchasing Sora 7-speed shifters so I might think about doing that and having sending it to Waterford for a repaint. But I have only ridden it a handful of times since I got my new Serotta, so I think I will just leave it as is for a back up bike or rainy day ride.

3470john

actually appears to be a 1986 date code on head badge (finally found it) 3625 so it is probally an 86