m015094

Sorry for the pic, but it's all I got right now. I'm trying to find the pic from when I had Campy Shamals (the aluminum rim ones) on it. It's nothing exotic - Campy Athena 8sp, but has 9sp rear derailleur (with record front derailleur for some reason). Tubing is Columbus Cromor - pretty much bottom of the line and kinda heavy. I purchased this in 1998. Stolen in San Diego in 2003 and retrieved from the thief 6 months later. Only bike of 4 stolen to ever be returned to me. My first 4 bikes were all steel and I loved them. My most recent purchase was carbon - probably because "good" steel has become so expensive.

frpax

I'll show you mine, if you show me yours, sort of thing? LOL

I got mine for free... well, I gave the guy a gun that I no longer wanted several months before (he's a friend). I had no idea at the time that he even had a bike. So since he hadn't ridden the thing in 20+ years, he gave me the Raleigh. He also gave my daughter his wife's old Trek that she hadn't ridden in 20+ years also. So, quite a score!

MikesChevelle

I paid $60 for mine...........sold it for $450

frpax

Nice flip!

Why'd you get rid of it, if it was the best steel bike you ever had? Just curious, not judging you at all...

Werkin

Columbus Treitubi - SL/SP, and Tange steels.

Collin2424

TrueTemper S3 steel, Carbon stays, Record 10 speed groupset. Yes, I know it has no chain. I'm still reading the 6,000 page manual to install a Campy chain

-Collin-

jeebusaurousrex

Nice to see your bike again! Some corrections/clarifications (being that I also own the same frame, only one size larger).

It's Columbus "Tre Tubi" meaning the main 3 tubes are Columbus. Circuit frames were SL up to 22" (c to c TT actually measures 21.5"). 23" and larger frame sizes had SL top and seat tubes with SP down tube for more rigidity.

Fork and seat stays are Tange aero tubing, which there isn't much literature about, but they're some flavor of CroMo steel. Regarding the aero stays the center sections away from the seat tube lug and dropouts were ovalized and tapered to the rear (cross section resembles a tear drop, the blunt end facing forward). The fork is the same way and has a full sloping unicrown where it slots into the forks for a seamless look (but not rounded like MTB fork crowns). Schwinn was behind the curve on this one since the '80s aero fad was about 5 years prior. The assumption is that they bought out the left over stock from either Tange or another manufacturer for cheap. Remember, this was just after they opened the Greenville, MS plant and just before they kicked the bucket as a company so they were trying to save money.

(Digression: The previous top end model below the Paramount was the Peloton, manufactured by Panasonic in Japan for Schwinn. That one featured full Columbus tubing, TT & ST were SL, DT was SP, including forks. It's a more "old school" design with brazed on cable guides above the bottom bracket and other quirky details. According to catalogs it ended with the '86 model and the Circuit replaced it in '87...which coincides with the Greenville plant opening).

Compared to my 23" 1987 Tempo frame which is Tenax (SP for that year, later years it may have been changed SLX or SPX), the Circuit feels more flexy or lively depending on how you look at it. I like the Circuit because it fits me better, and of course because it has more bling!

I still think you should get rid of the pie plate! ;)

Here's mine again with SRAM Rival and polished head tube lugs:

DVC45

Not a road racer, but a road bike nonetheless.

Werkin

Thanks for the details. In one source it appeared SP for the DT was 21" upward, and I've seen quotes of 22" & 23" up also. I must not be much of masher because my BB doesn't flex at all. A table describing characteristics of Columbus tubing offered during the late 80s. https://www.equusbicycle.com/bike/col...umbuschart.htm

I'll see if I can get more background on your leftover theory from a person I know who distributed tubing and components to Schwinn during that era. BTW, the ST is 21" c to t, and the TT is 21.5 c to c on this bike.

The spoke protector will go when the SunTour drive train goes, for now it looks appropriate to me.

jeebusaurousrex

Do you have a scan of the source? All the catalog material I've seen shows 23" and larger have SP DT, but copy editors can be inconsistent! Check out the 89 catalog page attached. TR Findley's site also has the full catalogs from that era that spec the 23" and larger frames with SP DT.

I'll have to measure my ST again, but I can confirm 21.5" TT c to c. Your HT in the photo makes me believe that it's a size smaller than mine.

I'm a relatively light rider with a summer weight of 145lbs. I can def feel the bike "whip" when I'm sprinting hard or mashing up a hill. The Tenax tubed Tempo does not do that at my weight/power.

MikesChevelle

Its the curse of wanting something new. If it was a 56 I would have never sold it, but being just a tad big and with somone offering $450, I just couldnt pass on it. One day I will have an other one in 56 and it will stay with me

RB1-luvr

lwrncc

My brother's Peugeot Chorus which I'm "safe keeping" for the time being.

I felt it deserved a decent photo after the years of abuse it has endured.

DVC45

frpax

3 great bikes in a row! Awesome!

LAJ

The commuter in full commuting dress. 81 Puch Luzerne.



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RB1-luvr

oh I just remembered I got a new steel bike. This replaced my aluminum Nashbar touring bike:

junkfoodjunkie

Jake

HigherGround

Nice Merckx, Jake!

Of course they're all nice, but as another Merckx owner, I'm biased.

Zaphod Beeblebrox 

84 team miyata

rat fink

That's fierce! I love it!

rat fink

That's hot! (Even with the Campy)

javal

+1 What a drop! Long arms?

javal

Really nice! Cool colour set-up!

Bob Ross

I'm already on the list (#208) because of my Bridgestone, but I just received my custom Carl Strong road bike, so now I'm a 2x member of the club!