New to Me 87 Schwinn Circuit: What can I Expect?
05-27-18 | 11:40 AM
#1
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 82 Medici, 85 Ironman, 2011 Richard Sachs
New to Me 87 Schwinn Circuit: What can I Expect?
Got a tip from "Are you looking..." and picked this up yesterday. I don't have the patience to wait for a 40 dollar Circuit or SuperSport. Mostly original. Only missing the rear derailleur, saddle, pedals, and hoods. I gave it a wash and adjusted the headset, saddle, and bars, then took it for a fifteen miler on a course with a little of everything. Just what I expected after a few minor adjustments like lowering the stem and sliding the saddle back: Nice. I had a 23 inch 88 Tempo that was a bit small but I loved it anyway. This 24 inch Circuit, while the paint is not so nice, is a better fit. My plan was to find a frameset and install 7700 but this is pretty cool as is. I have a white Concor and I am looking for a Sprint rear derailleur and plan to ride it next year in Paso Robles.
my understanding is that all the bearings are sealed. But what does that mean as it applies to these components? Is anything special required to replace the bearings in the hubs? Is the Sprint BB a cartridge type? How should I treat/clean the shifters for best performance?
My Tempo had some paint anomalies and so does this Circuit. Any ideas as to what might have caused these is appreciated. My plan is to preserve the black, pitted chrome, and decals.
05-27-18 | 07:48 PM
#3
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Bikes: 82 Medici, 85 Ironman, 2011 Richard Sachs
Discovery 1: The headset wasn't sealed and one of the retainers had lost some of its rentaining powers. I'll probably replace it with extra balls.
Discovery 2: The bottom bracket requires some special Suntour 8 prong cup remover. This one is super smooth and I can leave it alone. So it's all good.
Discovery 3: The shifters have a nicer audible click after a little kerosene soak. (But one grey plastic washer thing has a crack. )
Discovery 2: The bottom bracket requires some special Suntour 8 prong cup remover. This one is super smooth and I can leave it alone. So it's all good.
Discovery 3: The shifters have a nicer audible click after a little kerosene soak. (But one grey plastic washer thing has a crack. )
05-27-18 | 09:55 PM
#4
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From: Chicago area
They are really great frames. Not sure how deep the rust goes but if you can take care of that you should be very happy with the bike. I lucked into mine. It was hanging on the wall at a bike shop for 30 years.
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My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
My bikes: 1970`s Roberts - 1981 Miyata 912 - 1980`s Ocshner (Chrome) - 1987 Schwinn Circuit - 1987 Schwinn Prologue - 1992 Schwinn Crosspoint - 1999 Schwinn Circuit - 2014 Cannondale Super Six EVO
Last edited by Steve Whitlatch; 05-27-18 at 09:59 PM.
05-28-18 | 03:46 AM
#5
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From: Richmond VA area
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Nice bike for sure. My guess on the shifter paint issues wyuld be from sweat eating the paint away. Some people pour sweat onto parts of their bikes when they ride, and it corrodes up everything, IME.
05-28-18 | 04:03 AM
#6
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My friend had one that he bought new in 1987. He paid $1,000 and loved the bike until the head tub got a spiral crack in it . He was so bummed and he loved his Schwinn so much. He didn't know a lot about bikes and I recommended that he try to find a Paramount to replace it. He ended up with a 1973 Paramount that he loves. He may still have the rear Derailleur , I can ask him. Joe
05-28-18 | 06:52 AM
#7
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From: Utah
Bikes: Paletti,Pinarello Monviso,Duell Vienna,Giordana XL Super,Lemond Maillot Juane.& custom,PDG Paramount,Fuji Opus III,Davidson Impulse,Pashley Guv'nor,Evans,Fishlips,Y-Foil,Softride, Tetra Pro, CAAD8 Optimo,
Well, if you can save it they are wonderful bikes. I've got on set up with a Campagnolo 11 Speed Athena setup and it's as fast as anything I have. In fact, the few KOM sprints I have in my area were done on it.
I like it so much I scored a smaller one for my son!
His frame is in much better shape than mine with mostly original components. He's a M.B fan though and didn't like this much. So I'll be moving it on locally.
I like it so much I scored a smaller one for my son!
His frame is in much better shape than mine with mostly original components. He's a M.B fan though and didn't like this much. So I'll be moving it on locally.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
05-28-18 | 02:59 PM
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If it doesn't have any significant dings or rust, I would get it powder coated. The Schwinn Circuit is a good rider. Hopefully the chrome is in decent shape. I had always hoped to find a Circuit one day in good shape. Love the black and chrome version. The red one was pretty too, but the black would be my preference. Very lightweight bike and a good rider. Hope you have fun restoring her.
05-29-18 | 01:08 AM
#11
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From: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Bikes: 1987 Woodrup Competition - 2025 Trek Checkpoint SL 6 Gen 3 - 1987 Lotus Legend - 2024 Trek Emonda ALR Rim Brake - 1980 Trek 510 - 1988 Cannondale SR500 - 1985 Trek 670 - 1982 Trek 730
I think you can expect it to be pretty flippin' nice! It is the spiritual successor to the Peloton, even if it runs a few components just below Superbe Pro level. Tubing is the same (SL with SP down tube on 23"+ frames), and the geometry is late-'80s Schwinn road/race spec, which identical to the Paramount except for the fork being raked another 5mm to 45mm total. That should result in a 'neutral' trail figure of 56mm. My '87 Prologue has this geometry, just with different tubing. Rides and handles very well. Sorry about the paint, but hey, we ride the tubing and not the paint...even if we look at the paint while not riding the tubes...... I really like your idea of hotrodding it with 7700. It would certainly not be wasted on that frame!
05-29-18 | 02:28 PM
#13
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From: Los Angeles
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06-05-18 | 01:05 PM
#14
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From: Los Angeles
Bikes: 82 Medici, 85 Ironman, 2011 Richard Sachs
Sprint Shifter Spacer
Question for those of you with an 87 Circuit with Sprint (non-indexed) shifters....Do you have the extra 0.8mm spacer between the bosses and the lever? When I tighten mine down, it is still too loose and I saw a diagram where some bosses require the extra spacer.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/stronglight/3430476621
I replaced the Tange Falcon alloy headset with a Tange Levin from Velomine--32.0 and 27 crown. The bottom cup when in normally but the top required some
file and emory cloth at the rear of the HT before it went in straight. If I get shifter bosses replaced and the frame painted, I'll have the HT reamed properly.
I used a Nitto seat post to get the Concor's angle correct. I think it is ready to wear out this cheap chain while hunting down a proper rear derailleur and a more heroic freewheel.
Last edited by Classtime; 06-05-18 at 09:16 PM.
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