Good info, Steve. I'm pretty sure that my son-in-law's is the '85. It is even that color (brown). I now know to look on the front badge for a stamped number. If it is there, that should help me date it also.
It does have larger tires: 26x1.75 , I believe. What does "alloy rims" mean? Good or bad? Per your advice, I'm considering this well-reviewed saddle: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003RLDQBE/ Thanks again to all for the input (and Bob W for his link also!) On Wed, Sep 17, 2014 at 7:09 PM, steve harley <[email protected]> wrote: > on 2014-09-17 11:21 Darren Addy wrote >> >> My son-in-law >> has a late 80s (I think) vintage 15 speed Schwinn Mirada that he will >> sell me for the price he (just) spent to have it serviced at a local >> bike shop ($100). > > > it's more of a "town bike" than a mountain bike; in the late 80s those were > taking a lot of cues from mountain bikes > > here are some old catalogs covering that range: > > <http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/MODELS/Mirada.html> > > in 85 they said the frame was CroMoly but later on it wasn't; CroMoly might > indicate a lighter, more comfortable or generally higher-spec bike, but in > itself it won't matter much to you; the 85 version (non-unicrown fork and > riser bars) is much more classy looking, IMO > > the frame geometry looks a lot like the 85 Rockhopper i am semi-restoring, > which is remarkably similar to the current Surly Long-Haul Trucker, a very > desirable touring frame (though usually fitted with drop bars) > > the Mirada seems intended for a more upright riding position, which means > you put more of your weight on the seat, and for me that means i want > low-pressure balloon tires and/or a sprung saddle to cushion the ride; a > good butted CroMoly frame can absorb a bit of shock too, but i wouldn't > expect that from this model > > it should be pretty comfortable for someone the right size; fatter tires are > more comfortable > > >> I'm a bike newbie really. However, it looks like this >> thing has a really durable frame (saw one that the owner said had >> taken him thousands of miles: 4th photo on this page - >> http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=174667 ). I like that >> it has center pull brakes and has just come out of the shop. > > > thousand of miles aren't at all remarkable for a bike; tens of thousands are > common, hundreds of thousands are remarkable; if the frame is intact (look > carefully for cracks at any of the joints, particularly the bottom bracket > area), then you have the most to worry about the components, especially on a > budget bike of that age; hopefully the tune-up was done by someone who would > have pointed out any worries > > >> So, basically, I guess I'm asking if this is a dumb way to spend $100 >> on a bike or not. What say you? > > > it's an okay price; with some effort, $100 can get you somewhat better on > Denver Craigslist, and i've thrifted _much_ better for $50; it sounds like > this will save you the time that would mean, though; do your best to make > sure it can be made to fit well > > > > > -- > PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List > [email protected] > http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net > to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and > follow the directions. -- Photographers must learn not to be ashamed to have their photographs look like photographs. ~ Alfred Stieglitz -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
