Alloy rims are lighter than steel. That's good. Rotational inertia being what it is lighter rims make a huge difference in accelerating and decelerating.
I agree with what everyone else has said. Fit is hugely important. If it fits badly don't buy it. Conversely a less expensive but properly-fitted bike will be a joy to ride and encourage more time in the saddle. For a hundred bucks, grab it (if it fits). Cheers, frank, about to hop on his bike for the ten mile commute home. On 17 September, 2014 9:07:56 PM EDT, Darren Addy <[email protected]> wrote: >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. “Analysis kills spontaneity.” -- Henri-Frederic Amiel -- 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.
