Schwinn Super Sport - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

08-21-2004, 07:59 AM

Having just gotten my road bike on the road I have a few questions.
My LBS, actually both of them, said that I may have a hard time
find a Cassette,freewheel,or whatever to replace the 5 speed gear
on the back. They said that 'maybe' a six speed or 'maybe but not
likely' a 7 speed. My stock gear is a 14-22 which is neither low
enough for the mountain roads going up, nor high enough for the
descents. I can pull the 52/14 I have now on the flats enough to
draft cars and trucks up to a little over 25 MPH but RPM is the
problem. The desired gear would be either an 11-34 megarange or
at the very least a 12-28 to give me a chance in the hills.
I got rid of the biopace and changed the small ring from a very
oval 42 teeth to a round 40 teeth, still 52 on the large. Due to
Schwinns odd 5 bolt pattern I had to change the entire crankset,
but at least they have a square taper bracket. The bracket is
odd though in that it does not use a shoulder nut like my other
bikes but has a bolt that threads in. That made it a little harder
to use my crank pulling tool since I was afraid of killing the
threads that accept the bolt. It all worked out though, and I am
wondering how many people can help me with suggestions on my semi
vintage racer. The tires are 700 x 25 if that helps, since I am
still not sure of the exact vintage, and the guy at the ex-Schwinn
shop was of little help. Both of my LBS places, within 2 blocks of
each other are selling those silly looking long cruisers and tandems,
both with Chinese one peice cranks. Most of their bikes had one
piece cranks, at both LBS. What's up with that? Are they caving to
the cheap Chinese syndrome?
I would go to pricepoint.com or chainreaction.com but I like to
hold the actual product in my hand and check out the quality,
and to look for "not made in China".
Opinions, help?, anyone,
Bill Baka

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