Newbie

[Slh9387]

Hi all,
So my father in law gifted me a Schwinn Woodlands 21 speed from 1988. It's been kept in the garage for the last 18 years. Looks good for its age. I was wondering what are some updates that I can make get it to be a more modern ride. Not looking for anything major, I know I'm going to need new wheels due to them dry rotting. Is there any other suggestions of things to swap out or replace? Thanks!!

[GeorgeET]

Hi and welcome. Nothing wrong with that bike. Sounds like its in good condition. Before you spend a lot of money on do hickeys pushed by advertising clean the bike, clean and grease all the bearings starting with the wheels, than head and bottom bracket. Lubricate brake and shifter pivots and cables. Do a tune up and ride the bike. If components do not work they may need adjusting or replacing. New tires likely.

Start by knowing the bike and servicing it than decide if you want to do more.

We will be glad to talk you through it. Photos of components, rear wheel cluster, crank etc. are always a big help.

You will find information on your bike here:

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/index.html

Good Luck

[nfmisso]

Hi;

First, the wheels are not dry rotting - aluminum does not dry rot. Your tires and tube probably need replacing. Before purchasing new tires, decide where you are going to ride it; if all paved surfaces, you'll want a different tire than all dirt, or all sand, or all mud, or some mixture. Next you need to determine the size of the tires needed. There are probably some numbers on the side wall like 47-559 and/or 26 X 1.95. And what is your budget?

Share the above information with us, and we'll provide recommendations to you.

After you have followed George's suggestions, next item are brake pads; Kool Stop Salmon are one of the most recommended.

After that, things can get very expensive; especially if you don't have a well thought out plan.

[GeorgeET]

The earliest MB info I found is for 1991. Here are the Woodland specs:

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1991_2000/1991_10.html


http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/1990_MTB_Road_Cat_19.html

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1991_2000/1991_18.html

---

[nfmisso]

Based on the above information provided by George; for pavement, I would get these:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006GEZQX0/
with one of these two tubes depending on if your rims are drilled from Presta or Schrader valves:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000AOA088/
http://www.amazon.com/Thorn-Resistant-1-50-1-95-SCHRADER-Valve/dp/B000AO7IA6/

NOTE: you will also most likely need new rim tape to protect the inner tube from the ends of the spokes.

If you are looking for a little softer ride, these tires:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Bicycle-Blackwall-26-Inch-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DX1DWG/

This one is good in dirt and on pavement:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-K908-Pathfinder-Blackwall-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DX1DGW/

This one will still be okay on pavement, a bit noisy and slow:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-A-Bite-K831-Wire-Bicycle/dp/B00IEURDVC/

And this one is really off road only:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenda-Aggressive-Bicycle-Blackskin-1-95-Inch/dp/B002DWZEXQ/

[Slh9387]

Thanks for the feedback so far. As you mentioned, I did mean the tires were dry rotting. I will upload pictures as soon as I get home(around 7).
Thanks again!!

[Slh9387]

(04-24-2014, 11:40 AM)GeorgeET Wrote:  Hi and welcome. Nothing wrong with that bike. Sounds like its in good condition. Before you spend a lot of money on do hickeys pushed by advertising clean the bike, clean and grease all the bearings starting with the wheels, than head and bottom bracket. Lubricate brake and shifter pivots and cables. Do a tune up and ride the bike. If components do not work they may need adjusting or replacing. New tires likely.

Start by knowing the bike and servicing it than decide if you want to do more.

We will be glad to talk you through it. Photos of components, rear wheel cluster, crank etc. are always a big help.

You will find information on your bike here:

http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1981_1990/index.html

Good Luck

[GeorgeET]

Yes those are low level components but work well .

Decide where you will ride the bike I like the Kenda K908 that Nigel listed as a good cross use tire.

Its a schrader valve on this MB......

Like I aid above clean it, lub it, tune it and ride . BTW also clean and lub chain.