1973 Schwinn World Voyageur (in Kool Orange)
When I first got back into bicycling a few years back, I was not interested in road bikes. I was interested in style over speed. However, as the bike trail network in Dallas County has expanded, and as my stamina has increased (somewhat!), it has become obvious to me that it might be in my best interest to pick up the pace a bit. My Electrabike Amsterdam Classic 3 might get me to Plano from White Rock Lake, but it’s going to take me a while. Like hours……and thus began my search for a road bike.
There are a lot of reasonably priced road and touring bikes on CL, and I’ve purchased several. Thus far, though, something has always been missing, or not quite right. The geometry of these bikes, as well as my own odd geometry, has been confusing to me, so I’ve bought and sold several that didn’t quite do it. Last week, my friend Justin Husman, a contributor to this site and all-around knowledgeable bike guy, sent me a link to this fabulous bike on Dallas CL:
It’s a 1973 Schwinn World Voyageur. Somehow, my obsessive CL vigilance had not brought this bike to my attention. And although I’m a bit of a Schwinn fanatic, my lack of road bike acumen and knowledge had failed to properly make me aware of this bike and its’ interesting history and worth.
This bike is the first bike that Schwinn had manufactured in another country, in this case, Japan. Thus the “World” moniker and the headbadge:
Apparently, Schwinn was having a hard time meeting the demand for bicycles during the 1970′s “bike boom”. I’m no expert on this stuff, but it seems clear that Schwinn was about to collapse for a number of reasons and that most of their manufacturing was going overseas regardless. And yet most of that happend later, in the early 1980′s……..
Good old steel frame………..
This is one of the few Schwinn bikes ever manufactured with these chrome lugs:
The entire frame is chrome, and they then painted over the chrome. So if there is a scratch in the paint, it simply reveals the lovely chrome underneath.
I love this bike. It came in 21 inch and 23 inch frames. This frame is a 23 inch. The bike was offered in yellow, light blue, and this color, “Kool Orange”. Nice Dura-Ace crank.
Close-up.
I added the Brooks B-17 saddle. I can’t decide whether or not to keep the vintage Schwinn rear rack. I like function, but aesthetics are an issue, as well.
Not sure about the handlebars, either, and white bar tape seems like it will be dirty fast.
Again: I love this bike. It was one level under the Schwinn “Paramount”.
I have never had a bike with bar end shifters like this, but I like them so far.
I bought this bike on Friday morning from some guy in a trailer park in Arlington, TX. My friend Chris and I went for a ride that same morning, despite the heat. I enjoyed riding this bike. It’s going into what I call my “core collection” of four bikes (and one trike).
I’m going to tear it down and rebuild it, but I’m going on a few rides first. Maybe I’ll see you on the bike trails…….
Addendum: A guy on schwinn.com just posted this for me, and it’s a great additon to this article. It’s the original “Bicycling” magazine review of this bike from 1973.
http://velo-pages.com/main.php?g2_itemId=27936&g2_imageViewsIndex=1
-Hubbard
Beautiful bike! I love the orange, and all the chrome. It looks like a blast.
I scour Craigslist here constantly, but rarely does anything of interest come up. Living in a smaller town doesn’t help, I think.
I am very glad you picked this up – and I think it’s funny that we are friends but have never really met…
There are lots of X mart bikes and old gaspipe bike boom bikes on CL, but there are plenty of nicer bikes as well. Your location might indeed be a limiting factor, so check towns within driving distance. Unfortunately it often takes a drive to get the best bikes – and remember that not many are willing to drive all over, so use that as a negotiating tactic. Also, be sure to look at the ads with no pictures, as those often do not get responses so you stand a better chance of finding a hidden gem. Finally, do not be afraid to call rather than email. I got my GT road bike for $70 becasue I called the owner immediately rather than emailing and waiting for a response. If I want the bike and there is a phone #, I call it.
By the same token, remember that there are a ton of bicycles out there – don’t pay too much just because it’s there. You need to know what it is and what it’s really worth. This bike was (I’m pretty sure) out of the normal price range that Hubbard usually spends, but it was still a great deal for this particular bike.
really, you need to know what it is you are looking at – just because it’s European doesn’t nescessarily mean that it’s high end. There were plenty of crappy bikes put out in the 70′s and 80′s along with the high end stuff – likewise, know that Americans put out lots of really nice bikes alongside their low end bikes (this being a great example).
Really, good Craigslist hunting comes down to knowing what you are looking for. Thankfully I have only bought a couple of bikes that I shouldn’t have, and luckily I was able to find someone else who really wanted them, so I have had a fairly painless learning curve.
Come on, Justin, what about the quality time we spent trying for ten seconds to buy the same bike at the crappy thrift store on Live Oak? And then there was the time I rode by you on my Schwinn Trike at the Richardson Memorial Day parade……ha ha ha. Thus is the hive of modern communication and the fate of randomness in the Big City.
You’re advice to Apertome is very good. When I first started riding in 2007, I knew that if I was willing to spend the time doing some research, I could buy some bike for a reasonable price on CL. However, I’m not patient, so I spent $611.00 buying an Electrabike Amsterdam Classic 3. I don’t regret the decision, because it’s a great bike, and super stylish.
But now I don’t spend so much, although for the real keepers, $100-$300 has been my range. Bianchi Commuter? $275. 1976 Schwinn Speedster? $125. Et cetera.
Apertome, where do you live?
-Hubbard
It’s interesting how different colors are reflected in popular culture in many different ways, and how colors remind us of certain periods of time. One of the largest driving forces behind these colors that we see all around us comes from automobile manufacturers. They spend a heckuva lot of money trying to both predict and influence these colors. This Schwinn was actually manufactured in 1972 to be sold in 1973. In that same year, 1972, the relatively new Datsun 240-Z was offered in two colors: orange and yellow. If Datsun had offered the car in light blue, they would have matched the palette of this Schwinn World Voyageur exactly.
Nice bike Mike…
I have the same bike too. You can see it in the archives of oldtenspeedgallery.com (type in Schwinn World).
When I first spotted it at a local flea market I wasn’t sure what it was. Then I spotted the “Schwinn Approved” stamp on the bar-end shifters and decided to research it. After some 35+ years of biking I found out I had purchase my first Schwinn.
I keep a similar stable of bikes to ride – 3 as of now. A 2008 Fuji Touring bike, an early 90′s Ryan LWB Vanguard recumbent and the “kool orange” version of this bike.
I love riding the Schwinn. It is a pleasure to ride. I have the same set-up as you with the exception of the rear rack. I put on a more modern rack to carry panniers. It also came with a B72 Brooks saddle. Unfortunately the leather had dried up too much and I replaced it with a black B17.
I do light touring on the Voyageur. I would use it on longer trips and get rid of the Fuji, however, the 10 speeds just don’t cut it for doing some of the larger hills in norther California.
This is one bike I will never re-sell.
Awesome bike. Keep the rack.
Nice find! I saved all my pennies & bought one as my first good bike when I was in high school (1973). It was an upgrade from a Schwinn Varsity.
I upgraded it over the years & finally upgraded the frame in 1982. I still have the crankset on that Trek frame. (With Phil bottom bracket & 4th or 5th set of chainrings.)
Trivia for ya… If that’s the original seatpost, it’s a clone of a Campy Record, but with some strange Greek lettering. Friend of mine doesn’t know the language, but he knows how to pronounce it. He said it’s pronounced “super rider” but I’m sure that’s meaningless in Greek.
It’s nice & clean, that brought back memories.
We are novice in the world of bicycles, and have recently purchased Schwinns from the 50′s. This obviously leads us to depend on others for referrals for a bike master of vintage bikes who can service our new investments. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jennifer, any bike shop can do routine work on an old Schwinn. Change cables, brakes, clean up etc. I’d recommend you bring it by your closest, local bike shop and have one of the mechanics look it over and make recommendations. If the work seems excessive or the price seems to high then get a second or third opinion. Enjoy! – Chris
Micael, I remember when this bike was for sale on CL. I bought a 81′ Peugeot PX-10 from the same guy…stones throw from Cowboy Stadium, correct?? Anyhow, I have this same bike in light blue and share your same affection for the bike. I found mine for sale on CL Iowa and contacted the seller and she agreed to ship it to me here locally. It’s the only bike I’ve purchased without seeing in person first. It’s 100% original including black plastic bar tape, buffalo leather saddle, front and rear light with rear wheel generator which I removed as did I the rear rack…for now. It’s in my “rotation” and put in a 30 mile ride on it just last Sunday in the Flower Mound/Double Oak area. Thanks for your post…
I had a Schwinn Bike shop for over 20 years,during that time i had two paramounts .Great bike very expensive for that time,When the World Voyager came out I grabed the first one we had delivered to the store April 1973,It is by far the best bike for the money I HAVE EVER OWNED I keep it in the house out of the weather At 37 years old it looks brand new.People often ask its value I have no intensin of selling,a bike of that quality should be worth four times its original price. I have no idea what the original price was.
Purchased mine in 1972 for about $225, most comfortable road bike I’ve ever riden. Replaced very little over the years (seat finnally cracked, the freewheel, a nice set of Sun Tour side pull Brakes) and still ride it once or twice a year to see what I have missed since switching over to a cannodale mountain bike (had gooten tried of traffic). Don’t think I will ever sell this bike (1st love). After 25 years of riding it on the road and 15 of off and on riding it still is one of the most impressive looking bikes out there.
If you can find one in good shape buy it if nothing more than to hang in rec room to admire, when I hang up my riding shoes that is where mine is going.