75/76’ Schwinn Traveler (Japan). Should I keep it or sell it? Everything is original from original owner. It’s kinda growing on me since I’ve been polishing her up but might let go if there is a market for it. Thoughts?
75/76’ Schwinn Traveler (Japan). Should I keep it or sell it? Everything is original from original owner. It’s kinda growing on me since I’ve been polishing her up but might let go if there is a market for it. Thoughts?
People will probably chime in and prove me wrong, but I say if you have the time, can get it going, and will make use of it, go for it.
My first bike I fixed up was nothing to write home about. Had cottered cranks, weighed a ton and needed a lot of work. But I learned a ton and got a lot of miles on it. I eventually gave it away as I couldn’t move it with me. Since have fixed up a few other bikes when I have the time. Some great, some not so much.
If you don’t want it I’m sure someone else might be interested to take on the learning opportunity. Not sure about price but assuming it needs work. That should factor into pricing
gregn8r1 on
It’s not really worth anything, so if it appeals to you, may as well fix ‘er up.
GanGGanG_piKleZ on
I agree! Since I brought this home, I’ve spent hours just polishing up the chrome parts and have been researching online to learn the history and market for these types of bikes. I bought this and an older KHS from an estate sale (other post) and the Schwinn kinda grew on me although the KHS is kinda mysterious due to the fact that there is practically no information on them with none for sale in the past. Nonetheless, it’s been pleasant to look at and appreciate since I picked them up!
MotherNaturesSun on
Keep it.
JSGilst on
This is the lesser version of the LeTour II, without the center pull brakes, quick release hubs. As the LeTour II replaced the Continental II this replaced the Varsity. It was Schwinn’s attempt to enter the lightweight bicycle market. They were not cheap quality and if maintained held up well and provided good service. It may not be worth a lot as a resale today but if refurbished and suits your expectations it can be a nice average quality bike to ride.
One-Passenger-6395 on
It’s a low end mass produced bike. Scrap or maybe 25 -35 dollars to someone who just needs a working bike.
DonkeyGlad653 on
That depends; are you so broke you are on a steady diet of ramen noodles and PBJ sandwiches ? Then sell it. Otherwise if you like it, keep it.
2shado2 on
75/’76
Level-Long-9726 on
Ride it. There is no market for it.
Competitive-Time321 on
If you’ve got room for it, keep it. And if it fits you.
labyorj on
I had this very bike and it was excellent. Trade you for a bag of peanuts.
pastanutzo on
Enjoy your travvy
Snoo-43127 on
Keep it, work on it, enjoy it. Whenever I’ve investigated how much I can sell one of my bikes for, it only ever ends up being worth a fraction of the money I’ve put into it in parts upgrades/replacements, and the time and care spent making it perfect for me. The money you’ll get out of selling it will never be even close to the money and time you’ve put into it.
left4smokes20yrsago on
Just put it back in the storage unit for your grandkids to find in 20 years.
jim914 on
Honestly after the worst possible experience back in high school riding a Schwinn super le tour and having the headset separate from the down tube I never trusted the brand anymore. Sadly it was a brand new bike my father bought me for my first weekend road trip with the high school bike club and when I took it to a Schwinn store I was informed that it was not built by Schwinn here in Chicago but rather it was from Japan! Probably no actual value to your bike unless you find the one person alive that always wanted one it wasn’t a top of the line model and uses the cheapest components.
BikePilot2001 on
I am a vintage bike fan. I have about 15 bikes from the 80s and 7-8 from the 90s. I have only one from the 70s because bikes inproved so much from the 70s to the mid 80s.
The Traveler, if made in Japan (late 70s to mid 80s), is a tidy little bike that rides well. If it’s from before then it was made in either Chicago or Mississippi. It would surprise me if anybody had any real bids for the USA made models. Even the Japan made models, though they ride well, don’t seem to have many big fans left.
I think just keep riding it. Doesn’t seem worth selling for the amount that you’ll get for it.
16 Comments
People will probably chime in and prove me wrong, but I say if you have the time, can get it going, and will make use of it, go for it.
My first bike I fixed up was nothing to write home about. Had cottered cranks, weighed a ton and needed a lot of work. But I learned a ton and got a lot of miles on it. I eventually gave it away as I couldn’t move it with me. Since have fixed up a few other bikes when I have the time. Some great, some not so much.
If you don’t want it I’m sure someone else might be interested to take on the learning opportunity. Not sure about price but assuming it needs work. That should factor into pricing
It’s not really worth anything, so if it appeals to you, may as well fix ‘er up.
I agree! Since I brought this home, I’ve spent hours just polishing up the chrome parts and have been researching online to learn the history and market for these types of bikes. I bought this and an older KHS from an estate sale (other post) and the Schwinn kinda grew on me although the KHS is kinda mysterious due to the fact that there is practically no information on them with none for sale in the past. Nonetheless, it’s been pleasant to look at and appreciate since I picked them up!
Keep it.
This is the lesser version of the LeTour II, without the center pull brakes, quick release hubs. As the LeTour II replaced the Continental II this replaced the Varsity. It was Schwinn’s attempt to enter the lightweight bicycle market. They were not cheap quality and if maintained held up well and provided good service. It may not be worth a lot as a resale today but if refurbished and suits your expectations it can be a nice average quality bike to ride.
It’s a low end mass produced bike. Scrap or maybe 25 -35 dollars to someone who just needs a working bike.
That depends; are you so broke you are on a steady diet of ramen noodles and PBJ sandwiches ? Then sell it. Otherwise if you like it, keep it.
75/’76
Ride it. There is no market for it.
If you’ve got room for it, keep it. And if it fits you.
I had this very bike and it was excellent. Trade you for a bag of peanuts.
Enjoy your travvy
Keep it, work on it, enjoy it. Whenever I’ve investigated how much I can sell one of my bikes for, it only ever ends up being worth a fraction of the money I’ve put into it in parts upgrades/replacements, and the time and care spent making it perfect for me. The money you’ll get out of selling it will never be even close to the money and time you’ve put into it.
Just put it back in the storage unit for your grandkids to find in 20 years.
Honestly after the worst possible experience back in high school riding a Schwinn super le tour and having the headset separate from the down tube I never trusted the brand anymore. Sadly it was a brand new bike my father bought me for my first weekend road trip with the high school bike club and when I took it to a Schwinn store I was informed that it was not built by Schwinn here in Chicago but rather it was from Japan! Probably no actual value to your bike unless you find the one person alive that always wanted one it wasn’t a top of the line model and uses the cheapest components.
I am a vintage bike fan. I have about 15 bikes from the 80s and 7-8 from the 90s. I have only one from the 70s because bikes inproved so much from the 70s to the mid 80s.
The Traveler, if made in Japan (late 70s to mid 80s), is a tidy little bike that rides well. If it’s from before then it was made in either Chicago or Mississippi. It would surprise me if anybody had any real bids for the USA made models. Even the Japan made models, though they ride well, don’t seem to have many big fans left.
I think just keep riding it. Doesn’t seem worth selling for the amount that you’ll get for it.