After stripping the two "Trash bikes", I am now back onto the SchwinnFo (Faux Schwinn = FoSchwinn = SchwinnFo). Adjusted the handlebars and seat to my liking. Added on the pedals. Finished taking off the "wrapping" to find that the back rack was bent up and way over to one side of the bike. The metal on this bike is really thick and sturdy and it's been hard to get that to "push" back. It moved a little bit, but I think I'm going to have to take it off and hammer it. Literally, take a rubber hammer to it. When I put on the front tire, I left the fender off. Just easier to not deal with it. I like the way it looks anyway. Maybe eventually cut the fender to about 6" and just use the frame mount bolt for it. Easier and less in the way than the long fender and wire hangers holding it down at the wheel hub. The fender is very thick and sturdy. Not the cheap thin metal, say, that the Huffy has.
I really do like some components on the Huffy though. The handlebars just have a nice easy feel to them, along with the grips. When I place my hands on the grips on those bars, it just makes me want to ride. And when I'm riding, the ride is relaxed and comfortable. Another thing to keep in mind is as these Huffy bars are a bit wider and have a more gentle curve, it makes the bike easier to handle and easier to balance for this old lady. After measuring the bars on the Huffy and the Schwinn, there are only slight differences. But the difference is enough to make a difference, lol, and I am changing them out. I got on the Huffy site and ordered replacement parts.. so I got the handelbars and the grips, and at a VERY reasonable price!! I may eventually get the seat too, because it is way more comfortable than the Schwinn seat. It's got a slight, what I call, "butt berm". It's a berm, but it's for your butt!! The colors are not the same, but now my Schwinn will be red and turquoise, and that's kinda cool, cus I like turquoise. My "riding" colors have always been maroon and turquiose. Reason being, on xmas 1979 my parents got me a Schwinn 10-speed. It came in 2 colors. I wanted the turquoise one, but they got me the maroon. Once I had it, I kept it, but made my riding colors both colors. So I'd have a turquoise "jersey" or a maroon jersey on when I rode. So, I'm cool with it. Sort of loses it's "retro" appearance, but.. oh well.
So then I'm adjusting the brakes. I've never been good with brakes, or shifters, or anything involving CABLES! So at first it was going ok. But then, I couldn't get the cable taught enough. Eventually, the cap fell off the end of the cable and it started fraying - which is ALWAYS what happens to me, flattened and frayed cables. So, gonna try again tomorrow, with an extra pair of hands.
And the reason it is taking me so long to put this bike together... I'm really not spending a lot of time, and don't want to rush. It is EXTREMELY hot outside and I'm just not spending a lot of time out there. Also, it's easier to work on when no one else is around. Thus, I just sit back and wait for the day that there's no one else here. Well, then there's another set-back when I NEED someone else here, lol. So bit by bit, it'll get done. No rush to ride anyway...as if I don't get up and about by 8am, it is already too hot to ride. So, I'm just taking my time. Once the brakes are done, it'll be rideable. Hopefully my handlebars/grips will come in so it'll actually be FUN to ride. I don't Hate the grips the SchwinnFo came with, they LOOK cool, but they feel awful, not comfortable at all. And as stated earlier, the Huffy handlebars are just a dream. Like riding on a cloud. Well, stearing on a cloud. We'll see how well they feel on the Schwinn. Shit, I may just take the rear wheel, derailleur, and brakes off the Schwinn and put them on the Huffy! I actually would if the Huffy had brake mounts. Still may though,.... who knows.
Oh, and I ended up taking the kick stand, which attaches to the rear wheel, off of the Genesis trash bike. The kickstand on the SchwinnFo is useless - it has no angle to it and barely stands the bike up at all. Those trash bikes are coming in awful handy.
I really do like some components on the Huffy though. The handlebars just have a nice easy feel to them, along with the grips. When I place my hands on the grips on those bars, it just makes me want to ride. And when I'm riding, the ride is relaxed and comfortable. Another thing to keep in mind is as these Huffy bars are a bit wider and have a more gentle curve, it makes the bike easier to handle and easier to balance for this old lady. After measuring the bars on the Huffy and the Schwinn, there are only slight differences. But the difference is enough to make a difference, lol, and I am changing them out. I got on the Huffy site and ordered replacement parts.. so I got the handelbars and the grips, and at a VERY reasonable price!! I may eventually get the seat too, because it is way more comfortable than the Schwinn seat. It's got a slight, what I call, "butt berm". It's a berm, but it's for your butt!! The colors are not the same, but now my Schwinn will be red and turquoise, and that's kinda cool, cus I like turquoise. My "riding" colors have always been maroon and turquiose. Reason being, on xmas 1979 my parents got me a Schwinn 10-speed. It came in 2 colors. I wanted the turquoise one, but they got me the maroon. Once I had it, I kept it, but made my riding colors both colors. So I'd have a turquoise "jersey" or a maroon jersey on when I rode. So, I'm cool with it. Sort of loses it's "retro" appearance, but.. oh well.
So then I'm adjusting the brakes. I've never been good with brakes, or shifters, or anything involving CABLES! So at first it was going ok. But then, I couldn't get the cable taught enough. Eventually, the cap fell off the end of the cable and it started fraying - which is ALWAYS what happens to me, flattened and frayed cables. So, gonna try again tomorrow, with an extra pair of hands.
And the reason it is taking me so long to put this bike together... I'm really not spending a lot of time, and don't want to rush. It is EXTREMELY hot outside and I'm just not spending a lot of time out there. Also, it's easier to work on when no one else is around. Thus, I just sit back and wait for the day that there's no one else here. Well, then there's another set-back when I NEED someone else here, lol. So bit by bit, it'll get done. No rush to ride anyway...as if I don't get up and about by 8am, it is already too hot to ride. So, I'm just taking my time. Once the brakes are done, it'll be rideable. Hopefully my handlebars/grips will come in so it'll actually be FUN to ride. I don't Hate the grips the SchwinnFo came with, they LOOK cool, but they feel awful, not comfortable at all. And as stated earlier, the Huffy handlebars are just a dream. Like riding on a cloud. Well, stearing on a cloud. We'll see how well they feel on the Schwinn. Shit, I may just take the rear wheel, derailleur, and brakes off the Schwinn and put them on the Huffy! I actually would if the Huffy had brake mounts. Still may though,.... who knows.
Oh, and I ended up taking the kick stand, which attaches to the rear wheel, off of the Genesis trash bike. The kickstand on the SchwinnFo is useless - it has no angle to it and barely stands the bike up at all. Those trash bikes are coming in awful handy.
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