Would the Ladies' Schwinn Avenue work?

[Andrew 1973]

I'm looking at big box stores for a potential donor and found this bike at Wally World. I like the idea of the all aluminum frame and 700C wheels. I'm not against doing some frame modification as necessary. Any thoughts if this would be a good start?

 

[Andrew 1973]

If not, the Schwinn Aluminum Comp looks like it might work.

 

[Andrew 1973]

This is how I picture it...

I threw together a quick draft of what I think the Schwinn Avenue could become. As I am not familiar with the conversion kit, I am not sure how everything fits together and as far as the seat goes, the frame will probably require some modification including welding the seat bracket to the frame. I think it makes a decent-looking bike, but I don't know if it will work as shown.

 

[Romagjack]

It would be a very bumpy ride

It would be a very bumpy ride on roads less than perfect as it would have no rear suspension.

 

[Andrew 1973]

Thanks for the input. I

Thanks for the input. I didn't consider that as I have ridden recumbents and none of them were suspended. I figured that it wasn't actually needed.

 

[Romagjack]

The Sofrider, Quest, and

The Sofrider, Quest, and Silvio and the majority of conversion cruzbikes have dual suspensions. On an upright bike, you can stand on the pedals on rough roads or bumps and use your legs as shock absorbers. You can't stand up to absorb shock with a recumbent so a rear suspension is almost a necessity on less than perfect pavement. You would certainly limit your comfort level without dual
suspension.

 

[Andrew 1973]

To get the dual suspension,

To get the dual suspension, It could be possible to take two of the Schwinn Avenue frames and cut and weld them together to get this:

But then you're into custom fabrication, heat treatment of the AL frame to harden and strengthen the material. Of course, done propely, you'd have a poor-man's version of the Silvio.

 

[Andrew 1973]

Maybe start my own company?

 

[Doug Burton]

The Schwinn will be hard to convert

Hi Andrew,

Those frames with low, short tubes are hard to get to work with the seat - not enough length on the tube to allow sufficent backrest recline.

The aluminum comp should work.

I've converted several bikes without rear suspension; one of my favorites had no suspension at all. They work fine.

 

[Andrew 1973]

Thanks for the information

Doug,

Thanks for the information. I've seen photos of a few of your conversions and they're all brilliant. When I was at Wal*Mart, I saw a Tiara and really admired how that little bike could become a very capable recumbent, but in the end, I like the idea of an all aluminum frame, even though at this price, it's rather heavy aluminum.

I might just have to pick up the Aluminum Comp and start from there.

 

[teacherbill]

Tiara Pro 26 should make a

Tiara Pro 26 should make a wonderful conversion. I think a 700c wheel will just fit, if that is a consideration...

Bill

 

[Doug Burton]

Donors

Hi Andrew,

I should probably pay more attention to the forum these days.

You have some very interesting ideas. The thing that's always stopped me from making my own aluminum frames is the lack of availability of heat treating on a retail level. 7005 aluminum, I've heard, can be welded without heat treating, but it's scarce as hens' teeth these days.

If the Tiara doesn't fit the bill, there are some older used frames out there that will work. It's hard to beat the Tiara because the frame is so small it doesn't weigh very much, especially if you can find an aluminum or carbon substitute for the steel swing arm, which is where most of the weight is in that frame. That, and the heavy components the bike is delivered with. Makes the Walmart bike isle "heft test" rather misleading for our applications.

The Easton carbon swing arm will fit, but some fabrication is needed. They show up on Ebay occasionally, I got one unused for $15. The bushings require some work to fit, though. The Tiara I'm working on is weighing 26 lbs. as currently mocked-up with the carbon swing arm. Only things not on it right now are chain, front seat mount and cables.

Most other swing arms will fit if the derailleur post height is short enough.

Doug

 

[Andrew 1973]

@Doug
I found a shop not to

@Doug

I found a shop not to far from Columbia, SC that does heat treating, but I never inquired what it would cost to do a one-off order. I'm guessing it might be cost prohibitive.

I have at this time abandoned the idea of a conversion and have plans to buy a used Sofrider and if all goes well, I want to upgrade to the Silvio in the Spring.