I was flipping through my 1987 Bicycling Buyer's Guide issue again last night (yes, I flip through these old mags quite often all to bring you, valued blog reader, interesting tidbits of information.) and I ran across this advertisement for the 1987 Schwinn Circuit.
The '87 Circuit was (is) a pretty sweet bike. Black Columbus SL (three main tubes presumably) frame with chrome (re: bling bling) stays, Suntour Sprint 9000 Accushift group, Dia Compe Royal Compe brakes, black anodized rims. Nice. It was dressed very similarly to my '87 Allez SE, but I'd have to say my Allez was one up on the Circuit mainly because it sports anodized chainrings that I think are the cat's pajamas. But I digress.
If you remember in a previous post, I was musing on the origins of the Rigida HLC2000 rims that came on my '88 Circuit. Well, I haven't found any 'new' information, but I may have solved the mysterious origins of the rims. The '87 Circuit ad above advertises "Hard Anodized Rigid (sic) HLC 2000 aero dynamic rim". This is odd, considering the specs in the 87 Buyer's Guide and also the catalog page provided by the good folks at trfindley.com both spec Araya rims. I guess this proves two things: 1) Schwinn did indeed OEM Rigida HLC2000 rims, at least for the 1987 Circuit, and 2) Schwinn, like every other bike maker, doesn't always follow catalog spec to the letter.
I would guess that the advertisement for the 1987 Circuit, spec'ing the Rigida rims went to press first. Perhaps Rigida had supply problems getting the rims to Schwinn and they modified their catalog to spec Araya rims instead. Later, the Rigida HLC2000's probably finally made their way down to Greenville, and stuck with a surplus of rims, they stuck the remaining Rigidas on a few of the earliest '88 Circuits that came off the production line. That, of course, is just pure speculation. The date code stamped on the head badge of my Circuit, "0338", indicates that it was built in the early part of 1988 (33rd day of year ending in '8', or Feb 2, 1988), which would seem to lend a shred of credence to that theory.
Anyone want to chime in on what kind of rims they've found on their Circuits and the date codes on the badges?
The '87 Circuit was (is) a pretty sweet bike. Black Columbus SL (three main tubes presumably) frame with chrome (re: bling bling) stays, Suntour Sprint 9000 Accushift group, Dia Compe Royal Compe brakes, black anodized rims. Nice. It was dressed very similarly to my '87 Allez SE, but I'd have to say my Allez was one up on the Circuit mainly because it sports anodized chainrings that I think are the cat's pajamas. But I digress.
If you remember in a previous post, I was musing on the origins of the Rigida HLC2000 rims that came on my '88 Circuit. Well, I haven't found any 'new' information, but I may have solved the mysterious origins of the rims. The '87 Circuit ad above advertises "Hard Anodized Rigid (sic) HLC 2000 aero dynamic rim". This is odd, considering the specs in the 87 Buyer's Guide and also the catalog page provided by the good folks at trfindley.com both spec Araya rims. I guess this proves two things: 1) Schwinn did indeed OEM Rigida HLC2000 rims, at least for the 1987 Circuit, and 2) Schwinn, like every other bike maker, doesn't always follow catalog spec to the letter.
I would guess that the advertisement for the 1987 Circuit, spec'ing the Rigida rims went to press first. Perhaps Rigida had supply problems getting the rims to Schwinn and they modified their catalog to spec Araya rims instead. Later, the Rigida HLC2000's probably finally made their way down to Greenville, and stuck with a surplus of rims, they stuck the remaining Rigidas on a few of the earliest '88 Circuits that came off the production line. That, of course, is just pure speculation. The date code stamped on the head badge of my Circuit, "0338", indicates that it was built in the early part of 1988 (33rd day of year ending in '8', or Feb 2, 1988), which would seem to lend a shred of credence to that theory.
Anyone want to chime in on what kind of rims they've found on their Circuits and the date codes on the badges?
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteI pulled a Schwinn Circuit off the neighbor's trash pile and it had the Rigida rims on it. Thanks for the info, I looked at the scans and was a bit confused.
I am at work so I can't check the date code, but i'll update after I do.
Kyle
frost.kyle@gmail.com
Sweet find! I wish my neighbor threw out trash like that! Post the date code when you get it and let me know if you need any help getting that bad boy in rideable condition again. Thanks for the post!
ReplyDeleteOkay, the code on the headtube is 2117. I was pretty happy when I saw it in the trash, the rear wheel was taco-ed which is what sent me looking for info. on the Rigida rims. Any luck finding a source for replacements?
ReplyDeleteThe frame itself is in good shape, but the stem is stuck solid. I'll break out some chemicals and have another go at it.
My 87 Circuit has a head badge stamped 1896 and has the catalog spec Araya ADX-1W rims.
ReplyDeleteI guess they either used older frames (Super Sport had similar specs) or started pumping out Circuits earlier because the BB s/n is SF6xxxxx which corroborates the '86 head badge.
Hey, your Circuit's birthday is coming up! ;)
ReplyDeleteI guess it wouldn't be unheard of for "next year's" model showing up in late summer of the current model year, esp. considering that the Circuit was an all-new model for '87. I only have a handful of serials sent in by readers, but yours is the first that didn't match the model year of the bike.
That's great info, though. At least we know the earliest 87 Circuits got the Arayas before switching to the Rigidas later on.
Rigida Rims, Date Stamp 1987 which is somewhat of a coincidence. I assume it was made July 17th in 1987.
ReplyDeleteOwner of the 1869 date stamp here: Tracked down an issue of Bicycle Guide that reviewed the first model year of the Circuit. Their review model is a spitting image of the 1987 catalog spec model, complete with Araya aero rims.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/706849-Show-off-your-late-1980-s-Schwinn-road-bike-HERE?p=14374488&viewfull=1#post14374488
Old posting, but someone might want to know. I was working in a local bike shop that summer, and purchased a Circuit at cost (which I still have). The 87 Circuits had a few running changes made that year, based on what we received. There were two different rims as mentioned that came on them. Two different pedal sets (Suntour Spint and another brand I can't remember), and they also made a change in the Sprint derailleurs from friction to indexed. Mine has the friction shifters.
ReplyDeleteMy date stamp is 1427 and I have the Rigida rims. Purchased bike in May, 1988.
ReplyDeleteMy circuit has badge code of 1607 and has the rigida hlc 2000.
ReplyDelete