In my post "Beauty Among The Ruins", you may have noticed a bike I haven't previously mentioned or shown on this blog.
It's a 1966 Schwinn Collegiate. So what was it doing in that post?
You guessed it--I now own the bike.
This bike comes with a Bendix coaster brake. Now, if you know anything about Schwinns from that period, you'd know that is unusual.
You see, Collegiates came as three-speeds (with a Sturmey Archer hub) or five-speeds (with a Schwinn-approved rear derailleur, which was a rebadged Huret Allvit). In 1966, nearly all derailleur-equipped bicycles came with downtube shifters. That is the reason for the boss on the downtube--which can be used only with Huret shifters.
At some point, someone turned it into a single-speed. Interestingly, the wheel is what would have been stock on the Schwinn Breeze, which was, in essence, a Collegiate with a single-speed coaster brake.
It even has the chainguard! And, in those days, Schwinn welded on fittings for accessories like chainguards--as well as cable guides (which are found on this bike), shifter bosses--and kickstands!
The bike is a tank. I'd forgotten how heavy these Schwinn "lightweight" models were. Even at that time, I still don't understand how Schwinn could have called this--or almost any bike in their lineup save for the Paramount or Superior--"lightweight" with a straight face. This Collegiate must weigh at least twice as much as my heaviest Mercian!
But I think I'm going to keep it for local errands or as a loaner. I'm probably going to put a basket on it. And I'll definitely change the seat: It's something I'd never ride, and it's not the original, or anything like it.
I didn't pay much for it. And, if you've been reading this blog, you know the answer to this question: Would I turn down a bike with a color like that?
It's a bit small for me. But at least there was enough seat post to get something like a fit. If I keep those bars (the originals), I might go for a stem with a longer extension. And I'll need to change the tires: The current ones are dry and cracking. But I don't want to change much else: This bike is made to take a beating. And, although I don't intend to do a perfect 1966-style restoration on it, I don't plan on turning it into a Frankenbike, either.
It's a 1966 Schwinn Collegiate. So what was it doing in that post?
You guessed it--I now own the bike.
This bike comes with a Bendix coaster brake. Now, if you know anything about Schwinns from that period, you'd know that is unusual.
You see, Collegiates came as three-speeds (with a Sturmey Archer hub) or five-speeds (with a Schwinn-approved rear derailleur, which was a rebadged Huret Allvit). In 1966, nearly all derailleur-equipped bicycles came with downtube shifters. That is the reason for the boss on the downtube--which can be used only with Huret shifters.
At some point, someone turned it into a single-speed. Interestingly, the wheel is what would have been stock on the Schwinn Breeze, which was, in essence, a Collegiate with a single-speed coaster brake.
It even has the chainguard! And, in those days, Schwinn welded on fittings for accessories like chainguards--as well as cable guides (which are found on this bike), shifter bosses--and kickstands!
The bike is a tank. I'd forgotten how heavy these Schwinn "lightweight" models were. Even at that time, I still don't understand how Schwinn could have called this--or almost any bike in their lineup save for the Paramount or Superior--"lightweight" with a straight face. This Collegiate must weigh at least twice as much as my heaviest Mercian!
But I think I'm going to keep it for local errands or as a loaner. I'm probably going to put a basket on it. And I'll definitely change the seat: It's something I'd never ride, and it's not the original, or anything like it.
I didn't pay much for it. And, if you've been reading this blog, you know the answer to this question: Would I turn down a bike with a color like that?
It's a bit small for me. But at least there was enough seat post to get something like a fit. If I keep those bars (the originals), I might go for a stem with a longer extension. And I'll need to change the tires: The current ones are dry and cracking. But I don't want to change much else: This bike is made to take a beating. And, although I don't intend to do a perfect 1966-style restoration on it, I don't plan on turning it into a Frankenbike, either.
