Schwinn mountain bike
 

I picked up this old bike that needs some work, I am new to this. It is a Schwinn High Plains team issue 21 speed. ( I cant find a serial # in all of the places mentioned) possibly 1990-92, anyway It needs tires and tubes, The rims are 26 X 1.5/ 1.75 but the tires are 26 x 1.95, I think I should go smaller because I cant get the wheel out without loosening the brake. Will any brand work with the correct measurements?

Needing to loosen the brake to remove the wheel is normal. You do not need smaller tires. https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair...d-installation

I'm assuming it's either on cantilever or v-brakes. Either one needs to be unhooked to remove a wheel. That's normal. Whatever you do, don't loosen the cable to remove the wheel.

26x1.95 is a good size for that era of bike. Maybe even a tad bigger if it matters to you.

+1 maybe up to 26x2.2

Good pickup, Schwinn bikes were LBS bikes back in the day I think so that is not a bad ride. You'll have fun with some decent tires, brakes and shifty bits.

I’m nearly positive my ‘92 High Plains came with 26x2.125 knobby tires when I got it back in the day. The catalog shows it coming with 26x1.95 though. I’m running 26x1.5 tires on it now since it’s primarily a neighborhood cruiser for rides with my son.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...62493f850.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e3eeda033.jpeg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...94b7899c2.jpeg
Edit for anyone else wondering about tire sizes:

Now running 26x2.2 Kenda Small Block 8 tires (K1047-009) 54-559 on Araya VP-20 1.5 rims. Tires measure 2 1/8” wide. They fit, but make the bike sit higher so that the OEM kickstand(I know, I know) is now too short and the bike falls over. So maybe mine came with 26x1.95 tires after all. Not a lot of room between the front fork and tire. I’m not sure anything much bigger than 26x2.2 would fit without rubbing the frame. There’s more room between the back tire and the frame. Absolutely no issues removing wheels with these tires since the cantilever brakes swing open so wide.
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f32cfdce.jpeg
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9af137cc3.jpeg

Double check your brakes. On my bike in both the front and back, with the stock parts, the cable can be unhooked, allowing that side to flop over freely and allowing ample room to get the wheels off.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f1526fde.jpeg

I recently picked up a Men's Schwinn High Plains 27.5" Team Issue 21 Speed Mountain Bike in really decent condition, along with a Boy's Kent Abyss Freestyle PRO18FS BMX Bicycle. Got the pair for an absolute steal, at $22.00 from Thrift Store. Neither one even requires any work. The Schwinn even has solid, new looking tires.

^^^This. Squeeze the two side of the brakes together and that end shown above should lift right out. Congrats on your new (to you) bike.

Cool story bro

Traded Bianchi for Schwinn
 

The Lynx just wasn't ffg doing it for me. So I sold it for more than I paid. It's amazing what an hour with a toothbrush and some aluminum foil can do.Now l have found a Schwinn Hurricane 1993 for half what the Lynx cost me.
Great Black/Red paint needs the usual, chain, tubes and loving. Is 1993 considered vintage?
Gonna sit Next to my IBoc Will post pictures when its not shamed by what Im seeing on here. Inspiration

Nice

Seatpost diameter?
 

I have a High Plains - dark blue, white writing, perhaps '91? - in not perfect condition, and with some parts missing.
the seatpost is missing and the internal of the seat tube is worn and splayed at the mouth.
I notice on the above spec sheet that the seatpost diameter is omitted... So, can anyone help me? Is there a standard diameter for the early 90s, what have you got on yours?
F

The High Plains was manufactured in Japan, and IMO was a high quality bike even if the geometry doesn't fit today's standard. I ran one with a 1000w, 52V e-system and it was stable at 35 mph on flat terrain, then reverted back to "normal" and my son rides it.

I’ll try to measure the seatpost on mine tomorrow and let you know.

if no one answers here try in the classic and vintage forum. This bike predates the arrival of the suspension forks that offend them so

Thank you for the pointer. 👊

This would be super. Thanks so much.

From Sheldon Browns seatpost data base: Schwinn High Plains,1990, 26.0, 25.4 also reported

Seatpost on mine shows Ø 26.6 and caliper measurement for the portion that goes into the tube also indicates 26.6mm, or about 1 1/16”. Nearly positive I have a ‘92 model. Pictures above in this thread if you need to compare.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a6a171f4a.jpeg