114 miles on a ~1970 Schwinn Continental. Rule number 5....
05-25-20, 09:14 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,305
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3463 Post(s)
Liked 2,826 Times
in
1,994 Posts
Creative rack
Likes For repechage:
05-25-20, 09:34 AM
#27
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
$165 is a lot of money for this bike but it's not a crazy price given that it's NYC and pandemic pricing.
The riding in the Catskills is very fine. I'd check out some of the local clubs and see if you can get their routes. I know the Mid Hudson bike club does some riding there. Also check out the Gunks for bike riding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawangunk_Ridge
The riding in the Catskills is very fine. I'd check out some of the local clubs and see if you can get their routes. I know the Mid Hudson bike club does some riding there. Also check out the Gunks for bike riding.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawangunk_Ridge
05-25-20, 11:19 AM
#28
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,322
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3895 Post(s)
Liked 4,821 Times
in
2,226 Posts
Great post!
Good ride.
Heavy wooden boxes? Oh well, we all have our weaknesses and fetishes. How about a wooden or bamboo DIY frame kit. Something to really stick your saw into.
Good ride.
Heavy wooden boxes? Oh well, we all have our weaknesses and fetishes. How about a wooden or bamboo DIY frame kit. Something to really stick your saw into.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
05-25-20, 03:07 PM
#29
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
Its probably 2 pounds or so, not bad considering the weight of the bike itself, but I'll probably take it off the bike and cut a bunch of holes in it this week to lighten it up for next weekends ride.
I've seen a few around, they're neat, but if I was going to build a frame it would be steel, likely lugged, but maybe brazed.
I've seen a few around, they're neat, but if I was going to build a frame it would be steel, likely lugged, but maybe brazed.
05-25-20, 03:22 PM
#30
Banned.
I had a friend that rode his Continental from the Detroit area to Upstate NY and back with his clothes and a view camera to attend photography school.
05-25-20, 04:31 PM
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,736
Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1
Mentioned: 109 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 937 Post(s)
Liked 2,909 Times
in
972 Posts
Un-be-freakin-lievable! Connect with noglider. He'll show you some hills upstate.
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
Likes For ascherer:
05-25-20, 04:37 PM
#32
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,431
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Mentioned: 178 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5885 Post(s)
Liked 3,468 Times
in
2,078 Posts
Likes For bikemig:
05-25-20, 06:56 PM
#33
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
Un-be-freakin-lievable! Connect with noglider. He'll show you some hills upstate.
I wish I had a drill press and some hole saws on this jobsite! I'll do some cool straight line cut weight reduction though :-)
05-31-20, 07:17 PM
#34
Recovering Bikeaholic
The 70 Continental screams nostalgia from my wonder years growing up in Montclair NJ, where we all rode Schwinns. That bike was built to last 100 years. And your custom wooden rack screams "no spandex or Strava here, baby"... Just pure cycling experience, pure JOY!
Bravo, Jack....BRAVO 😎👍🌄
Likes For montclairbobbyb:
06-01-20, 08:12 AM
#35
Recovering Bikeaholic
06-01-20, 10:57 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 638
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 346 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 393 Times
in
257 Posts
They are extremely durable bicycles that are fine riders if you do not mind the weight.
It appears that yours may have the GT-120 (shimano built for schwinn that was factory equipment on the FIVE Speed Suburban and Collegiate) which the Chicago production line would sometimes install on Continentals and Varsitys when the immediate supply of the junky Huret Alvit-schwinn approved model was out.
THAT IS THE ONLY ESSENTIAL NECESSARY UPGRADE ON ANCIENT SCHWINN VARSITY and SCHWINN CONTINENTALS, AS THE HURET ALVIT IS TRASH COMPARED TO maeda SUNTOUR, Shimano Lark, -Skylark-, Eagle and any other Shimano rear derailleurs of that era, including the GT-100 (made for Schwinn and original equipment on 1970 Collegiate five speed and 1970 to very early 1974 Collegiates and FIVE Speed Suburbans, and the GT-120 ( from Feb 1974 on Collegiate/5speedSuburban).
The ONE PIECE ashtabula forged steel crank is a marvel of simplicity and durability. Any 11 year old kid can learn to service the #64 caged bottom bracket bearings in twenty minutes. The Schwinn 39 / 52 front crankwheel with its integrated pants leg chainguard is very practical. Heck Yeah, it is all WEIGHT adding but what the heck because it never pretended to be a lightweight although it was characterized by SCHWINN as in the "LIGHTWEIGHT" category in the context of Schwinn's everyday economical mass production bicycles from the Chicago facility. Compared to the beach cruisers without balloon tires which were called middleweights and the heavier balloon tire bikes which were classified as heavyweights.
It is great to see someone enjoying a vintage Schwinn.
These old electroforged Schwinn bikes are much better than most folks realize.
These old bikes have incredible utility value as a simple basic bicycle with supreme durability, even if they have no market value.
STAY THIN, RIDE A SCHWINN..................that huge amount of extra weight will just add to your exercise regimen.
Ride On!
It appears that yours may have the GT-120 (shimano built for schwinn that was factory equipment on the FIVE Speed Suburban and Collegiate) which the Chicago production line would sometimes install on Continentals and Varsitys when the immediate supply of the junky Huret Alvit-schwinn approved model was out.
THAT IS THE ONLY ESSENTIAL NECESSARY UPGRADE ON ANCIENT SCHWINN VARSITY and SCHWINN CONTINENTALS, AS THE HURET ALVIT IS TRASH COMPARED TO maeda SUNTOUR, Shimano Lark, -Skylark-, Eagle and any other Shimano rear derailleurs of that era, including the GT-100 (made for Schwinn and original equipment on 1970 Collegiate five speed and 1970 to very early 1974 Collegiates and FIVE Speed Suburbans, and the GT-120 ( from Feb 1974 on Collegiate/5speedSuburban).
The ONE PIECE ashtabula forged steel crank is a marvel of simplicity and durability. Any 11 year old kid can learn to service the #64 caged bottom bracket bearings in twenty minutes. The Schwinn 39 / 52 front crankwheel with its integrated pants leg chainguard is very practical. Heck Yeah, it is all WEIGHT adding but what the heck because it never pretended to be a lightweight although it was characterized by SCHWINN as in the "LIGHTWEIGHT" category in the context of Schwinn's everyday economical mass production bicycles from the Chicago facility. Compared to the beach cruisers without balloon tires which were called middleweights and the heavier balloon tire bikes which were classified as heavyweights.
It is great to see someone enjoying a vintage Schwinn.
These old electroforged Schwinn bikes are much better than most folks realize.
These old bikes have incredible utility value as a simple basic bicycle with supreme durability, even if they have no market value.
STAY THIN, RIDE A SCHWINN..................that huge amount of extra weight will just add to your exercise regimen.
Ride On!
Likes For Vintage Schwinn:
06-02-20, 11:08 AM
#37
Junior Member
This is interesting to me because I am the proud owner of the worlds heaviest light-weight bike, the Schwinn Varsity. My neighbor, who collected Schwinn Stingray bikes left it out for trash pickup when he moved. He decided that it was not worth is time trying to sell it. It was in near perfect mechanical and cosmetic appearance and was my size. I just finished up work on my Puch, and it was going to be my next project. All it really needs is adjustments, cleaning and new brake pads. This was the bike when I was growing up in the 70's and I think it will be fun to ride. This thread really made me want to get it back up and running!
Likes For Crazier Dave:
06-10-20, 08:40 AM
#38
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
They are extremely durable bicycles that are fine riders if you do not mind the weight.
It appears that yours may have the GT-120 (shimano built for schwinn that was factory equipment on the FIVE Speed Suburban and Collegiate) which the Chicago production line would sometimes install on Continentals and Varsitys when the immediate supply of the junky Huret Alvit-schwinn approved model was out.
THAT IS THE ONLY ESSENTIAL NECESSARY UPGRADE ON ANCIENT SCHWINN VARSITY and SCHWINN CONTINENTALS, AS THE HURET ALVIT IS TRASH COMPARED TO maeda SUNTOUR, Shimano Lark, -Skylark-, Eagle and any other Shimano rear derailleurs of that era, including the GT-100 (made for Schwinn and original equipment on 1970 Collegiate five speed and 1970 to very early 1974 Collegiates and FIVE Speed Suburbans, and the GT-120 ( from Feb 1974 on Collegiate/5speedSuburban).
The ONE PIECE ashtabula forged steel crank is a marvel of simplicity and durability. Any 11 year old kid can learn to service the #64 caged bottom bracket bearings in twenty minutes. The Schwinn 39 / 52 front crankwheel with its integrated pants leg chainguard is very practical. Heck Yeah, it is all WEIGHT adding but what the heck because it never pretended to be a lightweight although it was characterized by SCHWINN as in the "LIGHTWEIGHT" category in the context of Schwinn's everyday economical mass production bicycles from the Chicago facility. Compared to the beach cruisers without balloon tires which were called middleweights and the heavier balloon tire bikes which were classified as heavyweights.
It is great to see someone enjoying a vintage Schwinn.
These old electroforged Schwinn bikes are much better than most folks realize.
These old bikes have incredible utility value as a simple basic bicycle with supreme durability, even if they have no market value.
STAY THIN, RIDE A SCHWINN..................that huge amount of extra weight will just add to your exercise regimen.
Ride On!
It appears that yours may have the GT-120 (shimano built for schwinn that was factory equipment on the FIVE Speed Suburban and Collegiate) which the Chicago production line would sometimes install on Continentals and Varsitys when the immediate supply of the junky Huret Alvit-schwinn approved model was out.
THAT IS THE ONLY ESSENTIAL NECESSARY UPGRADE ON ANCIENT SCHWINN VARSITY and SCHWINN CONTINENTALS, AS THE HURET ALVIT IS TRASH COMPARED TO maeda SUNTOUR, Shimano Lark, -Skylark-, Eagle and any other Shimano rear derailleurs of that era, including the GT-100 (made for Schwinn and original equipment on 1970 Collegiate five speed and 1970 to very early 1974 Collegiates and FIVE Speed Suburbans, and the GT-120 ( from Feb 1974 on Collegiate/5speedSuburban).
The ONE PIECE ashtabula forged steel crank is a marvel of simplicity and durability. Any 11 year old kid can learn to service the #64 caged bottom bracket bearings in twenty minutes. The Schwinn 39 / 52 front crankwheel with its integrated pants leg chainguard is very practical. Heck Yeah, it is all WEIGHT adding but what the heck because it never pretended to be a lightweight although it was characterized by SCHWINN as in the "LIGHTWEIGHT" category in the context of Schwinn's everyday economical mass production bicycles from the Chicago facility. Compared to the beach cruisers without balloon tires which were called middleweights and the heavier balloon tire bikes which were classified as heavyweights.
It is great to see someone enjoying a vintage Schwinn.
These old electroforged Schwinn bikes are much better than most folks realize.
These old bikes have incredible utility value as a simple basic bicycle with supreme durability, even if they have no market value.
STAY THIN, RIDE A SCHWINN..................that huge amount of extra weight will just add to your exercise regimen.
Ride On!
Stay thin, ride a schwinn!! Thats so good! I'm totally fine with the extra exercise, I primarily ride bikes to deprive my brain of oxygen as thats the best way to show it who is actually in charge! I love fast/light/efficient bikes as well, but I can totally appreciate most any bike :-)
My laptop quit on my while I was out east, I'm back home now on an old laptop. I did not get out the following weekend due to circumstances out of my control :-(
My project manager lives not too far from where I was working in New Jersey and I was able to leave the bike at his house so at some point in the future I will be putting down some more rides on this bike!
I didn't check, but I believe the pedals have 1/2" spindels, yea? I'd love to bring out some clipless pedals, but 1/2" SPD pedals are something that I have not been able to find anywhere when I looked for some for my Dahon that has 1/2" pedals on it. Maybe I should buy some dies and attempt to rethread pedal spinleds now that I think I need 2 sets of them. I'm sure pedal spindle steel is very hard, so I'm not sure how much sucess I'll have, hmmm....
06-10-20, 08:43 AM
#39
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
Ditto...Jack you are the pure deal, bro!
The 70 Continental screams nostalgia from my wonder years growing up in Montclair NJ, where we all rode Schwinns. That bike was built to last 100 years. And your custom wooden rack screams "no spandex or Strava here, baby"... Just pure cycling experience, pure JOY!
Bravo, Jack....BRAVO 😎👍🌄
The 70 Continental screams nostalgia from my wonder years growing up in Montclair NJ, where we all rode Schwinns. That bike was built to last 100 years. And your custom wooden rack screams "no spandex or Strava here, baby"... Just pure cycling experience, pure JOY!
Bravo, Jack....BRAVO 😎👍🌄
I was actually working in Orange New Jersey last fall and would eat at a couple Vegan restaurants up in Montclair a couple times a week when I was there!
06-10-20, 08:59 AM
#40
minimalist cyclist
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,745
Bikes: yes please
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1119 Post(s)
Liked 1,638 Times
in
943 Posts
missed this thread until today. Great story and 100+ miles on a Continental is a "character builder" for sure. You're a better man for it 
I love my all original '75 and it does better on group rides than I expected, as long as it's not a hammer-fest night.
06-10-20, 09:12 AM
#41
Advocate
I remember in Jr. High when most kids were riding a Varsity, the Continental was the envy of all. Rich kids rode Continentals.
06-10-20, 02:07 PM
#42
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
I figured with the crimped chains stay to drop out connection it was a lower end bike, the brass fillet on the DT and TT connection to the head tube of course takes some labor and says its higher end though.
06-10-20, 02:23 PM
#43
Junior Member
Thanks for the explanation. I have a Varsity that is in very good condition. How would I identify which derailleur I have?
06-10-20, 03:02 PM
#44
Advocate
There were some kids who rode Raleigh Grand Prix that also seemed upscale. But that's about it. Schwinns and Raleighs. Probably represented the only two bike shops in town!
06-10-20, 03:45 PM
#45
Junior Member
When I was a kid there were Schwinns and Raleighs that came from dedicated bike stores and their were department store bikes. There was a store call Blalock Cycle in Wheaton Md that sold both bike and motorcycles. I loved to go there to look at the motorcycles but I can't remember what bikes they sold. I don't think it was until the 70's that started to see more brands and varied bike stores. By the 80's it was booming.
Dave
Dave
06-10-20, 05:27 PM
#46
Senior Member
Y'know, if any BF member happens to need a bike to ride for a visit to the West-side Cleveland OH/Lorain County area, I've got four to choose from. BUT they're all the same size, and outfitted the same.. You wanna ride - you ride what I like, LOL!
All are 23"/57cm frame, all have SunTour friction-shift barcons, and six speed freewheels. they're all wearing 13-21- or 13-24s because it is relatively flat here, but I've got several other freewheels to choose from - 13-18 straight blocks to 13-28.. and spare new chain as needed to accommodate...
Hmmmm..... Maybe we should have a sticky post for 'Loaner bike available' and give location and bike(s) available... Describe bike.post pic, etc...
'75 Fuji S-10S
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo (pic before modifications)
'86 Miyata 710
__________________
All are 23"/57cm frame, all have SunTour friction-shift barcons, and six speed freewheels. they're all wearing 13-21- or 13-24s because it is relatively flat here, but I've got several other freewheels to choose from - 13-18 straight blocks to 13-28.. and spare new chain as needed to accommodate...
Hmmmm..... Maybe we should have a sticky post for 'Loaner bike available' and give location and bike(s) available... Describe bike.post pic, etc...
'75 Fuji S-10S
'84 Univega Viva Sport
'84 Univega Gran Tourismo (pic before modifications)
'86 Miyata 710
__________________
Last edited by Cougrrcj; 06-12-20 at 12:15 PM.
Likes For Cougrrcj:
06-10-20, 06:18 PM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 4,624
Bikes: iele Latina, Miele Suprema, Miele Uno LS, Miele Miele Beta, MMTB, Bianchi Model Unknown, Fiori Venezia, Fiori Napoli, VeloSport Adamas AX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1324 Post(s)
Liked 927 Times
in
640 Posts
Btw, if you want to lower the seatpost any time in the future you can turn that seatclamp upside down too.
Cheers
Cheers
06-10-20, 11:53 PM
#48
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
Y'know, if any BF member happens to need a bike to ride for a visit to the West-side Cleveland OH/Lorain County area, I've got four to choose from. BUT they're all the same size, and outfitted the same.. You wanna ride - you ride what I like, LOL!
All are 23"/57cm frame, all have SunTour friction-shift barcons, and six speed freewheels. they're all wearing 13-21- or 13-24s because it is relatively flat here, but I've got several other freewheels to choose from - 13-18 straight blocks to 13-28.. and spare new chain as needed to accommodate...
Hmmmm..... Maybe we should have a sticky post for 'Loaner bike available' and give location and bike(s) available... Describe bike.post pic, etc...
All are 23"/57cm frame, all have SunTour friction-shift barcons, and six speed freewheels. they're all wearing 13-21- or 13-24s because it is relatively flat here, but I've got several other freewheels to choose from - 13-18 straight blocks to 13-28.. and spare new chain as needed to accommodate...
Hmmmm..... Maybe we should have a sticky post for 'Loaner bike available' and give location and bike(s) available... Describe bike.post pic, etc...
I do remember doing that a few times when I worked in a bike shop as a kid! This bike as it is actually fits me pretty well, I should drop the stem a bit probably, but the laid back seat angle combined with my moving the seat way forward got the reach about right and the "effective" seat angle certainly feels in the ball park of my more modern bikes.
06-11-20, 05:57 AM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 511
Bikes: 1970s Coppi/Fiorelli beater, 1973 Raleigh Competition, 1972 Bob Jackson, 1970 Cilo Sprint-X, 1985 Fuji Touring Series IV, 1969 Legnano Roma
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 217 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
129 Posts
I flew out east for work, and there was supposed to be a better bike waiting for me, but there wasn't, and there has been a massive rush on any low priced bikes out here, CL has almost nothing and bike shops have sold ~%70 of everything in the store, its insane, this was all I could come up with, and, you'd fall over dead or laughing or both if I told you how much it cost! But I can't not have a bike for 3 weeks! I'm making my boss pay for it!
Likes For niliraga:
06-11-20, 06:47 AM
#50
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Portland Oregon
Posts: 996
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 457 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times
in
270 Posts
I'm 5' 11" with arms and legs that are a bit short for my height, 56 cm to 58 cm fit me pretty well. I am back home now, but will likely be back in NY/NJ later this summer, a bike loan would be great! Getting on something with aluminum rims would be certainly be nice compared to the steel rims on the Continental!
