jcrouse

There is a 3 spd. (were they all 3 spds?) Collegiate for sale that I'm curious about. I'm just looking for a bike to get back and fourth to work. It is only a 2 mile ride each way. I just want a decent solid bike. It looks to have cotterless cranks in the picture that was posted but it is hard to tell. Would this be a good candidate to convert to a fixed gear? Where did these fall into the Schwinn lineup?

Thanks for any info.

Joe C.

alanbikehouston

There are two versions of the Collegiate. There is the version built in Chicago until about 1982. That version used a one piece steel crank, steel rims, and weighed about thirty-nine pounds. A durable, reliable bike. However, it used a 26 inch tire that was a Schwinn-only size. ( The Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 S-6...597mm) Not a tire that every LBS stocks, but you can get them mail order from Harris Cyclery (www.sheldonbrown.com).

Around 1983 or 1984, Schwinn began importing a "new" Collegiate from Taiwan. It uses a three piece crank, AND it uses the "industry-standard" 26 inch tires are easily found. (590 mm) It has a lugged steel frame and lugged steel fork with attractive pinstriping to accent the lug work. The combination of lugged frame, modern light-weight parts and high quality workmanship make the "new" Collegiate one of the best three-speed bikes I've seen. It weighs around 34 pounds, including full fenders. Add a rear rack, and you would have a terrific "grocery getter".

If someone was gonna obsess about weight, the fenders could be removed, and a lighter seat post and lighter handlebars put on. Probably get the bike down to around 29 pounds...much lighter than the "classic" three speeds of the 1960's and 1970's.

doglhunt

Mine is a 5-speed.circa 1974.I thought about fitting an adaptor and installing a modern light crankset.I don't know what that friggin crank weighs but I wouldn't want to drop it on my foot!i also heard that 700c rims can be made to fit.

Pompiere

My wife has had one of the Chicago built 5 speed Collegiates for about 25 years. If you have a bike shop that sold schwinn throughout the years, they may still stock the correct tires, or will order them. Our lbs usually has them in stock, in various sizes.
We have both the Collegiate and a Breeze that have sidewalls marked 26 x 1 3/8, but the Collegiate tires look like narrow lightweight tires, while the Breeze tires are nearly as fat as American middleweight tires.

fritz1255

So to fit a Schwinn, do I only need to look for 26 x 1&3/8 tires, or is there some type of submodel that only applies to Schwinns? My wife's ancient Schwinn Collegiate 5-speed has one newer tire that does not look like it fits well at all. When I get back home (currently on a business trip), I'll investigate and look at replacing the poor-fitting tire. And this thing weighs about 40 lbs as well - a struggle to get it up on the hook in the basement.

USAZorro

I'm not a Schwinn expert, but I seem to recall hearing that 26" x 1-3/8" is what much of the rest of the bicycling world uses, and that Schwinn's actually use what they call 26" x 1.375" (or quite possibly I got this backwards). These are two different sizes (defies logic, but what can I say). I'm sure someone who knows more about Schwinns could either confirm, or set this straight.

Sierra

There were two sizes of 26 x 1 3/8. The Schwinn size had a 597mm bead seat diameter and is labeled to fit Schwinn S-5 & S-6 rims, or EA1 rims.

Most other manufacturers used a tire with a 590mm bead seat diameter and is labeled to fit an EA3 rim.

BobHufford

Eric,

You better not let the other "Schwinn People" hear you speaking that "mm" language. ;-)

Bob "Fractions Only" Hufford
Springfield, MO

Sierra

Hah!!, so Bob, have you ever heard this spec expressed in inches and fractions?

BobHufford

Heh -- you got me there! Only as an "S" and a whole number I guess (among us Schwinn folk).

Bob

mswantak

That'd be 23 1/2" and a shade under 23 1/4". Dunno what it is in rods and furlongs.

BobHufford

Sorry -- I guess the diameter was always called 26" even. I meant the width was always expressed as a fraction in Schwinn terms. Excuse my addled brain -- it's been a hard morning as I've had to decide to sell off my bike collection today.

Bob

USAZorro

That's bad news. What happened?

BobHufford

Property taxes, 80% increase in natural gas prices, $300 per month in new migraine medication, first kid in college, etc., ... (everyone know's that Dad's toys are the most easily liquidated).

Tight budget, meager bike collection -- it was bound to happen.

Bob

Sierra

Hang on tight to that Paramount Bob! Don't let "she who must be obeyed" talk you out of that one.

BobHufford

That's the easy money though as I don't have much tied up in it.

I can rationalize not owning it. Let's see ... I don't ride it much. I'm too fat for it. I can't ever afford to restore it (it does have quite a few paint chips). It's just a bike -- I can get 75% of the ride for 10% of the cost down at the local thrift ... (oh, somebody just shoot me ... never mind, I'm not well insured either)

Bob (I'm depressed -- can I go home now?)

bitsnpieces1

Check with sheldonbrown.com for a good explanation. Essentially there is a Schwinnn 26x1 3/8 " tire and there are everybody elses' 26x1 3/8 " tire and they are not the same. The Schwinn equals a 26x1 1/4 " of everybody elses. You probably would be able to relace with regular 26x1 3/8" rims.

cudak888 

I'll make you a deal Bob - I'll do better then the thrift/pawn shop's offer of 10% it's value...I'll offer you 15% of it's value...a deal not to be missed, take advantage of it, Bob!

-Kurt

Rabid Koala

Bob, I am really sorry to hear that. You are right about Dad's stuff being the first to go. I had to sell my prized 1970 Rover 3500 several years back to afford to re-roof the house. Easy come, easy go......

bitsnpieces1

Just got back from the Schwinn shop in town. got two Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 tires. Marked as follows:

( 37-597 ) 26 x 1 3/8 x 1 1/4 fits 26 x 1 1/4 staright side EA-1 English & Schwinn S-6 rims. $12.00 each.
SO, I guess you could buy some English EA-1 26 x 1 1/4 tires and they would fit your Schwinn rim.

cudak888 

Not exactly. See my reply on the subject in your tyre size post:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2589071post2589071

Take care,

-Kurt

bitsnpieces1

Yes and then check my reply to that. The Schwinn 26 x 1 3/8 tire is approximately equivalent to the English 26 x 1 1/4 tire that fits a EA-1 STRAIGHT WALL rim. The ones I have specifically state they can be used on such a rim. You should be able to get the 26 x 1 3/8 tire if there is a Schwinn dealer around. The pair I got yesterday cost me $12.00 (+ tax) each. Otherwise, you might try the English 26 x 1 1/4 tire. Just be aware that the Schwinns are NOT standard 26 x 1 3/8.

DynamicD74

I'm so sorry! Hopefully, another solution will turn up before that happens! Good Luck!

zowie

So, I've got one with the "S-5 and S-6" tires on it and a one piece crank. Three speed S-A, women's frame, all original parts, very low mileage. But despite having always been stored indoors, all the chromed parts have a fair amount of pitting with the crank being the worst. It hasn't been touched in 20 years. I'm not sure it's worth the money to get this thing back on the road. Thoughts?

pastorbobnlnh 

Zowie, thanks for renewing an old thread. Gives me an excuse to post a picture of my '66 Collegiate. All it takes to restore Schwinn Chrome, is time, arm power, and bronze wool (I find mine at ACE next to the steel wool). 40-50 year old Schwinn Chrome can come back and nearly look new. If you plan to ride it, the $40-$60 you will spend in new tires, cables, brake pads, etc., will be worth it. Best of luck.