The ANCIENT electroforged frame SCHWINNS of 1970 to 1977 in the 22 inch and 24 inch MENS frame Will easily handle anyone 6 feet 1 inches TALL!!!
The LARGEST WOMEN'S FRAME (step-through) at 21 inch Will Easily handle anyone 6 feet 1 inches TALL!!!
The 20 inch MENS frame and the 19 inch WOMENS frame will handle anyone 5 feet 10 inches TALL!!!!
You will find that you could possibly have someone 6 feet 2 inches TALL comfortably riding a 19 inch WOMEN's Frame as there is enough adjustment in the factory seatpost and the factory Schwinn steel stem. SOMEONE WHO IS LARGER THAN 6 feet 0 inches that weighs 180 pounds or more NEEDS THE 21 inch WOMENS FRAME -or- the 22 inch MENS frame.
The models too seek are ALL FROM THE SEVENTIES ( 1971 RACER / 1972 onward SPEEDSTER and seventies era BREEZE(women's model)
Schwinn historically used a bunch of names over the years.......'71 Racer = '72 Speedster, as name changed...--Breeze was Ladies model
THE REASON THAT YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON THE SEVENTIES IS THAT YOU HAVE LARGER FRAME SIZES and MORE FRAME SIZE CHOICES!
Okay, these all have the 37-597mm 26 x 1 3/8 KENDA only TIRE required for Replacement.
---------SPEEDSTER and BREEZE came in both single speed coaster brake ---AND--- 3 SPEED Caliper brake version
1971 RACER came in your choice of 17 inch, 20 inch, 22 inch, or 24 in frame sizes (these are diamond shape traditional MENS style....)
1972 - onward SPEEDSTER same as 1971 Racer...... 17 inch, 20 inch, 22 inch, or 24 inch MENS frame
The Women's version, called BREEZE was available in 17 inch or 19 inch step-throughWomen's frame
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_17.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_31.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_38.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1972_15.html
The COLLEGIATE is the FIVE SPEED version of this 37-597mm 26 x 1 3/8 bicycle.
The Women's COLLEGIATE from 1971 onward was available in 21 inch FRAME SIZE as well as the 19 inch and 17 inch size.
The Men's COLLEGIATE came in 17 inch, 20 inch, or 22 inch frame for 1971 model, and for 1972 onward 17inch, 20 inch, 22 inch, or 24 inch frame size.
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_21.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_16.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1972_14.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1972_23.html
Okay, YOU ALSO HAVE the 32-630mm 27 x 1 1/4 wheel SUBURBAN which arrived for the 1970 model year, replacing the 1969 VARSITY TOURIST
Now during the 1970 and 1971 model years, the SUBURBAN was offered in 3 SPEED -and- 5 SPEED -and 10 SPEED models
The 3 speed SUBURBAN was discontinued after 1971, as DURING THE 1972 through 1977 era, ONLY 5 SPEED and 10 SPEED Suburbans were offered.
*********The 21 inch Womens Step-through frame SUBURBAN five speed is a fantastic bicycle for MEN that are under 6 feet 3 inches weighing less than 400 pounds***
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1972_22.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_20.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1972_12.html
https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCa...0/1971_15.html
Okay, YOU Guessed Right if you're thinking Sheesh.....those are the same electroforged frames as seen on the Varsity and Continental models.
Basically Yep, except during some years during the SEVENTIES, you've got even larger frames (bigger than 24 inch frame) (more choices) particularly with the Conti and Varsity.
THE SUBURBAN ten speed IS the tourist version of the varsity EXCEPT that the SUBURBAN HAS THE TUBULAR FRONT FORK OF THE CONTINENTAL.
Though the SUBURBAN has the tubular front fork of the CONTI, the Suburban DOES NOT have the centerpull brakes of the CONTI.
The SUBURBAN has the exact same sidepull Weinmann brakes (L.S. 2.4) that the VARSITY has.
The 10 speed Suburban is geared exactly like the VARSITY and CONTINENTAL. AROUND 1977 model year, the SUBURBAN got the new revolutionary FFS but certainly from 1970 through at least 1976, the SUBURBAN 10 speed is essentially exactly like a tourist version of the CONTINENTAL / VARSITY.
Knowing all these ELECTROFORGED Chicago Schwinn "lightweights" CAN BE EASILY CONFIGURED however you'd like to make it.
The twenty-six wheeled 37-597mm bikes have Weinmann sidepull calipers marked(L.S. 2.8) and the twenty-seven wheeled 32-630mm bikes have Weinmann sidepull calipers marked (L.S 2.4)----------------------------Schwinn began having this marked "measurement code" applied circa year 1969 or so. The L.S. means "lightweight" and sidepull and the decimal number is code for the reach length of the caliper.............EACH TENTH SHOWN EQUALS 3/32 INCH and the TWO that You see to the left of the decimal point tells you that it is two INCHES from the Center of that Caliper's Mounting Bolt to the CENTER of THE BRAKE PAD MOUNTING SLOT.......plus whatever number to the right of the decimal point MULTIPLIED BY 3/32...................................so L.S. 2.8 really is 2" 24/32 or 2" 3/4 .........yeah that is how that code works, it is telling you that it belongs on a "Lightweight" and it is a sidepull................... You don't need to know this but the FIRST LETTER denotes L for "lightweights", and M will be seen on "MIDDLEWEIGHTS" and B might be seen on BALLOON TIRED bikes....................-------the SECOND LETTER denotes S for SIDEPULL, and you'll see C for CENTERPULLS....on Schwinn's with Centerpulls like the Conti...................before 1969 there wasn't this code...but after 1969 you'll see it on most all Chicago Schwinns of the seventies. So for example if you were to look at a 1968 Collegiate, the Calipers will just be stamped WEINMANN 810 but when you look at a 1970 Collegiate you'll see the exact same caliper but it will be stamped L.S. 2.8
Okay NOW HERE IS HOW TO TELL WHAT YEAR MODEL FROM THE 1971 to 1977 era (best selection era to seek out...)
See the SERIAL NUMBER stamping at front headtube below the classic chicago SCHWINN badge.
The FIRST LETTER TELLS YOU the Month.........A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, D= April you get the picture......
SECOND LETTER at serial number TELLS YOU the YEAR:
Example: BG040171 is a FEB 1971 schwinn because B tells you February and because G tells you 1971.
schwinn skipped the letters "eye" and "oh" because they look too much like zero and one.
SECOND LETTER denotes year: G= 1971, H =1972, J=1973, K=1974, L=1975, M=1976, N=1977, P=1978
You will not find a better cruiser than an electroforged Chicago SCHWINN from the Seventies!!
You can find or buy New cruisers that are more expensive, and that weigh less but NONE will be as durable or have the ride quality of a seventies era Chicago SCHWINN.
If you're seeking a CRUISER, lightest weight and fastest speed potential should not be a priority or perhaps you're just seeking the WRONG type of bicycle.
Certainly, you can also look at earlier SCHWINN bikes, before say 1970 or 1971, because they are great bicycles BUT IF YOU'RE SEEKING THE LARGEST FRAME SIZE OFFERINGS, AND WIDEST VARIETY OF THOSE , YOU WILL FIND THAT Schwinns of the SEVENTIES HAD THAT.
Millions of these great Schwinns were produced and sold during the BIKE-BOOM years, and millions are probably still in use, almost 50 years since the BIKE-BOOM. I know you might be thinking aw heck, I want something exclusive and distinctive, not something as commonplace as dirt that anyone can find and ride..........just remember that whatever todays CRUISER nameplates are Eureka, Electra, Elektra, Electrolux, or whatever it might be, you will find that for basic Cruisin', there is nothing better than those ancient made in Chicago SCHWINN models.