Originally Posted by
NormanF
The Collegiate was Schwinn’s answer to the Raleigh Sports. It was the quintessential American city bike.
i owned the Speedster, the single speed version. All of 40 plus pounds and almost indestructible.
The new one sheds all that weight for a much nicer riding bike.
Actually, Schwinn marketed many models that were meant to compete with the Raleigh Sports long before the Collegiate hit the market, i. e. Continentals from the 40's, Racers, and others. The Collegiate was just another competitor. I believe even the Speedster could be had with a 3 speed hub in certain years.
To each their own, but I'm with nlerner. Go right for a Detroit model. They come with a cool badge, too.