For the love of English 3 speeds...
03-24-22, 11:31 PM
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That is right, these are Kenda 37-597 white walls on Schwinn S5 westrick-type rims. The original white walls that came with the bike probably could still be ridden, but they felt kind of dry to me so I put new tires and tubes on the wheels. The Kendas are not great tires, but not bad either. I wish Schwalbe or Michelin would do a white wall in this size.
I have two bikes with S5 Rims and newer Kenda black wall tires, they were pretty tough to get mounted. It took a ton of pressure and some riding to finally get them to pop up on the bead area. I tried tire pliers, lubing the rim and tire bead, nothing helped. After about a month or so of sitting slightly over lnflated they jumped into place on their own. The problem is that if I let them sit too long, as they loose air pressure, they slip back off the bead seat area and I have to go through it all again. I have to be very careful to keep them inflated even when not in use to avoid this.
My one Speedster, also with S5 rims, has a pair of Schwinn branded tires that are newer, but still made in the USA, and they fit fine. I wasn't fond of the tires having a white Schwinn Logo on the side so I tried swapping them out for a new set of Kenda tires and gave up after not being able to get them to seat at all.
On one of the older Traveler models, when I inflated the tires after they sit, I sometimes can hear the tire 'pop' up onto the bead either as I'm inflating it or after I walk away. It generally takes 70 psi or so to get them to seat properly. If they drop below 40 psi, they jump down off the bead area. The first time I went through this I had to double check to make sure I didn't have the wrong tires. I've not tried whitewalls though but may get a set for a couple of '62 Travelers I have waiting for me to get around to them.
I prefer the look and ride of the S5 rims vs the S6 rims, they seem to hold true better and seem to make the tire sit a bit wider overall, especially on older or properly sized tires.
The Kenda tires i have here were all bought a few years ago, maybe the newer versions or maybe just the whitewalls fit better?
03-25-22, 05:52 AM
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03-25-22, 07:08 AM
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03-25-22, 07:18 AM
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I have two bikes with S5 Rims and newer Kenda black wall tires, they were pretty tough to get mounted. It took a ton of pressure and some riding to finally get them to pop up on the bead area. I tried tire pliers, lubing the rim and tire bead, nothing helped. After about a month or so of sitting slightly over lnflated they jumped into place on their own. The problem is that if I let them sit too long, as they loose air pressure, they slip back off the bead seat area and I have to go through it all again. I have to be very careful to keep them inflated even when not in use to avoid this.
My one Speedster, also with S5 rims, has a pair of Schwinn branded tires that are newer, but still made in the USA, and they fit fine. I wasn't fond of the tires having a white Schwinn Logo on the side so I tried swapping them out for a new set of Kenda tires and gave up after not being able to get them to seat at all.
On one of the older Traveler models, when I inflated the tires after they sit, I sometimes can hear the tire 'pop' up onto the bead either as I'm inflating it or after I walk away. It generally takes 70 psi or so to get them to seat properly. If they drop below 40 psi, they jump down off the bead area. The first time I went through this I had to double check to make sure I didn't have the wrong tires. I've not tried whitewalls though but may get a set for a couple of '62 Travelers I have waiting for me to get around to them.
I prefer the look and ride of the S5 rims vs the S6 rims, they seem to hold true better and seem to make the tire sit a bit wider overall, especially on older or properly sized tires.
The Kenda tires i have here were all bought a few years ago, maybe the newer versions or maybe just the whitewalls fit better?
My one Speedster, also with S5 rims, has a pair of Schwinn branded tires that are newer, but still made in the USA, and they fit fine. I wasn't fond of the tires having a white Schwinn Logo on the side so I tried swapping them out for a new set of Kenda tires and gave up after not being able to get them to seat at all.
On one of the older Traveler models, when I inflated the tires after they sit, I sometimes can hear the tire 'pop' up onto the bead either as I'm inflating it or after I walk away. It generally takes 70 psi or so to get them to seat properly. If they drop below 40 psi, they jump down off the bead area. The first time I went through this I had to double check to make sure I didn't have the wrong tires. I've not tried whitewalls though but may get a set for a couple of '62 Travelers I have waiting for me to get around to them.
I prefer the look and ride of the S5 rims vs the S6 rims, they seem to hold true better and seem to make the tire sit a bit wider overall, especially on older or properly sized tires.
The Kenda tires i have here were all bought a few years ago, maybe the newer versions or maybe just the whitewalls fit better?
But the basic point you make is right that these are kind of small for the bead and they usually need help getting set up correctly. Something probably was off just a bit in the design of the tire. The new old stock tires from the 1950s-60s I've come across go right on the rim and into the bead seat without so much effort.
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Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979):
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03-25-22, 07:45 AM
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FREE Popular FREE Sports Model FREE Sturmey FREE Electric horn FREE in MA. Did I mention...free?
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03-25-22, 07:47 AM
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Looking to upgrade the steel calipers on my Robin Hood. Will the commonly available Dia-Comps work?
Allegedly '80's on eBay
Allegedly '80's on eBay
03-25-22, 08:16 AM
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Looking to upgrade the steel calipers on my Robin Hood. Will the commonly available Dia-Comps work?
Allegedly '80's on eBay
Allegedly '80's on eBay
03-25-22, 08:32 AM
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03-25-22, 10:05 AM
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03-25-22, 11:09 AM
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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03-25-22, 02:50 PM
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For whatever reason, the Kenda 597 tires are made kind of small for the bead, especially if you compare to the original, USA-made tires. I've used the Kenda 597 black walls and white walls, and they're always a little small to start. I can work them onto the rim by hand, but they need to be pumped up to 70-75psi or so to get them to pop out into the bead. Usually that is enough, but on a couple sets of rims, I had to use a dot of Trident scuba grease (it's made to be compatible with rubber) in the area that is a problem, then take it to 70 pounds. But after enough fiddling, I've been able to get them to pop onto the bead. During the riding season (Mar/Apr through Nov here), I don't let them get low on air. After a season of being ridden and pumped to full pressure, I haven't had a problem of them trying to back off the bead.
But the basic point you make is right that these are kind of small for the bead and they usually need help getting set up correctly. Something probably was off just a bit in the design of the tire. The new old stock tires from the 1950s-60s I've come across go right on the rim and into the bead seat without so much effort.
But the basic point you make is right that these are kind of small for the bead and they usually need help getting set up correctly. Something probably was off just a bit in the design of the tire. The new old stock tires from the 1950s-60s I've come across go right on the rim and into the bead seat without so much effort.
Perhaps it's a case of quality control.
I have had trouble with other tires and found that
-a cold rim (outside Canada)
-a warm tire (warmed over an air duct)
Helped somewhat.
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03-25-22, 08:18 PM
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For 25$ I got a complete Columbia Sport 3. It shifts and rides fine but quite dirty and a smidge rusty.
1973 6 date code on the SA hub
1973 6 date code on the SA hub
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03-25-22, 08:33 PM
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Plans are to do the usual clean, lube and replace the tires. I will work the fit so I can ride it around the neighborhood and errands but will keep this around for when I can get a Lady Friend to come ride with me.
I remember my Dad mentioning these bikes. I think he rode one way back in the days. Never his though, too poor was he.
I remember my Dad mentioning these bikes. I think he rode one way back in the days. Never his though, too poor was he.
03-25-22, 08:38 PM
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I've seen them for sale cheap and have been intrigued. Columbia was a Massachusetts company and bikes were built in Westfield and/or Torrington CT. Right here in good old New England.
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03-25-22, 08:52 PM
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Mine was built in Westfield, Mass.
Not high end by any means but another rider which made use of the SA drivetrain.
Not high end by any means but another rider which made use of the SA drivetrain.
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03-25-22, 09:14 PM
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I think more and more people are discovering American-made "English-style" bikes. The American brands offered some different variations on the diamond frame, English-style utility bike. Schwinn was not alone in offering such bikes.
Columbia/Westfield made utility type bikes going way, way back. Prior to the late 1930s, they were of the "antique" style. They offered diamond frame models, WW1 military and courier type models with double top bars, and a number of other frames in the early 20th century. These generally were single speed coaster brake models, the US bicycle market preferring that style.
The earliest "modern" Westfield/Columbia utility bikes that are in the English-style and not as much in the antique style appeared in the late 1930s. The main models were the Sports Tourist and Sports Roadster.
The Sports Tourist could come with hand brakes and a three speed Sturmey Archer hub, but also could come as a single speed. The Sports Roadster usually appeared as a single speed coaster brake (though sometimes with an English front brake as well). I owned a Sports Roadster from 1940, and it was a good bike - on a par with a Raleigh, Schwinn, or Hercules from that era. It had a New Departure Model D coaster brake and a Philco English front add-on brake. It was an amalgam of English and American elements.
They produced bikes through WWII, having government approval to make utilitarian, English-style bikes for use during the war (in addition to their heavier WW2 military balloon tire models). You sometimes will still find these as single-speed coaster brake bikes with no or less than normal plating (painted parts substituting for plated ones during the second war). A folding bike with 26 inch wheels also was part of the utility family during the 1940s, an interesting concept, known as the "Compax".
During the 1950s, Columbia/Westfield continued to make very good three speed bikes, roughly on a par with the base and mid-level Schwinn and Raleigh offerings of the same period. The bikes continued to combine English and American design features. Again, 3-speed Sturmey and single speed coaster options were available, depending on what you wanted, the supply resuming after the war.
By the 1960s some rather strong cost-cutting measures set in at Columbia/Westfield on their utility bikes. Cost-cutting seems to have hit harder and faster at Columbia/Westfield than it did at Schwinn or Raleigh (though they too were cost-cutting over the course of the 1960s). Into the 1970s Columbia/Westfield bikes began using Shimano type hubs, thinner metal fenders than previously, and more plastic parts than earlier bikes. They had fallen below Schwinn and Raleigh in terms of quality by this point, but all of those brands continued to cheapen things here and there.
This is not to say the later Columbia/Westfield bikes are "bad", but it is to say care should be taken to inspect the bike and parts, and it may need some extra work and replacement parts to bring back (depending on how it was kept, of course). The most collectible bikes are the older ones from before WW2, and somewhat into the 1950s, though it's the early stuff from before and during WW2 that collectors usually want.
A Westfield Sports Roadster from 1940:
Columbia/Westfield made utility type bikes going way, way back. Prior to the late 1930s, they were of the "antique" style. They offered diamond frame models, WW1 military and courier type models with double top bars, and a number of other frames in the early 20th century. These generally were single speed coaster brake models, the US bicycle market preferring that style.
The earliest "modern" Westfield/Columbia utility bikes that are in the English-style and not as much in the antique style appeared in the late 1930s. The main models were the Sports Tourist and Sports Roadster.
The Sports Tourist could come with hand brakes and a three speed Sturmey Archer hub, but also could come as a single speed. The Sports Roadster usually appeared as a single speed coaster brake (though sometimes with an English front brake as well). I owned a Sports Roadster from 1940, and it was a good bike - on a par with a Raleigh, Schwinn, or Hercules from that era. It had a New Departure Model D coaster brake and a Philco English front add-on brake. It was an amalgam of English and American elements.
They produced bikes through WWII, having government approval to make utilitarian, English-style bikes for use during the war (in addition to their heavier WW2 military balloon tire models). You sometimes will still find these as single-speed coaster brake bikes with no or less than normal plating (painted parts substituting for plated ones during the second war). A folding bike with 26 inch wheels also was part of the utility family during the 1940s, an interesting concept, known as the "Compax".
During the 1950s, Columbia/Westfield continued to make very good three speed bikes, roughly on a par with the base and mid-level Schwinn and Raleigh offerings of the same period. The bikes continued to combine English and American design features. Again, 3-speed Sturmey and single speed coaster options were available, depending on what you wanted, the supply resuming after the war.
By the 1960s some rather strong cost-cutting measures set in at Columbia/Westfield on their utility bikes. Cost-cutting seems to have hit harder and faster at Columbia/Westfield than it did at Schwinn or Raleigh (though they too were cost-cutting over the course of the 1960s). Into the 1970s Columbia/Westfield bikes began using Shimano type hubs, thinner metal fenders than previously, and more plastic parts than earlier bikes. They had fallen below Schwinn and Raleigh in terms of quality by this point, but all of those brands continued to cheapen things here and there.
This is not to say the later Columbia/Westfield bikes are "bad", but it is to say care should be taken to inspect the bike and parts, and it may need some extra work and replacement parts to bring back (depending on how it was kept, of course). The most collectible bikes are the older ones from before WW2, and somewhat into the 1950s, though it's the early stuff from before and during WW2 that collectors usually want.
A Westfield Sports Roadster from 1940:
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Last edited by SirMike1983; 03-25-22 at 09:20 PM.
03-25-22, 10:09 PM
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Like Nigel, I'm generally confused...
Were these American 3 speeds built in the U.S.?
The cranks are American/Canadian style
Did Raleigh send frames/frame parts over or
were they completely made in the States?
I gots ta know.....
03-26-22, 01:38 PM
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Good question!
I know Raleigh sent whole bikes to other companies to be rebadged, Huffy Sportsman model here in the states and a few in Canada.
As for parts, the drivetrain seems to be the most prevalent. Mind you, SA and Brooks were not always a part of Raleigh so what USA manufactures used these before Raleigh got them is not known to me.
Im just glad they learned to share!
I know Raleigh sent whole bikes to other companies to be rebadged, Huffy Sportsman model here in the states and a few in Canada.
As for parts, the drivetrain seems to be the most prevalent. Mind you, SA and Brooks were not always a part of Raleigh so what USA manufactures used these before Raleigh got them is not known to me.
Im just glad they learned to share!
03-26-22, 01:47 PM
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ive had a short time to look more closely at the Columbia. Worse rust spots clean right off which is good. The rear wheel, Araya, is missing a spoke on the NDS. Front wheel is a Chromlux. Rear brake housing has been replaced. Tires are Duro. Reflectors are Gilco. Mesinger saddle. Pedals, grips, chain and bar, stem unknown. Brakes are Weinmann 810, levers are same. Seatpost is long!
Cant wait to get it back to my house for the project time.
Cant wait to get it back to my house for the project time.
03-26-22, 01:47 PM
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I have very little knowledge but I would guess the one piece crank leans toward American built.
03-26-22, 04:00 PM
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The Columbias were made in Westfield, Massachusetts, though many parts were sourced from abroad in later years. By the 1970s they were building the bikes more cheaply, and sourcing parts from England, Germany, and Japan.
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03-28-22, 06:56 AM
Bikes are okay, I guess.
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03-29-22, 10:39 AM
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I haven't posted in ages - haven't owned a Raleigh since selling my '51 in a million years ago, but I do enjoy seeing updates to this thread from time to time. This one sort of fell in my lap this morning and I can't quite figure out what it is! Guessing late '70s Sports/DL22, but some items seem to date earlier. . .figured someone here would be able to make sense of it! I put the grips on from my personal stash. Had quite a few things I couldn't leave alone, so removed a bottle cage, plastic light mount, makeshift bar tape grips & some old Cristophe clips. Left the SR touring pedals, I don't mind them. Pump seems original (Made in England on the plastic insert). Saddle & bag feel/look quite old, so hard to imagine they're modern, but do they look mid/late '70s like the bicycle? Hmm. . . also, lots of little things like the "Ti" on the top tube decal, shouldn't be there pre '78, right? But then the seat post tube should have a different decal, fender shouldn't be white, and should have the big clunky reflector.
03-29-22, 11:26 AM
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For whatever reason, the Kenda 597 tires are made kind of small for the bead, especially if you compare to the original, USA-made tires. I've used the Kenda 597 black walls and white walls, and they're always a little small to start. I can work them onto the rim by hand, but they need to be pumped up to 70-75psi or so to get them to pop out into the bead. Usually that is enough, but on a couple sets of rims, I had to use a dot of Trident scuba grease (it's made to be compatible with rubber) in the area that is a problem, then take it to 70 pounds. But after enough fiddling, I've been able to get them to pop onto the bead. During the riding season (Mar/Apr through Nov here), I don't let them get low on air. After a season of being ridden and pumped to full pressure, I haven't had a problem of them trying to back off the bead.
But the basic point you make is right that these are kind of small for the bead and they usually need help getting set up correctly. Something probably was off just a bit in the design of the tire. The new old stock tires from the 1950s-60s I've come across go right on the rim and into the bead seat without so much effort.
But the basic point you make is right that these are kind of small for the bead and they usually need help getting set up correctly. Something probably was off just a bit in the design of the tire. The new old stock tires from the 1950s-60s I've come across go right on the rim and into the bead seat without so much effort.
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03-29-22, 11:27 AM
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^^^
The brakes are early to mid sixties. The hub and shifter are much later. I have pump pegs on my 68 Superbe but not on my later Sports. Come to think of it, some of my earlier Sports do and don't have the pump pegs.
Not a lot of help.
The brakes are early to mid sixties. The hub and shifter are much later. I have pump pegs on my 68 Superbe but not on my later Sports. Come to think of it, some of my earlier Sports do and don't have the pump pegs.
Not a lot of help.