mkeller234

I’ve finished restoring a bunch of bicycles recently, so I’ve worked them into my commutes to shake things up. Typically I commute on a Mike Melton road bike. The bicycles that I recorded rides on included an early 80s Schwinn Varsity, 70s Schiwnn Super Sport, 73 Raleigh Competition MKII, 73 Raleigh Gran Sport. Today was my day to ride the varsity. I thought I better leave earlier than normal… but that was not the case.

Check it out:

mkeller234

So you know I didn’t cheat. The varsity weighed in at 38lbs.

Kilroy1988 

Interesting test but I think you need to go a might bit further than 3.6 miles to really get much out of such a comparison... Ideally riding until your stamina begins to falter and factors such as the additional weight of a bicycle will begin to make a difference in your performance. I can ride my 40 pound 3-speed 20 miles an hour for three miles just about as easily as I can ride another bike weighing half as much. Thirty miles into the ride? That's a different story.

-Gregory

Murray Missile 

This is the bike I start with in the Spring to get back into shape. 1975 Varsity Deluxe with a 26 inch frame, aka "Big Bird", at a svelte 45 Lbs. it's a workout, especially climbing.

mkeller234

Yeah, you have a good point. Still, I think it shows on a short ride that the bike you choose won’t make a big difference.

I don’t see myself ever doing a test with a really long ride on the varsity. I just don’t get as many free hours to ride as I used to.

Velo Mule

Wow, @mkeller234 that Varsity cleaned up great. It looks like you have Kenda K35 tires on it. I have the same tires on my Continental. They are good, but the consensus here is that they are not great. Tires make a difference too.

Schwinn pointed that out back when they were fighting the imports that were trouncing them about their weight. Schwinn had their Super Record tires that they claimed lowered rolling resistance. We in the bike shop thought they were made by National (Panasonic) and were the same as Panasport tires at the time. I believe there was also a CyclePro branded version as well. I always liked these tires.

Thanks for the testing and results. Yes, it might take a longer ride or climbs to sort out differences. I've come full circle on these electro-forged Schwinn's. I used to not like them and even steered customers into lighter bikes. Now I have a Continental and enjoy riding it, albeit with a SunTour rear derailleur.

Germany_chris

Your varsity weighs less then my rack/bagged/fendered commuter it comes in at 39.3 pounds

52telecaster

That's a good point. When commuting I am usually carrying a load.

Darth Lefty 

I've heard that the dual chrome pie plates make it more aero