1947 Continental Cleanup

[GTs58]

How do the Clubman versions of the lightweights differ from the regular versions?

 

[SirMike1983]

Not an easy one to find today... to say the least.

 

[Miq]

those don't look like S-6 tires.

 

[GTs58]

those don't look like S-6 tires.

Schwalbe 32-597

Rarely seen 1950s Continental Clubman (not mine) | Lightweight Schwinn Bicycles

Happened upon on eBay this evening: a rarely-seen Continental Clubman model. Looks to be a match for the Clubman advertisement that has been out there on the web...first one I've seen in reality. Not connected to the sale at all, but it does appear to be original and in excellent condition...

thecabe.com

 

[Miq]

Thats wild. Didn’t know those S-6 Schwalbes existed at some point.

What did a “Puff” tire look like? So manly sounding for the lightweight guys. Seems like whenever Schwinn talks about the lightest weight versions of the bikes they have Books B17s and puff tires.

 

[GTs58]

Thats wild. Didn’t know those S-6 Schwalbes existed at some point.

What did a “Puff” tire look like? So manly sounding for the lightweight guys. Seems like whenever Schwinn talks about the lightest weight versions of the bikes they have Books B17s and puff tires.

The puff tires were made for the S6 rim in 26 inch and 27 inch. It was a 1 inch high pressure tire. Definitely a funny name.

 

[SirMike1983]

Schwalbe made a 32mm tire, which you can see on that bike. Kenda at one point was making both a 32mm and its usual 37mm tires for the 597mm rim. As far as I know the Schwalbe and the 32mm Kenda have been discontinued. The 37mm Kenda continues.

There are allegedly a couple other tires available in England for the 597mm size.

This Kenda-like tire is supposedly 32mm: https://www.jmhcycles.co.uk/26-x-11-4-vintage-tyre-black-free-tube-66566516-1367 It looks to me like the usual Kenda tire, but the listing says 32mm...

SJS Cycles in England offer a different tire in 597mm: https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tyres-large/rjt-tyre-26-x-1-14-inch-32597/?geoc=US
This tire has a different tread, and is the narrower 32mm size again, but is rated at a lower rather than a higher PSI than the Kenda. It also is allegedly a "winter" tire, which is even more confusing. Apparently there are some people riding club bikes in the winter with soft tires in England(?). In any event, it's probably pretty expensive to ship to the US.

The above tires are all allegedly narrower than the usual 37mm Kenda. They are more of the true "26 x 1 1/4" club size, whereas the 37mm Kenda is a little larger tire than most club tires were. If your roads are good, the narrower tire might be worth a look. Around here, a wider tire tends to do better because our roads are so rough (especially in the spring at the start of riding season).

 

[cyclingday]

Thats wild. Didn’t know those S-6 Schwalbes existed at some point.

What did a “Puff” tire look like? So manly sounding for the lightweight guys. Seems like whenever Schwinn talks about the lightest weight versions of the bikes they have Books B17s and puff tires.

 

[Miq]

Thanks Marty! You don’t see those everyday.

 

[SirMike1983]

Yea the jump to a Continental is $4 = $50 in 2025. How do the Clubman versions of the lightweights differ from the regular versions?

I trued both wheels and they look great. 3-cross with no interlacing. Added the cranks and OG cotters. Stem looks too high. It will look better with a saddle.
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I put the wheels down on the carpet and stood over the bike. The 700c wheels are definitely bigger than my other bikes. Gonna be fun with a few more parts.

If the stem and bar combo is still too tall after you add the saddle and test fit, another option would be one of the 1990s era AS razor stem reproductions. They have a pretty good range of adjustment and have the basic look of a Schwinn stem. The plating and overall quality is not as good as the original razor stems, but I have been happy enough with the reproductions I've used over the years to help bring the bars up a bit, but not too much.