schwinnlax
Finally riding a big boys bike
Thanks, didn't think about the brake cables. My '53 Varsity doesn't have any brazed on parts for any of the cables. Everything is just clamped to the top tube:
Since it is a 21" frame and I'm 6'2", I have to have the seat jacked up a bit. The Brooks sure is nice, though. I lean toward your thinking, Mike. I'm more into preserving than changing things around. I don't really see myself converting the '61 to a 3 speed. So, that's probably the dilemma right now. Don't really need another 23" 3 speed any way, as I have a '59 Racer (black) and '65 Deluxe racer (coppertone, 23" frames). Found both locally for under $100.
I'm interested in the '61 mostly for the different decals. I checked the Schwinn catalogs, '62 and earlier a 23" frame was a $2 surcharge. From '63 forward they were the same price as the 21" and 19" frames. I can only assume that is one reason tall frames are more common from the mid-60s forward. I think the 2 speed would be ok. I do like the clean look (no cables), and that bike has the original light set (missing on the '63). However, I don't think I'd ride it a lot (already have two tall frame Racers). I'm weighing that bike against saving my bike $$ for that early '50s Traveler or '40s Continental tall frame - wouldn't that be nice!!!
Mike, thanks for the link to your blogspot. I found lots of interesting reading there!
Since it is a 21" frame and I'm 6'2", I have to have the seat jacked up a bit. The Brooks sure is nice, though. I lean toward your thinking, Mike. I'm more into preserving than changing things around. I don't really see myself converting the '61 to a 3 speed. So, that's probably the dilemma right now. Don't really need another 23" 3 speed any way, as I have a '59 Racer (black) and '65 Deluxe racer (coppertone, 23" frames). Found both locally for under $100.
I'm interested in the '61 mostly for the different decals. I checked the Schwinn catalogs, '62 and earlier a 23" frame was a $2 surcharge. From '63 forward they were the same price as the 21" and 19" frames. I can only assume that is one reason tall frames are more common from the mid-60s forward. I think the 2 speed would be ok. I do like the clean look (no cables), and that bike has the original light set (missing on the '63). However, I don't think I'd ride it a lot (already have two tall frame Racers). I'm weighing that bike against saving my bike $$ for that early '50s Traveler or '40s Continental tall frame - wouldn't that be nice!!!
Mike, thanks for the link to your blogspot. I found lots of interesting reading there!