S-7 Conundrum

[Rivnut]

I picked up an old Schwinn the other day because it had a new set of tires on it. The tires are 1-3/4" and were mounted on a couple of S-7 rims. There were a couple of broken spokes in each wheel so I got out the spokes I'd used some S-7 rims that I'd re-laced and got started. Got the old ones out and went to put the new ones in and they were too short. I pulled a good spoke from the wheel and measured it; it's about 10-15/16' (280 +/- mm) long.

Two things finally got my attention. 1) The wheel has a four cross lace to it, and 2) the flange on the front hub is about a 1/4" larger in diameter than the other S-7 hubs I have. The hub has a Schwinn script on it and the rims have "SCHWINN TUBULAR S-7" stamped into them. Any ideas as to what I've run across? Unless I can get the surface rust off the rims, I don't think they're worth much so I don't want to invest the $$$ or time re-lacing them. If the rims clean up okay, should I get some 280 mm spokes and re-lace as I found these or do you think I should do a three cross lace and try to use the spokes that I have if they'll work with the large diameter hub? Any opinions are welcome. Anyone have 10 - 12 11" used spokes they'd like to find a home for? I'd just replace the few bad ones.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Roger Henning]

I think Schwinn may have done like Raleigh. They used the same length spokes on 3 speed bikes on the front and the back wheels with the back being 40 hole 4 cross and the front being like 28 hole 3 cross. Not surprised you are having this problem. Roger

 

[Rivnut]

Both wheels are 36 hole with the 4 cross lace. I think these will hang on a rafter way back in the lower level garage/shop where all the bikes are stored and worked on. They may come to the front IF I ever find a need for them. If nothing else, I have some chrome S7 rims, a good front axle and hub, and a Bendix brake and rear hub.

 

[GTs58]

Out of all my 26" Schwinn middleweights with all the different types of hubs the only one that is four cross with longer spokes is my 1955 coaster Corvette. I wonder if four cross was history after the 1955 models.

 

[WES PINCHOT]

ALL BUILT UP WHEELS WITH S-7 RIMS I HAVE SEEN AND BUILT WERE 10 5/8 INCH SPOKES LACE CROSS OVER THREE.
SCHWINN USED THE 10 5/8 INCH SPOKES ON THE S-2 WHEELS LACE CROSSOVER 4 TYPICALLY. NOW THIS IS 1955 AND
EARLIER. YEARS. I AM NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT WHEELS AFTER 1955. OBVIOUSLY LONGER SPOKES WOULD BE
NEEDED TO BUILD S-7 WITH CROSSOVER 4 LACING.

 

[Rivnut]

The bike these wheels came from is a 1955 Starlet and the Starlet came equipped with S2 rims and 26 x 2.125 tires. That's part of my conundrum, the wheels are not OE to the frame and I have no clue as to the back story on the bike. For now, I'm putting them, not on the back burner, but behind the stove. I may address this again in the future but too many other known things are happening now. Oh, I do have the correct rims for the Starlet, so now it's complete.

 

[Rivnut]

The future is upon me. I'm putting together a girl's middleweight Schwinn and want to use these wheels. So, can anyone out there help me with a couple of 10-15/16" spokes? I'm more than willing to pay for the two or a few more if you have some. For you metric guys, that's 278mm.

Thanks,
Ed

 

[Gordon]

My spoke inventory list shows that I have some 10 7/8" (276 mm) and 11" (279 mm). I would have to dig them out to see what gage they are and if they are chrome.

 

[Rivnut]

That would be great. The ones in the wheel now are not chrome so hopefully that will make it easier. 11" ones? I can probably take my Dremel with a cutoff disk to them. Thanks for your timely response. I do not have a way to determine the gauge of the spokes but I do have a drill bit gauge. I'll poke a spoke into the nearest size hole and let you know.

 

[Rivnut]

I took the calipers and measured a couple of spokes. They are 1/16" - 0.0625" which, using some tables I found online, converts them to 16 gauge. Thanks again,
Ed