Skip Montanaro
Look Ma, No Hands!
I have a Schwinn Speedster which I converted to 650A (ISO 590) rims and a Sturmey-Archer XRD3 drum brake hub a few years ago. It's my errand bike and I like it quite well. In addition to the steel-to-alloy switch, the slightly smaller diameter rim allows me to run a bit plumper tires (more cush), there are a few more tire options (Panaracer Col de la Vie is my go-to tire in that size), and the overall diameter is about the same, so the tires tend to fill the fenders in a pleasing way.
I recently fell into a second 650A wheelset (came with a small flock of tires in that size). I'm starting to scan Chicago CL for another conversion candidate. As you might guess, we have plenty of electroforged Schwinns here in Chicagoland. I am under the impression that Speedster, Racer and Breeze models (and maybe Collegiate with its too wide-range five-speed?) from at least the late 50s through late 70s came with S-6 rims. Did other models sport S-6 rims?
I recently fell into a second 650A wheelset (came with a small flock of tires in that size). I'm starting to scan Chicago CL for another conversion candidate. As you might guess, we have plenty of electroforged Schwinns here in Chicagoland. I am under the impression that Speedster, Racer and Breeze models (and maybe Collegiate with its too wide-range five-speed?) from at least the late 50s through late 70s came with S-6 rims. Did other models sport S-6 rims?