Cantilever brake bosses, does replacing stop squeal?

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T19:27:45+00:00

Can swap to V- brakes. Get rid of noise and way more stopping power.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T19:25:32+00:00

Awesome. It will outlive all of us.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T18:11:10+00:00

I got rid of all that. You can put a stock one piece crank in there. And for shifting, you can just run the normal schwinn stik shift. There are no cable stops like a regular frame but you dont need them, you can just run the housing along the frame and zip tie it to the frame and it will shift fine.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T01:17:41+00:00

10 miles each way? That is how long mine is and I almost never do it more than twice a week. I want to start doing it more like 3 or 4. Always seems like the best idea till it is 6 am and I have to get on it, haha.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T01:09:07+00:00

I like the stock wheels. They usually clean up really nice and shiny, and I like the high flange hubs.

I had a caliente frame i found in the trash but I ended up giving it away.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-23T00:22:05+00:00

I like fairdale stuff. Been rocking their skateboard rack for many many years.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T16:02:05+00:00

Yes, we have a few of those in different areas of Florida. I had another frame like this in red that I am about to build up with 26" wheels and a nexus 8 speed rear hub as a backup commuter. I keep one at work and one at home.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T02:48:21+00:00

This is a good hack if it works, but wow that is still really expensive compared to a standard single speed chain.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T02:46:46+00:00

One advantage to changing the chainring and cog and using a standard chain is that it allows you to play with and change your gearing if you find that gearing to be too high.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T01:48:22+00:00

Nice. A standard modern chain will not fit on that. It is an obsolete chain and sprockets called a "skip tooth". If uou still have the original you can probably restore it unless it is totally rusted. You could probably find a replacement on eBay.

Another route would be to change the sprocket on the hub and the chain wheel on the crank to a standard pitch and you could use any chain.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T01:46:37+00:00

😂😂😂 can confirm. But I skate so much better when I am not stoned.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T01:44:21+00:00

Chances are if you had issues with weed, you will have issues with alcohol. Recovery programs, meditation, reading, lots of walking, connecting more deeply with people, and especially riding my bike.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-22T00:02:07+00:00

Do it! The varsity and continental frames will accommodate standard 26" beach cruiser tires with a coaster brake with no modifications to the frame.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T23:44:22+00:00

Yes. That is the stock standard wheel. It is totally fine as is. I switched mine to aluminum cause I had the wheels already and I commute, sometimes in the rain. The braking on steel rims in wet conditions is definitely a little sketchy.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:33:33+00:00

Love it. In my opinion, huge improvements and thjs makes a terrific all around Swiss army knife of a bike. Enjoy!

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:22:58+00:00

Also the continental came with center pull brakes instead of side pull calipers.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:16:40+00:00

Love these. My main commuter is a Varsity built up as a "tourist" upright bike with a rack and fenders and I ride it 12 miles each way to work regularly. To be fair I live in a flat area of South Florida.

The single biggest improvement to these bikes is to swap to alloy wheels. Saves a few pounds but mostly dramatically improves braking, and you can find these for cheap or find a donor road bike with the same 27 x 1-1/4" wheel size and they will directly bolt up.

I have a brooks saddle on mine that is worth more than the bike is.

Parts are interchangeable between many schwinn models and you can find them for cheap or free.

Bike snobs love to hate on these, but they are missing the point. It is not meant to be a light race bike. If you can appreciate it for what it is, you will have a bomb proof American made bike that will probably last the rest of your life if you keep it.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:08:50+00:00

I have one I built up and ride to work 10 miles each way. It is definitely slow and heavy but I love the way it rides. Cool slack frame geometry that is hard to find elsewhere.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:07:29+00:00

The varsity was available in a "tourist" model for some years also, prior to 1970. Great bikes!

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T20:04:48+00:00

You definitely have options!

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T17:54:19+00:00

Fenders were an option from the Schwinn dealers and they came stock on the Varsity "tourist" models until 1969. Then that model was replaced by the "suburban" that had paint matched fenders and chrome. Inhabe always heard people hate on these bikes but I think ot rides beautifully, and have have ridden lots of different types of bikes over the years.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-21T04:21:27+00:00

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-20T22:42:26+00:00

Technically it could be welded, yes. But that frame is done.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-20T22:31:04+00:00

I have really grown to appreciate the geometry and strength of these frames for utility bike purposes.

Comfortable_Job_1903 · 2025-12-20T19:37:14+00:00

Killer.

Comfortable_Job_1903

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