Classic & Vintage - Question about Schwinn Wheels (Voyageur/Varsity)

I haven't ridden a bike for about 40 years, so please excuse my lack of knowledge (I might not know all the right terms but how else am I to learn?). I recently bought a Varsity (1978, 10-speed, 26" frame) from a garage sale ($15). Unfortunatuely, it has a bent rear axle. I also bought a Voyageur (1979/80?, 12-speed, 23" frame) at another garage sale ($25). Can I use the Voyageur rear wheel on the Varsity without making any other modifications? I know the Voyageur is the better bicycle but I am 6' 4" and want to use the 26" frame the Varsity has. I plan to ride the bike to and from work, which is about a 5 mile round trip.

Both should use the 27" wheel (or the "Schwinn Approved S-6 size which is basically the 27" but you need to becareful on the pressure you put in the tires). So to make it short and sweet - more than likely yes. The varsity's rear derailleur limit screws will probably have to be adjusted to account for the 6speed freewheel but otherwise you should be golden.

Any Schwinn bike sold with 27 inch road tires used the "industry standard" 27 x 1 1/4 size tires, except for a few "racing" models that came with the slightly narrower 27 x 1/8th tire.

Most tires sold today in the 27 x 1 1/4th size have a "maximum" PSI marking between 75 PSI and 85 PSI. That "low" PSI does NOT reflect some "flaw" in the rims. That is the PSI level that delivers a "rock hard" tire with tires of that size and design. A lighter rider would enjoy a more cushy ride at 65 PSI. The "air cushion" provided by a 27 x 1 1/4th inch tire has about twice the air volume of a 700 x 23mm tire, making the 27 a wonderful tire for rough roads, and even dirt trails.

The S-6 size was a 26 inch tire, NOT a 27 inch tire. There were at least six different types of 26 inch tires sold on bikes in the USA during the period from around 1950 to 1980. The Schwinn S-6 probably was the most popular of all, and was sold on more bikes than any other 26 inch tire. Hardly an "oddball" size.

The frustration came from the fact that the Schwinn S-6 was marked as 26 x 1 3/8, but was closer to 597mm in size. Most foreign bikes came with tires that were also marked 26 x 1 3/8, but they measured closer to 590mm in size. In the 1980's, when Schwinn began imported bikes from Taiwan, Schwinn were being seen with the "foreign" 590mm size.

So, folks looking for tires for a Schwinn with tires marked 26 x 1 3/8 must look for the EXACT size: 590mm or 597mm.

raypmisty,

The rear drop outs on the Varsity have a spacing of 120mm, the Voyageur has a drop out spacing of 126mm.

You can use the Voyageur rear wheel on your Varsity, but you'll have to spring the frame apart to mount the wheel. This is not a problem when you're home, working in the garage, and you have all the time in the world, but may be a problem if you have to fix a flat on the road. Your other option is to spread the frame on the Varsity (cold set) by 6mm.

Sheldon Brown explains it all here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

You could also replace the axle on the Varsity, provided that the hub is still serviceable. Solid axles of the type used on the Varsity are still available at very little cost.

The Voyager is actually a better bike than the Varsity. Unless you want the Varsity for some special reason, you are better keeping the Voyager whole and riding it.

That said, "yes" you can use the Voyager wheels on the Varsity and visa-versa.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=140444

... Most tires sold today in the 27 x 1 1/4th size have a "maximum" PSI marking between 75 PSI and 85 PSI. That "low" PSI does NOT reflect some "flaw" in the rims. ...

Although this IS the maximum safe pressure if one has non-hooked rims, which are very common on older 10-speeds.