Classic & Vintage - Schwinn ladies Collegiate specs needed

Yeah, here's a surprise, I'm starting yet ANOTHER Schwinn thread.... :p

Brought home an 80's Schwinn Collegiate for the lady today, and needed a few pointers. First, the tires are new, but hey look a little too skinny for the bike. They are 26 x 1 1/8, but seem tiny within the fenders. Just wondering if that is the correct size.

How do I tell when the bike was made? Says "Made in Taiwan" (I guess that means it's a Giant), but the "Schwinn-Chicago" headbadge only says 384 on it. Does that mean 1984? I always thought there was a 0 before the numbers if it was an early model (ie 0384).

Plus, I wanted to check on the rear hub. It's an odd combo, with one hand brake for the front wheel, and a coaster brake for the back. Plus, it's got a 3-speed thumb-shift Shimano rear hub, a "3-CC". Is this the norm? Can you tell I'm not too hip on these bikes yet? :D

Eventually, it's going to be torn down, painted in the colors of the Marshall Fields department stores shopping bags (7 different colors of green in a stripe pattern), and put back together. I hope it's done by May. :)

Thanks for any help.

Your description sounds pretty much like the bike I gave a friend a couple of years ago. The Taiwan versions made some changes, all for the better, from the Chicago versions. Lighter, lugged steel frames. Alloy rims, instead of heavier steel rims. A light, standard size of 26 inch tire, instead of the "unique", and harder to find Schwinn 26 inch tires. The combination of a coaster brake and hand brake provide safety, even in the rain. A reliable three speed shifter.

Nine out of ten American adults don't ride bikes on an everyday basis. Both mountain bikes and road bikes "miss" the mark as far as what the average adult want to ride. THIS is the sort of bike that could get average folks to ride up to the corner store for milk, instead of firing up the SUV.

Here's the 1984 Collegiate catalog page. The specifications for all of the other 1984 lightweights are listed on the catalog's specification page, but the Collegiate isn't.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1984Collegiate.jpg

Here's the 1984 Collegiate catalog page. The specifications for all of the other 1984 lightweights are listed on the catalog's specification page, but the Collegiate isn't.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1984Collegiate.jpg
That's the EXACT BIKE. Same color, same "pillow" seat (not quite so soft 20 years later), same other stuff. So I guess I was right on the year. Neat-O!! Thanks, Scooper!

alan, I agree with you. This bike seems to be a very functional design, and easy to ride. I like the lugged frame, and the brake combo is cool (I have never seen one like this).

I think a lot of people who grew up with sting rays felt more comfortable with a coaster brake than with hand brakes. Especially women, since the cheaper hand brakes required quite a bit of strength. Like the other reply said, it was a practical bike for people who didn't ride a lot.