Bicycle Mechanics - what year is this?

i have recently acquired an old schwinn traveler 10 speed that i had converted into a fixie. my main questions are: a) how can i find out what specific year model this bike is? b) how do i determine what size bottom bracket will fit the frame? the crankset is the original one piece, and is rusty and squeaky. i want a much quieter ride. help!

A shop will have to do the bracket,it seems, just by virtue of your question(s). Sites have data-bases using serial #'s. Again,have a shop press the bracket,you haven't the tools, experience either. Bottom brackets aren't the easiest task to perform.

right on. i have been reading up online, but still very green when it comes to bike repair/conversion. thanks for replying.

You should cross-post this in the Classic and Vintage forum, with a couple of decent pics. There are some people there who know an incredible amount about Schwinns and will be happy to help you out.

I could be wrong, this may not apply to this bike, but... check the Schwinn nameplate. At least on mine, there's a four digit code stamped into it.

That code will be the day of production in the year, and then the last digit of the year.

Then, look on the frame, near where the derailer used to be, and look for a five character code. It'll probably start with a letter which indicates where it was produced. You're going to be interested in the last four digits - two digit month, two digit year.

I could be wrong, this may not apply to this bike, but... check the Schwinn nameplate. At least on mine, there's a four digit code stamped into it.

That code will be the day of production in the year, and then the last digit of the year.


Yep, that's the place to start. Look for four small numbers stamped on the headbadge. First three numbers will be the numerical day of the year, last number will be the last number in the year. You've got to figure out which decade on your own. :D Example: 1461 would inidicate the bike was assembled at the factory on the 146th day of 1981, assuming an '80's bike. You say it's a "ten speed," so that would indicate '70's or very early '80's, no later than about '82. By '83, bikes like these were generally "12 speeds." Another way to research it if you have the original components is to go to www.vintage-trek.com and click "component dates," you'll find info on how to find the date codes on the components and how to decipher them. Also, a great Schwinn resourse is BF member Bob Hufford's Schwinn Lightweight Data Book. Browse through the consumer catalogs and you may find your Traveler in there. I think the info runs through 1979. There's also serial number info on the site.
http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/publications.html

appears to be a 76 then. thanks alot!

:D It 2007, since Jan 1.

You might be able to repack the bottom bracket and spare the expense of a new one - new grease and non-caged bearings work wonders!