Classic & Vintage - Schwinn Super Sport (early seventies) weights

My eBay 1973 24" Opaque Blue fillet brazed Schwinn Super Sport was delivered today by FedEx, and I spent the afternoon stripping everything off the frame in preparation for powder coating. I've been curious about the actual weights of the frame, fork, Ashtabula crank, and kickstand for years, so I weighed them all.

24" fillet brazed straight gauge chromoly frame (no headset): 7.25 pounds

Fork (crown race removed): 1.98 pounds

Ashtabula crank/chainrings (with bearings, cups, locknut): 4.01 pounds (!!)

Kickstand: 0.83 pounds

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1973%20Super%20Sport%20CJ809208/FrameWeightsm.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1973%20Super%20Sport%20CJ809208/ForkWeightsm.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1973%20Super%20Sport%20CJ809208/AshtabulaCrankWeightsm.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/1973%20Super%20Sport%20CJ809208/KickstandWeightsm.jpg

I'm actually pleasantly surprised by the frame and fork weights.

I am impressed by the fork. That's actually pretty darn good for a steel fork. There's a lot of fancy imported brands that weigh as much. The frame is pretty hefty but not too bad for its size. But that crank. I knew that steel cranks were sorta heavy but that's a cinder block with pedal eyes.

Oooooooh! Aaaaaaaah! Another Super Sport project!

Stan,

Thanks for taking the time to do this. I would have guessed the kickstand was at least 1.5 lbs, and was always curious how close to 5 lbs the cranks were. Now I know!

Another weigh (sic) to look at this, is that by removing the cranks and kickstand a SS rider can achieve about a 50% decrease in the overall frameset weight. By carefully selecting quality replacement bits, easily a 25% weight reduction can be achieved.

The final weight test is of course the most subjective. Line up your bikes and one by one grab them and see how the weigh in your hands. Sporty feels like a brick compared to a loaf of bread when it comes to the Paramounts, especially the '83, which feels like 1/2 a loaf. And when I compare it to my '01 C-Dale CAAD 4, the C-Dale feels like 2-3 slices of bread.

While heavy, no matter how carefully you make improvements, a SS rides like none of my other bikes. Confidently solid at speed, tight in the corners, and very maneuverable. I would think it will be a blast on the streets of San Francisco, just do your best to avoid those really steep climbs I've seen in your great city!

Best of luck on your project. Will it be PCed Opaque Blue?

Interesting you just picked one up off ebay, as I sold a 1973 26 inch Super Sport on Craigs List Monday. Mine was pretty close to NOS. I bet it had 50 miles or less on it. Changed out the rear tire as the tube was bad. Front tire is the original I think. Nice bike, but I could not ride it. I think it had a standover of around 36 inches (I have a 30 inch inseam).

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3651483423_397b3e5bfc_o.jpg

Thanks for the information…! I have the same year and size SS, only mine is finished in Kool Lemon…While my SS is clearly heavier than my Super Course and Puch, it makes up for it with a very smooth ride, especially when it's "up to speed"....(well, up to my speed anyway...:)

I'm really looking forward to building it up. I plan to use the Campy Comp Triple group on it, and it'll be interesting to see how light it will be with a little care in component selection.

Pastor Bob, the powdercoat will be as close to Schwinn's Opaque Blue as I can get.

Bill, the 26" SS you just sold looks like it's right off the showroom floor!

Stan, my 24" SS with kickstand removed, 3-piece crankset, 27" alloy wheels, and steel fenders weighs in around 27 lbs (though I should check that weight on my digital hanging scale).

Neal

That's good to know, Neal. Thanks. Another datapoint.