Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Nishiki International vs. Schwinn Speedster. Looking at both tonight

Hello, still looking for a bike............I think these are apples to oranges? I was wondering which would be a better bike to set up as a single speed. Not looking to upgrade wheels right away.... So the Schwinn is heavier and has smaller wheels??

Nishiki ftw... They came stock with rather nice 700c wheels and it is just a matter of swapping in a ss freewheel and moving that 52 tooth ring to the inside to get a nice gearing if everything is okay.

Nishiki ftw... They came stock with rather nice 700c wheels and it is just a matter of swapping in a ss freewheel and moving that 52 tooth ring to the inside to get a nice gearing if everything is okay.

This absolutely.

And I shall third this.

haha...ok, ok............. I hope this one is not to big for me (my last bike purchase, the Peugeot) turned out to be too small at 51cm. I'm pretty sure I need a 56cm (too bad I don't have $400 for the steamroller on cl)!

I used to have a Lemon Kool Schwinn Speedster as a child. Its very heavy - its an electro-forged frame. I'd say go with the Nishki International.

The Schwinn wins on character and probably durability. If it's intact and running, it'd be good. But it has some quirks, such as oddball 597 tires, oddball BB threading, and will likely be a big headache if you ever decide to seriously upgrade some parts.

What a shame! As I feared, the bike is too big! Or, my balls are too big and hang too low. Sad :( What a beautiful, clean, complete and original bike though......looks like it hung in the rafters all its life, beautiful frame.

Meh, you're in Seattle, so stick with CL and something will turn up. Just hold out for the right frame -- sounds like you already learned this from the last experience. When you get a decent frame that fits, you'll be glad you waited.

The Schwinn wins on character and probably durability. If it's intact and running, it'd be good. But it has some quirks, such as oddball 597 tires, oddball BB threading, and will likely be a big headache if you ever decide to seriously upgrade some parts.

+1
A stock vintage/retro schwinn would cost more to convert.... as they would have a 27 inch wheelset (you might want to go universal with 700c (more choices); a 700c wheelset instead of running a 27 inch front and 700c back; FYI: 27 inch wheels are bigger then 700c). And then if you do, you'll have to get different brakes (only if you want/need them) as the stock brakes for 27 inch might not reach low enough.... Plus you might run into some stuff that needs replacing....

good info happy! and ya, i'll keep trolling cl! thanks everyone!

O ya forgot to mention this, most vintage bikes had stock 27 inch rims...... good luck hunting around! Always ask 1st b4 buying or even looking at it; unless it is like a must have bike.....

+1
A stock vintage/retro schwinn would cost more to convert.... as they would have a 27 inch wheelset (you might want to go universal with 700c (more choices); a 700c wheelset instead of running a 27 inch front and 700c back; FYI: 27 inch wheels are bigger then 700c). And then if you do, you'll have to get different brakes (only if you want/need them) as the stock brakes for 27 inch might not reach low enough.... Plus you might run into some stuff that needs replacing....

But shecky's point regards the 597mm BSD rims that came on many Schwinns, which are even more of a pain than 27" with respect to tire selection. Presumably, these frames also can't accomodate a switch to 700c.