Classic & Vintage - Schwinn Varsity Vs Traveler

What is the difference between two mid 70's Schwinns, one a Varsity, one a Traveler?

http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1975/Catalog/FULL/1975_10.jpg

This model says the traveler has a one piece crank like the varsity but I see most of these with low end alloy cranks. Main difference is frame construction.

Thanks for that. Much appreciated. Looks like the traveller was the better of the two.

The biggest difference is the fork on the Varsity is solid forged while the fork on the Traveler is tubular. The Traveler components are better and lighter than those on the Varsity, so there's a weight difference of several pounds between the two models. Both have the carbon steel straight gauge electro-forged frame.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/1975varsityandtravelermed.jpg

I just wrote fairly extensively about the (World) Traveler here: http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php/832481-1963-schwinn-world-traveler

The World Traveler (and the later "Schwinn Approved" Traveler) was considered to be a notch above the Varsity in the product lineup, and differed mainly in that it had a lighter 1020 steel lugged frame (made by Panasonic) and tubular steel fork plus a lighter alloy stem and alloy Randonneur style handlebars. By comparison the Varsity had a heavier electroforged 1010 steel frame, a solid steel forged fork, a forged steel stem and steel Maes style handlebars. Everything else was pretty much comparable. The lighter frame/fork, alloy bars and stem shaved 6lbs. off the Traveler as compared to the Varsity: http://bikecatalogs.org/SCHWINN/1975/Catalog/FULL/1975_10.jpg

Both have the carbon steel straight gauge electro-forged frame.
The Traveler frame is lugged 1020 steel.

The Traveler frame is lugged 1020 steel.

Right you are; I guess I should have read the catalog page I posted. :o

The main difference to me is one is a bottom of the line, very heavy, but made in Chicago EF bike. The other is an imported equivalent, lighter, still bottom end, without the Chicago and EF frame mystique. I have quite a few Panasonic built Schwinns right now.

I can tell you around here, buyers prefer the Chicago bikes.

The choice is yours.

The early 3-speed Travelers did have electroforged frames, and I must have been thinking about them. A senior moment. :)

1954:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/1954SchwinnTravelermed.jpg

1962:

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/Schwinn%20Publ%20Pages/62dlct08b.jpg

so how heavy are "heavyweight" bikes?