Originally Posted by
Metacortex
The Continental and Varsity had the same large flange alloy hubs and Schwinn steel rims*...
...Note that aside from the quick-release axles and skewers, the wheels (hubs, spokes, rims) were identical between the Varsity and Continental. The frames and pretty much all other parts not mentioned above were identical as well.
*Schwinn had actually planned on changing to lighter European made steel rims (Rigida I think) on the Continental in 1971 but according to a dealer News Flash bulletin Schwinn was not satisfied with the quality of the finish on the rims it had received and thus continued to use the Schwinn-built steel rims as before.
It depends on what year of bikes we're talking about
:
Early Varsity and Continental models had 22.0mm alloy French stems inserted into 22.2mm steer tubes.
Early Continental models had Rigida Chrolux rims while same-year Varsities had heavier Schwinn rims.
Sorry to hear that later Continentals started using the super-heavy Schwinn rims. I wonder when that happened?
When the Varsities started shipping with forged steel stems, Varsity and Continental stems and steerers were changed to the "bmx" diameter .833".
Here's my mostly-original, late-1962 Continental in their largest (at the time) frame size (still way-too-short forward reach):
