Originally Posted by
specialmonkey
Thanks, I do have a little experience with that stem, on one of my Super Sports :
and hadn't noticed any issues. There isn't much of a choice if you want a taller 21.1 stem (that looks OK) ... some '73-'76 24+" Schwinn's (e.g. Super Sports / Sports Tourers / Continentals) had this girder stem, which provides 1" additional height. This can help one get a more upright / comfortable position, especially if the seat post is extended much.
I was able to add the tall Technomic stem to the Kool Orange (a 22.2) due to it being one of the very first Sports Tourers, that didn't conform to what would become the 21.1 Schwinn standard for stems on these bikes. It additionally had Campagnolo stamped dropouts, another anomaly to what would become standard - either stamped or forged Huret.
Maybe I had a wimpy one.
Because it was bad.
They were standard on 77 Varsities too, but only the 26 inch frame. Which was weird.
Yep, 21.1 makes for slim pickins. I too wanted more height, but I bit the aesthetic bullet and went for that "Dirt Drop" or "cruiser" style, which is still manufactured in 21.1.
I've promised myself that if I build up another old Schwinn (likely) that I'm taking a brake hone to the steerer and opening it up to 22.2. Plenty of meat there.
