ollo_ollo Thanks for pointing out the weight-bearing factor. I've only had one frame failure and I was a deal younger when it happened. It was a bike that I repeatedly rode on stairs, no doubt stressing the frame. It failed while I was riding straight and level (and fairly slow). I treat bikes more gently now.
caloso, If I had found a proper English-built Raleigh among the stuff I'm combing through, I likely would have chosen it just because it's the bike I wanted when I was a kid. Your favoring the Schwinn becasue you had one reminded me of it. I used to rent Schwinns on the Jersey shore back in the 1960's. It seems they were the bike of choice for most rental fleets.