Re-gear 1972 Schwinn SA
 

I have a 1072 Schwinn Speedster with a 3 speed sturmy archer. In the flats of the prairie state, I find I'm only using the lowest gear. And I have to mash that gear.

I was hoping to make one or more modifications with an eye to having more useful gears/and or being able to spin in at least one gear. The chain ring is 46 (maybe 44, I forget) and the rear cog is 18.

A concern is if I get a new one piece crank with less teeth, 1. It may not be compatible, and 2. I might over do it.

Any suggestions?

Putting a new crank with less teeth is easy, you'll just have to shorten the chain to compensate, but make sure your chainline stays straight.

You can get rear cogs up to 22T, although you'd probably have to do some searching, and you'd need a longer chain. Switching the chainring (and not nec. crank) is more labor intensive, but you can reuse the chain, and you're giving (or should give) the bb an overhaul in the process. New cranks are probably unnecessary.

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