Did Schwinn have a cruiser variant of the Continental?
02-15-06, 06:54 PM
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Did Schwinn have a cruiser variant of the Continental?
Reason I ask is that I am considering changing a few things and making my Conti into a cruiser style, similar to a Collegiate. The significant other wants me to get a cruiser, but I have this Conti laying around, and, well, you know.
What would it take to do the change, besides the obvious new bars?
Sorry for the 4th Schwinn question in one week.
What would it take to do the change, besides the obvious new bars?
Sorry for the 4th Schwinn question in one week.
02-15-06, 07:08 PM
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Any bike can be converted to a cruiser.
Even a vintage race bike:
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369ZkhXGG
Or an early rigid mountain bike:
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369QQAdCs
Even a vintage race bike:
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369ZkhXGG
Or an early rigid mountain bike:
https://community.webshots.com/photo/...68014369QQAdCs
02-15-06, 07:16 PM
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Schwinn did have "touring" variants of the Varsity and Continental, featuring North-Road handlebars and chrome fenders.
These models were phased out in the '70s, although any of the later models can be converted to original Schwinn specs for the touring models.
Take care,
-Kurt
These models were phased out in the '70s, although any of the later models can be converted to original Schwinn specs for the touring models.
Take care,
-Kurt
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02-15-06, 07:20 PM
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I found a flooded Varsity a week or so ago. It had North Roads-style bars and chromed fenders. Everything else was the same as on a drop-bar Varsity, I believe -- five-speed freewheel, Weinmann sidepulls, stem shifters, etc.
02-15-06, 07:24 PM
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To go the whole nine yards, you'll want Union rubber block pedals in place of the rat traps, a sprung mattress saddle, and I'd use a Suburban's painted fenders.
02-15-06, 08:00 PM
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Mike
I finally found those pink Tange MTB decals I needed for the Japanese Peugeot. The guy had four so I bought them all. That way I get four shots at getting it on straight.
I finally found those pink Tange MTB decals I needed for the Japanese Peugeot. The guy had four so I bought them all. That way I get four shots at getting it on straight.
02-15-06, 10:41 PM
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Thanks for all of the replies. And nice work Dirtdrop!
Only other thing I have a concern with is the brakes. Will I have to find new levers? I don't think what are currently on the Continental will work.
Only other thing I have a concern with is the brakes. Will I have to find new levers? I don't think what are currently on the Continental will work.
02-16-06, 12:05 AM
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I've seen road levers that've been straightened to work with upright bars, but it looks like ass. Weinmann or Dia-Compe levers for upright bars aren't real hard to find; lots of Schwinn middleweights and Japanese mixtes used them. On eBay, search for 'Weinmann lever'.
02-16-06, 06:48 AM
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This is not a great picture (I cropped it out of a much bigger pic) but here's a similar conversion on a '72 conti that started 20 years ago. I think it is a very comfortable ride.
02-16-06, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by duane041
Only other thing I have a concern with is the brakes. Will I have to find new levers? I don't think what are currently on the Continental will work.
-Kurt
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02-17-06, 05:11 PM
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Here's what I did with my 1972 Varsity:
Added a comfy saddle, generator light, fenders - it's essentially a cruiser/racer hybrid, I suppose. I wanted to have speed, but bulk and a little style. It's a super smooth, comfortable, ride and it has the capacity to go on long runs (40 miles roundtrip is my longest on this one).
Good luck with your converstion! Post some pics, as I would love to check it.
Added a comfy saddle, generator light, fenders - it's essentially a cruiser/racer hybrid, I suppose. I wanted to have speed, but bulk and a little style. It's a super smooth, comfortable, ride and it has the capacity to go on long runs (40 miles roundtrip is my longest on this one).
Good luck with your converstion! Post some pics, as I would love to check it.
02-17-06, 06:18 PM
#12
holyrollin'
Originally Posted by pragueinspring
Here's what I did with my 1972 Varsity:
Added a comfy saddle, generator light, fenders - it's essentially a cruiser/racer hybrid, I suppose. I wanted to have speed, but bulk and a little style. It's a super smooth, comfortable, ride and it has the capacity to go on long runs (40 miles roundtrip is my longest on this one).
Good luck with your converstion! Post some pics, as I would love to check it.
Added a comfy saddle, generator light, fenders - it's essentially a cruiser/racer hybrid, I suppose. I wanted to have speed, but bulk and a little style. It's a super smooth, comfortable, ride and it has the capacity to go on long runs (40 miles roundtrip is my longest on this one).
Good luck with your converstion! Post some pics, as I would love to check it.
02-17-06, 07:24 PM
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Originally Posted by pragueinspring
Here's what I did with my 1972 Varsity:
-Kurt
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02-17-06, 07:30 PM
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You can easily and cheaply make your Conti into a good cruiser. If you currently have all of the original parts, be sure to keep any bars, brake levers, etc. you remove, for the sake of future resale value.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
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Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
02-17-06, 10:51 PM
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Thanks to everyone for the replies. It looks like it'll be a go, as I rode a Suburban today and even with the seat jacked almost all the way up, I still felt like my knees were going to hit the bars.
Luckily for me, a kind member of BF has offered up the parts to change over my Continental to a snappy cruiser. May be awhile until I get to it, but i will post pics when it's done.
Luckily for me, a kind member of BF has offered up the parts to change over my Continental to a snappy cruiser. May be awhile until I get to it, but i will post pics when it's done.
02-19-06, 05:25 PM
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I can't wait to see your finished product! Good luck with the conversion, I hope it turns out
Cudak, As for the Brooks saddle on mine - I'm thinking no, haha. The saddle it has is a Schwinn Approved model, that while it's held together by dental floss (literally. I hand sewed it.) was a very appreciated gift from someone. When it's toast, well - maybe. hehe
Cudak, As for the Brooks saddle on mine - I'm thinking no, haha. The saddle it has is a Schwinn Approved model, that while it's held together by dental floss (literally. I hand sewed it.) was a very appreciated gift from someone. When it's toast, well - maybe. hehe
