Schwinn Varsity help....
 

So, I recently acquired an old schwinn varsity frameset. Not sure what year, but I need some help with my bottom bracket. I understand that it usually uses a one piece crank and bb. I saw that there are conversion kits and I was wondering which of these I should get.

http://store.citygrounds.com/store/p...onversion-Kit/

or

http://store.citygrounds.com/store/p...rican-to-Euro/

This might not be the most helpful thing I could say but... why do you want to convert? the varsity was the bottom of the Schwinn line-up. just regrease the bearings and ride the heck out of it. Save your money for something nicer. on a slightly more helpful note http://37-590.blogspot.com/2009/05/b...t-1-piece.html

also http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...dapter-Problem

exactly - love my varsity though

just regrease and stay one piece

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...n/IMG_7301.jpg

I really like the Truvativ adapter but you still need to purchase a BB.I guess it comes down to price and how much you want to spend since the other comes with a spindle.
I didn't have any problems like that in the link above and seem to recall it could have been because it was a rather large frame.

Interesting,the Truvativ has come down in price since I purchased mine a few? yrs. ago.

Allow wheels and 3 peice crank its still a fun bullet proof tank.:thumb:
http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/c...r198/004-1.jpg

I used the Truvativ. I had an old Varsity frame set and bunch of unused Shimano Sora parts lying around doing nothing. I built that frame set into a bulletproof hybrid that's just the thing for going grocery shopping.

Would I buy new parts to build up a gas-pipe Schwinn frame? No. But it you have a bunch of suitable spare parts lying around doing nothing, there's no reason not to.

I stuck with the Ashtabula crank on mine. They last forever.

They also weigh like 30 pounds, but so does the rest of the bike :)

Well this will be my only bike for a while because I'll be starting college soon and also I got a 3pc crank from a friend of mine. I wouldn't mind buying the Truvativ and a new BB. I just wanted to know which is preferred.

I prefer my One-piece crank because its easy, cheap and will last damn near forever. Its what the bike was designed for so I know I won't run into any gotchas with it.

I considered a conversion to 3 piece but for me I just didn't see any advantages

If you decide on going with the BB conversion, the Truvativ 3-bolt or a Sunlite 4-bolt should work fine assuming there are no interference with the bolts. I used Sunlite on my 70's Schwinn Super Sport, the only issues is to cut the bolts, it was protruding passed the face of the adapter, to allow the cartridge BB to install flush on the drive side. I also had to utilize a BB spacer due to the granny chainring bolts are making contact with the adapter face. A BB with a longer spindle would probably solve the spacer issue though.