1986 Schwinn High Sierra - help with rear axle
07-27-12, 10:06 PM
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1986 Schwinn High Sierra - help with rear axle
I just got my brothers 1986 High Sierra "Mtn Bike" (feels more like a hybrid). I road the bike 15-20 years ago when it was it good shape and LOVED it. It has an upright position, and is the easiest bike I have ever ridden to ride with no hands. Just a real cruiser.
Anyway, the bike is a bit rough now. One issue is that the solid rear axle appears to be bent. I might have been the one who did it. I am 230 lbs, and I recall riding the bike down some steps a few times. Anyhow...
Its running a 5 speed rear freewheel (with a 32t for easy ridin), with 126mm spacing.
My options seem to be
a) replace the solid rear axle.
The problem is figuring out which axle to get. The obvious answer is go to your LBS, but I like figure out stuff on my own and find the part on internet. Also 90% of my free time is at night. My weekdays are work and my weekends are family or actually trying to ride a bike. So I much prefer to order the part I need and have it show up at my door. Can anyone advise how I figure out what axle I need. I would guess I need to know length, diameter and thread width? How do I figure out the thread width?
b) replace the whole wheel - The current wheels are 26 by 1.75, quite wide with a 2.25 inch tire. I'd like to run 1.5 inch slicks on this bike, so if I replace the wheel I can get a narrower rim that would work better with narrow tire. But I havent come across a lot of 26inch rims built up to fit 126mm. Maybe I am not looking in the right spots
Ok,please advise on above
Anyway, the bike is a bit rough now. One issue is that the solid rear axle appears to be bent. I might have been the one who did it. I am 230 lbs, and I recall riding the bike down some steps a few times. Anyhow...
Its running a 5 speed rear freewheel (with a 32t for easy ridin), with 126mm spacing.
My options seem to be
a) replace the solid rear axle.
The problem is figuring out which axle to get. The obvious answer is go to your LBS, but I like figure out stuff on my own and find the part on internet. Also 90% of my free time is at night. My weekdays are work and my weekends are family or actually trying to ride a bike. So I much prefer to order the part I need and have it show up at my door. Can anyone advise how I figure out what axle I need. I would guess I need to know length, diameter and thread width? How do I figure out the thread width?
b) replace the whole wheel - The current wheels are 26 by 1.75, quite wide with a 2.25 inch tire. I'd like to run 1.5 inch slicks on this bike, so if I replace the wheel I can get a narrower rim that would work better with narrow tire. But I havent come across a lot of 26inch rims built up to fit 126mm. Maybe I am not looking in the right spots
Ok,please advise on above
Last edited by Baggins2012; 07-28-12 at 08:29 AM.
07-27-12, 10:30 PM
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If I could be assured of that outcome, I would find the time to go to the LBS. Actually, I wouldnt mind paying.
By I am expecting them to not have the parts, and then it turns into 2 trips to the LBS.
By I am expecting them to not have the parts, and then it turns into 2 trips to the LBS.
07-28-12, 01:16 AM
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The Schwinn should have been equipped with a high flange Japanese hub, probably Sansin/Sunshine.
I'd say it's a 10x1mm thread pitch axle.
The replacement axle will likely bend again if you plan to ride the bike.
Some options are:
1. replace the hub with a stronger/better freehub design. There are a lot of 126mm Shimano 7 spd freehub road wheels available used. Or search for a NOS HG 7 spd freehub on ebay.
Purchase a set of new stainless steel spokes of the appropriate length and reuse the Sierra's rim.
2. A current 130mm freehub will fit, just spread the dropouts to mount. You might be able to find a mtb wheel built with a 130mm hub, as early 90s mtbs used 130 before going up to 135.
I'd say it's a 10x1mm thread pitch axle.
The replacement axle will likely bend again if you plan to ride the bike.
Some options are:
1. replace the hub with a stronger/better freehub design. There are a lot of 126mm Shimano 7 spd freehub road wheels available used. Or search for a NOS HG 7 spd freehub on ebay.
Purchase a set of new stainless steel spokes of the appropriate length and reuse the Sierra's rim.
2. A current 130mm freehub will fit, just spread the dropouts to mount. You might be able to find a mtb wheel built with a 130mm hub, as early 90s mtbs used 130 before going up to 135.
Last edited by WNG; 07-28-12 at 03:28 PM.
07-28-12, 08:22 AM
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The Schwinn should have been equipped with a high flange Japanese hub, probably Sansin/Sunshine.
I'd say it's a 10x1mm thread pitch axle.
The replacement axle will likely bend again if you plan to ride the bike.
Some options are:
1. replace the hub with a stronger/better freehub design. There are a lot of 126mm Shimano 7 spd freehub road wheels available used. Or search for a NOS HG 7 spd freehub on ebay.
Purchase a set of new stainless steel spokes or the appropriate length and reuse the Sierra's rim.
2. A current 130mm freehub will fit, just spread the dropouts to mount. You might be able to find a mtb wheel built with a 130mm hub, as early 90s mtbs used 130 before going up to 135.
I'd say it's a 10x1mm thread pitch axle.
The replacement axle will likely bend again if you plan to ride the bike.
Some options are:
1. replace the hub with a stronger/better freehub design. There are a lot of 126mm Shimano 7 spd freehub road wheels available used. Or search for a NOS HG 7 spd freehub on ebay.
Purchase a set of new stainless steel spokes or the appropriate length and reuse the Sierra's rim.
2. A current 130mm freehub will fit, just spread the dropouts to mount. You might be able to find a mtb wheel built with a 130mm hub, as early 90s mtbs used 130 before going up to 135.
Regarding a replacement axle being likely to also bend: is this due solely to design of the hub and my weight, or does it indicate some sort of damage to the frame?
Also while I am still 230 lbs , I dont plan on using the bike as a mtn bike, nor will I ride down stairs. It will have to go down curbs tho. Do you think the the axle is still likely to bend?
thanks for the advice
Last edited by Baggins2012; 07-28-12 at 08:26 AM.
07-28-12, 02:24 PM
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I had a problem with the rear hub on my 87 High Sierra- I just got a whole new wheel.
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07-28-12, 02:54 PM
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You may want to check the frame for alighnment. I have had several early Schwinn All Terrain Bikes (ATB) , before they were called Mountain Bikes. Broken rear axles were common, so a read up on it, and found that quite a few have alighnment issues.
07-28-12, 03:28 PM
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The axle bending is more a reason of design. Drive side bearings are too far inboard. With a section of axle where the freewheel goes, subjected to stress. Heavy riders, and rough usage doesn't help matters.
you'll probably be fine with a replacement axle and cones, cheapest option.
you'll probably be fine with a replacement axle and cones, cheapest option.
07-28-12, 11:07 PM
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Just measure the length. The threads on a solid axle are standard. Most solid axles that I have bought usually have come with dust caps, cones, and nuts.
01-10-15, 10:50 PM
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I have the same issue on a 1985 Schwinn World Sport with the same hub. Want to minimize cost as this was supposed to be a restore and sell.
01-11-15, 02:01 PM
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First thing you should do is check your bearing cups to see if they are cracked, scored, or pitted. If they are, just get a new wheel.
If they are still sound, I'm guessing you will need a 3/8" X 26tpi axle. Most solid axle wheels from the 80's and 90's use those.
Also guessing the bent part is on the drive side of the axle, this is why cassette hubs ended up taking over the market- it allowed the part of the hub that carried the load to be closer to the dropout, so axles were less likely to bend.
Take the axle and cones with you to the LBS, and carefully try to thread the cone on the replacement axle.
If you get new cones, they should match the profile of your existing cones.
Get new bearings.
Good luck!
If they are still sound, I'm guessing you will need a 3/8" X 26tpi axle. Most solid axle wheels from the 80's and 90's use those.
Also guessing the bent part is on the drive side of the axle, this is why cassette hubs ended up taking over the market- it allowed the part of the hub that carried the load to be closer to the dropout, so axles were less likely to bend.
Take the axle and cones with you to the LBS, and carefully try to thread the cone on the replacement axle.
If you get new cones, they should match the profile of your existing cones.
Get new bearings.
Good luck!
01-11-15, 07:59 PM
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First thing you should do is check your bearing cups to see if they are cracked, scored, or pitted. If they are, just get a new wheel.
If they are still sound, I'm guessing you will need a 3/8" X 26tpi axle. Most solid axle wheels from the 80's and 90's use those.
If they are still sound, I'm guessing you will need a 3/8" X 26tpi axle. Most solid axle wheels from the 80's and 90's use those.
Cups and cones are in good shape but I wasn't sure I would be able to save the drive side cone because the threads were mashed up where the axle bent. I ended up cutting the axle with a hacksaw and saving the cone.
Looks like I can get a cheap chromo axle from ebay and I have bearings
