I have a frame that seems to have horizontal dropouts, and I'm interested in converting it into a single speed bike.



I've seen dropouts that go in the other direction though, such that the rear wheel slides in from the back. Will I be able to safely use the frame above for my bike?

Yes those are horizontal dropouts and they should suit your needs without any issue. The others you describe are track ends.

That looks like an old electro forged schwinn frame?

I second that.

And it is definitely an E/F Schwinn frame, probably a Varsity or Continental? Watch out for the odd seatpost size and quill stem size... I use the same frame.

Yeah, also that's a 1 piece crank. Not necessarily ideal, but if it spins fine, then you're OK.

Seriously, I don't know why people get so much **** when they convert old Schwinns.
Ok, well I know why... but still. Those things are tanks. You could throw one down a mountain and it'll be ok to ride back up (if the 40 pounds of bike don't slow you down).

I have no problems with old EF schwinns at all.... I just recognized it. I commuted on a Schwinn collegiate for 2/3rds of this year. I agree with you, they are the brinks truck of the bicycle world. When Schwinn said lifetime warranty they made sure they wouldn't see many coming back. I think the models with the tubular forks are much nicer though, like the continentals or suburbans.

Here is my trusty old collegiate:

those seats are awesome. i want one. rode a le tour 1976 once that had one on it. very cool.

what's the difference between an electroforged frame and the hi-ten frame?

Yeah... I agree. You should consider using a American --> Euro converter, get a new BB, and go 3 piece crank! Its more fun that way too.

I have one in my closet that's in decent shape. if you want it, PM me and we'll work something out.

Electroforged does not describe the tubing material, it describes how the tubes are joined. A typical hi tensile steel frame is normally lugged or tig welded where the tubes join. Schwinn was the only one to build electro forged frames, here is a great article describing the process, https://www.sheldonbrown.com/varsity.html.

Schwinn also rolled their own tubing, just some plain old gas pipe steel. The nicer frames like the supersport were made with cro moly tubing and filet brazed.

I find it strange that while on BMX frames, this has always been called a 'dropout':



But on a track bike frame, it must be referred to as a 'track end'.



I've had people go apesh*t on me for saying 'dropout'. They look pretty similar to me...

aha! thanks, that is interesting. never knew that about those old schwinn frames.

Just call them "those thingies where the back wheel goes" and you'll be okay.

I just call them all dropouts...

Aside from vertical dropouts. Everything else is really a "slide" out.

haha, slide out....

I love EF schwinns. They look so smooth and the welds are beautiful. I've never ridden one though.