Just picked up his and hers collegiate schwinns. Which is more better!!!! a collegiate or a suburban. I have no experience with schwinns. Could I part out the suburban and use the 5 speed set up on the collegiate or something more exciting like a 10 or 12 speed. Looking for any ideas. Thanks , oglala
(锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
I never owned a suburban, so it is difficult to say BUT, the Collegiate is a nice machine. It is truly a sweet ride and it is a good looking machine.
It has a lot of chrome which gives it a sharp look.
I sold a Collegiate a couple of years ago for $125.00 which I thought was a good price at the time.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by oglala_1927
Just picked up his and hers collegiate schwinns. Which is more better!!!! a collegiate or a suburban. I have no experience with schwinns. Could I part out the suburban and use the 5 speed set up on the collegiate or something more exciting like a 10 or 12 speed. Looking for any ideas. Thanks , oglala
The Suburban was a step above the Collegiate in the heirarchy. The Suburban had 27" wheels with 1 1/4" tires, while the Collegiate had 26" wheels.
In 1978, the ten-speed Suburban went for $159.95, while the five-speed went for $149.95.
The 1978 Collegiate only came in a five-speed version (single front chainwheel with 46T) and sold for $139.95.
The 1981 catalog also shows a Collegiate three-speed (Sturmey-Archer) version in addition to the five-speed.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- So far! Looks like I should keep the full dress suburban, part out the men,s SA 3 speed collegiate and fix up the ladies 3 speed collegiate and trash can the the men,s collegiate frame! The ladies has been ridden a lot more than the men,s. Will keep the tires, brakes and levers, moustach handlebars, seat and post. My Takara 3 speed is about the same as the collegiate!
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by Scooper
The Suburban was a step above the Collegiate in the heirarchy. The Suburban had 27" wheels with 1 1/4" tires, while the Collegiate had 26" wheels.
In 1978, the ten-speed Suburban went for $159.95, while the five-speed went for $149.95.
The 1978 Collegiate only came in a five-speed version (single front chainwheel with 46T) and sold for $139.95.
The 1981 catalog also shows a Collegiate three-speed (Sturmey-Archer) version in addition to the five-speed.
That is interesting information, Scooper. I like all the reference material based info you provide.
I guess in the 1970's, the Suburban was fancier than the Collegiate, but as a collector, I personally go for the Collegiate. Perhaps it is because the Collegiate is an anomaly with it鎶 26?wheels and five (or three) speed.
Making a bike a ten-speed was so easy and had such a minimal cost, it is a wonder why Schwinn would bother with trying to market a five-speed.
Think about it; a five speed machine with a 26?wheel base. It is ideal for a commuter, especially as transport for the 鎻卭llegiate?coed. The 26?wheel base made it slightly more efficient for the stop-go of city riding. The slightly wider wheel base made for a slightly more stable ride, perhaps less prone to damage.
Perhaps even the five speed provided enough gearing for city riding, but with a simplicity advantage over the ten-speed.
(锕侊箒)~~~~---------------------------------------------------------------------- Originally Posted by mike
Making a bike a ten-speed was so easy and had such a minimal cost, it is a wonder why Schwinn would bother with trying to market a five-speed.
My guess is that it was a simple, inexpensive way to fill a market niche; a Collegiate is more or less a Racer with a Huret RD and freewheel.
And c'mon Frank -- where the pictures!? (锕侊箒)~~~~----------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks , oglala
Originally Posted by oglala_1927
Just picked up his and hers collegiate schwinns. Which is more better!!!! a collegiate or a suburban. I have no experience with schwinns. Could I part out the suburban and use the 5 speed set up on the collegiate or something more exciting like a 10 or 12 speed. Looking for any ideas. 
So far! Looks like I should keep the full dress suburban, part out the men,s SA 3 speed collegiate and fix up the ladies 3 speed collegiate and trash can the the men,s collegiate frame! The ladies has been ridden a lot more than the men,s. Will keep the tires, brakes and levers, moustach handlebars, seat and post. My Takara 3 speed is about the same as the collegiate!
