Daniel G’s 1974 (Short Wheelbase) Schwinn Sprint

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Continuing our celebration of Independence with all things Schwinn! Get a load of this OTSG First short wheelbase 1974 Schwinn Sprint sent in by Daniel G.

For your consideration,

Here is my second contribution to OTSG. This is a 1974 Schwinn Sprint in opaque red. that I acquired this (and a used Brooks saddle) winter after trading it for a Schwinn Collegiate. It is one of my favorite bikes and one I’m proud to own especially because the shorter frame style was only made in ’74 and ’75 and this color was only made in ’74. It has essentially the same components as a Schwinn Continental except that the wheelbase is shorter. I’m not sure where the chrome front fork came from; it was on the bike when I got it (but not factory.) Due to the shorter frame, the kickstand was welded to the bottom bracket.

Since acquiring this bike I’ve cleaned all the chrome and aluminum parts, gave it a good detail and wax job, new handlebar tape, matching Schwinn approved rear rack, polar water bottle for the longer rides, and new tires. The bearings have been overhauled and set correctly. The Brooks saddle may look familiar; I took it off the World Sport I submitted last fall.

I love riding this bike and the way it looks, especially where the fillet-brazed Electro Forged welds come together. The shorter frame makes for climbing hills especially easy.

Thank you

Daniel G.

Thanks Daniel

Related posts:

  1. Jason V’s Fuji Espree
  2. Mark M.’s 1983 Schwinn Traveler
  3. Mike G’s 1985 Schwinn Sprint
  4. Jeff K’s Peugeot Record du Monde
  5. Matt P’s Vagabond RX-500
  • http://trailerparkcyclist.blogspot.com Trailer Park Cyclist

    Hose clamps work. Do I see pieces of old inner tube under the clamps? That’s what I used. The Surly Karate Monkey utilizes that bent seat tube trick also.
    (Thirty-plus years later) This bike looks like a sprinter indeed.

    Call me Crazy, but I see a candidate for an Over The Top Old Ten Speed Conversion.

    And why am I suddenly hungry for pie?

  • Daniel

    thanks for the kind words. You do see the inner tubes under the clamps to protect paint. I hid them the best I could but don’t mind them poking out a bit so people can see them if they look hard enough. I was concerned when I acquired the bike where to put the water bottle cage; thankfully it worked on the seat tube. I wanted to avoid the screening on the downtube.

    I don’t plan any conversions of it anytime soon, I like it the way it came from Chicago, although I am wishing it had more gears to go faster. Alas, it’s a great bike to ride.

  • older1

    Pretty cool, in great condition, and not common at all, Daniel! The chrome fork looks like it just belongs there!
    Found it at http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1974_15.html and http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1975_09.html
    Ah, yes, those were the good old days: when, to Schwinn, anyway, ‘lightweight’ meant 36# (with chromed-steel rims and a one-piece ashtabula crank)!
    “Sprint” is aptly-named, since it probably only does that well. I’m going to guess its short production life was due to the typically-relaxed seat tube angle, making it a wheelie-machine when climbing hills (in the saddle).
    Depending on Daniel’s geometry (while considering “knee-over-pedal” guideline), a couple of things could be done to minimize the effect: first of all, try sliding the seat forward, and then, if still not enough, rotate the seat rail clamp hardware 180 degrees (especially if a longish stem may have the bars too far forward for a shorter rider).
    The so-called ‘short-coupled’ geometry even briefly showed up on Schwinn’s expensive 1975 Touring Paramount, too: http://www.trfindley.com/flschwinn_1971_1980/1975_06.html
    While super-short chainstays improves rear triangle rigidity for high-performance track and road racing, short chainstays on a bike meant for loaded touring could be considered too rigid for stability, long-range comfort, and potentially have a larger-footed rider’s heels strike rear panniers. When compared to race bikes, a classic touring bike would also have a longer, more stable/comfortable wheelbase due to increased fork rake and relaxed head tube angle).

  • Daniel G.

    I need to edit my post: Electro forged frames were not fillet brazed, the higher end Sports Tourers and Super Sports were.