Handlebar shape and position are an important factor of getting your vintage bike to fit correctly. American "lightweight" three speed style bikes have an added complication in this arena: stems that are often much shorter than their British counter parts. The shorter, American stems reduce the up/down adjustment of the bars and make the bar shape doubly important.
Fortunately, Schwinn had a system for classifying its handlebars. Knowing which model of bars are most comfortable for you can help avoid fitting problems or can help you find the right bars for your particular vintage bike.
Below are my notes on Schwinn handlebars, including some of my personal favorites.
Note: Schwinn's early handlebars will not have a model number or date code stamped into them. However, Schwinn's later handlebars often have a bar model number and date code stamped into the center of the bars.
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| Early-style Schwinn touring bars |
Early Style Schwinn Touring Bars (1930s-50s): These early bars are narrow (usually 18 to 20 inches wide), with ends that come straight back. The ends do not sweep back much on these bars. Rise on the bars can be anywhere from flat to +3.5 inches. They appear to have been made so they can be reversed into a sporting type position. These bars are correct for the early Schwinn touring bikes. It helps to have a fairly long stem with these bars because they don't give a great deal of adjustment. They are smaller than their contemporary, English-made counterparts. These bars have a somewhat unique look because of their straight-back ends and narrow profile. These bars aren't bad, but certainly not the most comfortable bars I've ever used. But if you are looking for proper touring bars for one of these older bikes, this style of bar is a "correct" option.
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| Example of early bars with rise - but some are nearly flat |
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| Common Schwinn Touring/North Road Style Bars - 1960s |
Schwinn #7819 Bars (1950s-60s): For quite a few years in the later 1950s and into the 1960s, these were the go-to touring bars for Schwinn three speed style bikes. Width is in the 20 to 22 inch range. Rise is in the 3.25 to 3.75 inch range, depending on year. This was Schwinn's take on the "North Road" bars being produced by Raleigh for the Raleigh Sports type bikes. These are not bad bars and a good option for your 1950s-60s Schwinn. Some of these bars have a number stamped into their center, some just say "Schwinn" stamped in the center, and some have no center stamping.
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| About 3.5 inches of rise on these 1960s bars - not bad |
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| Schwinn #7830 bars - more rise and very comfortable |
Schwinn #7830 (Second Pattern) Bars (1960s-70s): These are a somewhat later bar with a little more generous rise than the 7819. These bars should NOT be confused with the earlier #7830 that was a bar specifically cycle truck cargo carriers. Apparently the #7830 was repurposed later as a medium-sized touring bar, hence why I call this a "second pattern" of that bar number. Width is 22 to 23 inches, rise 3.5 to 4.0 inches. These bars can be a substitute for 7819 where you are stuck with a shorter stem but want more rise and a little more width. I find these to be very comfortable bars and they are a "go-to" for me when I need a little extra rise or width because of the particular stem on a bike. These bars are not especially prone to reversing because of their rise/drop. These bars were meant to be ridden upright.
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| 7830 center stamping |
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| 7830 Rise - a reasonably generous 3.5 to 3.75 inches |
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| Schwinn #7881 - larger touring bars |
Schwinn #7881 Bars (1960s and 70s): These bars are similar in shape to the 7830 but even a bit wider and with a bit more rise. These bars are about 23-inches wide, with 4.5 to 4.75 inches of rise. These bars are a good choice when you want an even more upright ride, or you're dealing with a short stem. These bars are comfortable, though if you're used to English North Roads, they will feel quite large. If 7819 and 7830 still don't get those hand grips up high enough for you, try #7881. These bars are not especially prone to reversing because of their rise/drop. These bars were meant to be ridden upright. These bars were original to late 1960s through early 80s bikes, but are a good option when you want to raise those handle points on any Schwinn touring bike. These bars replaced the #7819 as the go-to bar for touring bikes, probably because the American stems tended to be short and a more generous rise was needed to bring some adjustment to the table.
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| #7881 - very generous rise of 4.5+ inches |
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| #7881 Stamping |
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#7881 - notice the generous rise and fairly wide pattern |
The Bottom Line: If you are not wedded to originality, try several different kinds of bars and see what is most comfortable to you. American-made three speeds generally have less stem height adjustment than their British counterparts. So use those handlebars to make up for it and to get the comfortable riding fit you need for the bike. Don't be afraid to experiment to get the most comfortable ride possible.
