Spring Ride: 1948 Raleigh Sports Tourist

 

We finally had a jolt of warm weather for the first couple days this week. I fiddled a bit with the 1948 Raleigh's seat position, raising it a bit to a position that I like better. 

This bike is a pleasant rider, though it certainly feels more like a utility/commuter bike than a sporty bike. The chain case, dynohub, and various accessories make this a fairly heavy bike. It helps to lower the gearing by installing a 22-tooth rear cog. That is the maximum that will comfortably fit inside the chain case. I've tried 24-tooth cogs in chain cases in the past, but they never fit very well, at least not well enough to keep the chain from rubbing.

 

I may add a somewhat bigger bag-mount LED light for safety reasons. The incandescent tail light works, and I do have an LED bag light already, but it seems like drivers today are very distracted (or aggressive). A larger bag light might give a little more indication I'm a slow-moving vehicle near the side of the road. 

The leaves are really starting to appear now. It's good to see a return to warmer weather.

Spring Ride - 1940 Schwinn New World

 

The wearing-in period of the 1940 New World continues. I raised the seat post maybe 1/2 or 3/4 of an inch. Handlebars stayed put for the time being. I like them a little above the saddle level. My trips on this bike will be of the short or medium length. I have other bikes for longer rides. The bike is just now leaving that stage of rides where time is spent fiddling with the fit, setting up lights, etc.

 The bike is relatively light, being as basic as it is. It doesn't even have a kickstand. The closest bike in concept that I have is my 1947 Raleigh Model 35, though that is even more basic (the Raleigh doesn't even have a chain guard). Of the two, the 1947 Raleigh has a more solid feel to the frame and rides a little better. I enjoy both bikes. 

What is surprising is how noticeably different the bike feels than post-war New World, Traveler, etc. Those are heavier but not nearly as flexible feeling as this bike. They have a more solid feel, especially climbing a steep hill or going over bumps. So many things on this bike have a spindly quality: the seat stays, fender stays, glass reflector, small-diameter frame tubes, etc. The bike doesn't have that heavy, over-built feel of the post-war New World frames (both for better and for worse).

Overall, this bike is a good example of a light, spindly, simple American-made lightweight touring bike from before WWII. The "modern" lightweight bike was still in its early years in 1940 in the United States. Britain had a much longer history of diamond frame, relatively modern bicycles for sport, touring, and utility purposes. So it's nice to have an example of an "early", American-made lightweight with a 23-inch frame.

1940 Schwinn New World

 

The second project completed over the winter is this 1940 Schwinn New World three speed bike. This bike has the typical early Schwinn three speed features: fillet brazed frame, Schwinn-built brake calipers and levers, AS&Co. cottered cranks, wire fender braces, red glass rear reflector.

 

The bike has an unusual, 23-inch frame on the usual 26-inch wheels. These early tall-frame men's bikes are difficult to find today. 

 

Saddle is a Brook B67 "antique" style - dark brown with lace-up sides. Tires are Kendas with Schwalbe Tubes. Saddle bag is an Acorn brand (very nice, made in USA).  

This kind of a "noodle frame". It flexes a fair bit when climbing or in tight turns. That is somewhat typical of early, tall frame New Worlds. These bikes have pencil-thin seat stays and relatively light-duty rear dropouts. 

These early bikes are also known for their glass rear reflectors. They are somewhat fragile, but they add some character to the bike. 

Overall, this bike gives a good picture of the earliest days of modern, American-made three speed "lightweight" touring bikes. The bike is relatively light in weight and the frame has a hand-built quality to it. It is a pleasant rider, but not as robust or easy to repair as later bikes. 

 Pedals are the venerable Torrington #10 types. They are simple and robust, though a bit on the large and heavy side for a light weight bike. They were typical of the pedals used on American bikes of the late 1930s and early 1940s. I like them quite a lot, and enjoy that they have a local connection - they were made only a few miles away from my home.

The same goes for the spokes. The wheels are a set I built: later Schwinn S6 chrome steel rims, Torrington spokes, and a good hub set: 1939 Sturmey Archer AW rear three speed and a Schwinn script front hub.

Without further delay, here are the basic specs:

• 23-inch fillet brazed steel frame
• 26-inch (597 mm) wheels and tires
• Sturmey Archer AW rear, dated 1939
• Schwinn script front hub
• Schwinn-built calipers and levers
• AS&Co cottered crank set
• Kenda tires, Kenda tubes
• Kiley LED headlight, Ascher bag-mount LED tail light
• Brooks B67 "antique finish" saddle
• Acorn saddle bag
• Spiral-dome bell