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).
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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.
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, Schwalbe tubes
- Kiley LED headlight, Ascher bag-mount LED tail light
- Brooks B67 "antique finish" saddle
- Acorn saddle bag
- Spiral-dome bell
