We're starting to get some fall color here, though the weather this week was pleasantly warm. Unfortunately, we're losing daylight, which means trying to get started on the ride a little earlier each evening. But as long as the weather is good and the daylight is just enough, the rides continue.
This week's rides are the 1964 Schwinn Traveler and the 1949 Schwinn New World.
These two bikes have some differences but are pretty similar. Both have welded steel frames, though the New World frame is partially of fillet brazed construction. The Traveler has more welded joints. Schwinn gradually expanded their use of welded construction on these frames. As time went on, the company advanced its techniques welding sections of frame, doing away with some joints that were previously fillet brazed.
The bikes are both good riders. They're both on the heavy side for a three speed, but also comfortable to ride. The frame angles are relatively laid back compared to a Raleigh Sports. The Weinmann brakes on the Traveler work a bit better, but the Schwinn-made steel brakes on the New World function about the same as any English three speed utility machine. The wheel sets are basically similar: steel rims, galvanized spokes, Sturmey Archer AW and Schwinn-made hubs. Both have the same gear ratio: 46 teeth in front and 22 teeth in back (modified from 18 in back).
Perhaps the biggest difference, aside from the frame size, is the fork construction. The Traveler has a forged, blade-style fork and the New World has a tubular fork. The New World's fork gives a little better ride, but it's not a huge difference when you consider the rest of the bike is similar to the Traveler. The New World has an edge in the ride category, but I still very much enjoy the Traveler's ride.
