Guide to Schwinn Traveler Bicycles (1950s-60s)

 

 

Introduction

Schwinn used the "Traveler" name on several kinds of bikes over the years. There are two basic bikes known as "Travelers". The first is the American-made (Schwinn Chicago factory) single, two-speed, or three-speed touring/commuting bike made from the early 1950s to the mid-1960s. The second "Traveler" is a Japanese-made road bike of the 1970s-80s. This field guide is about the earlier "Traveler".

 The Schwinn Traveler three speed was Schwinn's luxury "lightweight" or "English style" bike made in the USA. The Traveler's fenders were initially chrome, but later stainless steel. They feature a "fin" on the front fender. The Traveler generally came with more equipment than the lesser models: saddle bag, lighting set, and a better saddle. The Traveler also made use of Schwinn's proprietary built-in kickstand, whereas some lesser models did not have a built-in kickstand. 

 

How To Tell if You Have a Traveler?

Look at the chain guard and the frame for decals. Often (but not always) the chain guard will actually say "Traveler". Also, look at the features to see if it matches one of the generations of Traveler bikes described below. 

 

 

How to ascertain a date? 

Schwinn Traveler serial numbers usually appear on the non-drive side dropout (1952-66). A serial number chart is available online HERE. Some very early Travelers (1951-52) have the serial number on the bottom of the bottom bracket shell. This number tells you when the bottom bracket or dropout was stamped. It is not the actual "build date" for the bike, but is close enough for collectors today.

On three speed Travelers, Sturmey Archer made most of the rear hubs. Sturmey Archer's date code will include a two-digit year and a two-digit month. The hubs were produced a few weeks to months before the bike was completed, but it will give you a rough idea of when the bike was made (if it's the original hub to the bike). Sometimes a Traveler will have a front "Dynohub", a hub that powers the lighting system. Dynohubs also will have a two-digit year and two-digit month code on the shell. Some Travelers have Austrian-made or Brampton-made hubs without date codes. In those cases, use the decals (see below) on the bike to try to ascertain a date. Austrian-made hubs can be found on late 1950s Travelers and Brampton hubs are on some early and mid 1950s Travelers.

 For single and two-speed Travelers, look to the frame serial number and features (see below) to ascertain the date of the bike.

Identifying Four Generations of Travelers

 

Generation 1: 1951 through 1956

These bikes have ornate, winged decals on the frame. They have "hockey stick" chain guards. Frames are made of welded steel. Initially the fenders were made of chromed steel, but after only a couple of years, the fenders changed to stainless steel construction. Rims are S6 "endrick" or "box pattern" rims. 

 

The earliest generation 1 Travelers have "Schwinn Built" steel brake calipers and brake levers. Subsequently, Phillips (English) steel calipers and levers were used. Schwinn then switched to Weinmann aluminum alloy model 810 calipers and all-grey aluminum levers.  

Phillips "swivel" brake levers - courtesy of the CABE

 

Weinmann grey levers

Front forks are made of tubular steel and have an ornate design on them. 

Early generation 1 three-speed Travelers have clamp-on cable pulleys, whereas later ones have a braze-on boss for the Sturmey Archer gear cable pulley. 

Early Generation 1 Travelers have a round headbadge that says "New World" on it. Later ones have a brass "Schwinn" logo headbadge with wings at the flanks. The earliest bikes in this generation may have serial number on the bottom bracket.

Front of a Gen 1 Travel, courtesy of BikeForums

In 1952 and later, the number should appear on the non-drive side rear dropout. 

Some three-speed Travelers in this generation may have Brampton-made rear hubs without date codes.

 

 

 

Generation 2: 1956 through 1959

1957 Schwinn Traveler - a Generation 2 bike

At some point in early 1956, the Traveler changed to a plainer design. These second generation bikes have simpler decals than generation 1. They have a simple, script "Schwinn" logo on much of the frame. The seat tube has a more ornate decal than the rest of the frame.  The front forks are tubular steel and have a simpler, chevron type shape. 

Schwinn logo on downtube - Generation 2

Brakes are Weinmann 810 alloy calipers with "Schwinn Approved" in block lettering on them. Brake levers are Weinmann red dot types. 

Block letter Schwinn Approved Weinmann 810 Calipers

 

Chevron fork pattern, Weinmann red dot levers

 

Headbadges are aluminum "Schwinn" logo type with wings at the flanks. 

It appears, based on surviving examples, as if this is the least commonly-found generation of Travelers today. Bicycles from generations 1 and 3 are more commonly seen today. Production of this generation of Travelers may have been lower than other generations.

 

Generation 3: 1959 through 1962

At some point in early 1959, Schwinn again changed the Traveler. This time, the bike went to a more ornate look.

 

These bikes have ornate frame decals in a marked change from generation 2.  

Example of Generation 3 Ornate Graphics

Bikes from 1959 have an aluminum headbadge "Schwinn" logo type with wings at the flanks. Bikes from 1960 through 62 have an ornate, faceted badge made of plastic and in a silver color. The plastic badge version is fragile and glued into place with a locating pin. 

1959 - winged oval badge

 

Faceted plastic badge - used 1960-63 - Courtesy of Autofrei

Some of these bikes have Austrian-made, three-speed rear hubs without date codes. Chainguards are still hockeystick type. Some of these bikes also have an oval-shaped, Austrian-made three speed shifter instead of the usual Sturmey Archer "flick" shifter.

Generation 3 (1959) Traveler undergoing rebuild

Rims change at some point in 1959 from S6 chromed steel endrick/box type to S5 Schwinn "ridged" (English-style). Both rim types take a 597mm bead seat (EA1) tire.

The front fork changes in 1959 from the previous tubular design to the flat "ashtabula" fork style so familiar to Schwinn collectors.

Brake calipers are aluminum Weinmann 810s with "Schwinn Approved" in script on them. Levers are Weinmann "red dot" types. 

Schwinn Approvled "Script" Brake Calipers

Red Dot Weinmann brake levers

 

Generation 4: 1963 through 1966 

Generation 4 - 1964 Traveler

These bikes return to a simpler style of decal and graphics. The decals are tidy and generally plain, but do have a little style to them. The seat tube has a nice, ivory-colored decal with a black and red Schwinn logo.

 

Chainguards change from the hockeystick type to the longer type that goes back to the seat stays. Chainguards eventually switch to a plain "star" graphic. 

The 1963 models have the plastic, faceted headbadge. The 1964-66 models have a plainer oval, metal "Schwinn" logo headbadge without wings. 

1963 - ornate oval badge - Courtesy of the CABE

 

1964 - metal oval badge

Fenders are still stainless steel with a fin on the front fender. 

Brakes are Weinman 810 calipers with "Schwinn Approved" in script lettering. Levers are Weinmann 810 "red dot" types.

Rims are Schwinn S5 "ridged" of chromed steel. Spoke in generation 4 are initially Torrington-made, double-butted, but switch to straight-gauge Union-made spokes partway through generation 4. 

Ivory seat tube decal - 1964

 

Conclusion

This guide is not meant to cover every possible variation of Schwinn Traveler. It instead is meant to provide a basic "field guide" for when you happen to come across one of this fine bikes "in the wild". These bicycles are often forgotten today, lost between the glamour of the Schwinn balloon tire bikes and the later Schwinn 10-speed road bikes. Despite this status, the Traveler was a premium, well-made three speed bike meant to help older students and adults travel and tour in speed and comfort.