Sounds like a typical factory rep cop out to me. They just knew that some overpaid LBS bike mechanic ;-) would do it before it could be sold and Schwinn wouldn't have to pay someone to do it.
John Dunn in Napa Valley
<brianblum@hotmail.com> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2000 6:55 AM Subject: Re: {ClassicRend]Varsity
> An explanation to the undertensioned wheels as told by Dave Coombs, who
> taught service classes at Schwinn Sales West during the 1970's: This was
> intentional to protect the bikes during shipping. Remember, the Chicago
> made bikes were "long-pack;" shipped with both wheels in. They were
shipped
> by rail and handled by guys who were used to throwing sides of beef and
> large car parts around. The undertensioning of wheels built with those
> stone-crusher Schwinn rims was an attempt to build some shock absorption
> into the boxed bike to prevent permanent damage when mishandled in
shipping!
>
> David Feldman
> ----------
> >From: Joseph Bender-Zanoni <jfbender@umich.edu>
> >To: "brian blum" <brianblum@hotmail.com>
> >Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> >Subject: Re: {ClassicRend]Varsity
> >Date: Thu, Nov 30, 2000, 5:26 PM
> >
>
> >I believe Brian is poking fun at my defense of the quality of the Varsity
> >(among other Schwinns). What I meant by quality is the consistency and
> >integrity of the product. Schwinn always had the answer if you wanted
> >quality in terms of the best (or nearly): a Paramount.
> >
> >See http://www.sheldonbrown.com/
> >there for some explanations of why Varsitys and other Schwinns were
special.
> >
> >Boy - I just remembered one thing that wasn't quality on the Varsitys
from
> >the mechanics viewpoint. Schwinn would cheat on the wheelbuilding and
from
> >time to time provide wheels that were merely laced and not even
tensioned.
> >Tensioning and dishing the wheels when you got $3 for the build was a
chore.
> >
> >Joe Bender-Zanoni
> >Too busy to ride- GRRR
> >
> >At 08:39 PM 11/30/00, brian blum wrote:
> >>Quality Schwinn Varsity for sale, never ridden 1984 vintage, small
womens
> >>frame. Price $1 plus $25 for professional packing and UPS for 55 lbs
> >>including packing. Has lollipop shifters, Schwinn approved hubs,
Schwinn
> >>approved derailleurs, Schwinn Approved brakes, Schwinn approved saddle,
> >>Schwinn approved tires, Cranks of indeterminate origin(MAYBE OHIO) with
> >>beautiful chrome finish. Please respond quickly. USE AT YOUR OWN
RISK, NO
> >>WARRENTEE IMPLIED