Re: Was In defence: [CR]A Raleigh Complaint! now Schwinn Wheels

(Example: Racing:Jean Robic)

From: "heddarr" <heddarr@indianaconnect.com>
To: "David Feldman" <feldmanbike@yahoo.com>, "Joe Bender-Zanoni" <joebz@optonline.net>, <raleighpro@dejazzd.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <20031202230203.43492.qmail@web40709.mail.yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Was In defence: [CR]A Raleigh Complaint! now Schwinn Wheels
Date: Tue, 2 Dec 2003 19:38:20 -0500


<snip> At "Schwinn School" in 1974 we were told a rationale for the undertensioned Chicago wheels: Bikes were shipped "long pack" with both wheels in by rail. The tremendous strength and rigidity of those Schwinn steel rims coupled with loosely tensioned spokes were alleged to be a shock absorber for boxed bikes in transit--sort of like the crumple zones in small cars.
> David Feldman
> Vancouver, WA

I met Paul Brown about 12 years ago. We both worked for a non bicycle related mail order house. One day over lunch I mentioned that I used to work in a Schwinn shop in Erie PA when I was young. I added that the bikes were built by those younger in the attic. My job when I didn't have repairs was to check their work and tension the wheels. Then to carefully put on the shop sticker which was the sign of a finished bike.

He laughed and told me he worked at the factory and was Forman or line leader I don't remember. He told me a different story. His was the machines didn't work well and Schwinn was unwilling to fix or replace.

The rear wheel was generally round and true out of the box but the drive side spokes needed 2 or 3 turns. So I thought could be true that maybe undertensioned for shipping was spin for not dished.

Front wheel was equally loose, more or less round and true.

Dave Staub perhaps could have answered definitively but alas.

I would have done just about anything to go to Schwinn school. Nothing doing where I worked. Wish I had the Raleigh International in the window then.

Last year worked in that shop 1978.

Howard Darr
Clymer PA