Although I had made up my mind to quit buying bikes except for three speeds , I bought a Schwinn Continental this weekend. Hey , what can one do when a bike can be bought for $2.50? According to the serial # the bike is a September 1974 model. I have several Schwinns , including some other ten speeds, but this is my first Continental. It's blue and has 27" wheels.The stem and bars are aluminum, unlike the other Schwinns I have. 8)