Schwinn Racer Wheel Options

[CannonCam]

I picked a 62 Racer that is complete minus the wheels. It looks to have everything necessary to route brake cables, etc but I'd prefer to run it as a coaster or even better a 2 speed kickback. I'm having an issue tracking down wheels for it though as these are narrow 26" rims. Any leads/suggestions? I'm open to any wheels I can get in there, new or used.

 

[Wildcat]

From the 62 catalog:

So, it's either a 24" or 26" bike. You need to keep skinny wheels and tires unless you modify the frame. Schwinn used slightly different size wheels tires, so make sure your replacements are the same. Or change them with standard 26 x 1 3/8 ths wheels and tires.
You could use 26 x 1.50 rims and 1.50 tires, much more selection of good tires, but it would be a close fit and the brakes wouldn't reach the rim, so you would use a coaster brake as you wanted.

 

[Dizzle Problems]

I agree with what @Wildcat said.
In some cases 700c wheels will fit as well. I did that on my wife’s collegiate that was originally 26 x 1 3/8. With them I was able to use caliper brakes

 

[Rustinkerer]

S-7 wheels will fit snugly, without fenders and with a coaster brake. OG rims are S-5 or S-6. -Adam

 

[kram]

This is a racer with typical balloon tires wheels, 26x1.75 i think . The tires were 26x2 tires, and you can’t go any bigger. The front fender was flipped, trimmed, and put on the rear. The fender is really really close too, but it didn’t rub.

 

[Chad T]

In some cases 700c wheels will fit as well. I did that on my wife’s collegiate that was originally 26 x 1 3/8. With them I was able to use caliper brakes

700c wheels work great on the 26x1 3/8 Schwinns.

Makes for a great fit for rims brakes. You can use normal reach calipers.

 

[Wildcat]

Those look good! At 700c, you can go to 40mm wide (1.57 inches) if you want some width.

 

[GTV]

I put 700c wheels on my 59 Traveler (basically the same thing as a Racer) but was only able to fit a 32mm tire under the fender. 35's were just too big.

 

[CannonCam]

This is a racer with typical balloon tires wheels, 26x1.75 i think . The tires were 26x2 tires, and you can’t go any bigger. The front fender was flipped, trimmed, and put on the rear. The fender is really really close too, but it didn’t rub. View attachment 95257View attachment 95261View attachment 95262

This is the look/single speed minimalist performance I'm going for, thanks!

 

[Wildcat]

That Racer looks great! I may get a Continental and do the same thing.