Varsity Shredder

[twojs.bike]

I started messing around with this Varsity tonight. And I just thought, why not enter it in the off road build off?

So here we are. Bought this varsity because I wanted the chainring for the ladybug.

The forks are sunlite and need to be cut. Picture of how I measured. Will cut tomorrow.

I have a few mountain bike wheels pretty much ready to go.

Going to just figure it out as I go.

 

[twojs.bike]

List:

• Dropouts need to be respaced if I’m using these wheels
• Rear tire clearance is too tight. 26x 1.95 and it clears by only a mm
• I stole the chainring for ladybug
• Could I avoid cutting steerer tube by using a 62mm long 1in headset spacer??

 

[Wildcat]

The Varsity looks good. Do the brake pads reach the rear 26" wheel? If not, a coaster hub may work for you, or just use the front for braking.

 

[twojs.bike]

My current plan is to use a single speed freewheel and some 1080 caliper brakes.

Long term, I will likely build a new set of wheels with the original hubs and original 5sp freewheel and make a 1x5. That may or may not happen in time for the build off.

Is it OK to use 60mm of headset spacers with a 1 inch threaded headset? This way I could avoid cutting the forks, and I think it would look decent in this build. I’m guessing this would be OK as long as I use an aluminum or steel spacer.

 

[Captain Awesome]

My current plan is to use a single speed freewheel and some 1080 caliper brakes.

Long term, I will likely build a new set of wheels with the original hubs and original 5sp freewheel and make a 1x5. That may or may not happen in time for the build off.

Is it OK to use 60mm of headset spacers with a 1 inch threaded headset? This way I could avoid cutting the forks, and I think it would look decent in this build. I’m guessing this would be OK as long as I use an aluminum or steel spacer.
View attachment 217872 View attachment 217871

From a strength standpoint it should be fine. From an aesthetic standpoint my opinion would be far better to cut it down

 

[twojs.bike]

Thanks! I agree on the aesthetics, but this fork is my back up plan for the ladybug. Maybe I will cut it to fit the ladybug, which would mean roughly 20mm of spacers to fit the varsity.

 

[Son of Kradus]

looks pretty tuff already!

 

[Wildcat]

I have a couple forks I cut for smaller frames that now can't be used on anything else, so the spacer(s) will do.
If only 20mm it would hardly be noticed. The cap nut takes all the strain, the washer and cap just keep the nut from loosening.

 

[twojs.bike]

I cut the forks last night. No spacer. They are married the the frame now.

 

[twojs.bike]

Stayed up too late and put it all together. Just went for a test ride and absolutely love this bike!!!

 

[Pondo]

Cool quick build, I dig it! I'm looking for a Varsity to build a klunker with. Found one local but the frame was way too big for me. It would be cool to check this bike out with the 1x5 setup as well. Nice!

 

[twojs.bike]

The components on the varsities are top notch! Pedals, derailleurs, hubs, chain wheel, etc all polish up to a mirror finish. The bikes look like garbage to the average eye, so you can get them cheap!

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Fantastic job, that Varsity looks ready to rip! Schwinn green is just gorgeous. Do you happen to have a parts list? Those are nice looking rims, looks like a bear claw logo...

 

[OddJob]

Wow! Super nice work on this! Very cohesive build. Dig it!

 

[twojs.bike]

Frame	Schwinn Varsity
Forks	Sunlite Cruiser (365cycles.com)
Stem Handlebars Grips	Unknown. Someone gave these to me. The original Varsity stem was much nicer. Grips stamped "Hunt Wilde Corporation"
ChainWheel	3/32 from Huskybicycles.com. The original chainring is going on the ladybug. I wanted the ability to use a 3/32 chain so I can make this a 1x5
Wheels and Tires	From my pile of used parts. Will eventually build a new set of wheels using the varsity hubs. Rear wheel currently is QR which I don't like on a single speed. Front Rim = Bontrager Corvair Rear RIM = Matrix 550 Front Tire = 26 x 2.1 Continental Explorer Rear Tire = 26 x 1.75 Innova
Brakes	1080 long reach cantilever (porkchopbmx.com)
Saddle	Mesinger (original to Varsity)
pedals	original to varsity. Removed reflector and quick polish
Chain	KMC z8.1 I attempted to salvage the original chain. Spent about an hour between ultrasonic cleaner and mineral spirits soaks. It cleaned up real nice only to find out it was 2:30am and I didn't have a master link that fit!!!! If I wasn't having so much fun, you might think that was a waste of time!

 

[Jermssss]

Very cool. Wondering about the rear tire, did you use a smaller for clearance issues?

 

[twojs.bike]

Yes. You can see in one of the first pictures how tight it was with a 26x 1.95. I also have a collection of used mismatched tires and this is what fit.

 

[JA331]

Love it. Very nicely repurposed. The green is killer.

 

[One-eyed Sailor]

Agreed! Very nice!

 

[Palepainter]

Great rivival of the offer overloooked Schwinn.