Schwinn by Giant

[OldBaldie]

Picked up a Schwinn Tourist a few years back and after some research found out it was manufactured by Giant (Taiwan) for Schwinn in the early '80s. It a 3 speed, front brakes with a coaster break in the rear. A good knock around bike for around the neighborhood. The frame is a lug construction. Seat isn't original, looks like it came off an exercise bike.

What I find odd is that its a taller frame, but the actual seat and handlebar heights are the same as my smaller frame Suburban, but I feel taller when I ride it.

[rickpaulos]

That is a World Tourist.  Looks like some of the decals are worn off.

Schwinn had them made by Giant of Taiwan for a few years.  82 to 86 or so.
Most of the Giant built Schwinn bikes have the Giant date code on the frame.  often on the opposite dropout from the serial number.  The Giant Date code is Gmmyy.  The first digit of the serial number would be the last digit of the year. And they usually put the assembly date code on the head badge where the 4th digit is the year.  Shimano derailleurs and brakes and cranks have date codes but your bike doesn't have those parts.

The World Tourist was sold mostly in 5 or 10 speed versions. Some had the FFS and/or Positron index shifting.  I have about 4 right now.  21 or 23 frame sizes were the most popular.

The World Tourist was the replacement for the Suburban when the Chicago factory was closed up in 1983.

The big sellers from Giant were the World and World Sport, both dropped bar 10 or 12 speed bikes.   The World was the replacement for the Varsity.  Carbon steel frame with all steel parts.  The World Sport was a big upgrade with cromo main tubes and mostly aluminum parts for a mere $39 more.  By 1988 the World was gone and the World Sport was being made in Greenville Mississippi.

[JeffC]

The first years for Giant made World bikes was 1979. I owned a 5 speed Tourist model with a 1979 build date on the head badge that was most likely a 1980 model year bike. I sold it at the Trexlertown swap to a forum member.

1979 World Sport




1980 Giant World bikes

[OldBaldie]

Yes its a World Tourist, forgot to include World in the original post.

Looking at the Brochure above, It looks like the 5 speed. One of the former owners must have removed the rear brake system and replaced the 5 speed rim with a 3 speed with coaster brake.

I think it is an '82-'84, its packed away in my shed and can't get to the serial number to verify.

[JeffC]

In 1981 they they installed the three speed so it's probably an original hub and wheel on your bike.

https://waterfordbikes.com/SchwinnCat/flschwinn_1981_1990/1981_14.html

[rickpaulos]

I've had at least 17 World Tourists pass my way.  All 5 or 10 speed versions with or without the FFS/Positron.

I've never seen a 1 or 3 speed variant.  Those are sure rare bikes.

I would say that the combo of 27" tires and a coaster brake only (no other brakes) is not a good match.  Too easy to skid and burn through the tire. The skinny tires just don't grab the pavement as the gravity shifts to the front wheel.  I've built a few single speed conversions like that.  Going down hills with stop signs at the bottom are quite an eye opening experience.  Having that front rim brake is a very good idea.