Written by Calvin on April 26, 2013/Calvin's Corner

The Work Horses of Park Tool

The new Park Tool factory is big. So big it feels like it takes forever to walk from one end to the other. Just the factory is 200 x 300 feet. You have to walk down aisles of production, packaging, welding, then shipping before you get where you want to go.

So with a huge new building, what better excuse is needed to grab a bike? We have a fleet here of 9 rides for your factory cruising pleasure. Each steed is a bit different in what they offer. This article will review of The Wheels of the Park Tool Factory.

#1—Schwinn Typhoon (Blue)

The Schwinn Typhoon is the classic “paperboy” bike. This one has probably delivered tons on the morning news. The basket up front is very handy. The down side of a front basket, however, is that a lot of weight up front makes handling less tham pleasant. Throwing the kickstand down with a weighted basket is asking to dump it over. Using the factory date codes from that era, we know this bike was made in 1966.

Specifications: Schwinn Typhoon (Blue)

#2—Schwinn Typhoon (Black)

Another Typhoon, with front basket as well. The Typhoons came with a 46-tooth front ring and an 18-tooth rear. With the 26″ wheel size, this gives you a big 66″ gear. Like the blue model, this one is also from 1966, and still providing good service.

Specifications: Schwinnn Typhoon (Black)

#3—PK Ripper

Every fleet should have at least one BMX. A single rear brake, 20″ wheels, and tough as nails. The small wheels, as well as the small wheel base, make it ideal for getting through narrow areas or sections of the factory with lots of pallets. However, no baskets or racks here. Good for delivering messages or getting where you need to go fast.

Specifications: PK Ripper

#4—Schwinn Hollywood

The Hollywood is a “girl’s frame,” though I prefer the term “step through.” That is a nice feature, just stepping through the frame and riding. I recommend it. The trikes here are also girl’s frames. The Hollywood, however, has the big gearing like the blue Typhoon. This Hollywood was made in 1971.

Specifications: Schwinn Hollywood

#5—Schwinn Town and Country Trike (Blue)

The trikes are a favorite here. When you are not pedaling, you have a chair. The baskets make for easy hauling of lots of heavier items. This blue Town and Country is a 24-inch wheeled trike and has a Shimano three-speed hub. The shifter is at the bars, next to the blue grips. There is a coaster brake built into the hub and a front brake as well. The three-speed transmission is built into the frame, not at the wheel hub. This Town and Country was made in 1976.

Specifications: Schwinn Town and Country (Blue)

#6—Schwinn Town and Country Trike (Green)

Another Schwinn trike, but with a two-speed kickback Bendix Yellow-band hub. This gives you a lower gear to get you off from a dead stop and then a higher gear for top end speed. The two-speed shifting takes some getting used to. The cranks drive a sprocket between both rear wheels. There is an axle to the left side that connects to a single sprocket. Another short section of chain then drives the two-speed Bendix hub. It is difficult to know, however, before you start which of the two gears you are in. This bike was made in Chicago in 1968.

Specifications: Schwinn Town and Country (Green)

#7—Sunlite Trike

A standard industrial trike, single speed with a freewheel. The left wheel is attached to the freewheel and drives the bike. The right wheel is just along for the ride. There is only one front brake, and that is plenty to stop these three wheels. Wheels use fat spokes, 2.8mm in diameter, and require the SW-3 spoke wrench.

Did you check the custom rear cargo box? Built by Eric Hawkins, president of Park Tool Company.

Specifications: Sunlite Trike

#8—Sunlite Trike (Aero)

Our second Sunlite trike can be easily told apart from the first just by the bars. Carbon fiber FSA aero bars, but the fun doesn’t stop there. The bars are rotated for comfort rather than speed. The bike was designed for 24″ wheels, but a 26″ suspension fork fits if you run a 26″ wheel. Why not make it a tubeless tire and a disc while we are at it? The Tektro hydaulic disc front brake provides powerful and smooth stopping force. Carbon Campagnolo cranks keep this ride quick off the line. There is a downside, however — the larger front wheel pushed the headtube angle back, increasing the rake of the bike. This leads to some serious “flop” issues in the steering, so keep your hands on the bars while pedaling, which is generally a good idea.

Specifications: Sunlite Trike (Aero)

#9—GT

The GT actually belongs to QC man. But if you leave your bike around here, it will get used. Slick tires and lots of gearing gets you back and forth in a hurry. He also has mounted a nice head light, we suppose in case there is a power outage.

Specifications: GT

A look at some of our bikes used in the Park Tool factory

Like any good bike review, the specifications are below:

Schwinn Typhoon (Blue)

Frame: Steel, and lots of it
Fork: solid steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel, 6cm
Handlebars: cruiser bars, 22″ wide
Grips: blue diamond fleck Schwinn
Rear brake: Bendix coaster
Front derailleur: none, but a nice chain guard
Rear derailleur: what’s that?
Rear sprocket: 18 tooth, 1/8″ width
Chain: Union, 1/8″
Crankset: One piece Schwinn Approved, 165mm, 46t ring
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved (Union)
Wheelset: 26″ steel, 36 spokes, 2mm galvanized steel
Tires: Schwinn Westwind, 26″ x 1-3/4″ (45 x 597)
Saddle: Schwinn approved vinyl
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell, chrome fenders, front basket

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 620mm
Saddle setback: 100mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 510mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 30mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 22.5″
Total bicycle weight: 44 pounds, 3 ounces

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Schwinn Typhoon (Black)

Frame: Again, plenty of good cold steel
Fork: solid steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel, 7cm
Handlebars: cruiser bars, 22″ wide
Grips: matching black Schwin
Rear brake: Bendix® coaster
Front derailleur: none, but a nice chain guard
Rear derailleur: what’s that?
Rear sprocket: 18 tooth, 1/8″ width
Chain: 1/8″ Union®
Crankset: One piece Schwinn® Approved
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved (Union®)
Wheelset: 26″ steel, 36 spokes
Tires: Schwinn Westwind, 26″ x 1-3/4″ (45 x 597)
Saddle: Schwinn approved vinyl
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 630mm
Saddle setback: 60mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 500mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 580mm
Total bicycle weight: 43 pounds

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PK Ripper

Frame: Aluminum
Fork: tubular steel, 1-1/8″ threadless
Headset: ZS44
Stem: alloy, 5cm
Handlebars: BMX, steel, 28″ wide
Grips: black
Rear brake: Tektro linear pull rim brake
Front derailleur: didn’t we say BMX?
Rear derailleur: see above
Rear sprocket: 16 tooth, 1/8″ width, on a cassette freehub
Chain: Z-chain, 1/8″
Crankset: Three-piece BMX, steel arms, alloy ring 44t
Bottom bracket: “Euro” threaded cup
Pedals: 9/16″ Expedo platforms
Wheelset: Alex Rim 20″ BMX, 36 spokes
Tires: Chen Shin Street, 20″ x 1.95″ (406 x 50))
Saddle: Sella Italia Trans Am
Seat post: 27.2mm alloy
Other accessories: none

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 490mm
Saddle setback: 0mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 10.5″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 480mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 200mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 21.5″
Total bicycle weight: 27 pounds 5 ounces

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Schwinn Hollywood

Frame: That would be, yes, steel
Fork: solid steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel
Handlebars: cruiser bars, 22″ wide
Grips: matching black Schwin
Rear brake: Bendix coaster
Front derailleur: none
Rear derailleur: still none
Rear Sprocket: 18 tooth, 1/8″ width
Chain: 1/8″ Union
Crankset: One-piece Schwinn Approved„ 165mm, 46t ring
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved (Union)
Wheelset: 26″ steel, 36 spokes, 2mm galvanized steel
Tires: Schwinn Westwind, 26″ x 1-3/4″ (45 x 597)
Saddle: Schwinn approved vinyl
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Single tone “Ring Ring” bell, chrome fenders, front basket

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 630mm
Saddle setback: 60mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 500mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 580mm
Total bicycle weight: 42 pounds 12 ounces

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Schwinn Town and Country Trike (Blue)

Frame: Steel, for real
Fork: solid steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel
Handlebars: cruiser bars, 22″ wide
Grips: matching black Schwinn
Rear brake: coaster, Bendix
Front derailleur:still a chain guard
Rear derailleur: none, but a Shimano three-speed transmission
Rear sprocket: 18 tooth, 1/8″ width
Chain: Union, 1/8″
Crankset: One-piece Schwinn Approved
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved
Wheels: Front 26″ steel rim, 28 hole, 2mm galvanized Union spokes
Tires: Kenda 26″ x 1-1/4″ (33x547)
Saddle: Schwinn approved vinyl
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 630mm
Saddle setback: 60mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 500mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 580mm
Total bicycle weight: 63 pounds

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Schwinn Town and Country Trike (Green)

Frame: Can you sense a pattern here? Steel
Fork: solid steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel
Handlebars: ape hangers, 24″ wide
Grips: matching green diamond fleck
Rear brake: coaster, Bendix
Front derailleur: none, but a nice chain guard
Rear derailleur: what’s that?
Rear Sprocket: 20 tooth, 1/8″ width
Chain: Union, 1/8″
Crankset: One-piece, 180mm
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved (Union)
Wheels: Front 26″ steel rim, 28 hole, 2mm galvanized Union spokes
Tires: Kenda 26″ x 1-1/4″ (33x547)
Saddle: Black tractor set
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell, chrome fenders all the way around

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 590mm
Saddle setback: 20mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 410mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm saddle above bars
Top tube length: 20″
Total bicycle weight: 63 pounds

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Sun Trike

Frame: Again, plenty of good cold steel
Fork: Tubular steel
Headset: 1″ threaded
Stem: forged steel
Handlebars: cruiser bars, 22″ wide
Grips:black rubber
Front brake: Front linear pull
Rear sprocket: Single-speed freewheel, 18t, 1/8″ width
Chain: ZMC, 1/8″
Crankset: One-piece, 180mm
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit
Pedals: 1/2″ threaded Schwinn approved
Wheelset: 24″ steel, 36 spokes
Tires: Kenda
Saddle: Schwinn approved vinyl
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 630mm
Saddle setback: 60mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 500mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 580mm
Total bicycle weight: 43 pounds

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Sunlite Trike (Aero)

Frame: steel
Fork: RST suspension
Headset: 1-1/8″ threadless
Stem: FSA® aluminum
Handlebars: FSA aero dropbars, 43 c-c
Grips/Tape: blue/black
Rear brake: n/a
Rear sprocket: 18t, 1/8″ width
Chain: Union, 1/8″
Crankset: Campagnolo Ultra-Torque Record
Bottom bracket: “American” press fit adaptors to Ultra-Torque cups
Pedals: Pink platform
Front Wheel: 26″ Formula, 20 spoke, tubeless, with disc
Front tire: 26″ Tubeless Kenda
Rear tires: 24″ Kenda
Saddle: Wide “tractor” seat style
Seat post: straight steel 7/8″
Other accessories: Two tone “Ding Dong” bell

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 630mm
Saddle setback: 60mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 19″
Tip of saddle nose to C of bars (next to stem): 500mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 20mm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 580mm
Total bicycle weight: 43 pounds

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GT

Frame: Steel, and lots of it
Fork: Rock Shox Judy
Headset: FSA 1-1/8″ threadless
Stem: Dimension alloy, 110mm
Handlebars: Race Face Air Alloy, 2cm rise, 5-degree sweep, 26″ wide
Grips: black rubber
Front brake: Shimano XT V-brake
Rear brake: Shimano XT V-brake
Brake levers: Shimano XT
Front derailleur: Shimano XT
Rear derailleur: Shimano XT
Shift levers: Shimano XT
Cassette: Shimano XT 8-speed, 13-26
Chain: Shimano XT
Crankset: Race Face Prodigy, 175mm, 44/34/24
Bottom bracket: FSA ISIS
Pedals: Wellgo, clipless/platform combination
Wheelset: Mavic clincher model 236, 26″ x 1.5″
Tires: Tioga City Slicker, 26″ x 1.5″ (32 x 559)
Saddle: WTB
Seat post: 27.2 alloy
Bottle cages: Dimension, alloy
Other accessories: Front headlight

CRITICAL MEASUREMENTS:
Saddle height, from BB (c-t): 620mm
Saddle setback: 30mm
Seat tube length, c-t: 18″
Tip of saddle to C of bars (next to stem): 520mm
Saddle-to-bar drop (vertical): 3cm bars above saddle
Top tube length: 21″
Total bicycle weight: 28 pounds 0 ounces

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