Thus, I became the ride-leach that needed to be taken everywhere. I was asking my sister or my co-workers for a lift almost every day. I did have a co-worker that seemed to be more than happy to drive me places. We worked together so it was somewhat convenient.
I soon found a road bike that really got me excited (no splatter – 3 color fade instead) and I began to ride almost every day. Gone were the cigarettes along with some extra weight. I was hooked and I soon found myself wearing tight Lycra clothing and hideous Oakley sunglasses. Eventually, the market for adult bicycles grew smaller as cars became more affordable. Arnold sold his share of the company to Schwinn, who realized the importance of manufacturing and marketing bicycles for children. With lower prices possible due to advances in manufacturing, the market for children’s bicycles began to grow.
However, there are some of these that stand the test of time. Old images, catalogs, and advertisements are often more readily available than serial number compendiums. One of the best ways to identify an old Schwinn bike is to compare the bike you have to advertising images and photographs of other Schwinns. This can give you some clues about the model, the year it was made, and any options it may have. If you would like to know when this item is available, please input your email address in the field below.
From streamlined Aerocycles and classic Phantoms to Varsity eight-speeds and Sting Ray Krates, vintage and antique Schwinn bicycles are runaway hits with collectors. In addition to the fond memories these beautiful bicycles inspire, enthusiasts praise their quality workmanship and enduring value. Whether you’re considering one for personal use or want to invest in a piece of classic Americana, there’s an old Schwinn bike for you.
Front and rear alloy linear pull brakes provide secure stopping power so you can ride with confidence in a variety of conditions. Our extended Christmas returns policy runs from 28th October until 5th January 2025, all items purchased online during this time can be returned for a full refund. It was black with silver splatter paint and yellow logos. The knobby tires and cantilever brakes were new to me. Last time I rode a bike it had skinny road tires and brakes that needed 100 yards to come to a stop.
In 1895, with the financial backing of fellow German American Adolph Frederick William Arnold (a meat packer), he founded Arnold, Schwinn & Company. Schwinn’s new company coincided with a sudden bicycle craze in America. Chicago became the center of the American bicycle industry, with thirty factories turning out thousands of bikes every day. Bicycle output in the United States grew to over a million units per year by the turn of the 20th century.
Most of the bicycles of my youth (think of the 70’s) were rolling tetanus sleds full of rust just waiting to infect. Even so, I did put in more miles than my friends. As detailed in a previous post, “My first Bike“, I would be up early and turning pedals. Sadly, as soon as a driver’s permit had my name on it, I dropped cycling from my life faster than you could say “parachute pants” (Oh the 80’s!). The only pedals I was interested in were the gas pedal and occasionally the brake pedal.
The Varsity and Continental sold in large numbers through the 1960s and early 1970s, becoming Scwhinn’s leading models. The wheel rims were likewise robust, chromed, stamped steel with a unique profile designed to hold the tire bead securely, even if pressure were low or lost. Conquer tough trails with the Schwinn Ider Dual Suspension Mountain Bike. The Ider features a Schwinn aluminum dual suspension frame and Schwinn suspension fork to soak up all the bumps on your next trail ride. The Shimano 21-speed EZ Fire shifters with Shimano front and rear derailleurs offer quick, precise gear changes so you can easily adapt to your terrain.
Most Schwinn bikes feature a head badge or plate that identifies them as a Schwinn. This badge varied in style, depending on the year it was made and the style of the bike. However, if you see the Schwinn name on the badge, it’s a Schwinn bike. But if the badge is missing, you may schwinn hybrid bike still have a Schwinn.
Full SuspensionJust like it sounds, full suspension mountain bikes have suspension built into both the fork and frame. These bikes are great for riding on super rough terrain, though they tend to be heavier than hardtail bikes. By 1990, other United States bicycle companies with reputations for excellence in design such as Trek, Specialized, and Cannondale had cut further into Schwinn’s market. Unable to produce bicycles in the United States at a competitive cost, by the end of 1991 Schwinn was sourcing its bicycles from overseas manufacturers.