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 still have a Schwinn.
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. schwinn cruiser bike 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.
In exchange for ensuring the presence of the Schwinn name, distributors retained the right to distribute Schwinn bikes to any hardware store, toy store, or bicycle shop that ordered them. W. Schwinn tasked a new team to plan future business strategy, consisting of marketing supervisor Ray Burch, general manager Bill Stoeffhaas, and design supervisor Al Fritz. Schwinn was soon sponsoring a bicycle racing team headed by Emil Wastyn, who designed the team bikes, and the company competed in six-day racing across the United States with riders such as Jerry Rodman and Russell Allen. In 1938, Frank W. Schwinn officially introduced the Paramount series. Developed from experiences gained in racing, Schwinn established Paramount as their answer to high-end, professional competition bicycles. The Paramount used high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel alloy tubing and expensive brass lug-brazed construction.
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.
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 schwinn mountain bike 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.
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.
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.
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 schwinn cruiser bike 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.