Starting in the 1970s, Schwinn was pretty slow to react to several changes in the bicycle market, as well as the rise of international competitors. Earlier post-war models like the Phantom featured a sleek chrome finish to give it a Space Age look. Schwinn had positioned himself well to stay in business, thanks to creative marketing and lucrative business partnerships, like his relationship with mail-order giant Sears, which shipped Schwinn bikes across the country.
Just like Pee-Wee Herman’s big adventure bike, the Panther came with chrome fenders, a luggage rack, springer fork, lntegrated lock, headlight, chainguard and a horn in the “gas” tank. Our 1954 version came with the New Departure 2-speed hub option. This was a smart upgrade that made the 65 pound bike just a little more efficient when mongoose bmx bike toiling up and over neighborhood hills. When you have an American-made bike and name it the “World Traveler” you conjure up images of trips taken abroad. You make people think about exploring the countryside and seeing new things. The “World Traveler” was a great bicycle name to sell Americans in the latter half of the 20th century.
Inspired, he designed a mass-production bike for the youth market known as Project J-38. The result, a wheelie bike, was introduced to the public as the Schwinn Sting-Ray in June 1963. Protect yourself from potentially lethal head injuries with a stylish and comfortable helmet from the same brand that makes your bike. There’s a quick and easy dial adjustment system for fit and comfort, air vents to keep you cool, and a choice of a dozen colors to match your ride. The kind of riding you do obviously has a big impact on the style of bike you choose, but with Schwinn’s extensive range of bikes for men, the choices aren’t always as straightforward as they seem.
Nevertheless, Schwinn’s share of the market was increasing, and would reach in excess of 1 million bicycles per year by the end of the decade. Schwinn’s Voyageur IG3 always has comfort, quality and fun in mind. Its aluminum frame is light and nimble handling and it’s also specially designed to keep you in an upright, comfortable riding position. With a history dating back to 1895, you’ll struggle to find a more iconic brand than huffy mountain bikes. Though no longer made in Chicago where it all started, the bikes remain part of American culture. The company’s reputation for style and quality is unrivaled, and today its men’s bicycle range is among the most comprehensive in the industry.
Many German business owners in the U.S. faced considerable scrutiny and sales losses as anti-German sentiment spread during both World Wars. To compensate, some went the extra mile to flag wave and prove their American patriotism. Having made their fame on the “WORLD” bicycle, they weren’t going to try to pass themselves off as nationalists.
Over time, Schwinn transformed into a representation of the American culture; as wholesome as the 4th of July and apple pie. Its legendary Schwinn AeroCycle proudly displayed in museums around the world as a piece of American art. We love and ride all kinds of bikes, so you’ll find articles and guides related to road, mountain, hybrid, gravel, electric, and other types of bicycles. Schwinn is a great brand for beginners and amateur hobby riders.
This particular Varsity is sporting “Chestnut” paint and is outfitted with a host of “Schwinn Approved” components. Schwinn primarily approved of thick steel construction and chrome plating the hell out of everything in 1975, the end result being a bike that tips our scale at a robust 42 pounds. It may be the beloved old bike that you used for basic transportation during the oil crisis of the 1970′s. You may remember it as the hand-me-down that you took to college without fear of it getting stolen in the 1980′s. It may just be the starter bike that made you buy your first mountain bike.
Few things can beat riding on a cruiser bike on a warm day, along a beach, just chilling and soaking up the sunshine. If you share our opinion, then Schwinn Huron 7 is the right bike for you. This bike is made around a lightweight and strong aluminum frame that doesn’t feature internal cable routing, which is one of the main downsides. However, the highlight on the list of specs is the disc brakes. Though these are mechanical disc brakes, they offer superior stopping power compared to rim brakes.
The company’s next answer to requests for a Schwinn mountain bike was the King Sting and the Sidewinder, inexpensive BMX-derived bicycles fabricated from existing electro-forged frame designs, and using off-the-shelf BMX parts. By the mid-1970s, competition from lightweight and feature-rich imported bikes was making strong inroads in the budget-priced and beginners’ market. While Schwinn’s popular lines were far more durable than the budget bikes, they were also far heavier and more expensive, and parents were realizing that most of the budget bikes would outlast most kids’ interest in bicycling. The Sting-Ray had ape-hanger handlebars, Persons’s Solo Polo Seat banana seat, and 20-inch tires. Sales were initially slow, as many parents desiring a bicycle for their children did not relate to the new, unconventional design.
Commuter bikes are meant for commuting to and from work, with rugged frames to survive city cycling and extended fenders to keep your work clothes clean. Frank V. tried to stay true to the Schwinn law of quality over quantity, but in a rapidly changing marketplace, his inability to upgrade manufacturing facilities or anticipate new trends gradually slowed the company’s development. His successor, fourth generation owner Edward Schwinn, Jr. was no improvement. It was the first picket line in the company’s history, and a death blow to Schwinn’s 85 year relationship with Chicago.