Vintage Schwinn Bikes The guide to old Schwinns

This is also why the fillet-brazed models came in the same colors as lower-priced Schwinns, which contributed to their obscurity. They feature contoured joints, thin seatstays with bullet-point tips, and those slightly oversize seat- and downtubes. Their frame geometry includes long chainstays and fork rake, a low bottom bracket shell, a 73 degree seat-tube angle, and a 72 degree head-tube angle, all of which provide a smooth and stable, “sweet handling” ride.

All Schwinn bikes post-1948 have serial numbers, which you can search in Google to determine the model and help decide whether or not it’s worth buying. You can find the serial number either underneath the huffy mountain bike bottom bracket, the rear dropout, or in the head tube. Of course, at the other end of the table, older models (think pre-1960s) are going to be more outdated in terms of their technology and performance.

Bikes are available at a wide range of prices, but you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great bike. At the same time, as price goes up, the components of the bike tend to improve. It’s important to keep in mind that there are so many beautiful – but less widely-known -vintage Schwinn bikes worth buying beyond those listed above. Although made with imported Panasonic components, these bikes still packed a punch. In fact, even at the time, they were nearly a match for the Paramount – but much cheaper.

Our patented, durable and threadless Morse Taper design keeps the pedals fastened tightly to the bike and prevents breakage. With a Q factor of 162 mm, and smooth belt drive, our drivetrain provides a comfortable ride that users will love. The SC 5 bike combines user-focused features, best-in-class biomechanics and a high degree of adjustability to deliver the optimal bike fit for riders of all shapes, sizes and abilities.

schwinn bicycles

Over the years, Schwinn has empowered millions of people, earning a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of riders. We have spent over a century building the bicycle industry into what it is today, and we’re not done yet. Schwinn themselves began increasingly importing bikes from the Japanese producers Bridgestone and Panasonic, which were able to rival prestigious models such as the Schwinn Paramount, yet huffy mountain bike could be sold at half the price. Despite this, Schwinn still sold a huge number of bicycles in the early 1970s -but overall consumer preference had gravitated towards European and Japanese imported bikes. Throughout the decade, the company further expanded its range of 10-speed racing bikes with the launch of the Varsity, Continental, and LeTour models, in order to rival European heavyweights such as Peugeot and Gitane.

A stronger drive train and chain make for easy maintenance while delivering an authentic riding experience indoors. Whether you are looking for a bicycle to meet your fitness goals or to surprise your little one, having the right bike will make a lot of difference. However, choosing the perfect one is challenging as there are a lot of options out there in the market. Road bikes are made with a lightweight frame and aerodynamic seating position. You can go for hybrid bikes that can be used on roads and on tough terrains. If you are looking to upgrade your kiddo’s bike or buying them their first, we have options here too.

Its chrome-plated fork was changed to painted, hubs went to the cheaper “Atom” version (triangular cutouts instead of oval), and its rear dropouts went from forged Hurét with an integral derailleur hanger to stamped steel without a hanger. Customers probably saw this Super Sport as a slightly upscale Continental, differentiated primarily by CrMo frame tubing, alloy rims, and a leather saddle. Few realized the Super Sport’s frame, unlike the Continental, was actually fillet-brazed.

However, once the Great Depression hit in the late 1920s, this division went bust. I’ve been spinning since the small gym I went to got its first Schwinn Johnny G spin bike in the mid-’90s. I’ve ridden bikes to nowhere an average of twice a week ever since, from rusty old ones in church basements to the bikes in $40 SoulCycle classes. Pre-pandemic, I was doing most of my spinning on a free communal Peloton bike in my building’s workout room. When that was no longer an option, I tried a handful of apps and streamed classes in things like strength training and yoga. But after a few months, I really missed working out on a bike and started doing some research.

My 14-year-old sticks with the hip-hop rides, and my 12-year-old follows along with a football pregame ride. They’re dual-sided, allowing you to clip in with bike shoes or slip regular shoes into cages, which is convenient, if a little clunky and inelegant. But some users complain about the pedals falling off or loosening (which the company insists is a user-assembly problem). I haven’t had any issues with mine, but, for what it’s worth, my husband, a bike guy who’s quite handy, helped with assembly. You’ll need to supply your own phone, iPad, or smart-TV hookup to stream classes. (I use an old, cracked iPad.) There’s a built-in holder on the handlebars, a USB outlet for charging, and an arm-strap heart-rate monitor.

Schwinn bikes are of higher quality and made to last longer than Walmart bikes. If you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting bike, Schwinn is a great option. However, if you’re just looking for a cheap bike to ride around on, Walmart’s bikes might be more suitable for you.