Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Schwinn Madison

OK guys and girls, I would like to know if anyone has or knows of someone that has this bike for sale? I sent emails and asked around the LBSs without any luck I need one in 54-55 cm. If any one knows anything please let me know :)

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y167/stumpyspic/madisonschwinn.jpg

check performance.

check performance.

seconded. i don't know too many family owned lbs that stock schwinn anymore.

Nah, I called them up and they told me that its either not a Schwinn bike or they just dont carry it :rolleyes: I told them,"Yeah, you just dont carry it!"

This might be obvious, but have you checked the Schwinn dealer locator? http://dealer.schwinnbikes.com/ For where I am, Orlando, six (locally-owned) dealers popped up within 25 miles and I know for a fact that at least one of them has them in stock. As for national dealers, not a clue... Ben's cycle has a few of last years' model in stock still, I think.

All I know is that they're not as pretty in person as they are on the internet. I saw a kid riding that bike today, and I was very disappointed.

huh I saw one last week in person and thought it looked pretty good.

why exactly are you looking for a madison as opposed to all the other off the peg ss/fg bikes on the market in that price range. they're all pretty much the same.

huh I saw one last week in person and thought it looked pretty good.

i've seen them both recently and for some reason, i like the white madison even more than the blue one.

there's a thread for this kind of thing, i don't care how desperate you are.

i like its fork.

there's a thread for this kind of thing, i don't care how desperate you are.

Why do guys like you always want to talk down about something? cant help a fellow cyclist out? dont like the post? dont read it!

why exactly are you looking for a madison as opposed to all the other off the peg ss/fg bikes on the market in that price range. they're all pretty much the same.

I figure if Im going to buy a bike thats "pretty much the same as all the other off the peg ss/fg bikes on the market in that price range" I might as well get one that doesnt LOOK like all the other off the peg ss/fg bikes on the market in that price range ;)

I really like that fork. I think they are potentially classy looking bikes, but I like the white they had last year better. Toss on a set of track drops in chrome, ditch the brakes/levers in favor of a BMX lever and front only, silver crankset and a white turbo.
*drool*

I loved the 07 Madison the first time I saw it. It's the retro styling really that did it. I almost got one as an employee for the company but they didn't have any left in the warehouse. The 08 looks nice too. The Madison is by far the best thing going under the Schwinn brand name. They should have thrown a freewheel and some risers on for the Varsity instead of that Wal-Mart monstrosity.

I'm assuming the frame is still made in a taiwanese sweatshop somewhere...?

I'm assuming the frame is still made in a taiwanese sweatshop somewhere...?

more likely a Taiwanese factory.

Blick: What do you think about some of the new higher end Schwinn roadbikes, like the Fastback and the new Peleton. I think they look ok for what they are.

Blick: What do you think about some of the new higher end Schwinn roadbikes, like the Fastback and the new Peleton. I think they look ok for what they are.

I only glanced at them a while back, but they seemed like every other road bike (in a good way). I only praise the Madison because it shows that the marketing team is willing to address niche users.

I'm assuming the frame is still made in a taiwanese sweatshop somewhere...?

Factories in Taiwan aren't exactly sweatshops. I'm sure that abuses occur, but Taiwan is a nation with strong labor laws, and bike makers are skilled laborers, probably analogous to someone making Schwinn Varsities in Chicago in 1955. They're burgeoning middle class.

I like this bike.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Schwinn-Madison-Fixie-56cm_W0QQitemZ170193766360QQihZ007QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem

size 56cm (large), but...maybe you can get away with that?

oh, and theres some white ones too (one size large, and one that i believe might be a medium) just search schwinn madison on ebay.

why do *******s like you alway want to talk **** about something? cant help a fellow cyclist out? dont like the post? dont ****ing read it *******!

hey man, i was just following your sig's advice.

The paint is nice, but the straight-blade forks just don't work.

The paint is nice, but the straight-blade forks just don't work.

the madison's fork is probably what appeals to most of the people who want 'em.

the madison's fork is probably what appeals to most of the people who want 'em.

I guess that it is not found on too many fixed gears, but why did they have to put it on a bike that's a throwback schwinn?

I guess that it is not found on too many fixed gears, but why did they have to put it on a bike that's a throwback schwinn?

I actually like the fork, but now that you mention it if they did a bike with smaller diameter tubing and a paramount type fork (mostly straight with a rake at the end) it would be amazing.

EX:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2348035575_fd5b7a77a5_b.jpg

this 2008 looks better than the white and red one of last year. i'd love to have one. i'd put white rims and saddle and then all silver componants to make it pop. that ebay bike looks like a deal. you could sell the jalco wheels for 100 bucks to offset the price of a better wheelset.

The very same forks come with Bareknuckle frames.

edit: My statement's not true. Forks are similar.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Schwinn-Madison-Fixie-56cm_W0QQitemZ170193766360QQihZ007QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247Q QcmdZViewItem

size 56cm (large), but...maybe you can get away with that?

oh, and theres some white ones too (one size large, and one that i believe might be a medium) just search schwinn madison on ebay.

Thanks much ;) but I was just told if I ride a 55 I should get a 54 :(

hey man, i was just following your sig's advice.

Sorry man your right :o "THOSE WHO MIND DON'T MATTER" :rolleyes:

I actually like the fork, but now that you mention it if they did a bike with smaller diameter tubing and a paramount type fork (mostly straight with a rake at the end) it would be amazing.

EX:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2348035575_fd5b7a77a5_b.jpg

That bike....Oh that bike! ;)

The very same forks come with Bareknuckle frames.

not quite, similar style different details tubing etc

http://www.thebikebiz.com/photos/BK-TRK-EAI01-11.jpg vs http://velospace.org/files/lowDSCF1082.jpg

I stand corrected.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3164/2348035575_fd5b7a77a5_b.jpg

That bike's ridiculous. It shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the Schwinn Madison.

i like its fork.

yeah

Factories in Taiwan aren't exactly sweatshops. I'm sure that abuses occur, but Taiwan is a nation with strong labor laws, and bike makers are skilled laborers, probably analogous to someone making Schwinn Varsities in Chicago in 1955. They're burgeoning middle class.

I agree. The Taiwanese are putting out some very good bicycle products. They have filled in the void nicely since Japanese bikes became price prohibitive. I have a feeling this Schwinn may be built in China.

That bike's ridiculous. It shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as the Schwinn Madison.

Your right, it shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as the NEW Schwinn Madison, now the orig Schwinn Madison is another story all together ;) suck on this for a while ;)
http://velospace.org/node/3994

does that bareknuckle above not have a head set installed?

I have one of these. The sticker on the frame said it was built in Taiwan. Its a heavy weight if there ever was one. Its steel but has mighty thick tubes. At least compared to my old 12-speed road bike. For a fixed gear, 10.5 kg is not light, I know the KHS for a similar price is 2 kg less.

I bought it a week ago, it rides very nicely although do check that everything is tightened. You get used to the colour. The problem with the one you'll see in the store, is that it has a factory shine. This shine makes it look piercing with its bright colour. But I reckon after a few months, this bright blue colour will dull a bit to a much nicer hue.

48-18 is a very good gear in my opinion, its just not worth bothering your knees with a really high gear that you'll likely never spin out. I'm not gonna say its easy to spin this gear out, but if you start powering, you'll pretty quickly be spinning like a madman. But you'll realise that its just not convenient to be travelling at 35km all the time as would be dictated for a good pedal revolution speed with a 48-16.

frankly, I would've gone with the cheapest bike no matter what brand as long as it was in my size, cause I'm in university and didn't even have enough money for this bike, but I'm quite happy with my choice. I like also that the wheels have eyelets for the spokes. The rear wheel has 32 and the front wheels has 28 spokes. I'm riding XL with maximum spacers and the stem flipped up since I'm 195.

Also the seat is very thin, the designers might have chucked on a roadie seat assuming that we were all riding lycra with bum padding. I might end up buying a thicker one when I earn a dollar or two as purchasing the bike stripped my wallet to the seams.

heres a picture of mine by the way, full with color mismatched pump [ref: lack of money] and kickstand.
http://lh6.google.com/mlisitsa/R-SeTwKq-II/AAAAAAAABpA/B_yz1JM-Gp0/DSCF3102.JPG.jpg?imgmax=576

For a fixed gear, 10.5 kg is not light, I know the KHS for a similar price is 2 kg less.
I have trouble believing this.

does that bareknuckle above not have a head set installed?

No front wheel, either. Damn weight weenies.

Your right, it shouldnt be mentioned in the same breath as the NEW Schwinn Madison, now the orig Schwinn Madison is another story all together ;) suck on this for a while ;)
http://velospace.org/node/3994

I'm not so sure that was made in NC, looks more like the Panasonic-made Madisons from the 1980s, which were decent, entry-level bikes made with heavy Columbus Tenax steel and which shipped with generic components. Anyway, I don't think it deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as a Paramount track, either.

Ok. :)

I'm fairly sure Dr. Seuss never said anything remotely close to your sig.

heres a picture of mine by the way, full with color mismatched pump [ref: lack of money] and kickstand.
http://lh6.google.com/mlisitsa/R-SeTwKq-II/AAAAAAAABpA/B_yz1JM-Gp0/DSCF3102.JPG.jpg?imgmax=576

Well, even if it is heavy, there's something to be said for a bike that flies.

I have an '07 schwinn madison. and had to search all over the place and ended up driving 2 hours to get it. but I think it's worth it

I'm fairly sure Dr. Seuss never said anything remotely close to your sig.

How sure are you? Check out quote #7 on the following link ;)
http://712educators.about.com/cs/speechesquotes/a/inspirational.htm
or maybe this one will make you feel a little.....
http://bestuff.com/stuff/be-who-you-are-and-say-what-you-feel-because-those-who-mind-dont-matter-and-those-who-matter-dont-mind

There's an original Madison on one of the Massachusetts (I think) Craigslists right now.

We've got a Madison in for review at Urban Velo. Initial impressions (http://urbanvelo.org/schwinn-madison-on-test/) with another post after some miles scheduled to go live later this week.