noglider 

Thanks for citing that article. I knew some of it, so it was a bit of a trip down memory lane. I learned a lot from it, too. There is so much sad stuff in that article.

Yes, they made a lot of mistakes. I was a bike mechanic from 1978 to 1984. I started hating the brand, because, of course, they were awful to ride. But over the years, I grew an appreciation for the company's orientation towards durability, even though it was at the expense of performance. And of course, I had to admire the Paramount models.

So a company that makes so many mistakes has to die. It's rather interesting that it lasted so long.

I grew up in NYC and worked there as a mechanic for half of those years. NYC is unusual in that brand loyalty is less important than elsewhere. There weren't many Schwinns sold or owned there. That's one reason I didn't realize it was a high quality brand at first. When names like Atala and Panasonic came in, New Yorkers bought them immediately, trusting the advice of the bike shops. Atala didn't turn out to be a winner, but Panasonic surely did.

Shimagnolo

Something else interesting about Schwinn was the "electro-forging" process they developed:

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/varsity.html

noglider 

Great pictures in that article. The frames were made in a very unusual way. I wonder why they used that process. The frames were gawdawful heavy, but no doubt that they were durable. Was this a relatively cheap or expensive process?

I think of the Varsity as designed for 13 year olds who abuse their bikes.

EatMyA**

I learned to ride on a varsity. Couldn't even reach the pedals.

when I was sixteen I used it again and I abused that bike so much. I have not had a bicycle come close to holding up to that kind of treatment. Not even mtbs or bmx. I have a dyno bmx though that did good, but not as good. I ruined the rims and spokes completely but the frame is perfect and most surprising the fork is still straight.

Off topic really.

delver

I rode my dads old varsity from about thirteen to sixteen, when it was stolen. We lived about seven miles from any pavement in the california high desert. I used to bomb so fast on washboard dirt roads that I would burn out bulbs with the bottle generator. Learned how to true wheels, and thats about it cause it never needed anything else, really. I used to ride it to the bmx/motorcycle track and jump the pi55 out of it. And it was still in good enough shape for someone to steal it.
Years later, I have several varsitys and continentals, suburbans and collegates.
I really don't understand it when someone says they did not ride well. They don't ride like a racing bike, but thats because they are not really about racing performance. They roll like tanks, smooth, relaxing tanks. Put a city style handle bar on them, grease em up, ride them casualy and they will still last longer than some of the new city bike offerings of today for a lot less money.

Sirrus Rider

+1 If you understood what they were, they were a fime machine. I would have no qualms commuting on one if I needed a "Q-ship" for going into a high theft area,

I-Like-To-Bike

That is exactly what I did with the Varsity that I bought for $5 at a garage sale. Works fine for pulling a trailer for grocery runs. I also take this bike when I drive to other cities for business; I don't mind leaving this bike locked up on the street outside the hotel and using it for getting around in the city.

noglider 

Sorry for the disrespect. You're right. For what they are, the Varsitys and similar models, they are really excellent. Extremely well built.

There's a woman down the street offering me a ladies Collegiate Sport for $40. It needs work, which I can handle. I think I know someone to sell it to. But it has 26 x 1-3/8 tires, which I believe are NOT standard 26" tires, and it needs tires desperately. If I can find them, I'll buy the bike. If not, no thanks.

Wordbiker

That particular size of tire is available through many distributors, and at very inexpensive prices.

The tougher task would be finding a quality upgrade tire. If all you're looking for is a replacement, they're common. It is known as a Schwinn S-6, or ISO/E.T.R.T.O. 597 mm.

noglider 

Yes, thanks to google, I found many suppliers. I emailed the woman who might be interested in buying the bike, and I'll help her decide.

Thanks, Wordbiker!

StephenH

"Was this a relatively cheap or expensive process?"
I think it was a high-production process, expensive to set up in the first place, but cheap on a per-bike basis if you made lots and lots of bikes.

PlatyPius

Schwinn is Schwinn. They make those crappy Wal-Mart bikes, they don't let someone else put their name on them.

Schwinn = Dorel (formerly Pacific). Dorel owns Schwinn, Mongoose, GT, Pacific, and Cannondale. Schwinn, according to the rep who visited us last week, will always remain a Wal-Mart brand, as will Mongoose. Why? Name recognition. They make more money selling crappy Schwinns at Wally-World than they do/did selling through the LBS. GT and Cannondale will remain LBS brands, however...all USA Cannondale production will cease and move to China by the 2010 model year. That leaves none of the Big 3 making anything in the US except for the OCLV Treks.

Schwinn rep put it this way.... A carbon frame costs $35/hour to make in the US. They can make the same frame in Asia for $1/hour. If that's so, then why are Asian carbon frames (ie: Cervelo, Bianchi, Colnago, et al.) still so expensive?

PlatyPius

Check the tire first....it could be a 590mm or a 597mm - Schwinn (and Huffy) used both.

125psi

Perhaps they pay $5.00 per hour for better quality? Note sarcasm.

I've been perplexed as to why the costs are so high. I think the reasoning is not the manufacturing but more of the R&D required to make the new designs. Also the endorsements they have to pay to the pros who ride & win + general marketing/advertising expenses, engineer + management salaries, etc, etc, etc. Also it appears the market will pay the high-end price. So as long as demand is meant (sales goals achieved) why not charge the higher rates? I would. It would be interesting to see the GM% on one of these high-end bikes.

With regards to Schwinn. There will always be Wally World Schwinns and LBS Schwinns; And this debate and/or comparison will go on for eternity.

BTW, I just got a Easton EA90SLX set for my schwinn peloton. Oh the looks I'm sure to get. WTF?
b

PlatyPius

We're seriously considering being a "Schwinn" dealer.... for the GT mountain bikes, AND because we both want a Paramount frame to hang on the wall. lol. (Even at cost, neither one of us alone could afford a Paramount Classic frame/fork.)

cs1

Yeah, they're going to mfg in the U.S. again. I heard Obama's going to let them use an old GM plant staffed full of UAW workers who were laid off. I can't wait to buy my new Schwinn!

rumrunn6

I remember really wanting a Cotton Picker:

https://www.antiquewhs.com/2005012.htm

rumrunn6

I'm 50 and still abuse my bikes. Recently spruced up an old Varsity and am commuting on it.

It will be interesting to follow the story - to see if the brand can be reborn. I doubt it but the brand recognition of course is very strong.

gordonzo

My daughter-in-law has a 2000 Schwinn Frontier FS and my wife has a 2006 Schwinn Hera WSD. Both bikes have pretty decent components a notch or two up from current Walmart bikes and run smoothly and reliably for the bike path and light trail riding they are used for. I recently looked at a new Specialized Hardrock and the shifters/deraileurs/front forks, etc. are at the same level as these old Schwinns! I know the Specialized has a much better frame but are the components on the new bikes closing the gap toward Walmart bikes? By the way - my son rides a Giant Warp and I ride a Giant Yukon which are both excellent bikes for the money from our point of view.