If you find an old bicycle at a flea market, yard sale, or thrift store, it’s important to be able to identify what you have. Knowing how to tell if a Schwinn bike is vintage and how to tell whether your old bicycle is made by Schwinn can help you determine whether you have found a valuable transportation treasure. Install SeatpostUse the wrench to loosen the seatpost binder bolt.
If so, then you will probably need to add a basket at some point or a rack from which you can hang panniers. Do you plan on riding your new cruiser bike a lot at night or in the early morning hours? If so, then you’re going to want to make sure you have some type of front and rear lights equipped before you take it out on the streets. Are you envisioning yourself cruising around neighborhood block parties or across large campgrounds in the summer? If so, then a solid handlebar drink holder and a nice horn or bell will prove quite helpful. If you’re interested in purchasing an antique or vintage bicycle made by this iconic company, you’ll have plenty of options.
You can find beach cruisers at prices to meet just about any budget, but it is still important to consider your price range before you go out shopping. Setting a budget or a price range you want to shop in helps to make it easier to prioritize what you want, and better dismiss those bikes that don’t offer the value you want or are priced out of your range. Do your research, both online and at local bike shops, schwinn beach cruiser to get the very best deal on vintage bikes or to restore your Schwinn to its original condition. We love Specialized as much as the next bike mechanic; the company has solid components and highly accessible parts that make it easy to work with and tune. The Sirrus X 4.0, a slightly high-priced hybrid bike, is one of the brand’s best bikes for commuting over potholes and gravel—if you can swing the price.
The CTY 1.1 is offered in two colors, five sizes for the standard frame style, and three sizes in a step-through variant. This is your ticket if you want a fantastic deal and a well-featured bike. Just as there is no one type of commute or commuter, there is no singular type of commuter bike. It used to be that a typical city bike had upright geometry, flat pedals, minimal gearing, skinny tires, and a relatively comfortable seat. But thanks to new technology and a greater demand to live a two-wheeled lifestyle, the category of commuter bikes is sprawling.
Price varies significantly, depending on the condition, age, scarcity, and desirability of the model. Whether you’re looking for a fixer-upper or want a bike in mint condition, there are plenty of places to shop. Both models feature a flip-flop hub with a cassette body and fixed thread that lets you easily swap between fixed and freewheel cogs with a standard bottom bracket tool. And all adult Priority models use a quieter, cleaner, less-mess Gates belt drive instead of a traditional chain and cassette. A 680mm-wide, flat handlebar and 28mm WTB ThickSlick tires round out this clean-looking, stylish city fixie.
You can narrow down your personal bike size by visiting your local bike shop and undertaking a bike fitting. A professional bike fit is even more important than a test ride because many people who don’t ride a lot will initially sit at the wrong height on a bike. While this may prove okay in the short-term, riding a poorly fit bike over the long term will get uncomfortable and is more likely to cause dissatisfaction in your purchase. So start your new bike journey right by getting the most accurate measurements to use as you shop. EBay is a great resource for all kinds of antique and vintage items, including Schwinn bikes.
Prior to joining Bicycling in 2021, Dan worked as part of the race organization for the Red Hook Crit, as a coach with EnduranceWERX, as well as a freelance writer and photographer. Although the selection of merchandise is constantly changing, Craigslist can be a great place to score a deal on a vintage Schwinn. This isn’t the place to go if you need a bike immediately, but if you’re patient and watch the listings carefully, you may just find the vintage bike of your dreams.
Whether you’re considering a vintage Schwinn for personal use or want to invest in a piece of American popular history, you’ll have a lot of options. We’ve got a wide selection of bike sizes and styles, including electric, to fit a wide variety of riders. Kevin Cortez is an editor for Runner’s World, Bicycling, and Popular Mechanics covering reviews.