While every large bicycle manufacturer sponsored or participated in bicycle racing competition of some sort to keep up with the newest trends in technology, Schwinn had restricted its racing activities to events inside the United States, where Schwinn bicycles predominated. As a result, Schwinns became increasingly dated in both styling and technology. By 1957, the Paramount series, once a premier racing bicycle, had atrophied from a lack of attention and modernization. Aside from some new frame lug designs, the designs, methods and tooling were the same as had been used in the 1930s.
Schwinn said he didn’t shutter his company because demand for high-quality craftsmanship has dried up. He said the main reason was that three of his schwinn dealers seven employees were at or nearing retirement age, including himself at 69. In the 1980s, Waterford Precision started building cyclocross bikes.
If there is a serial number, it will always appear on the actual frame of the bike, rather than on a removable part like the seat, handlebars, or wheels. Most Schwinn bikes will feature a head badge or plate that identifies them as a Schwinn. This badge varied in style, depending on the style of bike and the year it was made. However, if you see the Schwinn name on the badge, it’s probably a Schwinn bike. The manufacturer distributed unbranded or rebranded bikes through other companies, especially prior to the 1950s.
Find all your favorite Schwinn products at the retailers listed below. Shop online or in-store to bring the fun of a great ride home today. You can determine whether a Schwinn bike is vintage by looking up its serial number. The serial number appears in different places on the bike depending on the year and the place the bike was made. Not all vintage Schwinns have serial numbers or follow a set convention for placement and numbering.
Simply find the bike or gear of your dreams online, and we’ll have it ready for you when you arrive. We’ll ensure a perfect fit for your riding needs and answer any questions you may have. Electric bikes put extra power behind every pedal so you can ride farther, take on bigger hills, and enjoy cycling more than ever before. Some things never go out of style, kind of like our classic Krate series. These bikes have been around since the 60s, but they’re still fresh choices for a hot summer ride.
We’ve got a wide selection of bike sizes and styles, including electric, to fit a wide variety of riders. 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 schwinn beach cruiser treasure. The manufacturing equipment and the building were sold and the last remaining seven employees were laid off, each with a “little severance,” Schwinn said. The original factory in Chicago that once employed as many as 2,000 people is long gone. The Schwinn brand is now owned by a Dutch conglomerate that manufactures bikes overseas and sells them to big box stores such as Target and Walmart.