In the shop, I hurriedly purchased a Schwinn High Plains mountain bike for $335. I wrote a check (remember those?) And so began my cycling career…well, not really. I actually called my sister and had her come and get me and the bike in her Chevy S-10 pickup. Thus, I became the ride-leach that needed to be taken everywhere. I was asking my sister or my co-workers for a lift almost every day.
Yoshi Shimano, who was Edward Schwinn’s personal translator during his business trips to Asia, described him as “a nice fellow“, who “had a lower degree of interest for the business“. By 1992, when the Schwinn Bicycle Company went into bankruptcy, the manufacturing of its bicycles had moved almost entirely overseas, primarily to Asia. That’s still the case for Schwinn-branded bikes sold in the United States. You want to get away from it all and enjoy the majesty and adventure of the great outdoors. You want to feel the sun and the wind and the thrill of it all.
Full-suspension bikes, equipped with both front and rear suspension, offer optimal comfort, control, and traction on rough mongoose bmx terrain. These bikes absorb impacts from rocks, roots, and bumps, providing a smoother ride, especially on technical single track trails. ElectricElectric mountain bikes are hardtail mountain bikes with pedal assist motors and throttle. While it’s probably not a great idea to use these on the most rough-and-tumble terrain, they do great on most trails and paths. And thanks to the electric motor, you ride the trails without worrying so much about long distances or steep hills. A couple great examples of this style would be the Healy Ridge and Ridgewood.
So even if you hopped on something like our Coston DX, kept it fully charged, and used the throttle the whole time to race against the elite Tour athletes, you’ll still be well off the pack. And disqualified since e-bikes aren’t allowed in the Tour de France.But for getting around town, going on a social ride with friends, or running errands, a Class 2 e-bike and its 20 mph limit will be everything you need. In the 70’s, Soutern California kids started following new trends (the BMX), just like the kids created the Sting-Ray culture during the sixties. This time, however, Schwinn decided not to engage into the movement, maily because the company saw the sport as too dangerous and unsuitable with Schwinn’s quality image. The same happened with the mountain-bike culture of the 80’s pioneered by Northern California riders like Michael Sinyard (founder of Specialized), Tom Ritchey and Gary Fisher. What Schwinn didn’t recognize is that trends are often set by minority thinkers, and not by the Number One.
In the late 1960s, the Varsity and Continental pioneered the use of auxiliary brake levers, which allowed the rider to rest hands on the straight, horizontal center section of the ram’s horn handlebars, yet still have braking control. This feature, attractive to older riders, soon found its way to other Schwinn models, especially those intended for senior citizens. Schwinn aluminum mountain frame delivers controlled riding on tough trails, while the with Schwinn suspension fork helps absorb bumps in the road for a more comfortable ride. Fully charged, a 250-watt e-bike motor can take schwinn mountain bicycles a rider about 22.5 miles at 20 mph. These numbers, of course, can vary depending on riding conditions, bike weight, and rider weight.
Not all vintage Schwinns have serial numbers or follow a set convention for placement and numbering. 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.
Embrace the joy of riding by selecting the perfect mountain bike. Consider factors, like suspension type, frame material, riding style, and frame components. By understanding these aspects and aligning them with your preferences and riding goals, you can confidently embark on your mountain biking adventures with a mountain bike that’s tailored to your needs. Explore a wide range of mountain bikes and find the right match to get going on your mountain journey that will bring you closer to nature and ignite your passion for riding. Understanding full suspension, make your outdoor adventure comfortable and smooth, get a mountain bike that matches the riders needs on hard trails. One of the crucial features to consider when selecting a mountain bike is the suspension system.
Now that I could drive, a bigger world opened up to me. If you’re considering buying or selling a vintage Schwinn, you’ll need to get an idea of how much it is worth. To determine the condition of your bike, examine the paint, tires, spokes, and all equipment.