It was an unqualified success, other than that it was very expensive to produce and showed little if any real profit potential. Sponsorship of 6-day riders produced a team to showcase the Paramount, the riders such as Jerry Rodman (The Michael Jordan of that time in Chicago) and the rest of the Schwinn Co. bicycle line. If I recall, it was what schwinn dealers Schwinn called a “cantilever” frame, where the seat stays pass by the seat cluster and continue on in a graceful curve to join the bottom of the head tube. Older Schwinn “cruisers”, such as the Excelsior that was the inspiration of the first mountain bikes, used a straight lower top tube from the bottom of the head tube to the seat tube.
Although made with imported Panasonic components, these bikes still packed a punch. In fact, even at the time, they were nearly a match for the Paramount – but much cheaper. The Superior and Sports Tourer were relatively heavy all-steel bikes. They were very similar to the Variety and Continental models, but cheaper. One of (but not the only) iconic motorcycle-inspired designs by Schwinn, the Stingray had high, hanger-style handlebars like a Harley Davidson, a long saddle (perfect for carrying a mate on), and a very relaxed frame design.
“I don’t think we’re comfortable being number two in the marketplace,” said Gregg Bagni, vice-president for marketing at Schwinn, “I don’t think we will be satisfied until we’re number one. To get to that next level, strategic or financial partners are important for us right now.” Scott Sports Group enlisted the help of Smith Barney Inc., a securities firm, in their search for a buyer. Bring in a team of qualified fitness equipment technicians to make the process easy. We offer commercial and residential assembly and disassembly services when you need to remove or setup your fitness units. The 500W motor is smooth and doesnt jolt or kick too hard, but is still powerful. Range is good, and I am looking to buy a second battery to double it.
The bike accelerates fine on flat ground, but you’ll definitely need to add some leg assist if you’re going to be climbing tall hills. If you like Stingrays and Krates (I don’t…don’t get me started!), check out the bicyclehistory.com page abotu them. Mark Smith has a nice page about his Schwinn bikes , also some good Schwinn Repair and Restoration tips. The Bike Fed is here to cultivate, motivate and unite a strong community of residents as well as business and political leaders to move bicycling forward in Wisconsin – through education, legislation and involvement.
This in turn led to further inroads by domestic and foreign competitors. Faced with a downward sales spiral, Schwinn went into bankruptcy in 1992.[59] The company and name were bought by the Zell/Chilmark Fund, an investment group, in 1993. For over a decade, the Schwinn has set the standard as the cycle studio workhorse. Now, 20 years after Schwinn built the first production bike for indoor cycling, we are proud to introduce the IC Classic that combines the proven, traditional drive train of the IC Pro 20 with updated features of the rock solid Studio 3. The sturdy steel frame, heavy perimeter weighted flywheel, traditional chain drive, and direct pressure brake give this bike the strength to keep it moving ride after ride. By the time the fourth generation of Schwinns were running the company, however, Schwinn was sliding from its top position.
The bikes are also compatible with the Schwinn Triple Link pedal upgrade. Triple Link Pedals accommodate Look Delta and SPD style cleats to simulate an outdoor riding experience. They also easily convert to accept traditional athletic shoes with the snap-in locking toe clips. Sometime in the 1970’s, the Schwinn Chicago factory was organized by the United Auto Workers union, who felt that bicycle factory workers should be paid on the same scale as automotive workers. Unfortunately, the realities of the marketplace didn’t agree, and Schwinn closed the factory, transferring most production to Japan (Panasonic) and Taiwan (Giant). Schwinn also built a factory in Greenville, Mississippi, but it didn’t last, and even bought a factory in Hungary, but the deal fell through, and Schwinn never imported any Hungarian bikes to the U.S.
The X Bikes offer a tech-free experience ideal for music-focused group cycling studios as well as multi-unit housing and hospitality fitness centers that do not offer guided classes. With optional 4iiii powermeter, members and guests can bring their phone or personal fitness device to track and store their personal data. However, its frame is not as durable as the frame that comes with the Schwinn Evolution. It occupies a slightly smaller floor space and is 51.6” long by 20.1” wide. Today, Chinese and Taiwanese-manufactured bikes continue to be sold under the Schwinn brand name.
Such innovations as balloon tires, coaster brakes, forewheel expander brakes, and handlebarmounted gear changers were introduced by Schwinn. Some famous bicycle designs by Schwinn include the early Aerocycle, Cycleplane, and Autocycle. Still, the company ranks easily in the top
10 and possibly in the top five among bike builders in the United States. Roughly 100 U.S.-based builders, companies like Waterford, Serotta, Lynskey
Performance Designs and Independent Fabrication, manufacture about 12,000 bikes
a year domestically.
In 1938, Frank W. Schwinn officially introduced the Paramount series. Developed from experiences gained in racing, Schwinn established Paramount as their answer to high-end, professional competition bicycles. The Paramount used high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel alloy tubing and expensive brass lug-brazed construction.
Although their models were favored by slightly older buyers, they weren’t able to find huge success in the growing younger market, which had leaned increasingly towards lightweight and technologically advanced road bikes. Throughout the decade, the company further expanded its range of 10-speed racing bikes with the launch of the Varsity, Continental, and LeTour models, in order to rival European heavyweights such as Peugeot and Gitane. You also get two different frame sizes to choose from, which is a big upgrade over the single one-size-fits-all frames that many e-bike companies still offer. I’m sure that keeping it in low pedal assist will still net riders the claimed maximum of 35 miles that Schwinn promises.