SCHWINN: What's your opinion?

I don't know anything about them, except that they've been around since Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem. However, if I could get one of those COOL new Schwinn Madison's here in Aus, i'd be a happy camper.

gm

One word

I remember as a child back in the 50s that Schwinns were the envy of all of us with their "Springer" front forks and faux tanks. These were the days of fat tires and coaster brakes.

Years later my wife was given a Varsity "girls bike". It was then that I noticed the proliferation of parts from "the far east" with "Schwinn Approved" stamped into them. It was not a good bike as the head would oscillate with a twitch of the bars.

Todays Schwinns seem to be built almost entirely in "the far east" and rely on name recognition to some degree rather than American craftsmanship.

Are they good bikes? Just as good as many mid line Specialized, Trek, and Bianchis, and all Motobecanes, and Merciers. These are brands from western nations built under license in Taiwan typicaly of good grade Reynolds, Easton and other quality tubing, with the same Shimano line of components as the western made ones across the price range. They can be darn good well made bikes.

Will they ever regain the top spot? Probably not when you consider the money that Trek, Cervelo, Colnago, Bianchi, and Giant(Chinese) are putting into their competition programs, to name just a very few brands

Want to know what owners think of their Schwinns? Check ot "Road Bike Review"http://www.roadbikereview.com/

Thanks for all the opinions and replies so far. I'm hearing some really good stuff. I'd love to hear more if anyone else has anything to contribute!

Thanks again!

Quoted post said:

Want to know what owners think of their Schwinns? Check ot "Road Bike Review"http://www.roadbikereview.com/

Ayup. I reckon they're cool as. and I've never even owned one.

gm

Anyone who's been around that long & still is here is good in my book. As far as "where it's made"...I don't see people in other countrys scrambling to get their hands on products "Made in the U.S.A." as if Chinese, Japanese, Tiwanese ect... can't build a good product. I don't see people with Hondas & Toyota's complaining about craftsmanship.

I own a pre-bankruptcy Schwinn World 27" that I've had for over 15 years. If my understanding is correct, the bike was actually built in Taiwan and brought over here for assembly. Either way, it's still in good working order.

For many years, it seemed like Schwinn was one of those good, old-time American companies that could do no wrong. They were trendsetters for a good portion of their pre-bankruptcy existance. However, they could also be a business school case study on how to ruin a perfectly good company by missing out on a few trends.

As far as their name goes, they still seem to have some brand recognition. They're easily purchased at WalMart and Target. But the newer mass market bikes seem like cheap, flashy toys compared to the bikes of yesteryear.

schwinn as of now seems like a brand thats value driven. i would rather spend more money and have a bike thats had more R+D, and better testing.

Schwinn is a good bike, and as far a marketing goes, not many companies can build and market a dime store type discount bike for the Wal-marts (as Schwinn does), while at the same time, have a fully capable road race machine ready for purchase.

On the upper end, the Schwinn Peloton is a nice road racing machine. If one were to get dropped on this bike, during competition, blaming the bike would be a poor excuse. I ride with some folks that own them and they are a pretty well built machine, and for many, an attractive bicycle to boot.

I personally own a Schwinn Homegrown for my mountain bike that I purchased around 2000. It now has well over 15,000 miles both on and off road and the frame is still ready to roll. Actually, Yeti built this frame for them, but never-the-less, I am fully satisfied with the Schwinn Homegrown and its capabilities and durability.

Lastly, the upper end Schwinn is kind of a sleeper (a wolf in sheep’s clothing), and to me, that is kind of cool.

From a marketing point of view, Schwinn is starting from scratch. Decades ago, Schwinn kids bike were highly desirable, but the market is so fragmented now--racing, sport, mountain, comfort, BMX, freestyle, cruiser, lowrider, and more--you get the idea. Because Schwinn failed to maintain a continuous leading presence and is playing catch-up in several of these markets, it has lost any cachet it once had.

I"m not saying that Schwinn hasn't built great bikes. It's just that the technology that these bikes were built on is no longer relevant. Maybe they could get some of that mojo back by building a hundred lugged steel Paramounts a year, just to remind people of what they used to be. They might also benefit from outfitting a professional team and winning some grand tours a la Trek with Lance.

Schwinn used to be good, then they bought GT, then Mongoose...then bankruptcy. The company has been bought and sold 4 times, the Schwinn family no longer has any stake in the company. Giant used to build thier frames. I have a friend with a bike shop that used to deal in Schwinn and GT.

Look, they are sold at Wal Mart and Target, doesn't that tell you something. If you want quality for price, I love the Fuji bikes. You couldn't give me a Schwinn, I have two Fujis and they have been great, along with a Giant Mt bike. My wife rides Fuji and GT (before the buyout), my son-Trek and Harro, and my daughter two Treks, Look carefully at the componentry before you buy. A bad bike will make for miserable riding.

[font=Trebuchet MS]I love Schwinn -- well, this particular one since I haven't tried them all, but it's rigid and dependable; smooth ride. Enjoying it so far at 187 miles.

Don't know what to tell you about the 'arm and a leg' / cheap bike contention, other than practicality. 😎
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well it has its ups an downs, by the way i'm looking for a schwinn town and country three wheeler trike rear end with differental. do you know where i may find one?

I don't have any opinions on Schwinn, really. They are one of those "classic" American companies that has an iconic name - think Whirlpool, Ford, etc.

I read this book a while back and it gives great insight into where Schwinn went right, and where they went wrong

amazon.comref=sr 1 4Open ↗

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by Chavez [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I don't have any opinions on Schwinn, really. They are one of those "classic" American companies that has an iconic name - think Whirlpool, Ford, etc.

I read this book a while back and it gives great insight into where Schwinn went right, and where they went wrong

amazon.comref=sr 1 4Open ↗

The problem, Schwinn is no longer an AMERICAN classic. Made in China. My wife has just shy of 7000miles on her Fuji and still going strong.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by stlblues [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

The problem, Schwinn is no longer an AMERICAN classic. Made in China.

I would think it's fair to say that most people would identify them as an American company, regardless of where their bikes are manufactured.

There is no more room for ardent nationalism in this world of today.

We are all on the same boat. Sink in salt, or, sail?

Hell yes it matters where it's made. I'll buy an American Made HONDA over a Mexican assembled GM with a Chinese Engine. You want an American made bike? MOOTS. Made in Steamboat Springs Colorado. Frames are a work of art. If they sell Chinese Schwinns at WalMart, just how good can you expect them to be?

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by stlblues [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

Hell yes it matters where it's made. I'll buy an American Made HONDA over a Mexican assembled GM with a Chinese Engine. You want an American made bike? MOOTS. Made in Steamboat Springs Colorado. Frames are a work of art. If they sell Chinese Schwinns at WalMart, just how good can you expect them to be?

I would by a Schwinn from a Schwinn dealer before I would by a Fuji, Giant, Motobecane or anything else from fill-in-the-blank Mart. Why, because at your local big box store the same people that put bikes together also put together display racks, furniture, BBQ's, etc. The issue here is not where it's sold or for that matter where it's made but rather is it a "good" brand. I'm old enough to remember when you were the envy of every kid on the block if you had a Schwinn. It's not that the brand name has gotten worse, it's that the competition has gotten better.