Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Schwinn Bicycles is a leading American bicycle manufacturer, founded by Ignaz Schwinn in 1895 in Chicago, Illinois.

Throughout the 20th century, it dominated the American bicycle market, producing iconic models such as the Sting-Ray and the Varsity. In the 1960s and 1970s, the company experienced tremendous growth, with sales peaking at over two million bicycles annually.

However, in the 1980s, Schwinn began to face stiff competition from foreign manufacturers, particularly those in Japan. The company struggled to adapt to the changing market and was ultimately forced to file for bankruptcy in 1992.

Schwinn was then bought by Pacific Cycle, and later by Dorel Industries, which continues to produce Schwinn bicycles today.

Despite the challenges it has faced, Schwinn has left an indelible mark on the bicycle industry, and its iconic designs and innovative technology have inspired generations of cyclists.

1963 Schwinn Typhoon

Paper Boy: Gordy’s 1963 Schwinn Typhoon

What was your first impression of this bike when you opened up your browser or inbox? Bikes can be polarising objects. With only a cursory glance, this Schwinn Typhoon might look to be a discrepant rat rod, but closer inspection will reveal a level of quality that some modern bikes can only dream of.

Schwinn Prologue

Some of my favorite bikes on The Spoken are those born straight from the heart: the realization of a passion or a dream, inspired by the wealth of beautiful bikes seen on this site. Florida’s Ben Kaiser had a vision the moment he came across a beat-up Schwinn Prologue and was able to see the…

Velo City: Bicycle Culture and City Life

Schwinn Paramount Ltd Edition

The Italians aren’t the only ones who can turn it on for a special birthday bike. When the Schwinn Paramount turned 50 in 1988, the…

Schwinn Pea Picker

There are many parallels that can be drawn between the financial histories of Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Schwinn bicycles. They were both started by innovative and…