from my experience at least folks in Europe havent even heard of Schwinn. I do like the older 80s schwinns myself, newer stuff... eh, not as much, although I do see they're trying now.
Yeah. They were lost in the sea of cheap bikes for a bit, but they're really starting to change the industry in the sub-$500 range, which is really cool to see.
Nice vid, mate. Although over here, in the UK, we'd largely never heard of Schwinn until the low quality units of the 90s appeared. In the 80s here it was all about Raleigh, Peugeot, Claude Butler & Eddy Merckx.
I'm in the UK as well and Schwinn was never a big brand on the world scale, other US brands had much greater international success. However even though I'm a UK citizen I do know the biggest brand in the world is 'Flying Pigeon' of China, they have made over half a billion bicycles and many are exported around Asia as very cheap and have been doing so for many decades. Ok just a basic bicycle but an absolute workhorse in many poor countries and by far the biggest bicycle brand in the world. Also being a steel bike with plain gauge tubes in countries where they often cost a high percentage of their wages people use them for many, many years so flying pigeon bikes tend to be used for a very long time, no butted tubes, no weak lightweight components etc just built to last and take abuse. So a huge number of these are still actively used. Also the world's largest bicycle manufacturer by volume currently is fuji-ta in China they make up to 20 million bikes a year many for the US and European brands that are basically importers but pretend to be manufacturers. There is a difference between bicycle brands and bicycle manufacturers. Giant is a manufacturer, Schwinn is not although maybe they were in the past.
I have an '83 Schwinn Voyageur touring bike. I ride it every day. It's a joy to ride, and it's a pleasure to work on. I also run the stock lose bearing BB and all the other OEM components. Those old Schwinn's are engineering masterpieces. Edit: I've also ridden it across NY state and this summer I'm taking it from Florida all the way up the east coast to a town pretty close to the border with Quebec.
I've restored a couple old 1960's Schwinn's. One a beach cruiser style, the other a 3 spd road ish bike. Both had elements about them that were impressive for their era's, I'll admit. Here in Canada, Schwinn was not as common. We had CCM. Kinda our version of Schwinn. CCM stood for Canada Cycle & Motor Co. I have come across some very impressive CCM's over the years, like a Reynolds tubed, Campy equipped roadbike. I even own a CCM single speed from the late 40's. Its huge, but lighter than you'd expect. Haven't done a thing to it, short of filling tires, it still rides. As a kid, no one "wanted" a CCM BMX or MTB, but they were common and of acceptable quality. Now, they are exclusively available in Walmart type stores, bearing nary a glimmer of their past.
You’re content is literally helping me through one of my hardest times in my life. Thank you for being so humble. I was initially posting this on your “quality” video but I figured I’d go to your most recent post so maybe you would see. I appreciate the outlook you have and there’s a lot of books you have read that I actually I’m looking forward to reading myself in the near future. Again thank you and keep up the awesome work!
Tbh never heard of it until I was well older. The big brands for me as a kid and my parents in UK/Europe were Raleigh, muddyfox, Peugeot and claud butler (which barring raleigh to an extent, shared the same fate of schwinn). Tbh I think the largest US bikes we all wanted were mongoose and Kona
Schwinn grades from manufacturing from; Chicago, Japan, Taiwan were all of great quality. I got doored on my Chicago steel town bike and bent the hinges on the door. Bike was unscathed, I had roadrash.
ayyy just randomly binging your bike checks & hear the Schwinn history. Just last week I put a blue 1972 super sport back on the road and I gotta say it's a smokin bike... super fun to ride! Couldn't believe how solid everything was while taking it apart, not to mention stylized from top to bottom.
I passed on buying an 80s Schwinn track bike that was actually used in VELO racing and kick myself for it all the time. This soft jazz 80s daytime gameshow soundtrack is killing me.
I have a 1963 varsity . it is heavy, slow, tank like, coasts a country mile, easy to fix, and it is my go to bike. Unfortunately for the channel it is not a fixed gear but I like it.
I have a Schwinn from 3 eras: an ‘87 Le Tour from their heyday, an ‘09 Madison from their post-Dorel buyout before they gave up and went full Walmart garbage, and a ‘20 Axum from their slight resurgence into being a reliable inexpensive choice despite still being from Wally World. All have significant upgrades from stock, and ride well.
I bought an old 1984 shwinn worldsport road bike wich i did restore but then decided to turn from road to fixed gear and it outlasted also my aventon cordoba. Old 80s steel looks so dam good
Yo. Same story for me. I found a fixed gear wheelset in the corner of my university's student bike shop club, and threw them onto a yellow le tour frame that I found in the rafters of the shop
A few years ago here in Vermont a local bike racer passed away. I missed the opportunity to purchase his 53cm Schwinn Madison with all original kit. The bike was priced at $250...
Now that was a great video (not that your others are not great). It's just that this one appealed to me because I'm an old man at 51 and remember Schwinn's immense popularity back in the day. Don't get me wrong: I never held Schwinn in high esteem, but I do remember nearly every kid in the neighborhood having one, and this video forced me to recall those halcyon days of the 70s.
Zach your videos are awesome, I saw all your NJS vids It motivated me to start a full NJS build. I must say your channel is by far my favorite on youtube. Thank you for always posting awesome content!
I could be wrong, but that Madison frame could have been constructed in Japan... making the only think American about that bicycle the company name on the headbadge... hell, as far we know, the headbadge itself could have been made somewhere outside of the USA. I think by 1986, Schwinn was passed it's glory days. That's not to say it didn't have a good, competitive product, but there were plenty of brands just as competitive, with a more saleable brand name, especially in their adult bicycle lineup.
The Schwinn Paramounts track bikes from the late 60’s/early 70’s are the holy grail of all track bikes in my opinion. Google search them and you’ll see how how beautiful they are.
Over the years, many companies began making lesser quality products because if they make a product that lasts forever, you only have to buy one. But if they sell you a product that might wear out over time, there’s a chance you’ll eventually buy another one. It’s more profitable to make lesser quality products.
I don't think most of European folks know Schwinn. At the beginning of the bicycle era, there were a lot of bike manufacturers that transitioned from other industries - e. g. sewing machines (just an example from Germany). Here in Germany, many of those companies are now extinct and their names have been used as branding for cheap bikes. I miss the old Hercules bikes from Nuremberg.
What are the odds? I was just about to submit my 85 Madison for a bike check. Mine was a former rental racer at a track just north of Chicago tho and is missing most of the og parts. Oh well I guess I have to go buy a paramount to get featured
In Europe 🇪🇺it was and is the master craftsman of Italian 🇮🇹cycle makers who’s cycles are most famous and sought after . The Raleigh all steel bike was the everyday steed of the British Empire🇬🇧but that brand and in fact that empire have both gone the way of Schwinn in modern times . Retro steel is great but I’d rather a modern Specialized from the USA 🇺🇸 or indeed a Wabi.
The answer is quality quality quality. And shcwinns went to crap after mongoose purchase. Up to 2004 they were good. I have a 2000 sierra aluminum gsx. With over 5000 miles on it. Uprgraded to sram and peoe still ask to ride it and say they cant beleive how smooth it is and hiw they miss that quality
Nope, gonna disagree with you Zach, Giant is imo the worldwide best known bike brand. Here in Europe most people never heard of Schwinn, but even peds can probably name Giant... Or they'll name one those cheating e-bike brands that are now being marketed everywhere. Most countries have their own bike industry and people will be familiar with the brands from their country, but Giant is one of the most successful global players.
6:48 - I like how you keep saying "the world", when you only talk about the US. I guess at least Bianchi will be more popular and known around the globe...
Nice bike :) I would argue Merckx to be more famous . At least in Europe. I guess Armstrong is more famous in the US. The true most famous cyclist probably is Indian or Chinese anyway 😂
Wait...I'm confused. Has roadie culture been lying to me? I thought the point of riding a bike...even chaperoning one of my kids to school...the point of riding WAS to suffer.
from my experience at least folks in Europe havent even heard of Schwinn. I do like the older 80s schwinns myself, newer stuff... eh, not as much, although I do see they're trying now.
true
Yeah. They were lost in the sea of cheap bikes for a bit, but they're really starting to change the industry in the sub-$500 range, which is really cool to see.
Nice vid, mate. Although over here, in the UK, we'd largely never heard of Schwinn until the low quality units of the 90s appeared.
In the 80s here it was all about Raleigh, Peugeot, Claude Butler & Eddy Merckx.
Agree not a name in the UK
I'm in the UK as well and Schwinn was never a big brand on the world scale, other US brands had much greater international success. However even though I'm a UK citizen I do know the biggest brand in the world is 'Flying Pigeon' of China, they have made over half a billion bicycles and many are exported around Asia as very cheap and have been doing so for many decades. Ok just a basic bicycle but an absolute workhorse in many poor countries and by far the biggest bicycle brand in the world. Also being a steel bike with plain gauge tubes in countries where they often cost a high percentage of their wages people use them for many, many years so flying pigeon bikes tend to be used for a very long time, no butted tubes, no weak lightweight components etc just built to last and take abuse. So a huge number of these are still actively used.
Also the world's largest bicycle manufacturer by volume currently is fuji-ta in China they make up to 20 million bikes a year many for the US and European brands that are basically importers but pretend to be manufacturers. There is a difference between bicycle brands and bicycle manufacturers. Giant is a manufacturer, Schwinn is not although maybe they were in the past.
I've never heard of a UK team winning the World Series.
Thank you again. Haven't missed an episode since 2017 and probably never will. This one was very special tho
I turned my 1982 Schwinn Super Sport into a gravel bike with full used SRAM. I ADORE that frame!! Super springy steel.
I found an abandoned 1976 Schwinn champion in a ditch and I’m slowly building up in to a fixed gear. It’s great. 👍
I have an '83 Schwinn Voyageur touring bike. I ride it every day. It's a joy to ride, and it's a pleasure to work on. I also run the stock lose bearing BB and all the other OEM components. Those old Schwinn's are engineering masterpieces.
Edit: I've also ridden it across NY state and this summer I'm taking it from Florida all the way up the east coast to a town pretty close to the border with Quebec.
I've restored a couple old 1960's Schwinn's. One a beach cruiser style, the other a 3 spd road ish bike. Both had elements about them that were impressive for their era's, I'll admit.
Here in Canada, Schwinn was not as common. We had CCM. Kinda our version of Schwinn. CCM stood for Canada Cycle & Motor Co. I have come across some very impressive CCM's over the years, like a Reynolds tubed, Campy equipped roadbike. I even own a CCM single speed from the late 40's. Its huge, but lighter than you'd expect. Haven't done a thing to it, short of filling tires, it still rides. As a kid, no one "wanted" a CCM BMX or MTB, but they were common and of acceptable quality. Now, they are exclusively available in Walmart type stores, bearing nary a glimmer of their past.
You’re content is literally helping me through one of my hardest times in my life. Thank you for being so humble. I was initially posting this on your “quality” video but I figured I’d go to your most recent post so maybe you would see. I appreciate the outlook you have and there’s a lot of books you have read that I actually I’m looking forward to reading myself in the near future. Again thank you and keep up the awesome work!
Tbh never heard of it until I was well older. The big brands for me as a kid and my parents in UK/Europe were Raleigh, muddyfox, Peugeot and claud butler (which barring raleigh to an extent, shared the same fate of schwinn). Tbh I think the largest US bikes we all wanted were mongoose and Kona
yep I completely agree, Schwinn is far from the most famous bike company. an American bias I think :)
Schwinn grades from manufacturing from; Chicago, Japan, Taiwan were all of great quality. I got doored on my Chicago steel town bike and bent the hinges on the door. Bike was unscathed, I had roadrash.
ayyy just randomly binging your bike checks & hear the Schwinn history. Just last week I put a blue 1972 super sport back on the road and I gotta say it's a smokin bike... super fun to ride! Couldn't believe how solid everything was while taking it apart, not to mention stylized from top to bottom.
I passed on buying an 80s Schwinn track bike that was actually used in VELO racing and kick myself for it all the time. This soft jazz 80s daytime gameshow soundtrack is killing me.
I have a 1963 varsity . it is heavy, slow, tank like, coasts a country mile, easy to fix, and it is my go to bike. Unfortunately for the channel it is not a fixed gear but I like it.
I have a Schwinn from 3 eras: an ‘87 Le Tour from their heyday, an ‘09 Madison from their post-Dorel buyout before they gave up and went full Walmart garbage, and a ‘20 Axum from their slight resurgence into being a reliable inexpensive choice despite still being from Wally World. All have significant upgrades from stock, and ride well.
Thank you Zak. I have an old bike since March of this year. Don't want to forget how nice stuff was, and the legacy of those who made it.
You have the most soothing and eloquent product description voice
I bought an old 1984 shwinn worldsport road bike wich i did restore but then decided to turn from road to fixed gear and it outlasted also my aventon cordoba. Old 80s steel looks so dam good
Loved the vid! My first fixie was a yellow Schwinn Le Tour conversion - brings back memories.
Yo. Same story for me. I found a fixed gear wheelset in the corner of my university's student bike shop club, and threw them onto a yellow le tour frame that I found in the rafters of the shop
My first fixed gear was a converted 1976 Schwinn Super Le Tour 12.1. Would love a Madison in the stable. Nice find and build Mr. Cruz.
A few years ago here in Vermont a local bike racer passed away. I missed the opportunity to purchase his 53cm Schwinn Madison with all original kit. The bike was priced at $250...
Oh, those were the days I'm telling you!!! I may be old but then again, you all where not there...
Now that was a great video (not that your others are not great). It's just that this one appealed to me because I'm an old man at 51 and remember Schwinn's immense popularity back in the day.
Don't get me wrong: I never held Schwinn in high esteem, but I do remember nearly every kid in the neighborhood having one, and this video forced me to recall those halcyon days of the 70s.
Maybe schwinn is popular in the us, but everywhere else in the world it really really isn't
Very True.In the UK we had Raleigh and they are a shadow of their former life too.
Well done! I have a Tempo from that year that is a joy to ride and gets noticed when I’m out and about...
Zach your videos are awesome, I saw all your NJS vids It motivated me to start a full NJS build. I must say your channel is by far my favorite on youtube. Thank you for always posting awesome content!
Im a fan of 80's Schwinn road/track bikes with the stripped decals. Specifically the black with gold decals.
I still have my 1987 American made Schwinn Paramountain MTB bike, Ned Overend signature model.
That Andel/All City chainring is a head scratcher....
Olden is golden!!! My fixed gear is a 1987 Raleigh montage
Used to have an 86 madison. An amazing bike, great conversation starter. Hate i sold that frame n fork but it was a size to small
I could be wrong, but that Madison frame could have been constructed in Japan... making the only think American about that bicycle the company name on the headbadge... hell, as far we know, the headbadge itself could have been made somewhere outside of the USA. I think by 1986, Schwinn was passed it's glory days. That's not to say it didn't have a good, competitive product, but there were plenty of brands just as competitive, with a more saleable brand name, especially in their adult bicycle lineup.
Correct.
That's a big fad of buying old bike company names to produce cheaply made bikes to be sold for a lot of money.
there was 'fixie fever' in jakarta around 2010-2012, and schwinn madison came up as import-fixie-bike made in taiwan
Brilliant video. Keep it up!
The Schwinn Paramounts track bikes from the late 60’s/early 70’s are the holy grail of all track bikes in my opinion. Google search them and you’ll see how how beautiful they are.
Is that a Chrome Kadet oin your back ~ @1:20? Thinking about getting one, would you recommend it?
Riding my 1985 Madison, mostly original mid 85 build.
Major Taylor is the 🐐 of cycling.
I'd never heard of him until today and always enjoy a rise of an underdog story
Over the years, many companies began making lesser quality products because if they make a product that lasts forever, you only have to buy one. But if they sell you a product that might wear out over time, there’s a chance you’ll eventually buy another one. It’s more profitable to make lesser quality products.
GREAT BUILD!
I rode many miles on my Schwinn Typhoon back in my younger days.
'the world'
Thank you for sharing this 👍🏾😊😍😊😍
tell it to Raleigh. id love a paramount track though,
The world would be a better place if you did a bike check video on Peewee Herman's bike.
I don't think most of European folks know Schwinn. At the beginning of the bicycle era, there were a lot of bike manufacturers that transitioned from other industries - e. g. sewing machines (just an example from Germany). Here in Germany, many of those companies are now extinct and their names have been used as branding for cheap bikes. I miss the old Hercules bikes from Nuremberg.
What are the odds? I was just about to submit my 85 Madison for a bike check. Mine was a former rental racer at a track just north of Chicago tho and is missing most of the og parts. Oh well I guess I have to go buy a paramount to get featured
My favorite bike was my '79 Schwinn Varsity before it was stolen ❤️. And it was 10 bucks!
To say that schwinn is the most famous bike company can only come out of the mouth of an american
😂😂😂He will be telling us their cars are the best in the world next....
I think those pedals are the AR-2s, not Sylvans
I’ve got a 1970s made in the USA schwinn. It’s lugged and pretty but made of carbon steel. With this material, could it be consider trash?
San Marco saddle! Yeah 👩🏼🔧💙
I miss my Schwinn racing BMX bike.
If it had TT bullhorn bars, it would be my Perfect Bike
So much history and nice stories in this comment section I love it, so many stories to tell
In Europe 🇪🇺it was and is the master craftsman of Italian 🇮🇹cycle makers who’s cycles are most famous and sought after . The Raleigh all steel bike was the everyday steed of the British Empire🇬🇧but that brand and in fact that empire have both gone the way of Schwinn in modern times . Retro steel is great but I’d rather a modern Specialized from the USA 🇺🇸 or indeed a Wabi.
I gotta get me one of these Madisons…
I have a '65 Paramount track, its my dream bike lmao.
Do British have track bike history because I’d love that
Absolutely.
The answer is quality quality quality. And shcwinns went to crap after mongoose purchase. Up to 2004 they were good. I have a 2000 sierra aluminum gsx. With over 5000 miles on it. Uprgraded to sram and peoe still ask to ride it and say they cant beleive how smooth it is and hiw they miss that quality
Amo a mi bici schwinn madison
Pretty sure those nitto bars aren't 50mm
When a product can be used for well over 30 years :) The only 30yo thing on that bike is the frame itself, the rest of the components are new lol
Except the cranks, bb, headset, and seat post are all original...
@@coopersimons1706 okay, i take that back then :D
Is it just me, or has no one else heard of Schwinn? I’m from U.K.
Maybe well known in the US, but the world? 🤔🤔. 😏
Oh we're not here to shit on Aventon again? Dang see y'all next video
This is a dope bike
Very special vid
idk i think the most known bike company is gt
Nope, gonna disagree with you Zach, Giant is imo the worldwide best known bike brand.
Here in Europe most people never heard of Schwinn, but even peds can probably name Giant...
Or they'll name one those cheating e-bike brands that are now being marketed everywhere.
Most countries have their own bike industry and people will be familiar with the brands from their country, but Giant is one of the most successful global players.
“Speaking of bikes”
6:48 - I like how you keep saying "the world", when you only talk about the US. I guess at least Bianchi will be more popular and known around the globe...
My dad never took his dog for a 'ride' on his Schwinn. Just sayin.
Nice bike :)
I would argue Merckx to be more famous . At least in Europe. I guess Armstrong is more famous in the US.
The true most famous cyclist probably is Indian or Chinese anyway 😂
schwinn is a thing of the past for me. much better bikes out there now.
Zach are you filipino?
Schwinn is definitely not the most famous in the world lol
Wait...I'm confused. Has roadie culture been lying to me? I thought the point of riding a bike...even chaperoning one of my kids to school...the point of riding WAS to suffer.
🤩
SECOND baby!!!
I suppose if you call the USA "the whole world", then yes they were the most popular...............
FIRST!
Most famous in the world? As a European I've never heard of Schwinn, great video though
Predator.
Specialized & Peugeot are way more famous, don't kid yourself, Yankee.
2nd
Hella racist era produced Black cycling champion? Nice!
Your American bias on Schwinn has upset me somewhat......Nobody in the UK heard of them back in the day.....
Zach Gallardo