Often, vintage bikes are not in great condition when you find them. In fact, this can be a great way to purchase an old Schwinn for an affordable price. If your vintage Schwinn needs some restoration, you can buy parts on eBay or from VintageSchwinn.com, a site devoted to Schwinn enthusiasts. 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. Unable to produce bicycles in the United States at a competitive cost, by the end of 1991 Schwinn was sourcing its bicycles from overseas manufacturers. 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. Zell moved Schwinn's corporate headquarters to Boulder, Colorado. According to Breeze, one of Schwinn’s biggest contributions to cycling was their wire-bead, double-tube “balloon” tire, created in 1933. The suspension on the Schwinn Sidewinder can be adjusted using the preload feature. Locate the preload dial on the front forks and turn it clockwise to increase stiffness or counterclockwise to decrease stiffness. Find a setting that suits your riding style and weight for improved comfort and control. Below you will find the product specifications and the manual specifications of the Schwinn Sidewinder Mountain bike. When the World Wars broke out, the Schwinn factory devoted its resources to an all-out effort for the production of war materials for the U.S. Schwinn was awarded the Army and Navy “E” for excellence for their war production performance during the 2nd World War. Using the standard electro-forged cantilever frame, and fitted with five-speed derailleur gears and knobby tires, the Klunker 5 was never heavily marketed, and was not even listed in the Schwinn product catalog. Unlike its progenitors, the Klunker proved incapable of withstanding hard off-road use, and after an unsuccessful attempt to reintroduce the model as the Spitfire 5, it was dropped from production. Conquer tough trails with the Schwinn Ider Dual Suspension Mountain Bike. It was called “safe” because the rider could put their feet on the ground while seated as opposed to the high wheeled “ordinary”. About 1889, Ignaz helped plan and supervise the constructing and equipping of a new factory for Kleyer, which grew to become the great “Alder Works”. A year later I sold the mountain bike and then tried a hybrid. Dang, the cycling industry really had a thing for splatter paint around 1990. That got me onto skinnier 700c wheels and I was able to go faster. To find a chain for your 24” Schwinn Sidewinder, you can visit a local bike shop or an online retailer that sells bicycle parts. They will be able to assist you in finding the correct chain size based on the number of gears on your bike. Even with the electronics and motor, the Schwinn Ridgewood weighs about the same as a traditional mountain bike. If you would like to know when this item is available, please input your email address in the field below. When your Authorized Schwinn Dealer adds his professional experience in helping you select the right bike, he has a very confident feeling, one that remains while he stands behind your bike long after you've ridden it away. Thanks to its remarkable strength and light weight, the same bike you ride to work can now be the bike you take to the country on weekends. The All Terrain Bike is rapidly becoming America's favorite bike, and not without significant reason. Over the years, Schwinn has empowered millions of people, earning a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of riders. We have spent over a century building the bicycle industry into what it is today, and we’re not done yet. Schwinn, as a company, has a uniquely ambitious dedication to unqualified excellence in engineering. To that end, theyhave included in their team of designers, the racers who ride Schwinn bikes in competition. To these racers, how a bike performs is the winning edge. First, consider how you want to use your All Terrain Bike. A lockout feature for riding on level surfaces would be a welcome addition, as well as the option to tune the suspension for riders of different weights. [Ignaz Schwinn] was born in Hardheim, Baden, Germany, in 1860 and worked on two-wheeled ancestors of the modern bicycle that appeared in 19th century Europe. In 1895, with the financial backing of fellow German American Adolph Frederick William Arnold (a meat packer), he founded Arnold, Schwinn & Company. Schwinn's new company coincided with a sudden bicycle craze in America. Explore new bike paths and light trails with the Schwinn Timber Trail AL 26 Mountain Bicycle. This trail bike comes with an aluminum hardtail frame and suspension fork for controlled riding. The 21-speed twist shifters and rear derailleur on the mountain bicycle provide effortless gear changes, while alloy linear pull brakes deliver reliable stopping power. Plus, the quick release seat post makes it easy to fine tune the fit.