Re-Inventing the "Throwback Bicycle"

 It seems, more than a few bicycle manufacturers are re-living the old days of when bikes were bikes, 

kids played in the streets with slingshots in their pockets rather than an iPhone. 

When curbs were used to jump rather than sit on and check facebook.

 Much like Ford bringing back the early Bronco, or GT Bikes bringing back their 80's freestyle bikes with 26" wheels. Schwinn has decided to yet again, release the Sting-Ray.

Enter the Fritz Fifty

This is not a publicity stunt on Schwinn's behalf, It represents the 50 years of Sting-Ray Memories. Believe it or not Schwinn is still around, a company rich in history and that is not to be forgotten. Even though its Chicago roots have been uprooted, this is a brand many of us have lived with throughout our lives. 

 With Sting-Ray production ending in 1981, this design has been re-released several times since. 1998, 2004, 2008, 2011 and now 2014. 

This year is in memory of  Al Fritz who passed last May just after he helped with the design of this new chrome clad release.

Original Advertisement- 1968

The Fritz Fifty is due to be a collectors piece. 500 were made and allocated to dealers across the US. We were lucky enough to get one. Stop by and check it out. Also in honor to Al Fritz, a portion of sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Association in his name.

The days of steel chain guards are not over.

 

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Timeless design or a re-invention of class?

Enter the Schwinn Rendezvous

Designed for the ladies, this classy little cruiser packs a whole bunch of features, and contrary to popular belief that Schwinn went the way of the not so classy retail establishments, this is not the case. Fit and form are very well executed on this Schwinn Signature Series, Rendezvous Cycle. Steel Fenders, detailed paint and machined rims, steel bar chainguard, details down to the cable routing on this beauty all show that Schwinn still has the touch. 

Details, down to the last thought. Thanks Schwinn.

Internal 5 speed hub keeps things simple.

Heres the scoop on Schwinn Signature bikes.

   Schwinn has two different lines of bikes, a low end "non bike shop" retail line, and their Signature brand level which can only be sold in authorized shops. Schwinn is trying to stay afloat in this tough market. Maybe in the near future they will have a high end brand and be back on top of the market. The Signature brand though will have to suffice and they are doing a great job with the quality and design of these niche group bikes.

• All new Schwinn® Rendezvous step-thru steel frame with double top tube and rigid steel fork.

• Sturmey Archer® internal 5-speed drivetrain with Sturmey Archer® twist shifter for smooth gear changes.

• Schwinn® comfort stitch grips, fender set and front basket with wine bottle holder are perfect for a summer outing. 

The Schwinn Rendezvous starts with a steel step through frame.




 A touch of subtle colored accents bring character to this ladies bicycle. 



The painted rims with machined braking surface accent the grey paint and leather wrapped seat and hand grips. 




Bamboo inset wine rack forward of the bike provide safe travel for your new cellar additions. 

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Remember when clunkers ruled the mountain?

Clunker Hybrid? Enter the  Schwinn Super Deluxe

 

Bottle opener on top tube

So much history comes from the steel framed cruiser, the 26" fat tire bike of the past. Schwinn put some thought into the details of this bike as well. Taken design cue from the modern fat bike, the rims speak for themselves. The two speed kick back hub, custom chain, the three piece crank set. Even the FSA headset and threadless stem set this aside from the classic cruiser yet there is the springer fork, old clunker style bars, and a fat, stitched seat which makes this a cruiser again. What say you? Strip it down to essentials and create your own throwback clunker? Leave it and hope that in thirty years it will be sought after? 

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The Re-Invention Part

The aforementioned bikes have truly reminisced of past times, evoked a bit of nostalgia and if you havent checked your bank account yet, this bike here may have you doing just that.

 Bronx Cycles, US Distributed by Huntington Beach Bicycle Company

This is a recent re-invention of the mountain bike, a re-invention of the beach cruiser, and heck, a re-vision of the modern fat bike. The Bronx. Here is an idea of something to simply have for fun. Something to have for cruising the beach, or for a ride around the neighborhood. Something to have cruising the snow covered streets of Mammoth or Big Bear.

Nothing turns more heads than a Fat Bike. Especially one like this.