Earth Rider
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Learning Center
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refunds
  • Shop
    • Bikes
    • Lights
    • Backpacks
    • Panniers
    • Trunk & handlebar bags
    • Helmets
    • Outerwear
    • Apparel womens
    • Apparel mens
    • Bicycle inspired goods
  • Rentals
  • Service
  • Events and rides

The Re-Schwinnification of Chicago

3/19/2020

 
Schwinn vintage bicycle badge
One of the most well-known names in bicycling is Schwinn and the fact that the Schwinn company was founded and the bikes manufactured in Chicago makes it extra special to us.   According to Mike Santomauro, Working Bikes volunteer and board member, and Trevor Clarke, Executive Director, speakers at the March 11 Chicago Cycling Club meeting, an initiative focusing on Schwinns has resulted in the refurbishment of over 350 donated Schwinn bikes that have been accumulating in their basement. These bikes are now available to return to the streets of Chicago. 


When Ignaz Schwinn, a machinist who worked in the burgeoning bicycle industry in Germany, emigrated to America in 1891 he chose Chicago because it was known as a manufacturing hub.  After a few  stints working at existing bicycle manufacturers, Schwinn met Adolph Arnold, an investor and meatpacking executive, and together they incorporated the Arnold, Schwinn & Company in 1895.  They rented a building on the northwest corner of Lake and Peoria Streets and started manufacturing bicycles under the “World” bicycle name. 

There were booms in the bicycle industry (by 1982 one in seven city residents owned a bike) and busts (a glut in manufacturing and the introduction of the automobile) and a detour into motocycles along the way, but Schwinn enjoyed postwar prosperity.  The Chicago-based family company manufactured one of every four bikes sold in America by the 1950s.  Schwinns were known for their style, durability, and quality.  Popular models were the Black Phantom, Varsity, New World, Paramount, Corvette, Sting-Ray, and Continental.  Manufacturing eventually shifted to other locations in the South and overseas, and the last Schwinn rolled out of the Chicago plant in 1982.  The company filed for bankruptcy in 1993.

The focus of the Working Bikes initiative are Chicago built Schwinns pre-1974.   These can be identified by serial numbers under the head badge on the steering tube, always beginning with two letters, or in the case of the Paramont, on the left rear dropout.  Some head badges have the name “Chicago” on them. 

With the help of a grant from the Evanston Bicycle Club, Working Bikes hired a part time mechanic in August, 2019 to help volunteers refurbish the Schwinns.   Non-functioning parts and rubber are replaced and finished bikes checked by a professional mechanic before they go back on the streets. 
​

The Re-Schwinnification program is not the only initiative of Working Bikes.  Since 1999 with the help of volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters they have enabled new life for 70,000 bicycles across the globe and tens of thousands in Chicago through their programs: 
  • Cycle of Power – benefits social services organizations, veterans’ affairs, and transitional housing participants, often with an “earn a bicycle” program
  • Cycle of Peace – bulk donations to schools, youth groups and park districts
  • Retail sales – used bikes available for purchase with an average price of $250

The next time you are out riding around Chicago, keep a look out for Schwinn bicycles, back on the streets again where they belong.  
Bike in basement of Working Bikes waiting to be refurbished
Mike Santomauro speaking at Earth Rider on Mar 11
Attendees at Earth Rider meeting on Schwinn bicycles

Comments are closed.

    RSS Feed


    Author

    Sharon Kaminecki and others comment on adventures in bicycling and other stories

    Categories

    All
    Being Visible On Your Bike
    Bike Comfort
    Bike Safety
    Buying A Bike
    Cycling General Interest
    Learning About Ebikes
    Protecting Your Bike


    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017

Earth Rider logo of earth intersected with a banner with an image of a cyclist and the words Earth Rider in colors blue, green, aqua, black and red

Address

1873 N Milwaukee Ave
​Chicago, IL 60647

Phone

773-360-1816

Email

bikefun@earthridercycling.com
Payment methods:
Credits card visa, mastercard, american express, and discover

Hours              

Tue.   10am - 5pm
Wed. 10am - 8pm
Thu.   10am - 5pm
Fri.      10am - 5pm
Sat.      10am - 5pm
Sun.     Closed
Mon.    Closed
Or by appointment
  • Home
  • About
    • Blog
    • Learning Center
    • Privacy Policy
    • Refunds
  • Shop
    • Bikes
    • Lights
    • Backpacks
    • Panniers
    • Trunk & handlebar bags
    • Helmets
    • Outerwear
    • Apparel womens
    • Apparel mens
    • Bicycle inspired goods
  • Rentals
  • Service
  • Events and rides