Bikes of America (and Canada!)

[Canuk]

Whatever role the Schwinn Varsity played for you, it is probably the most important bicycle ever made in America.

Manufactured in vast quantities using Schwinn’s electro-forging process, the Varsity was the bicycle world’s VW Beetle. It was cheap, durable, and it got American adults riding. Made to a budget, there was little of any lightweight equipment or materials.

That’s a lot of steel.

This particular Varsity is sporting “Chestnut” paint (lime green and yellow being the other choices) and is outfitted with a host of “Schwinn Approved” components. Schwinn primarily approved of thick steel construction and chrome plating the hell out of everything in 1975, the end result being a bike that tips our scale at a robust 42 pounds.

 

[Canuk]

1971 chrome plated Schwinn Paramount

 

[Canuk]

In the ’60’s and early ’70’s it was a little tough to get your hands on a proper racing bike. Most of the real bike shops in this country were located in big cities. The internet wasn’t around, and mail order shopping took a lot of effort. Schwinn dealers, however, could be found in lots of smaller cities and towns, and Schwinn’s Paramount division offered some real high performance bikes. No need to try to import Italian or French racing frames and then scrounge for parts when you could simply pick a Paramount that suited your racing style and budget.

 

[Canuk]

Ron Boi /RRB Frames

 

[Canuk]

One of Ron’s most famous frames was that ridden by Lon Haldeman. Lon was an ultramarathon rider, and winner of the 2,968 mile Great American Bicycle Race in 1982.

 

[Canuk]

Jon Hollands

 

[Canuk]

John started as a machinist in the British Navy and focused on building bicycles as an answer to the needs of his son, who had become an avid & successful racer.

A few more examples and a touring bike.

 

[Canuk]

Bill Boston

 

[Canuk]

Bill Boston correctly receives credit for being one of the first frame builders to rely on science to design and build custom frames. Boston also the first to build small front wheel/short top tube frames for women (or men) who had need for that particular frame geometry. He continues as an expert in custom bicycle fit in theory and practice.

 

[Canuk]

Micheal Celmins