Schwinn Bicycle Company was originally founded as Arnold, Schwinn and Company in Chicago, Illinois, in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn and financial backer Fredrick Arnold. Before the automobile, bicycles were common and Chicago was the heart of bicycle manufacturing.
By the early 1900’s, however, bicycles fell out of fashion and sales declined to about 25% of their previous high. Schwinn survived by acquiring competitors and building a state of the art manufacturing facility.
In 1954, the company introduced the “Corvette” bicycle, a style that was so popular, it continued to be made for the next 10 years. In 1963, however, sales for the Corvette hit rock bottom when the Sting Ray model was introduced. The Sting Ray remained the #1 selling bicycle for the next 20 years, however, tastes were changing and people were more interested in streamlined bicycles and, later, mountain bikes.
Schwinn encountered serious problems including unionization of workers, steep inflation, and cheap imports from other countries. In September 2001, Schwinn and GT were sold at a bankruptcy auction to Pacific Cycle.
The company currently sells two styles of bicycles under different names through a variety of retailers, such as Walmart and Target.
Schwinn hopes to win over new customers with the introduction of a new electric bicycle.
Due to the increased popularity of bicycles during the coronavirus, Schwinn created an indoor bike that cost one third of the popular Peloton.
Company headquarters are located in Madison, Wisconsin.
To Whom It May Concern,
My name is Jesse Bergman. I have run 130 races, some as long as 100 kilometers; some as long as 160 kilometers. My finishes have included some 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place titles, as well as my first ever victory – last year. But ultra-runners like me aim for humility – my goal is not to win; I run for the love of running.
So imagine my excitement to run with my newborn son for the very first time. No aid stations, no finish line, but a special moment with just me and my son. I only would ever get one first run with my son.
My mother bought us our Schwinn Interval Jogger System 5 months ago, based on extensive research (done by me) that your product was the best, and best for our needs. When our baby was born in June, we began using the car seat exclusively. Today (Saturday September 19th) was my (our) first time ever using the stroller.
I tell you all this to convey me deep disappointment that on my very first run with the stroller, the left rear tire went flat. I filled the tires 5 months ago when I assembled it, and again today before the run. The left rear tire seemed softer than the other side, so I refilled it again and took my baby out for a run. It was brand new, I thought, so it must be my imagination.
But by two kilometers, the left rear tire had gone flat, and I spent the next 3K finding my way home (I was trying a new route to make it special with my son) holding up the left side of our stroller, which is actually difficult, especially on downhills. My wife greeted me excitedly when I returned home, and then she saw the disappointment on my face.
I will never get another first run with my first-born. And now we have a stroller that we cannot use, that we have used *once*.
I expect Schwinn to immediately send us a new tire, free of charge, as my family spent a lot of money on a product that did not work correctly on *the very first use*. I was excited to tell all my running friends, my colleagues, my students and my family about this first run. Now all I have is a frustrating tale.
In these difficult and unprecedented times, I just wanted to escape for a while and bond with my son. Please help me to have that by sending me a rear left wheel replacement as soon as possible, free of charge. My work is best to receive daytime packages:
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Thank you for your consideration.
Mr. Bergman
I just finished a video on Oscar Wastyn Cycles, 6 day racing, and Schwinn Paramounts. I think you will be interested. Here is the link: youtube.com/watch?v=FtV0Sd1kPl8
Hello, my name is Ulrike Hoppes, born in Zwickau/Sachsen. My father a GYN MD, died in Siberia/Russia in a German prisoner of war camp. He was only 48 years old. When the Russian came to get him, we do not know why, soon afterwards when the wall in Germany came up, to separate east and west, we managed to leave, my two brothers, my mother and I. It was horrible, we will never forget it. It took us many years to over come all. For me, my fathers only daughter, and his “Tomboy” even I was a girl. I did all what boys did, and my father loved it. I still miss him, like it was yesterday.
Later I ended up in the USA. I was babysitting for American families, an one family offered me that I could go with them ( the where stationed in German) back to the USA, which I did. Later, as a still young girl, I married an older CW-4(Chief Warrant officer). He was cruel, beat me like a dog, “raped” me, thanks God no kids. His Commander did nothing about it. So I suffered thrue this horrible time, till he retired and took of, never seen him again. Much later I got Notification that he died of old age. He was 18 years older then me.
I’m writing you all this, why? I do not know. My mother, when she visit me here in the USA, for my birthday, she purchased me a Schwinn bike. I do not have the papers anymore. It was purchased at Walmart. It was the best bike ever. My color/light blue etc. I loved this bike. When I gave it away, it looked like new. I never parked it outside. It was always inside in my Apartment. I gave it to my eye Doctors daughter, I did not know I would miss it so much. Ever since I gave it away, I was very sick, Kidney, Liver, and Diabetic. Those are the illnesses of a overweight woman, but I’m not. My father died of all this in the German Poisoner of war camp, no Meds, no Treatment etc. Myself married again, man from Germany. He use me for a Visa to stay in the USA for his Lover/Girlfriend. Divorced me, took everything from me. I found a place to stay in a Tax credit low Income Housing, no more bicycle, all alone, and my ex is living like a King. I miss him a lot, still after so many years. Now I’m 79, and hoping die soon, because I’m so longsome, and living of Memories is very hard.
I like to ask you, and it is taking a lot of nerve. Can you spare a bicycle for me? Since I gave mine away, I fell even more lost, and I can not ask back for it. The girl needs it more then I do. I’m a shame to do this, but I took all my guts and did. Please, can you help me? Thank you for all you wonderful bikes, specially all the colors you picked.
Have a wonderful, successful 2020.
Ulrike Hoppes
XXXX four seasons Cir. #XXX
Sarasota, Fla. 34234
941 554 XXXX
Dear Whomever,
I am a 70 year old diabetic who bought a Schwinn 230 Recumbent bicycle in April of 2018. Right off the bat, the charging USB port never worked. Schwinn sent a new one, which never worked either … so I gave up on that since the machine seemed to be exactly what I wanted. Now 18 months later, the entire machine has failed. On October 31st of this year, after spending time on the phone with your customer service and my husband removing the shroud, the problem was determined to be the one piece crank. My husband replaced that only to find that there was a problem with the tension arm sub assembly and the belt. He called first thing Monday morning Nov. 4th and ordered the parts. He was told that the parts were in stock and we would have them by Tues or Wednesday at the latest … and I received an email confirming that the parts had been shipped. The parts however hadn’t been shipped as we found out later. The parts are being shipped out today, Nov. 26th to arrive by at the latest on Friday. Let me first state that I use this machine EVERYDAY to help keep my diabetes in check and to alleviate physical symptoms so not being able to use it has been a challenge. That fact aside, I find your lack of caring about servicing the needs of your customers … well, appalling. This was not a cheap machine, not at over $350. And to have it fail so miserably after a year and a half, does not speak highly of its quality. On our original phone call about the crank assembly, we were given an estimate of around 8 days to get the part. Really? This was due to a malfunction of your machine and you expect your customers to undergo at least 8 days of non-use? When a product malfunctions due to YOUR quality control, at the very least you should try to accommodate them by a faster ship time, like overnight. In addition, I’m fortunate that my husband had enough know-how to take it apart and try and diagnose the problem. But what about others? He had to take this machine apart and put it back together a couple of times to even find out what was wrong. Otherwise, it would have cost another $130 to have someone take care of it. Do you realize that’s a third of what this machine cost … and after only a year and a half? I somehow find this whole scenario ridiculous. In short, I’ll wait another few days to get the parts to fix your machine, have my husband take it apart and put it back together yet another time. But I will never purchase another Schwinn product again. I’m old enough to remember when the Schwinn name stood for quality. And if the quality somehow was inadvertently missing, customer service did whatever they could to mitigate the circumstances … and in a timely fashion … not 8 days later. With tons of exercise bikes to choose from, I will spend my money on one where the company values their customers. Oh and just so you know, I bought my first inexpensive recumbent exercise bike before I bought your 230. When I upgraded, I gave my previous one to another senior … and it’s still working great. I’m sure none of this will make a difference, but I feel like you should know the experiences of the people who actually buy and depend on your products.
Dear Friends,
I have a wonderful Schwinn Mirada bicycle, which I can no longer safely ride because of health reasons. It is in nearly perfect condition.
The serial number is GZ922893 . I have been trying to locate the year of manufacture on the internet, reading many sites, and have been able to get that information. Could you please tell me when that great bicycle was manufactured?
Thank you for your time and assistance.
Robert