Schwinn Bicycles

My interest in the Giant made Hotfoot and variants available in other countries eventually lead me to the Predator range of bicycles made for Schwinn in the early to mid 80s. These bikes are classic Giant and some models are almost identical to the Hotfoots sold here in Australia. Most disappointing though for me is that these bikes seem to be higher spec than ours - look at the 24" full CrMo cruiser the US got compared to our HiTen version..

Please browse through all of the material I have collected:

If you have any Schwinn information or photos, please forward them to me and I will add them to the site. I am especially interested in brochures and advertisements as these are most valuable when restoring bikes back to their original glory.

Publications

Iadads.


BMX Action, June 1979: Schwinn SX-1000 and Sting

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

What started as a review of the SX-1000 became a review of two bikes due to Schwinn making a pre-production version of the Sting available to the Bicycle Motocross Action team at the same time.

The SX-1000 verdict:  "It's a good bike .. Not a great bike, but a good bike. Terrific value and all that stuff. Schwinn will sell millions of them, no doubt. But .. the SX-1000 has a couple of flaws."

The Sting verdict:  "To sum this all up, it is the considered opinion of everybody at the Most Factory Magazine that Schwinn has come up with the Big Razoo this time. The Sting frame and fork combo is a honey!"

BMX Plus!, May 1980: Schwinn SX-2000

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

The verdict:  "As you can see, Schwinn has come a long way since the first one-off factory bikes. IN fact, the SX-2000 production bike is so much different (and better) than the original factory bikes that the only thing that is still the same is the name. You've come a long way, baby!"

BMX Action, April 1983: Schwinn Predator Team Alloy

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

The verdict:  "The Team Alloy offers proven geometry, light weight, and a low price. Minimal component swapping would zoom this scooter into full blown bazooka bermfighting trim without bustin' the budget."

BMX Action, March 1984: Schwinn Predator Competition

The verdict:  "If you're a 13 to 15 year old berm bustin' buckaroo who figures a "Schwinn-to-Win" plan of attack is the hot tio, this is your scoot. It'll do the job, and then some."  I have no idea what that means but the review is very complimentary of this bike.

BMX Action, March 1985: Schwinn Black Shadow

The verdict:  "Seriously, Schwinn fans, once you look at the Black Shadow's VERY reasonable price tag, scope its qualness, and give it a test tide, you'll have to retrieve your jaw from the floor. It's hot."  Qualness? This word is broken over two lines and I had to read it a couple of times and retrieve my jaw from the floor. Qualness, yes.

BMX Action, April 1985: Schwinn Free Form EX

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

The verdict:  "So what's the final word on Schwinn's new Free-Form EX? How about 'rad', 'bio', 'gnarly', 'burly' and 'fully shreddable' for starters. No, seriously now, the EX is way ahead of its time. The frame and fork alone are so innovative that alone they're worth the price of the entire bike ... If we had to cast our votes for Production Freestyle Bike of the Year right this minute, the new Free-Form EX would win hands down. Enough said."

Freestylin', July 1985: Schwinn Free Form EX

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

The verdict:  "So what's the final word on Schwinn's new Free-Form EX? How about 'rad', 'bio', 'gnarly', 'burly' and 'fully shreddable' for starters. No, seriously now, the EX is way ahead of its time. The frame and fork alone are so innovative that alone they're worth the price of the entire bike ... If we had to cast our votes for Production Freestyle Bike of the Year right this minute, the new Free-Form EX would win hands down. Enough said."

BMX Action, September 1985: Schwinn Predator Streetwise

Special thanks to Johnny Ringo at oldschoolmags.com for contributing this article.

The verdict:  "This bike is a good, inexpensive starting platform, You can go street thrashin' or beginner racin' with ease. What do you get for your bucks? A good chassis and fine-working components that can slowly be upgraded as your skill grows so that you end up with a killer moto-machine".
"When you consider the cost of the bike, and then take into account the cool handling, stylin' looks, good durability, and choice of regular chrome or the extra-fine black chrome, this pup is hot"

BMX Plus!, May 1986: Schwinn Free Form Z

The verdict:  "A Military Ending. We subjected the Free-form Z to CORPORAL punishment and it stood up to it. The GENERAL impression was that the Z is the best deal in freestyle - all things considered. Finally, the Schwinn made a MAJOR impression on the staff (in both technical and performance fronts). But Hey, don't tell anyone - its PRIVATE."  Thankfully, I can't think of any military jokes.

American Freestyle, October 1987: Schwinn Free Form EX

The verdict:  "The Schwinn Free Form Ex is a decent bike. The geometry is great for ramps and ground, the bike looks cool (if you're into the new wave look), the brake system is great and most of the components are good. On the other hand, the rear platforms are the worst - it should come with fork platforms and possibly a to tube platform - and the Red Stone mags aren't as straight as some of the other major brands. Its good but it could be better."  Blunt but honest.

BMX Action, April 1989: Schwinn Sting Team

After the freestyle period quietened down, Schwinn returned to the Sting name with this new model which was designated as a 'Team'. Quite an annoying article to read as it draws on the previous advertising and branding of Yo! The article itself tells you absolutely nothing about the bike whereas the last two pages provides a technical breakdown of components and some commentary.

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Extra Info / Links

   OldSchoolMags.com  Have you ever wished that you could go back in time to the late 70's and early 80's when you could walk into a newsagency and see the latest issues of BMX Action, BMX Plus, Super BMX and Freestylin' in the racks as crisp and clean as the day they were printed? If you said yes to any of these questions, this is the site for you ..

   BMX Works  This site has everything you will ever need to restore an old school bmx from loose parts - nuts, bolts and bearings - through to complete brake sets, cranks sets and finishing parts, such as pad sets and decals.

   Madman's BMX Painting Services  Pete's work is second to none. I have two frames painted by him - a Hotfoot Freestyle in white and a Hotfoot 24" Cruiser in Hazard Yellow - and both have come out beautifully. Pete can also handle the stripping of paint and chrome and other prep work.

   Re-Rides  Sydney Australia based BMX restoration and photography. Rebuilding retro BMX bikes from 80's old-school, 90's mid-school and 00's new-school era's.

   SDBMX  SDBMX sells a distinctive range of cast alloy BMX rims that will finish of any old-school, mid-school or even new-school build. Styles include the Blizzard, Cyclone, Hurricane, Tornado and Typhoon.

Blizzard Cyclone Hurricane Tornado Typhoon

   Vintage Mongoose  Anyone who is interested in Mongooses (Mongeese?) has probably already found this site. When I was restoring my Motomag, I found this site invaluable for information and reproductions decals and grips. Warren, who is behind this site, is a local who is passionate - no obsessive - about the Mongoose brand and it shows.