Rudy’s Cycle & Fitness Chicago, IL

A growing number of US teens and young adults were purchasing imported European sport racing or sport touring bicycles, many fitted with multiple derailleur-shifted gears. Schwinn decided to meet the challenge by developing two lines of sport or road ‘racer’ bicycles. One was already in the catalog — the limited production Paramount series.

No matter what type or level of cyclist you are, we’re dedicated to helping you ride more often, more comfortably. Shop on our website or come visit us, we’re here to help you with all of your cycling needs. Visit us today to meet our friendly staff and experience the independent bike shop difference. Over the years, Schwinn has empowered millions of people, earning a special place in the hearts and minds of generations of riders. We have spent over a century building the bicycle industry into what it is today, and we’re not done yet. Marc Muller, a young new Schwinn engineer, was given the responsibility to head up the project.

[Ignaz Schwinn] was born in Hardheim, Baden, Germany, in 1860 and worked on two-wheeled ancestors of the modern bicycle that appeared in 19th century Europe. In 1895, with the financial backing of fellow German American Adolph Frederick William Arnold (a meat packer), he founded Arnold, Schwinn & Company. Schwinn’s new company coincided with a sudden bicycle craze in America.

By 1957, the Paramount series, once a premier racing bicycle, had atrophied from a lack of attention and modernization. Aside from some new frame lug designs, the designs, methods and tooling were the same as had been used in the 1930s. After a crash-course in new frame-building techniques and derailleur technology, Schwinn introduced an updated Paramount with Reynolds 531 double-butted tubing, Nervex lugsets and bottom bracket shells, as well as Campagnolo derailleur dropouts. The Paramount continued as a limited production model, built in small numbers in a small apportioned area of the old Chicago assembly factory.

By the mid-1970s, competition from lightweight and feature-rich imported bikes was making strong inroads in the budget-priced and beginners’ market. While Schwinn’s popular lines were far more durable than the budget bikes, they were also far heavier and more expensive, and parents were realizing that most of the budget bikes would outlast most kids’ interest in bicycling. In the 1950s, Schwinn began to aggressively cultivate bicycle retailers, persuading them to sell Schwinns as their predominant, if not exclusive brand.

Chicago became the center of the American bicycle industry, with thirty factories turning out thousands of bikes every day. Bicycle output in the United States grew to over a schwinn dealers million units per year by the turn of the 20th century. Al Fritz, Schwinn’s director of research and development, recommended the Sting-Ray as a way to replicate the style California kids were looking for. The Sting-Ray quickly became the bestselling bike in Schwinn’s history. These kids’ bikes featured a coaster brake on the large back wheel and wide-stance handlebars that were perfect for popping big wheelies. The connection of the bike’s name with the (at the time) new Corvette helped solidify the connection between the bicycle and glorified automobiles of the sixties.

Developed from experiences gained in racing, Schwinn established Paramount as their answer to high-end, professional competition bicycles. The Paramount used high-strength chrome-molybdenum steel alloy tubing and expensive brass lug-brazed construction. During the next twenty years, most of the Paramount bikes would be built in limited numbers at a small frame shop headed by Wastyn, in spite of Schwinn’s continued efforts to bring all frame production into the factory.

There are necked-down parts that fit into the top tube and down tube, like internal lugs. We have some of the lightest, fastest, and most aero road bikes out there. Smooth CyclingSchwinn group cycles are not just a great tool for outdoor performance training. On the other side of the spectrum are those who ride to get lost in a great song. Schwinn’s whisper quiet Smooth Cycling series allows riders to channel their attention to any experience that a studio is striving to achieve.

Our service center swiftly handles repairs, ensuring you spend less time waiting and more time enjoying the ride. Specialized brand focused store with the latest bikes, E-bikes, and gear. Helping our community enjoy life on two wheels is what we live for!

The parts that say “Schwinn” were made by Schwinn in their enormous Chicago factory (which I had the pleasure of touring in the early ’70’s). Parts that say “Schwinn Approved” were made elsewhere to Schwinn’s specifications. Our technicians are skilled in repairing and maintaining Schwinn fitness equipment. We’ve got a wide selection of bike sizes and styles, including electric, to fit a wide variety of riders.