Interview with Richard Schwinn/why he closed Waterford
01-27-24, 09:23 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,901
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 1,084 Times
in
266 Posts
Interview with Richard Schwinn/why he closed Waterford
Hey guys,
I had a chance to sit down with Richard Schwinn at the Madison Bike Swap. We talked about his retirement and a little bit about his feelings about the Schwinn legacy. His answer might surprise you. Please excuse the background noise. I really need to invest in better equipment as my channel grows.
John
I had a chance to sit down with Richard Schwinn at the Madison Bike Swap. We talked about his retirement and a little bit about his feelings about the Schwinn legacy. His answer might surprise you. Please excuse the background noise. I really need to invest in better equipment as my channel grows.
John
__________________
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
Likes For jjhabbs:
billytwosheds, bulgie, curbtender, dddd, dedhed, Guy Retreau, icemilkcoffee, IdahoBrett, jamesdak, John E, john m flores, JulesCW, kansascity, merlinextraligh, merziac, mhespenheide, mpetry912, mrv, nlerner, nomadmax, northbend, ollo_ollo, panzerwagon, Pars, Piff, RChung, rgvg, RiddleOfSteel, rols229, Senior Ryder 00, SoCaled, son_of_clyde, SpeedofLite, Spoonrobot, squirtdad, steelbikeguy, TenGrainBread, The Golden Boy, tkamd73, veganbikes, Velo Mule, zookster
Likes For TenGrainBread:
01-27-24, 10:45 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 952
Bikes: 1964(?) Frejus Tour de France, 1967(?) Dawes Double Blue, 1979 Trek 710, 1982 Claud Butler Dalesman, 1983 Schwinn Paramount Elite, 2014 Brompton, maybe a couple more
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 326 Post(s)
Liked 700 Times
in
344 Posts
I received an email from Mr. Schwinn recently - he is back to doing provenance reports for the date ranges that have archival records. You can inquire through the Waterford website.
Likes For albrt:
Likes For chain_whipped:
01-27-24, 05:23 PM
#5
Senior Member
Great video and interview John.
Wondering if anyone bought that Dunelt frame...or who the seller was????
I'd certainly be interested.
Wondering if anyone bought that Dunelt frame...or who the seller was????
I'd certainly be interested.
01-27-24, 06:20 PM
#6
blahblahblah chrome moly
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Seattle
Posts: 2,104
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1231 Post(s)
Liked 2,752 Times
in
1,144 Posts
For what it's worth, I didn't think the sound was a problem. Get better microphones or whatever if you want, but don't worry about it — with content that good, I don't care about sound quality.
Thanks for doing this!
Thanks for doing this!
Likes For bulgie:
01-27-24, 07:13 PM
#7
The Huffmeister
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,957
Bikes: 1965 dept store special, 1972 basket case, 1978 garden ornament, 1980 garbage heap, 1987 mutt, 1996 frankenstein
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1335 Post(s)
Liked 3,810 Times
in
1,532 Posts
Thanks for the video - watched the whole thing, great insight and content here!
I'm sure we'll be seeing a thread on the Frejus soon, I hope!
I'm sure we'll be seeing a thread on the Frejus soon, I hope!
__________________
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
There were 135 Confentes, but only one...Huffente!
01-27-24, 07:30 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,484
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 808 Post(s)
Liked 763 Times
in
415 Posts
Great video and interview. I enjoyed hearing Talking Heads in the background having just watched their concert movie Stop Making Sense a couple weeks back.
Interesting to hear he's raring to get right back in business into other ventures. Can't keep the creative mind from sitting still. I would love to purchase a jersey if he does end up doing that. I wonder if a collaboration with Riv would make sense, Grant does make some nice cycling clothing. I love my MUSA shorts!
Interesting to hear he's raring to get right back in business into other ventures. Can't keep the creative mind from sitting still. I would love to purchase a jersey if he does end up doing that. I wonder if a collaboration with Riv would make sense, Grant does make some nice cycling clothing. I love my MUSA shorts!
Likes For Piff:
01-27-24, 07:55 PM
#9
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,810
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista Vitus 979
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3142 Post(s)
Liked 6,855 Times
in
3,919 Posts
Wonderful interview. Thank you very much for posting it.
__________________
Likes For cb400bill:
01-27-24, 08:43 PM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,518
Mentioned: 33 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 899 Post(s)
Liked 2,342 Times
in
1,315 Posts
Great interview John. Thank you for the video.
Likes For Kabuki12:
01-28-24, 11:55 AM
#11
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,560
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2756 Post(s)
Liked 3,427 Times
in
2,075 Posts
Great video! Noticed a BF C&V limited edition 531 shirt AND a Fabrats! What next? Matt, Robby, or Rory?
Likes For dedhed:
01-28-24, 01:06 PM
#12
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,669
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 86 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2612 Post(s)
Liked 1,733 Times
in
948 Posts
Thank you John!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
01-28-24, 01:43 PM
#13
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 864
Bikes: Bike Friday Pocket Rocket, Cinelli Hobootleg, Zizzo Liberte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 436 Post(s)
Liked 915 Times
in
431 Posts
Excellent interview. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed.
I'm imagining that 10 and 20 years from now people will be claiming to own one of the "taped box" Waterfords and the value will increase if they still have the taped box lol
Regarding the audio, a simple shotgun mic like the Rode VideoMicro will improve your interview audio a bunch. One step up would be a pair of lavalier mics, like the Rode Wireless Go II.
I'm imagining that 10 and 20 years from now people will be claiming to own one of the "taped box" Waterfords and the value will increase if they still have the taped box lol
Regarding the audio, a simple shotgun mic like the Rode VideoMicro will improve your interview audio a bunch. One step up would be a pair of lavalier mics, like the Rode Wireless Go II.
__________________
--------------------------------------
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
JohnMFlores.com | YouTube: JohnMFlores
Insta: JohnMichaelFlores | TikTok: @johnnymotoflores
--------------------------------------
Rider. Wanderer. Creator.
JohnMFlores.com | YouTube: JohnMFlores
Insta: JohnMichaelFlores | TikTok: @johnnymotoflores
Likes For john m flores:
01-28-24, 01:43 PM
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,901
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 1,084 Times
in
266 Posts
John
__________________
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
Likes For jjhabbs:
01-28-24, 01:44 PM
#15
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,901
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 1,084 Times
in
266 Posts
John
__________________
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
01-28-24, 01:46 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 1,901
Bikes: to many to list
Mentioned: 37 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Liked 1,084 Times
in
266 Posts
I watch all those Utah guys! As a matter of fact, I sort of try to model some of my content from them. I didn't just want the usual "bike build" or "how to" channel.
John
__________________
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
From Illinois. Collector of many fine bicycles from all over the world. Subscribe to my Youtube channel. Just search John's vintage road bike garage
01-28-24, 03:14 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,261
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 272 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4576 Post(s)
Liked 6,562 Times
in
3,768 Posts
Looks like you have a good thing with Richard, excellent!
So will he be at the upcoming party?
I cannot think of a better like minded individual to have access to.
He has always been glad to help when asked.
01-28-24, 05:19 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 4,543
Mentioned: 102 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1658 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 861 Times
in
563 Posts
Oh Wisconsin.... I miss my college bike riding days when I was living there. That Madison bike swap must have tons of really good stuff to see and buy, because the cycling culture was really strong there, back in the 80's. Cycling also melded very well with cross country skiing which I loved to do, as much as cyclng. Only thing I did not like was the layover during winter when I could not ride my bike and motorcycle. But that first ride on two wheels when spring finally came was always fantastic!
Likes For Chombi1:
01-28-24, 07:41 PM
#19
Master Parts Rearranger
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Portlandia's Kuiper Belt, OR
Posts: 4,408
Bikes: 1982 Trek 720 - 1985 Trek 620 - 1984 Trek 620 - 1980 Trek 510 - Other luminaries past and present
Mentioned: 222 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1558 Post(s)
Liked 2,037 Times
in
991 Posts
What a great interview! Thank you for doing this!
Likes For RiddleOfSteel:
01-29-24, 07:30 AM
#20
SE Wis
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,560
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2756 Post(s)
Liked 3,427 Times
in
2,075 Posts
The Utah group are pretty good with usually interesting content, good production, and on camera personalities and collaborations. I like they're typically around 30 minutes so I don't feel I'm "wasting time". I like VGG, Sleeperdude, PBG & junkyard digs, their videos are typically an hour or more and can be a time suck. Ambition strikes is also a decent one.
01-29-24, 11:44 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,319
Mentioned: 130 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3471 Post(s)
Liked 2,846 Times
in
2,007 Posts
Understand the reasoning for closing up shop. It does suggest the question of the aging staff was very foreseeable, for years prior, probably before the pandemic. The pandemic no doubt turned over the chessboard.
With the recession in outdoor sports, upon reflection, possibly the smart outcome.
The question is then, why was there not an effective plan for this before the pandemic? Hiring and cultivating, training younger staff? I think therefore that the closure was known for years to Mr. Schwinn.
My hunch 2023 was a challenging year before the public announcement.
A notable simple truth, the younger generations have a different view of work, they had “death of a salesman parents” and reacted.
With the recession in outdoor sports, upon reflection, possibly the smart outcome.
The question is then, why was there not an effective plan for this before the pandemic? Hiring and cultivating, training younger staff? I think therefore that the closure was known for years to Mr. Schwinn.
My hunch 2023 was a challenging year before the public announcement.
A notable simple truth, the younger generations have a different view of work, they had “death of a salesman parents” and reacted.
01-29-24, 05:22 PM
#22
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,848
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1410 Post(s)
Liked 1,366 Times
in
859 Posts
"Life offers no greater prize than the chance to work hard at work worth doing."
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Likes For John E:
01-29-24, 05:50 PM
#23
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,848
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1410 Post(s)
Liked 1,366 Times
in
859 Posts
My first bicycle was an early 1950s Schwinn American with paperboy handlebars and a Bendix 2-speed coaster hub shifted by a lever that resembled a brake lever. Six months later I moved up to a very basic 1962 Bianchi road bike and never looked back until decades later, when I started to appreciate Schwinn Paramounts.
Fast forward to the mid-1990s, and since then I have owned my second Schwinn, the newest bike in my fleet, my prized 1988 Project KOM-10 mountain bike. So, in that sense I started with a fat-tired Schwinn with 26" wheels and ended with a (somewhat different, to say the least) fat-tired Schwinn with 26" wheels.
Fast forward to the mid-1990s, and since then I have owned my second Schwinn, the newest bike in my fleet, my prized 1988 Project KOM-10 mountain bike. So, in that sense I started with a fat-tired Schwinn with 26" wheels and ended with a (somewhat different, to say the least) fat-tired Schwinn with 26" wheels.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
01-29-24, 07:33 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,707
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1137 Post(s)
Liked 659 Times
in
341 Posts
I also get the feeling there was not enough cash flow to bring on younger staff for sufficient apprenticeship periods. Nor is metal fabrication a popular vocation anymore - machine shops and construction firms take all of the students from the technical schools.
Likes For TenGrainBread:
01-30-24, 12:23 AM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,261
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 272 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4576 Post(s)
Liked 6,562 Times
in
3,768 Posts
Life offers no greater prize than the chance to work hard AND learn work worth doing.
It seems like now days the learning is an after thought, many things are so broken down by the process that gets them done that there is little learning and so there is also little satisfaction or sense of accomplishment, not that they seem to care.
Likes For merziac: