NormanF

The Schwinn 2020 Collegiate Limited Edition is now available at Walmart! Another retro classic reborn, inspired by the 1965 Schwinn Collegiate.

Made in USA!

https://www.schwinnbikes.com/pages/collegiate



What’s old is new again and this reissue is being released to celebrate Schwinn’s 125 anniversary!

NormanF

The new Schwinn Collegiate is manufactured by Detroit Bikes and is made of 4130 cromoly steel.

People will either love it or hate it. It does bring back memories.

NormanF

For comparison, here is a 1960s Schwinn Colegiate, a hulking tank of an electro forged monster

NormanF

Here’s a nice YT video about the reissue:

nlerner

$998?!

NormanF

I haven’t seen it on Walmart yet so this Isn’t your typical Wallyworld bike. Expect it to sell out fast.

madpogue 

Yes, a chrome-moly bike hand-built in the US for less than a grand.

Designed in Madison? I wonder by whom.

They do dim the lights in Detroit every time they start assembling the frames, just as an homage to the old electroforge days. Okay, I made that up.

A silver rear derailleur, without such a huge pulley, would've been nice.

Velo Mule

I like the idea of a modern Schwinn Collegiate, however, at close to $1000, it does not seem to be worth it. The other thing that I don't like about it is that in my neck of the woods, I am seeing Schwinn Collegiates listed for crazy money. Perhaps, these sellers are right and I am wrong. And the bike market is just crazy now.

NormanF

The Collegiate was Schwinn’s answer to the Raleigh Sports. It was the quintessential American city bike.

i owned the Speedster, the single speed version. All of 40 plus pounds and almost indestructible.

The new one sheds all that weight for a much nicer riding bike.

Velo Mule

I believe that is true, but would you pay $1000 for it?

The Golden Boy 

A 1965 Collegiate was around a $53 bike.

I get the idea of celebrating Schwinn’s 125th, I get the American made steel bike thing...

I don’t get that this in no way resembles a Collegiate- visually, nor in concept.

I hope Detroit Bikes does really well with this.

nlerner

Ignore the Schwinn up charge and Walmart COVID hot zone, and go directly for a Detroit Bikes city bike (and save $250):

https://detroitbikes.com/collections...imited-edition

BFisher

Actually, Schwinn marketed many models that were meant to compete with the Raleigh Sports long before the Collegiate hit the market, i. e. Continentals from the 40's, Racers, and others. The Collegiate was just another competitor. I believe even the Speedster could be had with a 3 speed hub in certain years.

To each their own, but I'm with nlerner. Go right for a Detroit model. They come with a cool badge, too.

verktyg 

Company founder Ignatz Schwinn has to be rolling over in his grave!!!



In 1968 I paid $75 for a 42 Lb. Schwinn Varsity like this one to use for commuting to school. I was a 25 year old freshman back from the crusades. Came out of class one day and all that was left was the lock and chain....



verktyg

nlerner

With a $1,000 and a small truck, I wonder how many Schwinn Collegiates I could pick up off of CL? Here's five.

https://stcloud.craigslist.org/bik/d...147011438.html
https://frederick.craigslist.org/bik...167606558.html
https://up.craigslist.org/bik/d/onto...169499632.html
https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/b...168574853.html
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...171064900.html

Average price is $146, so not including travel costs that's $1,000/$146 = just about 7 bikes if I do some haggling.

Of course, then I'd have 7 Schwinn Collegiates. Hmm.

madpogue 

^^^^^ Even better deal, pound for pound.

Salamandrine 

I have to wonder, does it still come equipped with Schwinn S-6 sized rims? I hear ISO 597 is making a comeback.

I kind of like it. Basic functional design for a utility commuter bike. Welding isn't as pretty as the old electroforged frames. I guess a fork with rake in it would have been to much trouble. Seat is pretty hideous too. What is it with modern saddles? Hideous ID. Looks like a turd on a stick.

NormanF

The wheels are standard 700C and it rolls on Kwenda Qwest tires.

Sloping top tube will offend purists but the rim brakes and retro seat stays are a nice touch.

Can’t have everything for a grand.

Salamandrine 

I could never hate a bike that is metallic lime green.

madpogue 

Oh, as opposed to the ergonomically splendid saddles on the original Collegiates, right?

So while we're looking at other way-sub-grand Collegiates:

https://madison.craigslist.org/bik/d...160684751.html

His and hers vintage Schwinn chocolate brown bikes - $25 (Madison)

Less than a buck a pound. Dented garage door lends a certain... je ne sais quoi....

nlerner

The absence of a front tire is also a nice touch though that wheel is set at a provocative angle.

nlerner

For a grand they could have at least sprung for a bit more full coverage fenders.

NormanF

And a chaincase which the original had but they wanted to go for a clean look.