Sometime in the 1970’s, the Schwinn Chicago factory was organized by the United Auto Workers union, who felt that bicycle factory workers should be paid on the same scale as automotive workers. Unfortunately, the realities of the marketplace didn’t agree, and Schwinn closed the factory, transferring most production to Japan (Panasonic) and Taiwan (Giant). Schwinn also built a factory in Greenville, Mississippi, but it didn’t last, and even bought a factory in Hungary, but the deal fell through, and Schwinn never imported any Hungarian bikes to the U.S. Founded in 1974 in a Southern California garage, Mongoose has always been an aggressive brand with products that push the limits of what a rider can do.
If that’s you, just make sure to opt for the lighter weight offerings from Specialized. Not all the lines from Specialized are created equally. The only minor cons about the bike are the long seat tube which keeps the saddle from being lowered as far as one might like, and the fact that there is no quick release collar on the seatpost. In terms of weight, the Riprock is good but not great. While the Riprock 20 weighs in at a respectable 22.6 lbs, the 20 inch Woom OFF weighs in over 5 pounds lighter.
That said, we do appreciate that the Specialized Riprock has a more approachable price point than the Woom OFF or mountain bikes like the Trailcraft Blue Sky 20 or the Prevelo Zulu. While weight and the lack of a freewheel option in smaller size bikes are our biggest complaints about Specialized, the other reason some may choose to pick a different brand is to support a smaller business. In contrast to behemoth Specialized, a brand like Prevelo is a small family, owned business with superior customer service.
Super powerful, it takes off like you can’t imagine! Very good purchase, good quality components, awesome suspension, I added my personal touch (I painted the fenders in the colors of the wheels) I also exchanged my seat for more comfort (I am 62 years old) and I lettered my fat tires. Love to walk around with it and pedestrians turn when we pass by. In 1896 Schwinn was founded, and by the end of that year, Schwinn bikes had more traffic than any other recreational bike company.
Not valid on ship-to-home, curbside or in-store pick up orders. Compared to the ubiquitous Strider balance bike, the Hotwalk is a definite step up thanks to it’s pneumatic (air) tires. Unlike the Strider with it’s foam tires, schwinn beach cruiser the Hotwalk has superior traction. Finally, while Specialized is a giant corporate brand, the local dealers selling them are not. When you buy a bike from your local bike shop, you’re supporting a local business.
Aside from the heavier weight, the only other negatives about this bike are the fact that there’s no quick release collar on the seatpost (you have to use a tool to lower or raise the seat), and there is no hand brake. While younger toddlers don’t need a brake, older ones will go thru the soles of a lot of pairs of shoes without one. While schwinn beach cruiser it’s not the lightest weight balance bike on the market (the Hornit Airo weighs a mere 4 lbs), at 10 lbs the Specialized Hotwalk is quite maneuverable for older, more athletic toddlers. The Specialized Hotwalk is the smallest and first bike in the Specialized kids bike line-up. This balance bike is the perfect introduction to riding.
Other road bikes were introduced by Schwinn in the early and mid 1960s, such as the Superior, Sierra, and Super Continental, but these were only produced for a few years. The Varsity and Continental sold in large numbers through the 1960s and early 1970s, becoming Scwhinn’s leading models. The wheel rims were likewise robust, chromed, stamped steel with a unique profile designed to hold the tire bead securely, even if pressure were low or lost.
Irrespective of their age, most Schwinn cycles in good condition retain their value for a long time. It means that any bicycle more than 50 years old in a good or fair condition is likely to attract interest from other buyers. It also means that old Schwinn bikes before 1975 will be of greater value to collectors than a newer bike.