Early Post-War Schwinn Lightweights - a Review

I have spent some time lately scanning my Schwinn and Raleigh catalogues into a digital format. I thought this entry would be a good place to show Schwinn's late 1940s-era touring bikes. These catalogues are a window into what was offered at the time, including bicycle configurations and parts.

 Schwinn heavily marketed its lightweights in the years just before and after WWII. While Schwinn focused more on the youth market in the 1950s, the 1940s marketed these bikes directly to adults. Schwinn recognized that with many veterans returning from Europe at the end of WWII, there was a potentially untapped market for adults in the US to begin riding British-style lightweight bikes.

Schwinn was proud of its three nameplates: Paramount, Continental, and New World. The "Superior" was briefly dropped after WWII, but re-emerged at the end of the 1940s as a mid-level bicycle. At the time of this catalogue, the Superior had not yet re-appeared.

Schwinn also had a proud racing heritage. The company highlighted its race wins and devoted a large spread to the Ignaz Schwinn Trophy prize. It helped that racing was a way to sell bikes as well. The Paramount racers were fully custom bikes made-to-order, aimed specifically at the track and race bicyclist. If you run across one of these bicycles today, care should be taken to keep it as original as possible. Each Paramount Racer is unique.

The Paramount Sports Tourist was a made-to-order bike aimed at the on-road sporting rider or hardcore bicycle tourist. These were custom-made bikes for the person who rode a lot on the rode and wanted the best American-made bicycle. European, British, and American equipment was available. If you come across one of these bicycles today, it should be kept as original as possible because each example is a unique, custom item.

The 1940s Continental should not be confused with the later 10-speed version. The 1940s Continental was a middle to high end, fillet brazed bicycle. These bicycles offered a high-quality, light machine available at a lower cost than the custom Paramount. These were factory-made bicycles, but still handmade in a special section of the Schwinn factory. These bicycles blend handmade craftsmanship with more mass production. If you come across one of these bicycles today, it should be kept as original as you can manage, while still making the bicycle suitable for riding. These bicycles have a moderate value in today's market. 

 The Schwinn New World was Schwinn's basic bicycle. It was meant to compete with the basic Raleigh Sports, Hercules light tourist, etc. These bicycles come in a very wide range of equipment and fittings. The New World was available as a three-piece crank bike, as above, or as a one-piece crank bike, as below. The example above shows an unusual set of white fenders, which was a two-tone option. If you come across one of these bicycles today, keep it as original as you can while still making it a good rider for your needs. These bicycles are not terribly expensive today, though pristine examples do have a moderate value approaching that of a good Continental.

The New World was available with everything from multispeed Sturmey Archer hubs, down to the basic, single-speed coaster brake. New Worlds with multispeed hubs and hand brakes are generally more valuable than coaster brake models. But Schwinn made a New World for every budget. The above example is the basic model: single-speed coaster brake, no hand brakes, and paint-matched fenders. Keep these bicycles as original as you can while still putting them back on the road and making them safe.

 Conclusion

Schwinn was serious about quality lightweight touring and racing bikes in the 1940s. These bicycles are not toys. They were serious touring and racing bicycles in their day, and they offer collectors a challenge to assemble a good example of each model. The variations of fittings and models is seemingly endless in these bikes. They should not be overlooked by the person who wants to collect vintage bicycles, or ride a classic. 

 

 

 

 

 

Raleigh and Schwinn Content - Three Speed Bikes

A few photos from some nice riding weather this week. The temperature has dropped and it is quite comfortable. I took out this 1958 Raleigh Sports and 1960 Schwinn Traveler. The Sports has that traditional, British look, while the Traveler is much more American in styling.

1958 Raleigh Sports

1958 Sports along a trail

 

1960 Schwinn Traveler in the shade

  

Raleighs on the Road - August 2025

 Not much to report this week. I've had a chance to do some more riding. This week I have a few photos of my 1947 Raleigh Model 35 and my 1958 Raleigh Sports. They're both great riders. The Model 35 is a little lighter because it is lacks a chain guard and has a smaller bag. The Sports has a FW four speed hub. I love a classic FW, even if it lacks the top gear of the later five speed hub. But they're pretty similar, and that's a good thing.

1947 Raleigh Model 35

The Model 35 is a clean design - very basic but well-constructed

1958 Raleigh Sports with FW four speed hub

1958 Raleigh Sports

Classic Raleigh Sports 

 

 

A reproduction cushion grip - wonderfully made

The 1958 Sports has what I consider to be a very good reproduction set of hand grips. A fellow collector of Raleighs had a run of these grey, cushion grips done. They are the closest I have seen to 1950s era sponge grips. The originals always seem to be totally deteriorated. Those familiar with the cushion style grips know they have a unique, semi-soft feel to them. It's not like silicone or a modern grip. It has a unique "spongy" feel that also is not too soft. They're comfortable but still give you some road feel through the bars, which is a good balance. These reproductions were a small run done by a fellow collector, and I only have this set, plus a spare set left. I doubt they can be purchased anymore, but if you come across a pair, they're worth trying. Note that these are VERY different from the grey reproductions made in the far east, and which are very hard, thin, and a bit uncomfortable. 

Good Weather, For a Change

 This summer has generally oscillated between two extremes - very hot and humid, or cool and rainy. We haven't had very many "pleasant days". That changed this week. Although we had some Canadian wildfire spillover smoke, the weather was dry and generally quite pleasant. That is a welcomed change. It gave me a chance to take out a few vintage bikes.

 The week started off suitably warm, with lots of wildfire smoke in the air. This 1947 Raleigh Model 35 bicycle is one of the best-riding bikes I've ever owned. I'd put it in the top-3 - very comfortable, reasonably light, and pleasant all around. 

Typical of 1940s Raleighs, this bike has cloth-covered brake cables. These covers add character to the bike, but are often somewhat dry and fragile today. This has a decent set of covers. Some areas have been patched with matching, black heat-shrink tubing.  Other areas, such as the one below are still in really nice shape.

The smoke haze is visible in the sky, at the top of the photo below. It has some smell to it, but conditions still are not too bad for riding.

 As the week progressed, the temperatures dropped a bit, it stayed dry, and the smoke subsided. I took out this beautiful 1959 Schwinn Traveler. While the Raleigh Model 35 is a basic bike that was meant for everyday work, the 1959 Traveler is more ornate and decorated in the "American" style of the 1950s. The Traveler is a heavier, more deluxe bike.

 I love the winged-oval badges on these Schwinns.

 Period touches include a 1950s style "Cadillac" emblem pin.

 

 

Later in the week, I took out this 1970 Raleigh DL-1. The DL-1 is unlike anything else on the road. It has a heavy frame, large wheels, and a very long wheelbase. Full-sized, rod brake roadsters are in a league of their own.

 

All of my rider bikes have LED lights on them. I ride on the local roads, and these help with visibility. I use the lights even during the daytime to help myself be seen. Safety is always a concern on the public roads here in the USA these days.

 

 

 

Summer Rides - 1947 Schwinn Continental Three Speed

 

Today we have a few photos of a very nice 1947 Schwinn Continental. This early version of the Continental, unlike the later 10-speed bikes, is a hand brazed frame of Cr-Mo tubing with a premium paint and decal finish. It has very nice, stainless steel rims and a good set of hubs. 

Sometimes I meet other collectors/riders who want a premium three speed, but also something out of the ordinary. One of the bikes I often recommend is the 1940s-50s Schwinn Continental. These bikes are reasonably light weight for their time, and ride very nicely once property set up with a good saddle. The only drawback are the 597mm rims, which have limited tire choices today (Kenda tires mainly). 

These Continentals are handsome bikes made to a high standard, roughly equal to a mid-range Raleigh of the same time period. They're certainly a step above the basic models, though perhaps not quite as high in performance as a Raleigh Clubman. They have a certain cachet, being an old, Made-in-USA product.

There are other options for "unusual" three speeds for the person who wants an out-of-the-ordinary bike. But the Continental is certainly something to add a little variety to the more usual Raleigh Sports and similar bikes from England. 

 

 

July 2025 - Some Ride Photos

 A few ride photos from this week - 1970 Raleigh DL-1 and 1960 Schwinn Traveler. 

This 1970 DL-1 is in excellent shape. I did most of the refurbishing last fall, but finished things up this spring with some final changes and adjustments to the bike. It came to me in decent shape through a Craigslist sale. It rides very nicely and, I think, came out beautifully.

 

The 24-inch frame, 28-inch wheel DL-1 is a big bike. It towers over most others on the road. It is not an agile machine, but it is certainly a durable and steady one.

 

This bike has some beautiful decals by H. Lloyd in England. Their graphics are very close to the originals and of very high quality. I recommend them for any quality restoration of a vintage bike.

 

This 1960 Schwinn Traveler came in this spring as a tire, old newspaper or mail bike. But these bikes are so durable and well-made that refurbishing still brought out the best in it. This Travelers have a little extra showiness, typical of mid-century American design. It's also a great rider.

 

Matching green dice valve caps round out the classic, 1950s-60s American look.  

 

 

Mid-Summer 2025 (1959 Schwinn Traveler)

We're well into summer now, with suitably summer weather: warm and humid with the occasional thunderstorm. I have been dividing my ride time among my various Raleigh and Schwinn vintage three speeds. 

 

1959 Schwinn Traveler three speed

I take a little different approach to each. I like my bikes to be very "traditional" overall, but I have always felt a little freer to put a little "bling" on the Schwinns. For whatever reason, I like my Raleigh very much in the traditional, British style. The Schwinn three speeds have more of that "mid-century American" type style: lots of stainless steel, chrome, and bright colors. I've had people stop and take pictures on their phones of some of these Schwinn bikes because they stand out from the crowd.

I have even thrown a set of matching dice valve caps on a few of the Schwinns I own. 

 

Lastly, I love these old Schwinn "winged oval" badges from the 1950s. They're just ornate enough to stand out, but not so over-the-top as to distract.  I will admit I'm partial to the winged motif. Even the Bike Shed logo has wings.

 

Keep on riding... it's that time of the year. 

1938 Raleigh Bicycle Catalogue "The All Steel Bicycle"

 Over the years, I have accumulated a few old Raleigh, Schwinn, and Torrington Co. catalogues. For your enjoyment today is this beautiful 1938 Raleigh Catalogue. This is the British version, with prices in the old British money system. Enjoy. [Click on the image to enlarge]