Although the Schwinn name survives the bicycles are now made in China. Schwinn designed and built some of the most iconic balloon tire bikes to include the Aerocycle, Autocycle, and Phantom. At one time Schwinn was also one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the United States having acquired both Excelsior (1912) and Henderson (1917). The company was formed in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn, a German immigrant, and along with the financial backing of Adolf Arnold formed Arnold, Schwinn & Co. Generally accepted as introducing the balloon tire bicycle to America Schwinn is probably the most recognized bicycle manufacturer in the world. Colson, Monark, Cleveland Welding, and Schwinn made the bikes for the In the case of the Elginīicycles many were made by Westfield but some made by Monark and Murray as Sears never made any of its own bicycles. For example the brand “Elgin” was used onīicycles Sears sold before World War II. It is important to understand that the badge was merely a brand and not Retail establishments that sold bicycles many times had their own badges made.

Such as tire stores, department stores, hardware stores, or any number of These listings are only examples as some companiesĪre known to have used hundreds of different badges. Prolific builders of balloon tire bicycles.īadges known on the bikes. Listed here certainly predated balloon tire bicycles the following are the most

Out other makers but carried their brands forward. The field narrowed considerably as companies like Schwinn and Westfield bought Before 1900 there were hundreds of companies

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