obfl851 asked:
are the 1999 and the 2007 stingray krate re-issues the same bikes? I’m wondering about the quality. the 2007 bikes are very inexpensive, and i think came thru walmart – so i assume they are chinese crap?
Schwinn Stingray Krate re-issue question?
I can’t answer your question exactly but I did see the Stingray at Wal Mart at Christmas time. I looked it over closely because at $79 it seemed really cheap. It appeared to me to be an almost exact replica with, if anything at least as good quality as the original. Remember that this were kids bikes way back when and weren’t the best quality to begin with.
There is a huge difference in quality. Schwinn, back in the day used a unique welding method unique to Schwinn. Their “kids” bikes were every bit as good as any bike on the road(at the time).
The re-issue StingRay’s are cute, but only a replica of its former icon.
The new and old Stingrays are completely different. The old ones were of exceedingly high quality compared to the new ones.
The original frames used a process called “Electroforging” which was a Schwinn exclusive process, and Schwinn made everything- the tubesets, dropouts, and forks- so it is almost impossible to compare the new with the old.
The rims on the old bikes were also completely different insofar that they were also made by Schwinn out of sheet, and 2 halves were joined by welding in the center making a MUCH stronger wheel.
As far as I know, the only things that Schwinn didn’t make were the hubs, chain, derailleurs, and tires.