Ca. 1896 Schwinn "The World" Men's

[cyclingday]

And some of the guys who raced that big machine.

We are the Champions,
of, The World!

 

[Freqman1]

And some of the guys who raced that big machine.View attachment 1341406
View attachment 1341407
View attachment 1341408
View attachment 1341409

We are the Champions,
of, The World!

Marty wouldn’t this be a ‘97 catalog? V/r Shawn

 

[cyclingday]

I’m not sure, if that catalog was for the combined years of 96/97.
Some portions of it read as though it’s for the 96 model year, and some portions read as though it’s for 97.
I think it was produced in 96, and the mentions of 97 were previews.

 

[Jesse McCauley]

I was going through the images from the 1896 catalog last night, and I fixated on this beast.
I can’t even imagine what that was like to captain this monster up to speed.
You would definitely need some big guns to control the handlebar, until everybody settled in to a rhythm.
View attachment 1341399
The model-17 was top of the line for, The World, in 1896.
View attachment 1341400
$1,000 dollars in 1896 had the equivalent buying power of $27,683.94 in today’s, 2021 US Dollars.

Wow!
How many of these were built, and is there an existing example in any of the museums?
Really interesting looking bike, to say the least.

I know of one privately owned quint that has a nearly identical frame style to this illustration but I have yet to find a model illustrated from this era with this style frame and fork showing a non-"camel back" position stoker. The bike I have seen has a traditionally positioned stoker but otherwise the bike is the same.

 

[dnc1]

And presumably that rear most stokers position is to to allow the following racer to tuck in close and enjoy the aerodynamic advantage, as when following the upright rear rider of a pacing motorcycle.
Can you imagine the effort involved in following this over even a short sprint distance?
Phenomenal!

 

[New Mexico Brant]

I have similar button that I suspect, is a cuff link.
Is yours a cuff link or a pin back button?

Yes, mine is the same Marty. Pairs could be worn as cuff links or as collar buttons (a 19th trend that I hear is making a come back). Or singles as lapel buttons. Your watch fobs are spectacular!

 

[Jesse McCauley]

After some digging in my saddle stash I found a weathered top that looks very close to the profile that would have been on 'The World' -
I used a few small pieces of sinew thread to lightly attach it for the effect of the real thing.
@corbettclassics requested a photo more like the catalog image without the incline on my street so I walked it to a couple of my favorite neighborhood bicycle photographing walls.

 

[cyclingday]

I love it!
Especially, that last image.
Shades of Yore.

 

[Freqman1]

@corbettclassics excellent!!!!
That is the best "front on" perspective of a set of pedals on a ca. 96' World that I have seen yet, all the other images being side profiles the information I can gather is limited.
Do those look close to Record pedals to you? Makes me second guess my pedal choice.

I would think a racer may have different pedals than a roadster. Were you able to determine the gauge of the tube? Like you said earlier if you could identify the seat you may have a better idea what model. V/r Shawn