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Just how much weight can it handle? Weight limit. Schwinn specific
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Nashman
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
I just Googled his height. 5' 9' same as me. I'd say 175 to 180lbs
/same as me. He's on my dang bike too! Only difference is he was famous, talented, good looking ( the gals thought?) and rich. So far I'm 2 for 2 in height and weight, then a swing and a miss on the next 4.
tacochris
Cruisin' on my Bluebird
I dont know the answer to this question but I can tell you Im 200lbs and 5'10" and I broke a spring on one of my phantom seats not too long ago. Lol Takes alot more pressure in the rear tires to feel right going down the road.
Im willing to bet the bikes, being marketed mostly to kids and teens probably have an ideal weight of 180 and under...probably less in most cases with emphasis on the "under". Americans were a much smaller and generally more fit people back then too with no real fast food joints in popularity, soda was a treat and playing outside was paramount. ...and even up until my years of school, they strongly discouraged "husky" or over-weight kids in schools and would publicly use the fat calipers on you in front of your peers in gym class. haha
Im willing to bet the bikes, being marketed mostly to kids and teens probably have an ideal weight of 180 and under...probably less in most cases with emphasis on the "under". Americans were a much smaller and generally more fit people back then too with no real fast food joints in popularity, soda was a treat and playing outside was paramount. ...and even up until my years of school, they strongly discouraged "husky" or over-weight kids in schools and would publicly use the fat calipers on you in front of your peers in gym class. haha
SirMike1983
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
The frame and a traditional fork with braces will not really be an issue. They are overbuilt. Many of these old frames were used on early mountain bikes because of their extraordinary strength.
Where I would be concerned is wherever a spring is used - suspension fork, saddle, etc. In choosing a spring, one has to decide how stiff, gauge of the wire, etc. A spring that is ideal for a 110 pound child is going to be too light for a 180 pound adult rider. A spring that is ideal for a 180 pound adult will be too stiff to be effective with a 110 pound child. So I would look closely at your suspension fork spring, saddle springs, etc. if weight is an issue for you. You may need to swap to heavier spring in the suspension fork, and consider heavy-sprung saddles that have braided springs in back.
The plain flat blade fork has a different issue. It's strong fore-aft, but flexible from side-to-side. You'll see this if you bank hard into a turn, where the front wheel moves slightly entering and leaving the bank. If you're particularly heavy, I'd consider a different fork or bracing of some sort if you to a lot of hard banked turns that flex the blade fork left-right.
Where I would be concerned is wherever a spring is used - suspension fork, saddle, etc. In choosing a spring, one has to decide how stiff, gauge of the wire, etc. A spring that is ideal for a 110 pound child is going to be too light for a 180 pound adult rider. A spring that is ideal for a 180 pound adult will be too stiff to be effective with a 110 pound child. So I would look closely at your suspension fork spring, saddle springs, etc. if weight is an issue for you. You may need to swap to heavier spring in the suspension fork, and consider heavy-sprung saddles that have braided springs in back.
The plain flat blade fork has a different issue. It's strong fore-aft, but flexible from side-to-side. You'll see this if you bank hard into a turn, where the front wheel moves slightly entering and leaving the bank. If you're particularly heavy, I'd consider a different fork or bracing of some sort if you to a lot of hard banked turns that flex the blade fork left-right.
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49autocycledeluxe
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
I'd say the low pressure tires would be the weak link when a big guy climbs aboard. I'm confident a Schwinn could take 400 pounds or more. at that size it is not like they will be going off any jumps.
how a Schwinn would perform
Nashman
Riding a '38 Autocycle Deluxe
So true on weight issues and times have changed. I remember when we got our 1st McDonalds back in the late 60's ( this isn't it, but it was similar and the # served was low!) and then the American fast food chains slowly started creeping up north as did the needle on the bathroom scales. Now "PE" or Physical education is no longer part of a core school program. With all due respect, when my buddies and I were teenagers in the late 60's early 70's we would go to Grand Forks ND or MN. or Fargo ND or the 8 hour trek to Minneapolis MN. and really noticed the big "gals" not so much the dudes as there was an Army base there and we were not welcome in their town looking at their chicks!!
. No doubt the calories have gone up, activity has gone down. Thankfully we have bikes.
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