Post-War ('40s-'50s) Schwinn Superior List

[Miq]

This is great @SirMike1983 ! Having columns for Frame Type, Color and Hubs is nice and an improvement from the NW list.

The post-war Superior was a totally different model from the pre-war. The pre-war Superior was the second from the top model, right below the Paramount. It was a hand brazed bicycle made with Schwinn's better parts. The Superior went away for awhile during and right after WWII, when the Continental came into the line up as the second from the top bike with a brazed frame.

In 1949, the Superior was re-introduced into the line up, but this time as a mid-level bike one level up from the New World and one level below the Continental. The post-war Superior has frame similar to the welded New World, but with three piece cranks instead of one-piece cranks. The tubing was common steel and welded up like the New World. This version lasted only a few years and apparently did not sell very well. There aren't many survivors, but those that do turn up have some unique graphics and color combinations.

Later on, the Superior name was revived as a high-end bike again. These much later road bike Superiors were also a different bike from the previous iterations. Schwinn periodically would revive the name "Superior" but the bikes being referred to kept changing.

Very concise history of the Superior named bikes. So interesting to see Schwinn's approach to model name recognition and hierarchy within the line over the decades. Thanks for this.

 

[bikerbluz]

I’d like to see pictures and more information on this one. Three speed? No hub date?

Sorry late getting back, been under the weather. Bought this a few years ago at a swap. Frame, fork, chain guard, crankset and seat post. Hadn’t been able to put it back stock so put a set of new wheels, saddle and bars to tide as a single speed.

 

[bikerbluz]

Pic of bike as I have it

 

[bikerbluz]

I apologize but for some reason it is not letting me upload a pic of the complete bike?? Says the pic is too big? Technological idiot here, any help appreciated. Thanks also for the serial number help.

 

[bikerbluz]

Trying a pic of my phone with my older iPad

 

[bikerbluz]

Another pic after a little work

 

[SirMike1983]

Rennfaron passed along this 1951 black Superior and the owner of the bike kindly gave me a little information on the bike. I'll add it to the list of post-war Superiors.

 

[MPW1]

Rennfaron passed along this 1951 black Superior and the owner of the bike kindly gave me a little information on the bike. I'll add it to the list of post-war Superiors.


View attachment 1972664

View attachment 1972665

View attachment 1972666

View attachment 1972663

This is my bike (well, my dad's old bike) and through the process of selling it I have learned a few things, including that the rear hub has the manufacture date. Turns out it's actually a 1949

 

[SirMike1983]

Thanks very much for the additional information. It's interesting that it's a 1949 model, which falls right into the time period of these bikes. Black is common on the New World models, but not common on the post-war Superior bikes. You've got a good bike there.

As a side note, I lived in the DC area for 18 years and moved back north about 5 years ago. In those 18 years there, I never saw one of these bikes locally. I move away, and then good bikes start turning up there... go figure.

I'll add your bike to our list of known post-war Superior models.

Thanks again.

 

[SirMike1983]

Updated list above. These are still uncommon bikes. It is becoming evident that it is easier to date them using the features than the serial number.