Who builds the best ballon bicycles

[kreika]

Shelby. Great riding bikes.

 

[bdp35]

The way the question is asked, it cannot be answered. Basically these old bikes are a masterpiece of multiple different manufactured parts, New Departure, Torrington, Morrow, Wald, Lobdell, Diamond, Mesinger, Delta, etc. If you were to rephrase your question, you might get the answer you are looking for.

 

[vincev]

I have to give it to Schwinn because of the chrome quality on their bikes. No modern bikes though.

 

[Rusty Ol' Rogue]

Bowden. For beauty and durability.

 

[2jakes]

"Builds" would be current tense and the answer is no one. Who 'built' the best balloon tire bikes--Schwinn, CWC, Monark, Westfield, Colson, Iver Johnson, Snyder, Huffman, Shelby, and others before WWII. Why do I believe that? Because after 80 years I'm still riding them! V/r Shawn

 

[Euphman06]

For style? Prewar Murray built bikes for me. For quality, I think prewar Schwinn has the edge.

 

[2jakes]

So far, of the bikes I have been riding (Columbia, IverJohnson, Monark, Schwinn and Western Flyer X-53)
For me...the Phantom saddle and front spring combination make for the most “comfortable” ride .
I’m not talking about looks...in fact although I loved the “art-deco” Schwinn Aero-Cycle... the comfort
aspect was second. Let me clarify that this is from my own experiences. Others will have different views
as to what they consider comfortable. Everyone has their preferences which is fine with me.

 

[Handyman]

Is this a trick question ?? Iver Johnson of course ! Pete in Fitchburg

 

[jacob9795]

Monark frames from the late 1940s through the 1950s were not very well made. I’ve seen a few with busted bottom brackets; I still collect them though. My fat friends are only allowed to ride my Schwinns. You don’t usually see a compromised Schwinn frame.
I’ve seen a busted weld on a CWC frame. One busted frame doesn’t speak for them all.

Common SNAFU for Monark frames

CWC early 1950s frame. The first I’ve come across, it may be defective in itself.

 

[jacob9795]

So far, of the bikes I have been riding (Columbia, IverJohnson, Monark, Schwinn and Western Flyer X-53)
For me...the Phantom saddle and front spring combination make for the most “comfortable” ride .
I’m not talking about looks...in fact although I loved the “art-deco” Schwinn Aero-Cycle... the comfort
aspect was second. Let me clarify that this is from my own experiences. Others will have different views
as to what they consider comfortable. Everyone has their preferences which is fine with me.

My Phantom is the most comfortable bike to ride that I own. Lots of space for the knees and a nice truly soft and cushioned ride, I agree. My ‘36 Schwinn Motorbike is boxed in too tight, it feels like I cram myself onto a little tricycle when I ride it.