Last Updated on July 8, 2023 by FAB Jim The Cyclist
Here is a nice example of a 1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray in campus green. This one has the 2-speed automatic kick back rear hub. Other features are the chrome fendors, front brake, and white glitter sparkle banana seat. This kid’s bike has 20” wheels.
The hub is a Bendix yellow band. These sound pretty neat, though I’ve never ridden one. They have a coaster brake built into them and also have two gears. The gear ratios are 1:1 and 1:.67. When you kick back like you are going to brake, it will change gears. Shifting this one would make it easier to climb hills.
These frames sure have character, super neat old bike.
Retail price was $69.95
While the two-speed hub may seem like a relic of the distant past, Sturmey-Archer still makes it and, as recently as 2016, Spot Bikes of Golden, Colorado built a bike using that hub. If you want to see the complexity of the inside of that hub, sheldonbrown.com has exploded diagrams of the various Bendix versions.
I love the high up handlebars. I remember riding bikes that had these when I was a kid.
Nice look
Real neat look.