Monark Silver King began in 1934 in Chicago selling aluminum bicycles! I had no idea somebody was making aluminum bicycles way back then. These bikes don’t show up too often, but I see them for sale every once in a while. The company made their own bikes till they sold to Huffman Manufacturing (Huffy) inContinue reading “Monark Silver King Bicycles History Chicago”
Author Archives: FAB Jim The Cyclist
Alritz V-brake Pads Mountain bike review
Looking for nice, cheap brake pads? I have used a few different cheap pads with varied success, but I have no complaints about these. They installed easy and have nice braking power. Got rid of the annoying screeching my bike was doing when braking. They are sold by Alritz on Amazon but come in veryContinue reading “Alritz V-brake Pads Mountain bike review”
Zwift Course Makuri Islands Two Village Loop
This course is a nice mix of pavement and gravel with a decent amount of elevation. It is about 8 miles long with 300 feet of elevation and I guess roughly half gravel and half pavement. I use a gravel bike on this one. It goes through the countryside and through two villages on theContinue reading “Zwift Course Makuri Islands Two Village Loop”
1982 Schwinn Continental Bike Black Sable
Here is a nice example of a 1982 Schwinn Continental, a really durable and reliable road bike: This bike came with a Schwinn electro-forged carbon-steel frame and 10 speeds. Not a light bike at 36lbs, but reliable and durable. Black sable is the only color for this year. Came with center pull brakes and quickContinue reading “1982 Schwinn Continental Bike Black Sable”
Surly Cross Check Frameset Drop Bar Bike Build
I’m in search of the perfect bike and am hoping it will be the Surly Cross Check. I really like the ride and look of vintage bikes, but I prefer the shifting and drivetrain of newer bikes. Hopefully I can combine these with this Surly frame. I’ve heard lots of good things about Surly andContinue reading “Surly Cross Check Frameset Drop Bar Bike Build”
Old Touch Up Paint Fix – Bicycle
If you have a bike with a touch up job that’s not so good, I hope this guide can help you. I purchased a bike that was touched up by a previous owner and well it’s not so good. But so far, I’ve had some pretty good success making it much better. These tips areContinue reading “Old Touch Up Paint Fix – Bicycle”
Wahoo Kickr Snap Smart Bicycle Trainer Review
I’ve been using my Kickr Snap for almost 3 years now and I like it a lot! Previously I had purchased the cheapest smart trainer I could find which was an Elite. After about a year it broke and though they sent me a part, I couldn’t fix it. So, I did lots of researchContinue reading “Wahoo Kickr Snap Smart Bicycle Trainer Review”
Schwinn Le Tour Serial Number guide and Country of Manufacture
The Schwinn Le Tour was made in several different plants and countries during its long run. The first few years they are all made by Panasonic in Japan. Then they are briefly made in Chicago and then back to Japan. Later they would be made in the Mississippi Schwinn plant in the USA, Taiwan, andContinue reading “Schwinn Le Tour Serial Number guide and Country of Manufacture”
1964 Monark El Camino Cruiser Bicycle
Check out this vintage bike, a 1964 Monark El Camino woman’s bicycle. Monark Silver King bicycles started in Chicago in 1934. In 1956 they were bought by Huffman (Huffy). So this particular bike was manufactured by Huffy. Quite a neat looking bike. A nice single speed bike with a coaster brake, really reliable. Also hasContinue reading “1964 Monark El Camino Cruiser Bicycle”
What year bike do I have? Dating a Schwinn Le Tour
Here are some tips for dating a Schwinn Le Tour visually. Fork If the fork has a chrome tip the bike is 1982 or older. If the fork is painted with no chrome, it is 1983 or newer. Brake Levers If the brake levers have a safety lever the bike is 1983 or older LeContinue reading “What year bike do I have? Dating a Schwinn Le Tour”
