If you were a kid in the 60's, there was only one kind of bicycle to own: A Schwinn Sting-Ray, or at the very least one of its less expensive clones.
The Sting-Ray, as can be seen from this photo of a 1968 Krate, was the ultimate ride. This model features the small front tire, rear shock, spring-loaded front suspension, and the stik-shift that let you select one of three speeds.
I learned a lot about Sting-Rays at this site. The Krate went for as much as $129.95 in 1968! No wonder I had to settle for a clone.
The Sting-Ray was introduced the same year JFK died. It was just in time to attract the attention of kids my age who were still riding trikes. By the time we were old enough for two wheels, we were cajoling our frazzled parents into getting us banana-seat bikes with monkey bars. After all, no self-respecting kid with any concept of cool at all would be caught riding one of those Leave-It-to-Beaver bikes.
The banana-seaters made it easy to pop wheelies. Once you mastered the wheelie, you would perform the maneuver constantly. The best of us could ride with one wheel up in the air for considerable distances.
The bikes were also adept at performing jumps. And if your foot slipped off a pedal in mid-air, it was quite within the realm of possibility to land crotch-first on that bar. OUCH!!!!!
Schwinn is making Sting-Rays again! You can get classics that look like 1966, or tricked out monstrosities that resemble custom Harleys. See the details at the site above.
Here's to the coolest pedal-powered ride on two wheels: the Sting-Ray.
Comments (1)
I had one of the cheaper clones, but it still was a nice bike. I got mine when I was about 11 or 12. Mine was a red/maroon color. It had the long sissy bar on the back with a larger reflector that swung on hinges. I also had the black bananna seat that could be adjusted to different levels. I don't think mine had any speed gears, but it had the high handle bars and hand brakes.I had the nobby back wheels too! Yes, poppin wheelies was very easy to do with these bikes. I had my sting ray stolen one night, but was found down the street one day. We also put an occassional Baseball card or playing card in the spokes to make that clicking noise. I think I might have even had a horn too! Do boomers also remember the generating lights and sirens that were on earlier bikes. My sting ray was Santa gift one year and was probably purchased at Monkey Ward.
Posted by Rivers End | April 25, 2009 8:40 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 20:40