The Schwinn Bantam

This page provides year by year images and info quoted from Schwinn catalogs for the Bantam from 1951 to 1985.

1951

Ideal "First" bike - perfect for Youngsters 3 to 5

Model J-16 16-inch
Model J-66 16-inch

With the famous Schwinn Cycle-Aid, learning to ride becomes so easy!

The scaled down Bantam is small, yet beautifully made. It is the perfect bike for boys and girls from 3 to 5. With the added safety feature of the Schwinn Cycle-Aid, beginners quickly learn to ride.

After learning, Cycle-aid wheels can be removed. Standard equipment includes puncture-proof semi-pneumatic tires, streamlined chainguard, and conventional coaster brake plus all the Schwinn Exclusive Quality Features. Cycle-Aid optional at extra cost.

See the full 1951 Schwinn catalog.

1952

For boys and girls 3 to 6

An ideal and proper choice for the "first" bike. Small 16 inch wheels are ideal size to fit the little folks. Equipped with Schwinn Cycle-Aid (as shown) it becomes a safe, easy way to learn to ride. Standard equipment includes coaster brake, semi-pneumatic tires.

16 inch model J-16 for Boys.
16 inch model J-66 for Girls.

See the full 1952 Schwinn catalog.

1953

Small 16 inch wheels are ideal size to fit the little folks.

Equipped with Schwinn Cycle Aid (as shown) it becames a safe, easy way to learn to ride. Inclues coaster brake, semi-pneumatic tires.
16-inch model No. J-16 for Boys. 16 inch model No. J-66 for Girls.

See the full 1953 Schwinn catalog.

1960

Convertible. For boys or girls. Pneumatic tires.

The perfect bike for a growing family ... top bar removes quickly and easily to make a practical boy's or girl's model bike. Spitfire red with white trim.

20" coaster brake ....... $41.95
with training wheels ... $43.95

See the full 1960 Schwinn catalog.

1961

Convertible. For boys or girls. Pneumatic tires.

The perfect bike for a growing family ... top bar removes quickly and easily to make a practical boy's or girl's model bike. Spitfire red with white trim.

20" coaster brake ....... $41.95
with training wheels ... $43.95

See the full 1961 Schwinn catalog.

1962

Convertible. For boys or girls. Pneumatic tires.

Removable top bar and traiging wheels, built-in kickstand. Flamboyant red, white trim.

20"without training wheels J32 ... $43.95
20" coaster brake J33............. $41.95

See the full 1962 Schwinn catalog.

1963

Convertible. For boys or girls. Pneumatic tires.

Children's bikes:

A perfect bike for boys and girls 5 to 7, with American-made coaster brake, built-in kickstand, forged steel fork, Flamboyant red.

J35-20"with training wheels and removable top bar ... $39.95

See the full 1963 Schwinn catalog.

1964

Perfect for boys or girls 5 to 7.

Convertible 20 inch model for boys and girls 5 to 7.

Complete with training wheels. Fully pnumatic tires, coaster brake.
Colors: Flamboyant Red only

J35 - 20" Bantam, with training wheels ... $39.95

See the full 1964 Schwinn catalog.

1965

(for boys and girls 5 to 7)

Top bar easily removes to convert it from a boy's model to aa girl's model. With training wheels, Schwinn tubular rims, American made coaster brake, built-in kickstand.
Flamboyant red or radiant blue.

J35 20" Bantam, with training wheels.....$39.95

See the full 1965 Schwinn catalog.

1966

Built to last juvenile bike, complete with sturdy new training wheels.

(for boys and girls 5 to 7)
Two-tone saddle, nylon cord tires. Top bar removes easily to convert from a boy's bike to a girl's model. Flamboyant red, radiant sky blue.

J35-6 20" Bantam, coaster brake.....$42.95

See the full 1966 Schwinn catalog.

1967

Here's value you can count on in a bike with Schwinn Cycle Aid training wheels.

(20-inch models for boys and girls 5 to 7)

Quickly Converts from a boy's to a girl's model by just removing the top bar- Dad can do it easily. Beautifully balanced for easy maneuverability. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" Schwinn nylon whitewall tires, forged steel fork, one-piece crank.
Colors: Red, sky blue.

J35-7 20" Bantam, coaster brake.....$43.95

See the full 1967 Schwinn catalog.

1968

An easy-to-ride 20-inch model with patented Schwinn Cycle Aid training wheels.

Schwinn Convertible Bikes

Quickly Converts from a boy's to a girl's model by removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" Schwinn nylon whitewall tires.
Colors: Coppertone, red, sky blue.

J35-7 20" Bantam, coaster brake.....$46.95

See the full 1968 Schwinn catalog.

1969

Here's value you can count on in a convertible bike for boys and girls 5 to 7.

Convertible bikes for boys and girls...

With patented Schwinn Cycle Ais training wheels. The 20-inch model quickly converts from a boys's to a girl's model by removing the top bar. Dad can do it easily. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" Schwinn nylon whitewall tires, forged steel fork.
Colors: Campus green, red, sky blue.

J35-7 20" Bantam, coaster brake.....$51.95

See the full 1969 Schwinn catalog.

1970

Here's value you can count on in a convertible bike for boys and girls.

Convertible Bikes for Boys and Girls

The 20-inch model quickly converts from a boys's to a girl's model by removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" Schwinn whitewall nylon cord tires. Cycle Aids as shown are optional.
Colors: Campus green, sky blue, red.

J35-7 Bantam, coaster brake with cycle aids........$51.95
J35-7 Bantam, coaster brake without cycle aids.....$46.95

See the full 1970 Schwinn catalog.

1971

Here's value you can count on in a convertible designed to fit growing family.

This 20-inch model quickly converts from a boys's to a girl's model by simply removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cored tires and Schwinn quality throughout.
Choice of Colors: Campus green, or red.

J35-7 Bantam, coaster brake .......$51.95

See the full 1971 Schwinn catalog.

1972

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family.

20" model quickly converts from a boy's to a girl's bike by simply removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" X 1 3/4" nylon cord tires Schwinn quality throughout.
Colors: Campus Green or Flamboyant Red.

J35-6 Bantam .... $51.95

See the full 1972 Schwinn catalog.

1973

Value you can count on in a convertible designed to fit growing family.

20" model quickly converts from a boys's to a girl's bike by simply removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Schwinn quality throughout.
Colors: kool lemon or flamboyant red. Wt. 33 lbs. with top bar.

J35-6 Bantam.......$54.95

See the full 1973 Schwinn catalog.

1974

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit growing family.

20" model quickly converts from a boys's to a girl's bike by simply removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Schwinn quality throughout.
Colors: Opaque red or Opaque blue. Wt. 33 lbs. with top bar.

J35-6 Bantam..............

See the full 1974 Schwinn catalog.

1975

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family.

20" model quickly converts from a boy's to a girl's bike by simply removing the top bar.

Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard. Schwinn quality throughout.
Colors: Sky blue or Flamboyant red. Wt. 33 lbs. with top bar.

Schwinn Convertible Bantam Model J35-6

See the full 1975 Schwinn catalog.

1976

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family.

20" model quickly converts from a boy's to a girl's bike by simply removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard. Schwinn quality throughout.
Colors: Sky blue or Flamboyant red. Wt. 33 lbs. with top bar.

Schwinn Convertible Bantam Model J35-6

See the full 1976 Schwinn catalog.

1977

Schwinn quality throughout.

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family. 20" model quickly converts from a boy's to a girl's bike by easily removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard.
Colors: Sky blue or Flamboyant red. Wt. 33 lbs. with top bar.

Schwinn Convertible Bantam Model J35-6........$81.95

See the full 1977 Schwinn catalog.

1978

Fits both boys and girls.

For the growing family.
Steel tubular rims.
Electro-forged frame.

Model J35-6.....$84.95

Colors: Sky blue, Flamboyant red.

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family. 20" model quickly converts to either a boy's to a girl's bike by easily removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard. Schwinn quality throughout. Weight: Approximately 32 lbs.

See the full 1978 Schwinn catalog.

1979

Schwinn Convertible Bikes Bantam.

Value you can count on in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family. 20 inch model quickly converts to either a boy's or girl's bike by easily removing the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard. Schwinn quality throughout. Weight: Approximately 32 pounds.

Colors: Cardinal red and Sky blue.

Model J35-6 ...assembled and fitted, ready to ride...$84.95

See the full 1979 Schwinn catalog.

1980

Schwinn Convertible Bikes

Dependable Schwinn quality in a convertible bike designed to fit the growing family. 20 inch model easily converts to either a boy's or girl's bike by removing or attaching the top bar. Chrome plated fenders, Schwinn tubular rims, 20" x 1 3/4" nylon cord tires. Full length chainguard. Schwinn quality throughout. Weight 32 pounds.

Colors: Cardinal Red and Sky blue.

Model J35-6

See the full 1980 Schwinn catalog.

1981

It is as practical a bike as you can find.

If the practical Schwinn Bantam hadn't been a family friend for years, you'd think it had been designed for today's budget - concious times.

When you bring home the dependable Bantam or its tough little 16-inch cousin, the Pixie (its mid-heaight bar makes it attractive to both boys and girls) it's not just for a visit. You can expect these bikes to stay in the family for years- from brother to sister, right on down the line.

Colors: Cardinal Red and Sky blue.

Model J35-6

See the full 1981 Schwinn catalog.

1982

If the practical Schwinn Bantam hadn't been a family friend for years, you'd think it had been designed for today's budget- concious times.

It is as practical a bike as you can find: just remove or attach the top bar and this 20-inch Bantam instantly converts into either a boy's or girl's model. When you bring home the dependable Bantam or its tough little 16-inch cousin, the Pixie (its mid-heaight bar makes it attractive to both boys and girls) it's not just for a visit. You can expect these bikes to stay in the family for years- from brother to sister, right on down the line.

Colors: Cardinal Red and Sky blue.

See the full 1982 Schwinn catalog.

1985

The rugged electro-forged frame converts into a boy's or girl's model by just attaching or removing the top bar.

Bantam has 20" wheels, full chrome plated fenders, full length chainguard and built-in kickstand. Can be fitted with Cycle Aids for the beginning rider.

J35 - Cardinal red or Sky Blue.

See the full 1985 Schwinn catalog.

Back to Schwinn Bikes.