1933 Schwinn Catalog

"It is a great source of much pride to us to present the industry with this catalogue of Arnold, Schwinn fine bicycles. Particularly we are proud of the new Arnold, Schwinn Ballon Tire Bicycles, representing the first major improvement in bicycles since the advent of the coaster brake, nearly 50 years ago."

What are balloon tires?

Balloon tires are simply a tire with an inner tube, the sort we still use today. Before 1933 virtually every bike in America had tires that had only a tire without an inner tube. The balloon tire was also much wider than the tires that had previously been used on bikes.

The following images and text come from the original 1933 Arnold, Schwinn Company catalog. These models were offered both with and without balloon tires.

B 10E Motorbike Fully Equipped

Frame: 18x 22 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: No. 1 Bucket.
Handlebars: Chromium finish with brace
Pedals: No. 10 Torrington.
Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.
Equipment: As illustrated

B 9 Motorbike

Frame: 18x 22 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: No. 1 Bucket.
Handlebars: Chromium finish with brace.
Pedals: No. 10 Torrington.
Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.

B 4 Camelback

B 3 Ladies' Mode

Frame: 18 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: Ladies comfort.
Handlebars: No. 5 Chromium.
Pedals: No. 9 Torrington.
Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.

B 1 1/2 Motorbike

Frame: 16 x 20 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: No. 1 Bucket.
Handlebars: Chromium finish with brace.
Pedals: No. 10 Torrington.
Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.

B 1 1/2 E Motorbike

Frame: 16 x 20 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: No. 1 Bucket.
Handlebars: Chromium finish with brace.
Pedals: No. 10 Torrington. Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.
Equipment: As illustrated.

B 1 Camelback

Frame: 16 x 20 inches.
Tires: 26 x 2 1/8" Cord Balloon.
Saddle: Bucket type.
Handlebars: Chromium finish with brace.
Pedals: No. 10 Torrington.
Guards: Chromium finish.
Rims: Deep drop center chromium finish.
Color: Black with red trim. Optional red and white or blue and white.
Coaster brake: Optional.

#R Racer

Frame: 20, 22 or 24 inches.
Tires: Racing 28 x 1 1/8 inch.
Saddle: Racing type.
Handlebars: Racing type, chromium finish.
Pedals: Racing type.
"Designed and built to meet the exacting requirements of racing, this sturdy, easy running wheel will give a good account of itself anywhere."

See the complete history of the Schwinn Racer.

Schwinn Built Bicycles...

"have been nationally known for more than thirty-five years as staunch, high grade, easy running wheels. Their reputation is backed by the long and honorable record of Arnold, Schwinn & Co. Since 1895 these famous bicycles have been built in this huge, modern factory with no change of organization or management. Naturally, this wealth of manufacturing experience is reflected in the quality of the product."

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