The Limited-Edition Schwinn Collegiate Bike Is a Pandemic Treasure

Adult bikes are often built to fulfill a singular purpose: racing along well-paved roads, bashing down mountain trails, or hauling cargo around town. But some exist for the beautifully broad aim of giving pleasure. The limited-edition Schwinn Collegiate ($998) takes up that mantle. Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the brand, the bike was inspired by the company’s lightweight 1965 Collegiate Deluxe and looks like a modern hybrid, the kind of rig you might hop on for a weekend excursion on a bike path.

THE COMPETITION

• A similarly upright riding position is available on the Electra Loft 7D and the Townie Original 7D (both $540). Each has a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain and a lightweight aluminum frame with clean, classic lines.

• The All-City Super Professional Apex 1 ($1,599) also features a beautiful chromoly steel frame and lugged fork, as well as plenty of mounting points for adding bags, fenders, or extra water bottle cages. It’s also got simple, yet reliable, SRAM Apex components and disc brakes.

• Starting at $3,850, the all-purpose, single-speed Speedvagen Urban Racer is not, the company says, “about being reasonable or responsible.” Matching fenders and a chain guard keep riders clean while they’re out getting dirty.

THE CASE

You’ll find yourself rolling the Collegiate out the door for the smallest of reasons—and often for no reason at all. The ride is smooth, thanks to the bike’s supple 38mm-wide Kenda tires and Wisconsin-sourced lightweight steel tubing, hand-welded by Detroit Bikes. Handling is reserved and predictable but by no means boring, giving you the confidence to sip a coffee while riding one-handed or even huck yourself off a curb. The 8-speed Shimano drivetrain shifts crisply and provides enough range for casual cruising. The bike has all the charm of a vintage American steel frame (smooth ride, clean welds) without any of the drawbacks that can come with buying an old bike (like hard-to-find parts). The Collegiate is perfect for impromptu ice cream jaunts on summer nights. $998; walmart.com

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