No Hands: The Rise and Fall of the Schwinn Bicycle Company, an American Institution

Rating:
Summary: Excellent story of a piece of Americana
Review: Frankly, this is the first book I've read cover to cover in a long time. Whether you like bicycles, business stories, or want to read a fascinating behind the scenes look of an American icon, this book is for you.

Rating:
Summary: How Schwinn blew it!
Review: Since hubby and I are both avid cyclists and also work at a bike shop (myself part time, him full time) this book interested me. It is at once a history of the bicycle in general, and about Schwinn in particular. Ms. Crown and Mr. Coleman relate in vivid detail the creation of the Schwinn bike by Ignaz Schwinn, and how subsequent generations of the family (who owned the company up until the 1990's) developed new products, but later let opportunities (such as the development of the BMX and mountain bike -which was created with old Schwinn parts) slip through their fingers. By the 70's the controlling family members appeared to have little or no interest in bicycles -- only in their annual incomes from their family trust -- and failed to realize that they were letting down the family name and reputation for quality.The book also touches on other bike manufacturers, such as Specialized, Gary Fisher and Trek, and how these companies profited by Schwinn's 'falling asleep at the wheel' old boys' club-type school of thought. Apparently, Schwinn never realized until it was far too late that there was/is a vast adult market out there! This book is compelling reading for anyone interested in bicycle history, or just American business in general. Highly recommended if you can find it!

Rating:
Summary: How Schwinn blew it!
Review: Since hubby and I are both avid cyclists and also work at a bike shop (myself part time, him full time) this book interested me. It is at once a history of the bicycle in general, and about Schwinn in particular. Ms. Crown and Mr. Coleman relate in vivid detail the creation of the Schwinn bike by Ignaz Schwinn, and how subsequent generations of the family (who owned the company up until the 1990's) developed new products, but later let opportunities (such as the development of the BMX and mountain bike -which was created with old Schwinn parts) slip through their fingers. By the 70's the controlling family members appeared to have little or no interest in bicycles -- only in their annual incomes from their family trust -- and failed to realize that they were letting down the family name and reputation for quality.The book also touches on other bike manufacturers, such as Specialized, Gary Fisher and Trek, and how these companies profited by Schwinn's 'falling asleep at the wheel' old boys' club-type school of thought. Apparently, Schwinn never realized until it was far too late that there was/is a vast adult market out there! This book is compelling reading for anyone interested in bicycle history, or just American business in general. Highly recommended if you can find it!

Rating:
Summary: How Schwinn was lost
Review: This is the often rather grim story of the fall of a great empire. The Schwinn company was built by an immigrant with a knowledge of mechanics and a fierce dedication to quality. Over several generations, the company gradually fell apart, as subsequent, born-privileged Schwinns took less interest in the company product, focusing on marketing at the expense of manufacturing, and arrogantly believing that the prestige of their name brand would endure over their stubborn reluctance to innovate or modernize. Along the way we get informative and interesting glances into the beginning of BMX and mountain biking, fascinating portraits of the personalities involved, and a strange sense of the interconnectedness of all the big names in the bike industry, as Schwinn's errors lead to the rise of Trek and Giant, and effect many other familiar bike companies. Definitely worth a read.

Rating:
Summary: How Schwinn was lost
Review: This is the often rather grim story of the fall of a great empire. The Schwinn company was built by an immigrant with a knowledge of mechanics and a fierce dedication to quality. Over several generations, the company gradually fell apart, as subsequent, born-privileged Schwinns took less interest in the company product, focusing on marketing at the expense of manufacturing, and arrogantly believing that the prestige of their name brand would endure over their stubborn reluctance to innovate or modernize. Along the way we get informative and interesting glances into the beginning of BMX and mountain biking, fascinating portraits of the personalities involved, and a strange sense of the interconnectedness of all the big names in the bike industry, as Schwinn's errors lead to the rise of Trek and Giant, and effect many other familiar bike companies. Definitely worth a read.