Customer Reviews

Schwinn Sting-Ray (Bicycle Books)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Liz Fried captures the look and feel of the musclebike era in her book. She details the inception and development of the Sting-Ray craze, but doesn't provide the necessary details for collectors to use this book as a reference. The book includes some very fine photos of Schwinn Sting-Rays and wets the reader's appetite for more.

I have no idea if the author, Liz, is male or female. The author's gender is not relevant. I call this book good but not great because it takes a fluff and fold approach to the topic and really never progresses beyond the level of casual when it comes to research. If you are interested in the subject of Schwinn Stingrays you will find this book informative but not all that well written. If you are a collector of Stingrays then you probably already know most of this book's content simply having spent time reading the different online forums that cover the topic of Schwinn bicycles in general. What would have moved this book beyond the casual level would have been, at the very least, a year by year break down of the different models with a comprehensive overview of the many production changes and differences that Schwinn chose to incorporate between 1963 and 1982. Unfortunately most of this information remains esoteric as it is enjoyed only by a small collection of very dedicated enthusiasts. For a comparison read a copy of "Original Porsche 911" by Peter Morgan and the difference between a serious reference work and Fried's book will become quite clear.
What Fried covers instead is the broader overview of Stingray production and interweaves some relevant information of the social climate in which the Stingray was conceived and produced. For those that grew up during the 60's and 70's it will be a pleasant walk down memory lane. For other readers those passages of the text will seem less than important unless they dream of living in the 60's. Overall Fried's approach and skill as a writer tends to wander. The content does repeat at times and the entire text shows the earmarks of being self-edited. Overall the book deserves a place on the shelf of anyone interested in the Stingray not only as a unique, trend-setting bicycle but as the social icon it has deservedly become. In the end Fried's book does provide the Schwinn Stingray with that. If for no other reason buy a copy now while they are still affordable. I doubt this book will ever be republished.

I bought this book new when it came out and lost it and look how valuable now. The reason is only one printing and much demand has driven the price of used copies into the statoshpere because so well done and packed with rare photos and information. I owned a red 1973 Scwhinn 5 Speed Sting-Ray as a child and most of the kids in my school drove Schwinns and mine remains the best gift I ever got from my father. The bikes were costly even then but worth it, I recall my friend had a Hawthrone bike from Montgomery Ward that rusted away after 2 years, mine lasted and there was trade-in value afterwards. I wish this book were back in print so I could afford another copy!

an amazing book about the best bike ever made. The author is very intelligent and has an excellent grasp of her subject. The only real bummer is the design. Perhaps the publisher could have had a best-seller if they had spent a nickel on the design. Otherwise a very resourseful and brilliant work.

a truly amazing overview of the best bicycle ever made. My only regret is the publisher's lack of design skills. The content is so amazing, yet the layout is a shame. Intelligent writer who really knows her stuff.

a truly amazing overview of the best bicycle ever made. My only regret is the publisher's lack of design skills. The content is so amazing, yet the layout is a shame. Intelligent writer who really knows her stuff.

I have a copy of this book in my hands. If you read the preface, you will know that the author is a woman. Furthermore, the Library of Congress catalog record for this book indicates that she was born in 1964. I doubt she was designing Schwinn bicycles at the age of one or two. And I feel pretty safe in saying that she probably wasn't the Vice President of the company at that age either.

This is a great book for collectors and enthusiasts of Sting-Ray bicycles. Great photos and histories.

a truly amazing overview of the best bicycle ever made. My only regret is the publisher's lack of design skills. The content is so amazing, yet the layout is a shame. Intelligent writer who really knows her stuff.

the book was full of detail and pictures and could easily be read

It would be nice to have someone who knows anything about Sting ray history to review this book. 1.) Liz is a man. 2.)The book was written before the '99 grape krate was released. Maybe all 1999 grape krate owners should come forward at this time as well. I believe Liz was speaking of a bike released 30 years ago.

This book contains every thing there is to know about the Sting ray. Great pics. and excellent reading. Liz was the Vice Prez. of Schwinn when he developed the sting ray. The info in this book is from a man who knows.