I have been searching for a 1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray bicycle for about one year. Narrowed it down to that one year because I already have one of those and prefer that year.

Mentioned it on a bike forum and a member there had just the one I was looking for. All-original, build date Dec., 1968. Violet color. A Sting-Ray Fair Lady.

I asked the seller some questions and decided to buy it. Bike located in Missouri and shipped to me. Asking price was $300. It arrived in 4 days as predicted.

Have had it for about one week. I really like it... has a good solid feel to it and easy to ride. Here are some photos; the first one by the seller and the other taken by me.

Nice!:thumbsup:

Ever since I decided many years ago to go to single speed bikes for my rides, I've wanted a classic bike.
The first one I bought was a green Schwinn tandem bike, that I thought would be good for my daughter and I to go on rides. Turns out she didn't really get into bike riding, and I looked kind of odd riding a two seater by myself, so I sold that baby.
Eventually I found a cool retro bike at Walmart of all places - a red and black Nels Lusso bike by Huffy.
Yeah, it's not a true classic but it looks it and it has lasted me a long while now... for the most part.
I did recently break the crank and replaced that with a(stronger) one from an older Huffy bike I had. Luckily I had that because I could not find the right size crank at our bike shops around here.
Also replaced the tires with some white walls since the original red wall tires it came with wore out fairly quickly.

But yeah, I really like my bike so I am more eager to fix things that go wrong with it than just trash it and buy a different one. Though I am now interested in what classic bikes I can find on the web as you did, Fleet.

Yes, the retro bikes are a good 2nd choice.

I like the single-speed, too. Nice and simple and with the coaster brake.

Maybe check bike forums as I did.

Love the bike, Fleet! Brings back memories.

Love the bike, Fleet! Brings back memories.
Glad you like it, ponytail. Yes, memories for quite a few people.

I like the single-speed, too. Nice and simple and with the coaster brake.



Absolutely! I bought my son a mountain bike and have had nothing but trouble with the caliper brakes on that thing.

Another reason I prefer single-speed bicycles is that I can't stand that clicking noise that the multiple-speed bikes tend to make when not pedaling. I'd rather hear the birds than "click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click" whenever I am coasting. :lol:

Absolutely! I bought my son a mountain bike and have had nothing but trouble with the caliper brakes on that thing.

Another reason I prefer single-speed bicycles is that I can't stand that clicking noise that the multiple-speed bikes tend to make when not pedaling. I'd rather hear the birds than "click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click" whenever I am coasting. :lol:
Good points. The coaster brake is so reliable.

Yes, that clicking can get irritating.

Here are two more photos. My two 1969 bikes together. Left: the recently-bought violet Schwinn Sting-Ray Fair lady; right: 1969 Schwinn Sting-Ray Fair Lady dirt bike.

Second photo shows the violet Sting-Ray on a hilltop in Porter Ranch.

Wow she is beautiful Fleet!!!! (Although most stuff from the 60s is)



I hope ya have alot of fun on her buddy :)