Return of a classic: Schwinn’s Lemon Peeler is back!
Only 500 of these classic kids’ bikes will be produced
Published:
Cyclists of a certain era will remember Schwinn’s colorful, fruit-flavored, children’s bikes. Schwinn is hoping to cash in on some childhood nostalgia — or perhaps just an appreciation of retro style — with the introduction of a limited edition of the Lemon Peeler.
Produced from 1968 to 1973, Schwinn’s iconic Krate series of bike ruled neighborhoods across America.
Vintage models in good condition can sell for thousands of dollars — a pretty good return on investment for those who bought one for the original price of $86.95.
This Lemon Peeler is more a tribute to the great Schwinn bikes of yesteryear than it is a faithful recreation of the model.
Aficionados may note that the original Lemon Peeler featured a 5-speed stick shift mounted to the top tube. (Try getting a crotch-knocking shifter past the Consumer Product Safety Commission in today’s world.)
Two hand brakes were mounted to the ape hanger handlebar. One actuated a drum brake front hub while the other handled a caliper brake mounted between the curved seatstays.
In contrast, this throwback design is a singlespeed with a coaster brake hub. However, the springer fork and “full-floating” banana seat are present and correct. This Lemon Peeler also has the mismatched 16in front wheel and 20in rear wheel with a skid-happy Sting-Ray Silk tire.
No word on if Schwinn plans to offer the Wham-O Wheelie bar as an aftermarket upgrade.
Only 500 of these Lemon Peelers are being produced. They’re being sold exclusively through Amazon for $350.
We hope to see Schwinn roll out other members of this family in the future, including the Orange and Apple Krates along with the Pea Picker.
Authors
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
