Every backyard has something unique to find. It might be a time capsule, an old garden, or even a tin can filled with a treasure.
What if you started searching your property and found a mysterious non-Schwinn OCC bicycle?
It happened to someone. They were able to find out more information about that bicycle, and this content lets you get involved with that story.
Mysterious Non-Schwinn OCC
Orange County Choppers and Pacific Cycle created a non-Schwinn bicycle in 2006 that sold at retail. It was a Toys ‘R Us exclusive, priced at $99, replicating the Chopper experience from a motorcycle while keeping the bicycle shape. The banana-style seat and sloping middle bar are the design’s best-known characteristics.
It is essential to consider the modifications that people make to a bicycle over the years after they own it. When you can’t get your hands on a specific product, such as the OCC Schwinn that was sold at Toys ‘R Us, the next best thing is to create something similar yourself.
The OCC Chopper Stingray is one of the few bikes that has held its value well over the years. When you look for them online through eBay or other sites, some of them sell for over $250.
If the owners completed extensive mods to the bike, you could see prices topping $700.
When you see a frame that looks right, but the entire appearance feels wrong, it is usually because the fork or handlebars were changed. In the case of the mysterious non-Schwinn OCCs you see in forums or auction sites, this perspective usually occurs because a Huffy product replaced the original.
Why do modders use Huffy products to replace Schwinn parts? It’s because the fit and finish are similar without the cost of trying to find OEM parts.
Why Are These Pacific Cycle Bikes Sold at Other Stores?
Although the OCC and Pacific Cycle chopper-style bike was initially sold exclusively at Toys ‘R Us, some locations didn’t get rid of their entire inventory.
Stores like Ross and Big Lots get their merchandise from opportunistic purchasing opportunities. You can pick up items for up to 60% below department store or specialty retail prices while embracing brand names or officially licensed merchandise.
In this case, several stores purchased the leftover Pacific Cycle choppers because they were such a unique product. That’s why stories can be found online of getting this bicycle for under $20, even though it initially retailed for $99.
These off-price stores typically perform better than their specialty counterparts because of the bargains they offer. Each inventory purchase comes from canceled orders or manufacturer overruns, sometimes even during the middle of the fashion season.
Some stores even use this methodology to get pack-away merchandise to sell at the start of the next fashion season. That’s how brands like Ross can have a high proportion of national brands within their inventory while producing significant savings.
These off-price stores also keep things as simple as possible, removing window displays, fancy fixtures, mannequins, or decorations.
What Are the Benefits of Cycling?
It only takes between two to four hours per week of cycling to experience a generalized improvement in your overall health. It’s a low-impact exercise that people of all ages can enjoy, especially since entry-level bicycles are relatively inexpensive.
You can ride to work or get in the saddle while running errands to take care of your weekly exercise component with minimal schedule disruptions.
Here are the other advantages to consider if you’re looking at cycling as a way to knock out your weekly exercise requirements.
- It’s a fun way to approach fitness. The adventures that come from coasting down a steep hill or spending time with people outdoors can make life feel like a great time. It doesn’t even seem like you’re exercising most of the time.
- Cycling can be at any intensity level. You control how hard your workout is when cycling. Do you want to keep climbing hills? Are you ready to blast down a level straightaway? Since you control the gears and pedaling, the bike moves at whatever speed you prefer.
- It improves personal strength and stamina. Regular cycling contributes to increases in a person’s overall aerobic fitness. It uses every major muscle group in the body while pedaling to create a full-body experience.
- Cycling is affordable. If your budget is tight, a full-size bicycle starts at $150 or so in most locations. Some communities have second-hand stores where the price can dip even lower.
When cycling is part of your regular routine, the health benefits include lower anxiety levels, decreased body fat, and stronger bones.
Since being on a bike raises your metabolic rate, you can start building muscle while burning body fat with the right equipment. People who combine a healthier eating plan with this activity can lose weight or control where they’re at while lowering multiple disease risk factors.
◼️ What If I Cannot Pedal a Traditional Bicycle?
If you cannot pedal a traditional bicycle, an e-bike might be an option. The pedal-assist technology found on some of today’s top models let you get some light movement and resistance while achieving speeds that make it efficient to use this tech as an investment.
Some people might benefit more from a hand cycle or a recumbent tricycle because of their unique health issues. This design uses Velcro straps to secure the rider to the bike to ensure stability is possible.
Anyone who uses a hand cycle still receives the aerobic and cardiovascular benefits that other cyclists get when they exercise regularly.
Although cycling doesn’t help with osteoporosis since it isn’t a weight-bearing exercise, it still improves a person’s balance, strength, and coordination. For some older riders, it can help to prevent fractures or falls.
It is even rated as an option for those diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
Best Alternative Bicycles to the OCC Schwinn
If you’re looking for a solid bicycle that can support your kids until they reach their next growth spurt or your current needs, these options have a reputation for providing a durable and reliable riding experience.
Some of them even deliver the classic chopper look that everyone loves from the OCC Schwinn or the Pacific Cycles alternative.
1. eAhora M8 Electric Scooter
This 2000W electric scooter is meant for adults, but that doesn’t mean one of your kiddos can’t hop on for a ride with you! It uses a brushless motor that delivers an impressive 92% efficiency rating, allowing for a top speed of 37 miles per hour.
It uses a 60V 30 Ah removable lithium battery that delivers a range of up to 40 miles. Once connected to the charger, it takes six hours or less to reach full capacity.
The eAhora M8 Electric Scooter offers dual hydraulic brakes with a high sensitivity rating, bright headlines, and an LED taillight. Rearview mirrors let you clearly see what’s coming up from behind. You’ll enjoy the wind in your face with this investment!
2. SAVADECK Carbon Fiber Road Bike
If you want to enjoy a racing experience with your bicycle investment, this unique design gives you the aerodynamic frame you want while keeping the weight down.
The entire product only weighs a little over 21 pounds. It uses a T800 carbon fiber fork, an M12 thru-axle system, and Shimano Ultegra R8000 crank sets for the ultimate riding experience.
The SAVADECK Carbon Fiber Road Bike uses a 22-speed design to ensure you have complete control on the road. All the stays, along with the seat post and tube, are aerodynamically contoured for additional stability. Once you hop into the saddle, you’ll find that this bike is one of the most comfortable rides you can get today.
3. Opeak Foldable Electric Bike
This e-bike keeps the components of a traditional frame while providing a fat tire structure that delivers more stability. The 26-inch wheel size creates dynamic traction for the road while creating reliable tracking. It uses a 750W brushless motor with continuous output for impressive power.
The Opeak Foldable Electric Bike is a little on the heavy side for some users at 69 pounds, but it still gives you a range of 46 miles. The maximum speed is 32 miles per hour, and the battery goes from 0% to full in about six hours. You’ll receive five levels of pedaling assistance to make fast work of the most challenging hills.
4. HeartsBio Carbon Road Bike
This custom road bike delivers a carbon fiber frame that keeps the weight below 20 pounds. It uses a rigid suspension with 18 speeds to provide plenty of control on the road, even for younger riders.
It’s suitable for anyone who is at least 4’11” in size. Although it is a minimalist design, the T700 material is still highly supportive.
The saddle on the HeartsBio Carbon Road Bike stands out. It has a small cutout in the center to prevent numbing issues, minimizing the pressure that happens on a long ride. Shimano made the derailleurs and lever in Japan, and the assembly takes no time at all. It’s a fantastic investment for anyone who likes to ride.
5. SAMEBIKE Fat Tire Electric 26-inch Bicycle
This e-bike is a bit slower than some others, although it achieves a top speed of 28 miles per hour. It has a maximum load of 300 pounds, allowing the seven-speed shifter to work with pedal assist or the full electric mode. Although the battery is only 14.5 Ah, it still gives you enough range to hit about 45 miles.
The SAMEBIKE Fat Tire Electric 26-inch Bicycle is one of the few options that deliver a genuine all-terrain experience with this design. It works as well on a snowy hill as it does on the beach when you have an afternoon to spend outside.
Is It Time to Get Outside to Do More Cycling?
The health benefits of regular cycling are clear. This exercise works to protect you against serious diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and some cancers. It can also lower risk factors for arthritis, obesity, and diabetes. It’s a fun, healthy, and low-impact way to explore or have some fun.
With numerous cities creating urban trails for cyclists to enjoy, you can take the entire family out for a day of exploration with the right bicycle.
Although you might not own a mysterious non-Schwinn OCC from 2006, several additional models can help you pedal away some stress while delivering some laughs and fun.
Today’s best bicycles and e-bikes can help you navigate your community, run errands, or play around near your home at any age. That’s why this purchase is an investment, not in a future sale, but in yourself.