for Krate, Deluxe, Sting-Ray, Fastback, Ram's Horn, Run-A-Bout

One of Schwinn's most impressive innovations is the Stik Shifter which shifted their 5 speed rear derailleur or the 3 Speed Sturmey Archer Hub. It went through 5 changes through the years so I made this page to illustrate them plus include some for sale at the bottom of the page. If you are interested in buying replacement decals or knobs for your shifter try here ---> DECALS AND KNOBS. Or if you are looking to buy a complete shifter try here ---> STIK SHIFTERS FOR SALE

It began in 1966 on the Fastback and that shifter remained the same for 1967. In 67 it also showed up on the Ram's Horn 5 speed Fastback, and 3 speed Deluxe and regular model Sting Ray. The 5 speed Stik Shifters made from 66-68 had a 1 2 3 4 5 speed decal. All 3 Speed Stiks had a 1 2 3 decal.


Here is a NOS 66-67 Shifter, notice the smooth chrome handle


Here's a sweet 66 Coppertone Fastback


In 1968 Schwinn made a small change to the shifter. The handle went from smooth chrome to ribbed. The new Krate bikes all had these shifters too, as well as the Run-A-Bout, 5 and 3 Speed Sting-Ray model, and Deluxe 3 Speed.


Here's a 68 NOS 3 Speed Stik Shifter


68 Lemon Peeler with the ribbed Stik Shifter handle


For 69, the shifter handle changed again from straight, to having 3 bends and the knob being to the side. The sticker indicating the speed changed to Hi/Lo from now on. The knobs changed half way through the year too. The early 69 shifter knobs were rounded and later that year they were more cylinder shaped.

Early 69 round knob Shifter


Later 69 Shifter

Notice that there isn't a "5" on the shifter knob for 1969. That showed up again next year in 1970. But in 70 they redesigned the handle with 2 bends, 3 oval cutouts, and the black plastic knob facing up. This design lasted through 1973. The 5 speed had a Hi/Lo sticker for the speeds.


Here is a nice example of a 71 Stik Shifter on a clean Apple Krate


You'll see these shifters on Manta Rays also in 71 and 72. This is part of my collection.


Here is a disassembled 70-73 handle


1974 began a new era in "safe" design with the thumb shifter. I've heard the Product Safety Commission, headed by Ralph Nader, outlawed the Stik Shifters because they were unsafe for children. Just imagine crashing hard and landing on the Stik! Ouch! I've heard it called the Steralizer and the De-Virginizer from various people. I never had the fortune of being impaled by one, but I see how it could happen, especially if you are trying to BMX your Sting-Ray. Which incidentally BMX was the new fad and Schwinn tried going that direction, but it didn't go so well.

There were 3 styles of decals indicating what speed your shifter was in. If you need to buy Stik Shifter decals or a knob, they are for sale here ---> CLICK HERE. The circular decal remained the same throughout the years. From 66 to 68 bikes, the Shifter had either 1 2 3 4 5 decal for the 5 speeders. And from 69 to 73, they had Hi/Lo decals. The 3 Speed Stiks all had 1 2 3 decals.


Here is an accurate remake.

Below are current auctions for these Stik-Shifters, decals, knobs, etc.. Check back frequently for new parts added.

Here's some Repop Schwinn Accessories