[CR]bike buying guide

(Example: Framebuilding)

Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2006 20:36:36 -0700
From: "Jay Sexton" <jvs@sonic.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
References: <MONKEYFOODgbzIGG6wI00001919@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
In-Reply-To:
Subject: [CR]bike buying guide

snipped from Eric Phillips post:

My mother-in-law has decided to help me by looking for bikes when she's out and about doing her resale and flea market shopping. She's got good intentions, but knows nothing about bikes, so I'm trying to put together a quick and easy summary of what to look for. Let me know any suggestions for the list.

Brands to avoid:

- Free Spirit - Sears

I'm not expecting much to come out of this, but you never know. She might be able to get a couple of things worth keeping. The goal is just to find something decent worth fixing up. Thanks!

Eric Phillips Southfield, Michigan, USA

Hey, don't discount the Sears Free Spirit! I picked up -for cheep- a Sears Free Spirit Ted Williams model that is double butted Reynolds 531. Made by Austro Daimler I believe. Not very refined in terms of construction and it's got a ugly with a capital U paint job but it's light. I turned it into my year round commuter fixed gear with fenders, lights, and bags. Kind of classy (low) in it's own fashion but if it gets ripped off it won't break my heart.

Jay Sexton
Sebastopol, CA