| here is a question for everyone. why do people flip drop bars upside down? just drug a vanload of bikes home and over half of them have been done that way. some of the brake levers have been moved around but are still impossible to use. I have picked bikes like this up before, but have never actualy seen anyone riding on one. Its one of those things that I don't lose any sleep over, but an still just nuts to get one rational explanation for. if its just comfort or rebellion chosen over the ability to stop, mabey I don't want to know. thanks, jason by: 70.241.37.216 |
| Jason, i know exactly what you mean. I've seen people riding bikes this way also and the only thing I can think of is that it raises their hand position up so that they don't have to bend over so far. Gives them a more upright riding position. how they use the brakes is beyond me. by: 130.114.43.224 |
| [RANT] Braking becomes VERY dangerous in this orientation; the faster one decelerates, the harder one's hands are thrown against the levers, which could also impale the rider in a crash. Stupid ... stupid ... stupid. [/RANT] by: 66.185.168.82 |
| I've seen them like this also....even see people riding them like this. 'come to think of it - when I was a kid - I remember turning a set of drop bars over - just to see what it was like. I had a set of old touring-type brake levers - so I was able to mount them under the "drops" (which were not "dropped" in this position). I ended up flipping them back over after maybe a couple weeks. by: 198.137.214.36 |
| My 1973 Glenn's has a picture of a young guy 'n' gal with their bikes. Delightfully sexist caption: "The escort of a modern miss...will probably advise her that having the handlebars in the turned-up position...is not considered safe practice. However, the young set (almost always the girls) seem to prefer the bars up rather than down." I think that it stems from finding that one's new bike, which is probably not adjusted to fit, is uncomfortable. But for some reason, switching a component is thought too difficult. by: 66.30.200.82 |
| Nearly every VLW that I've seen have 'em flipped up - and since I'm reporting on what I see in Miami...the riders are usually Latino vagrants. The only place that I have not seen VLWs with their bars flipped is in my backyard, and the only people who appear to use dropbars regularly in Miami is: #1: My family. and #2: Spandex-wearing fruitcakes on carbon-fiber cartoon cycles. -Kurt by: 205.188.117.5 |
| P.S.: I commonly preach highly about the North-Road handlebar to folks around the local shops...and to my Craigslist customers (who I sell my spare bikes to). -Kurt by: 205.188.117.5 |
| North-Road bars are one of the best alternatives for those who dislike drops. by: 66.185.168.82 |
| Cost is a big factor in those low end bikes with flipped upped bars. To replace them with touring bars involves also replacing the brake levers, then the ball end cables wont fit so you have to replace the cables also. by: 65.0.254.73 |
| wow that was a mess of replies thanks to all for validating my little nuerosis not sure what north-road bars are exactly, I may own some but as I hardly ever buy new components, I am not up on the names of anything just put together stuff that I find, sometime takes over a year to get something almost perfect. by: 70.241.37.242 |
| North Roads bars are the type ususally seen on 3 speed bikes. They are upright and turned out, so your hands are at about a 45 degree angle. The most frequent comment I have heard about dropped style bars is "I can't ride all hunched over like that", so they either don't try at all, or they don't try it long enough to feel comfortable. by: 63.236.244.88 |
| I have seen a few "forward pointing" drop bars, but I have not found any bikes for sale featuring that adjustment to the bars. I usually see and/or buy bike with the nose of the seat bent upward at about a 10 deg. angle. Like, to make sliding off the back of the seat easier or something. Any rate, must have been a bear to ride any distance like that. On the drop versus roadster (upright bars) topic, I think the riders maybe limit their riding to short runs. The drop-bars, aside from being a bit more demanding of skill, offer a superior ride on long rides and hills. In fact, I notice they are easier on my back as I can lean weight forward on the bars instead of compressing the spine with every little (and not-so-little) jolt. Just my 2. by: 67.118.246.245 |
| i bought a men's schwinn 10-speed continental ("KH" serial number = Oct. -1972 manf.). It has tourist type handle bars and the comfort seat like the suburban came with. also has the chrome fenders. i cannot find anywhere that this was sold this way, other than the chrome fender option. anyone know if this is original (or could be original)? thanks. nxner by: 65.222.85.65 |
| I've rebuilt several Continentals, and they all came with randonner (sp?) drop bars. The tourist type handle bars are an add-on. You can check the Shwinn Lightweight Database for the specifications http://www.geocities.com/sldatabook/contents.html. by: 130.114.43.224 |
| The 1960 Conti could be ordered with either upright/Suburban bars or Maes drops (Randonneurs came a few years later). I am not sure about later years. by: 66.185.168.82 |
| All sport-spec Continentals came with dropbars - the upright-bar 'tourist' variant was deleted sometime in the 1960s. Maes bend bars were standard on the Continental until 1972, when Randonneurs took over (and IMHO, ruined the bike's only asset: Stunning good looks.) -Kurt by: 205.188.117.5 |
| I have a 1975 Ted Williams (Sears) 10 speed Free Spirit titanium bike. It has Shimano gears, Weinman center pull dual handle brakes. Like new condition. Is it of any significant value? by: 24.217.187.155 |
| If it was titanium, yes -- that would be quite something! What makes you think it is titanium? Sears did have a model that was made with Reynolds 531 tubing (which is a manganese-steel alloy). I think most (if not all) of the 531 bikes were made by Puch/Austro-Daimler in Austria to fairly low standards. There has been quite a discussion of them on the Classic Rendezvous list (that may have included value). You can search the archives: http://catfood.phred.org/query.asp I think the collectiblity standpoint came from the stealthy/fun factor of blowing by someone on a Free Spirit! Bob by: 12.207.91.46 |
| No real monetary value to speak of (it's not Ted William's bike nor is it made of titanium) but fix it up and ride it. Or you could give it away to a deserving hobo, he'll cherish it. by: 24.72.49.104 |
| Looking for one of these from my childhood. by: 72.192.89.59 |
| Hey I have one of these that I saved since I was a kid. It has the banana seat. If you're interested let me know. by: 67.163.19.75 |
| I Have a really nice one! It's I belive a 70? Dating by the stock reflectors. silver with the red white and blue decals. It has suntour component's(GT. rear derailluer and free spirt front)both alloy, not shimono, AVA alloy neck & bars, sugino maxi cranks, an alluminum seatpost, wingnuts on the front wheel. All original(except tires).If you like that, let me know. by: 170.104.232.34 |
| I believe I have the same bicycle you have. It was a titanium color with some striping, chrome fork Sears Free Spirit 10 speed. It had a lugged frame, three piece crankset, etc. and was actually a very nice bike. Sears sold some nice bikes years ago. It was around 1974 when I got mine for Christmas. One friend in particular made a big joke about my Free Spirit bike being a bra and a cheap Sears bike and how his Schwinn Varsity was a "real" bike. That ended when I blew him away in a "neighborhood" crit race, however. I still have mine. It is dismantled, however. I may restore it or look around for another one. by: 65.188.242.137 |
| I am painting a FREE SPIRIT bike from 70s and updating it for riding $300 by: 64.12.117.14 |
| I have one. I bought it at a church bazaar. by: 71.50.20.80 |
| I just bought one from a thrift store for 5 bucs, i had to get new wheels and a seat but it rides well... by: 216.183.184.253 |
| i just found one laying on the side of the road about a week ago. its red with red and blue stickers. 10 speed w/ centerpull brakes. i brought it home and am in the process of re building it so it works. by: 128.82.41.249 |
| I have a 10 speed free spirit Ted Williams bike from the 70's in very great shape. It belonged to an elderly lady who seldom rode it. Was just stored and has no rust. would be willing to sell. contact melloddc1@aol.com by: 205.188.116.6 |
| I have a sears ted williams since new with these frame numbers: 4675450 and 503.47302.0 I dont know what the numbers mean. Can anyone let me know. steve by: 70.255.197.175 |
| I bought one from a thrift store for about 25 dollars, everythng worked and I gave it to a friend for their birthday but it ended up being too big so they let me have it back and I ended up getting a new wheel set 700c, and redishing the back wheel to make it a single speed. I am running the original 3 piece crank set, but am finding that they are not good for carrying the stress of a single speed bike so I might just get a new bottom bracket/ crank set. The fram is nice, and reminds me of an old puch road frame I had. by: 216.39.15.195 |
| I HAVE A 26 INCH,BICYCLE, SEARS AND ROEBUCK, MODEL NUMBER 502.473480 , I ALSO HAVE THE OPERATION AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL, THIS IS IN GOOD CONDITION. THE BICYCLE IS A 5 SPEED, TED WILLIAMS. THIS IS IN FAIR SHAPE. CAN SEND PICTURES IF NEEDED. by: 65.185.169.110 |
| I bought a Free Spirit Physio Fit bike. It is a single speed with a coaster brake. The crank is not all of one piece but has a bolt on each crank arm. At first the crank was quiet, now a few days later it is making noise. Does anyone know if this means I need a new bottom bracket? by: 75.34.80.1 |
| I have a 1975 Free Spirit 10 speed that came with hydralic brakes that still works. Bike is in like new condition. Any thought's as to weather this bike is worth anything. Thanks by: 152.163.100.196 |
| I have a 1975 Free Spirit 10 speed that came with hydralic brakes that still works. Bike is in like new condition. Any thought's as to weather this bike is worth anything. Thanks by: 152.163.100.196 |
| I have a 3 speed 24" Ted Williams Free Spirit Red White & Blue bike in pristine condition. Pics on request. Would like to sell, best offer. In Massachusetts. Pick up only. by: 63.145.20.197 |
| I have a 3 speed 24" Ted Williams Free Spirit Red White & Blue bike in pristine condition. Pics on request. Would like to sell, best offer. In Massachusetts. Pick up only. by: 63.145.20.197 |
| Am looking for a Sears 3 speed like the one given me in 1976. It was superior to other bikes of the day and way better than today's straight handle bar types. Would like a pic, please. Mine was thrown in the landfill by mom while I was at work. It was in good condition. Had rear spring cargo rack. Thumb gear changer. Very stout bike. You may have a gem. Alan Edwards aedwards@ls.net 784 coon ridge road Hillsville, VA 24343 by: 76.26.113.59 |
| I have a purple Black Hills Free Spirit bike - 15 speed -is this a sears bike - it says shimano bike on it. by: 64.12.117.130 |
| Would really like to see pics of 3-speed girls' Sears bikes (with curve-around handlebars, not the straight-across kind). Close-up photos of the brand will also help. Anybody selling one? by: 24.193.74.155 |
| I have his and hers,Ted Williams white with red and blue stripes, with book racks on back,(very good condition) will take 500.00 for both. by: 156.65.14.146 |
| Found one at a junk yard last year for $20. I stripped off excess components and converted it into a fixed gear and love the ride! by: 71.124.122.157 |
| i baught a free spirit womans bike today at an auction. it is in really good shape considering its age. it does need new tires. my son put the chain on it and rode it around the yard so it seems to work. it has the book rack on back and is white with red and blue stripes and is the sears and roebuck ted williams edition. if you are interested in it let me know and let me know what you are willing to give. thanks by: 71.7.95.114 |
| I have a sears ted williams girls bike, 10 speed. All original but needs to be restored. Very wheathered with some rust. For pick up only from Sacramento, CA area. $50. by: 71.137.111.130 |
| I have a single speed, with red white and blue bannana seat, ape hangers, chrome fenders, very small ted williams "free spirit". Any body Know what year it is or what it could be worth. by: 68.189.56.128 |
| Purchased Ted Williams 24 inch 3 - speed new at SEARS around 1972 or 1973. Purchased new costing around $80. My women's bike has chrome fenders front and back. The heavy frame color was white with red and blue detail. It has thin tires with two brakes one coaster and hand brake plus a chrome back fender book rack. I still have the two red and yellow frame reflectors which I took off for safe keeping. Only defect flat tires. Had gear control repaired. by: 72.146.126.230 |
| Purchased Ted Williams 24 inch 3 - speed new at SEARS around 1972 or 1973. Purchased new costing around $80. My women's bike has chrome fenders front and back. The heavy frame color was white with red and blue detail. It has thin tires with two brakes one coaster and hand brake plus a chrome back fender book rack. I still have the two red and yellow frame reflectors which I took off for safe keeping. Only defect flat tires. Had gear control repaired. by: 72.146.126.230 |
| purchased a 3 speed free spirit sheffield from a gentleman, only a few minor scrapes tp speak of. great bike for general riding and commuting. could anyone provide me w/ some history on the bike. year, etc. thanks. by: 72.70.129.67 |
| I found a Free Spirit laying out in the middle of my street earlier this evening and was wondering if anyone could tell me a little bit more about where the serial numbers are so that I have some identifiers as to possible year of the bike. Or would the serial numbers not be helpful in this case. . .? Any help much appreciated. Long Beach, CA area by: 75.142.110.182 |
| I have a Sears Ted Williams bike 26 inches, 3 speed, model number 502.473990. Is it worth anything and if so how much would this bike sell for. by: 71.255.253.167 |
| I'm looking for some history on a really old bike--1900-1915 Sears Roebuck bicycle. It is of generally modern design, except it has wooden wheels, grips and saddle innerds. The saddle itself is made of thick leather with cotton or wool stuffing. The friggin tires are across between what looks like cloth and some sort of rubber. They almost look weaved. Anyway, I have it hanging in my basement. It's quite a site to see. by: 66.162.133.20 |
| I acquired a free spirit from a couple i helped clean a house for, its a red 3 speed direct drive. i love it. all original. A beautiful ride by: 75.170.57.66 |
| i have a ted williams bicycle with 3 wheels and a virgin seat and basket..it is a 3 speed..its in good condition..if anyone knows the value of it please email me..thanks by: 63.19.160.248 |
| Remembering a recent thread on these, IMO at least, very nice bicycles I thought this completed auction might be interesting. It won't answer many of the questions from that thread unfortunately as it's F/F only but a beautiful example. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7188747709&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ebay.com%3A80%2Fsearch%2Fsearch.dll%3Fcgiurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fcgi.ebay.com%252Fws%252F%26fkr%3D1%26from%3DR8%26satitle%3D7188747709%26category0%3D%26fvi%3D1 by: 65.8.184.49 |
| The bike that was on eBay looked more like a Grand Record, Grand Jubile' models did not come with Reynolds 531 forks. Either way, it's a nice example of one of these. It makes me wonder if I should list mine? I have plenty of other bikes to ride, and would be happy with half of that selling price. Plus, mine is a 63cm frame. The one on eBay is at least a year or two newer than mine. There's a complete bike like the frameset on eBay pictured at the CR site: http://www.classicrendezvous.com./France/Motobecane/Motob_moos.htm So far, all of the Grand Jubile' models I have seen have been either Silver with Red trim, or Red with black trim. by: 71.251.133.138 |
| It has been a great summer for finding vintage lightweight bicycles. Thirty four collectable bikes found their way into my run down old shed. A 1959 Carlton "Flyer", a 1971 Atala Record 101 Professional", a limited edition Miele, a full Campagnolo Gardin "Special" and couple of others will be added to my collection. The rest, including Concords, Holdsworths, Legnanos, Pinarellos, Carltons, Velo Sports, Bianchis, Merciers, Gardins, Mieles, and what else I can't remember will be put up for auction on Ebay starting today. My most recent find is an old Raleigh Record with an oval shaped Heron headbadge. Does anyone know what vintage this nice old badge is? It is in really good condition, quite colorful and I will be putting it on Ebay also. Thanks. by: 216.211.1.18 |
| In my post here yesterday on my Raleigh International, I mention this badge which is on my bike. As far as I can determine it's an Anniversary headbadge from 1971 and I'm pretty sure it marks the 75th year of Raleigh cycles.. ..and have not seen it on any other then circa 1971 bikes. It's a very pretty badge! by: 207.244.118.96 |
| There was some discussion on the Classic Rendezvous list about this a couple of years ago. It seems like the badge was introduced with the "new" Gran Sport and Sprite models which would have dated it to 1962. The earliest reference in a photo in a catalog I've seen is '66 and my '67 Raleigh Carlton Flyer sported one. I think '71 was about the last year for them. Very pretty badges. Bob by: 12.207.91.46 |