Classic & Vintage - I'm new to this, so I need some help; Pierce Arrow?

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emeyers10
03-29-07, 01:25 PM
So I'm a NYC college student, and it's about time I get a bike for spring/summer.
I've been looking at craigslist ads for cheaper road bikes to fit my budget.
I've found ones that I could trust, but I can't pay more than $125 right now, and it's really starting to make me mad!

But, I found this vintage Pierce Arrow 10 Speed. I've never heard of this bike, nor can I find anything about it online.
The woman who's selling it says her grandson rides it around with ease, and the pictures she sent combined with what she told me make it seem like it's in pretty good condition, albeit some surface rust and a needed tuneup, for $50 max it doesn't SEEM bad (she said she'd give it away for like $30ish).
I just wanted to ask if any of you have heard of this, and could give me a heads up to run away from this bike. I'm pretty sure it's from the 70s, but who knows, again, I'm new to this.

Any and all information would be awesome!

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j53/penguinos/Pierce_Arrow_Bike.jpg





She's also selling something Iverson? I don't know, it looked super clunky and I definitely passed.
There was another craigslist post about a Raleigh Sprite, but I haven't called to enquire about it.
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brx/bik/302534625.html
Any information about that, too?

Little Darwin
03-29-07, 02:58 PM
Based on safety levers, stem shifters and one piece crank, this is an American built, low level bike.

Probably heavy, bullet proof and relatively theft resistant since it is not valuable, but it probably would ride well enough wwith the bearings repacked and chain lubed.

If it is your size, it seems worth $50 or so, and looks like a good college bike to me. :)

EDIT: How tall are you, and what is your inseam? That bike looks like about 23" so standover would be a little over 32 inches.
emeyers10
03-29-07, 03:34 PM
Based on safety levers, stem shifters and one piece crank, this is an American built, low level bike.

Probably heavy, bullet proof and relatively theft resistant since it is not valuable, but it probably would ride well enough wwith the bearings repacked and chain lubed.

If it is your size, it seems worth $50 or so, and looks like a good college bike to me. :)

EDIT: How tall are you, and what is your inseam? That bike looks like about 23" so standover would be a little over 32 inches.

Thanks! I think I'll consider it.

I'm 5'6"ish, maybe 5'7", considering the last time I was measured and remembered my height was two years ago.

tolfan
03-29-07, 05:00 PM
New York isnt known for yard sales and I know everything costs more in NY so for whare your at that isnt a bad price for that bike. Check with some local bike shops to get prices for the stuff you cant or dont want to do yourself like repacking the bearings and proper cable guides and handlebar rap, unless you like the electrical tape on it. Also maybe cables and tires. You can try checking ebay, search cycling under sporting goods just click on it dont put in any search words. then click on the left side road bikes and frames, a couple thousend hits should come up. Narow the search on the left side by clicking steel then used then use the zip code thing to limil your search to 50 miles. This should get you a reasonable # of hits and shiping wont be a killer. The last bike I sold on ebay was a schwinn traveler III completely restored it went to NY $110 including shiping.
sykerocker
03-29-07, 07:12 PM
First time I've heard of this brand in the 1970's - when I saw the heading for the posting, I was immediately expecting 1890's/1900's. (Yeah, that Pierce Arrow, as in bicycles, motorcycles, and finally automobiles).

That bike is interesting - upon first glance I guessed rebadged 70's Murray or Huffy, possibly Iverson:eek: but then noticed it's either lugged, or it has the fake lugs like a late 60's/early 70's C. Itoh (more likely, those lugs look awful clunky to be real ones).

Worth keeping as a joke on the name - for riding, I'd look for a little better. Schwinn Varsity's are a big improvement.
sykerocker
03-29-07, 07:13 PM
Just noticed - there's an Iverson:eek: :eek: :eek: parked behind it. Run away!!!!!!!
Mos6502
03-29-07, 07:52 PM
Looks like it could be a low end Ross?