Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Free Spirit Frame-$15-worth it?

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View Full Version : Free Spirit Frame-$15-worth it?

thebeard
08-04-08, 07:33 PM
So my buddy is probably going to buy a Free Spirit frame--with fork, stem, and handlebars--for $15 in good shape. How are these bikes? I don't really know the year, but I'm assuming 70's...maybe early 80's. If anyone has any input, that would be great!

Max

peabodypride
08-04-08, 07:35 PM
throw on a cheapo $100 wheelset and co-op cranks and flip it on CL for $200.
kyselad
08-04-08, 07:38 PM
Overpriced by $16.

bbattle
08-04-08, 07:44 PM
Maybe somebody is paying him $15 to take the frame.
dondforlife
08-04-08, 07:45 PM
Overpriced by $16.

i gave mine away for free because it was such a piece of ****. and it was 10cm's off of my size.
thebeard
08-04-08, 08:02 PM
But for a cheap project fixie; still good? Remember, we're not totally looking for quality.
kyselad
08-04-08, 08:08 PM
But for a cheap project fixie; still good? Remember, we're not totally looking for quality.

Seriously, no. Not even for a cheap project. You could do a lot better with very little effort. Crazy heavy department store garbage. I've heard tales of a few nice models they built, but I've only ever seen gas pipe boat anchors. Post a pic so we can talk you down.
maddyfish
08-04-08, 08:10 PM
Just a frame, stem, and bars? Nothing else? No it is not worth it.
I have bought complete running bikes for $10-20.
operator
08-04-08, 08:35 PM
Those things are giveaways ... they were the department store bikes of the 70's.
thebeard
08-04-08, 08:42 PM
OK, that's exactly what I was searching for. Thanks so much guys! I'll tell him not to buy it.
solbrothers
08-04-08, 08:54 PM
ehhhh... only buy stuff that'll transfer to a better frame. thats what im doing with my beater bike build
slotmachine
08-05-08, 11:32 AM
polo bike
sp00ki
08-05-08, 11:41 AM
i don't think fifteen bucks is unfair, but it's not a good bike (they were sold by sears in the 70s, similar to next, et al of today). if you can get over the frame's weight and assuming it doesn't have single piece cranks/press in bb*, it's not the end of the world, but you'll be likely to find better in a co-op or on freecycle.

*there are conversion kits if it is
plumberroy
08-05-08, 12:22 PM
some sears (free spirit) bikes were made in austria by puch
I have two 3speed that were
Roy
ianjk
08-05-08, 12:30 PM
I pulled one from the dump for a winter bike. It didn't make it til winter.

One of the dropouts was missing a weld and had a 1/16" gap to the frame.