Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Sear's Free Spirits?

I have been talking to a lady about purchasing her free spirit 10 speed bicycle for $100. I realize it's a department store brand so obviously it's not high quality but I'm just looking for something to ride casually around campus.

From the picture can anyone tell me about when these bikes were made, where they were made, and how reliable they are? Oh, and she said she is going to wrap the handle bars and put a new back tire on as well. Thanks.

Those were made primarily in the 70's, maybe into the 80's. Steel one piece crank, carbon steel frame, probably heavy steel wheels as well. Unless there is some collectible status to them that I am unaware of, I'd think $100 is way overpriced.

I wouldn't give anything for a Free Spirit. Buy if you just have a burning desire for it, I would offer 10 or 20 bucks, honestly.

Properly tuned and cared for any bike including a huffy or free spirit can be reliable. However I would advise against spending $100 on this. It very likely only sold for $99.99 (use your best TV hukster voice when saying ninety nine ninety nine) new.

The seller may be willing to put new tape and tire on the bike but it also need brake cables and a most likely a good tune up. if you can work on bikes this may be a good started at $25 to 50 (if she gives you $40 worth of tape and tire) but I would stay away from it.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=237960&d=1329625376

Where do you live? there are lots of guys here who fix up and resell bikes as hobby not just to realize a huge profit and I am sure they have a great bike for you. It might cost a few more shillings but it will be in tip top shape, and you'll both get make a new friend

$10, $20 max. New tire or not, how do you plan to stop without brake cables? Doesn't really matter where it was made, back then, crappy bikes were made in just about every country around the globe.

Its a mediocre knockoff of a Schwinn Varsity. You should be able to get a functioning Varsity for that price. Myself, at the $100 price level, I would be looking to one of the myriad of nice, bike shop branded, vintage mountain bikes out there.

Can only mirror the other comments. These really were bottom of the barrel. If it is ready to ride with no work it would be at best a $20 bike in my opinion. Looks elsewhere as you almost couldn't help running across a far better bike for $100-150.

Just to give you an idea, my opinion is you would be better off to simply go to Walmart and get whatever $100-125 will buy you. Quality of that Free Spirit is similar and at least the Wally world bike is new. Neither choice is a bargain versus a good quality second hand bike for the same price, and they are out there.