Columbia 10-speed Road Bike
 

I ended up with a bike as in the title and was wondering how to ID what I have (year, model)? Also, are there any particular challenges in working with this bike (finding parts and so on) to fix it up? That is, assuming it would be worth it to do so. I rode it around a little bit already, so it wouldn't need too much.

Any other suggestions would be welcome, too.

Hello Glenn everyone is going to ask for pics. also do the derailuers have a name on them? id the frame lugged? QR wheels?

I figured that. I didn't have the time when I posted the original post to get a proper picture done. All I saw on the bike was Columbia and a Pepsi logo (part of the bike or random sticker by someone?). I didn't know where to look or what to look for, so I thought I might go ahead and post and see if someone could give me tips on that.

Anyway, a picture to come in this post.

http://se6b8a.bay.livefilestore.com/...columbia01.jpg

My first road-style bike was a Columbia 10-speed purchased in about 1968. I'd say this is newer by quite a few years. Mine had no chain ring guard, but it did have shimano components as I recall. Also, my shifters were still on the downtube. Don't know if your reflectors are original, but you could look up what year they were required on manufactured bikes by law. My bike had full-length cable sleeves like the ones on yours and I'm pretty sure it had an Ashtabula-style crankset. Also, mine didn't have the "cheater" levers on the brakes. My guess would be mid-70's to early 80's.

More information. One of the stickers says "Lug Frame" on it. Derailleurs are Columbia branded, as well as the downtube shifters. Brake arms are branded "Star".

What you have there, Glenn, is a profoundly low-end bike. My guess would be 1980s.

However, it looks clean and in excellent condition. What does it need to function?

The main issues might be whether the brake and derailleur cables move smoothly in the housings and are adjusted properly. Otherwise, the only issues would be whether the bearings have plenty of grease. If the wheels, bottom bracket, and headset turn smoothly and don't make any squeaking noises, they are probably fine.

Are there any issues with the performance of the bike? (braking, shifting, chain skipping, etc.)

Typical very low end department store bike. Like working on a Huffy or Roadmaster. Personally, I donate such bikes to the coop/charity of my choice as working on them is very frustrating. Components tend to be pot metal, pressed together. A throw away.

I think I got the answer to my main question I had in posting this. I wouldn't want to regularly ride a real collectors item and it seems that won't be an issue based on the responses here.

Really nothing other than good tires, for what I've seen so far. It also needs some adjustments and minor maintenance done to it. The rest seems to be fine so far. Like I said, I rode the bike a bit without any major troubles (ran it through all the gears, applied both brakes and so on).

The only issue that's left seems to be learning how to adjust the brake handles so I don't have to take my hands off the handlebars to reach them, and how to do maintenance on down-tube shifters. That's no surprise since this would be the first road bike I've worked on.

I think its in excellent condition even if its a bottom feeder,dont need much fixin from what I can see apart from adjusting the bars correctly,and maybe a grease and lube,in another 20 years or so it will be the rough equivolent to a UO8 (well maybe not) just ride and enjoy till it dies !