Originally Posted by
reynolds101
I've been looking for a vintage bike lately, something I can just cruise around with and maybe ride to work on occassion. I came across a Free Spirit on craigslist for pretty cheap so I bought it. I do need to take it and get it tuned up because the front derailleur/chain/rear brake all have minor issues. But one thing I noticed is that going over a bump is pretty rough and uncomfortable, even with a nice padded seat I put on from a previous bike. Is this abnormal or is this common among all older 10 speeds?
If you're comparing it with some sort of upright bike, hybrid, or even a mountain bike, I would say the answer is yes. Road bikes (10 speeds) are designed for speed and not butt comfort. A Free Spirit is a low end bike. You might be happier with a 3 speed bike with a more upright riding position.