Sears "Free Spirit" 10-speed: Waste of time?
12-13-15 | 03:17 PM
#1
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Warehouse Monkey
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,603
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From: Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania
Sears "Free Spirit" 10-speed: Waste of time?
I bought one of these at a yard sale this past summer simply because it was my frame size, especially with the 26" wheels. Its no race bike for sure.
Questions is, is it worth my time by rebuilding it, like replacing bearings, cables, etc? Or am I wasting my time? Seems it would make a nifty commuter if I could give it a once-over.
Questions is, is it worth my time by rebuilding it, like replacing bearings, cables, etc? Or am I wasting my time? Seems it would make a nifty commuter if I could give it a once-over.
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Last edited by steve-in-kville; 12-13-15 at 06:19 PM.
12-13-15 | 03:24 PM
#2
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From: Toronto, Ontario
What do you mean by wasting your time? If you're happy with the bike and it fits, doing the necessary maintenance to get it road-worthy sounds like good sense. Sounds like a good candidate for a commuter because you can lock it up without worrying too much. If you mean is this a bike that you should throw a ton of money at, then probably not.
12-13-15 | 05:01 PM
#5
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
A lot of people in the cities put upright bars on their road bikes and like the result, but these bikes that came with this type of bar have the frame geometry to handle especially well with the upright bars, typically clamped by a medium-length stem.
If short trips are your thing, you'll probably enjoy riding the Free Spirit. Just make sure that the saddle is comfortable, since the old padded saddles often have foam in them that is dead and so offers no real padding.
If short trips are your thing, you'll probably enjoy riding the Free Spirit. Just make sure that the saddle is comfortable, since the old padded saddles often have foam in them that is dead and so offers no real padding.
12-13-15 | 05:42 PM
#7
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From: on the beach
Bikes: '73 falcon sr, '76 grand record, '84 davidson
12-13-15 | 05:54 PM
#8
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From: Port Angeles, WA
Bikes: A green one, "Ragleigh," or something.
I would be looking for a more worthwhile project, but if one wasn't readily available, I might take something like this on. (Says the guy who has about six projects waiting for attention).
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
12-13-15 | 06:31 PM
#10
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Let's just put it this way: it will not gain practical tangible value.
But I'd still do it if I wanted a project.
It will be a better bike than it was.
It will ride a lot better.
It will still be a Free Spirit.
That was a different time.
But I'd still do it if I wanted a project.
It will be a better bike than it was.
It will ride a lot better.
It will still be a Free Spirit.
That was a different time.
12-13-15 | 07:20 PM
#11
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From: Delaware
Bikes: Many English 3 Speeds
I see a lot of these bikes in use in urban areas.
Since it fits and you want to use it for short commutes, I think you'll get what you want. Not a waste of time.
Many of these bikes got minimal use, so you may not even have to replace cables and all the bearings (unless you want a cheap bike to learn on). Obviously, you know the condition of your bike better than we do, but I think you'll get the results you want - go for it.
Since it fits and you want to use it for short commutes, I think you'll get what you want. Not a waste of time.
Many of these bikes got minimal use, so you may not even have to replace cables and all the bearings (unless you want a cheap bike to learn on). Obviously, you know the condition of your bike better than we do, but I think you'll get the results you want - go for it.
12-13-15 | 10:09 PM
#12
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12-13-15 | 10:16 PM
#13
feros ferio
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Austrian bikes in general are nice. 
I had one of the American-made early 1970s Free Spirits, with Ashtabula crank, steel 26" rims, gaspipe frame, and plastic Elgin derailleurs. I kept it at work for lunchtime errands and rides, until it got stolen(!).
I had one of the American-made early 1970s Free Spirits, with Ashtabula crank, steel 26" rims, gaspipe frame, and plastic Elgin derailleurs. I kept it at work for lunchtime errands and rides, until it got stolen(!).
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 12-13-15 at 10:24 PM.
12-14-15 | 02:13 AM
#14
What happened?
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From: Around here somewhere
Bikes: 3 Rollfasts, 3 Schwinns, a Shelby and a Higgins Flightliner in a pear tree!
Old Sears stuff can be a lot of FUN!
Think about it...
Elgin/J.C. Higgins
Free Spirit
Open Road?
Some were Snyder/Hawthornes, others Murray, Western Flyer or AMF in disguise and they were generally built really well, back when moms and dads really counted on their value and durability.
Don't Cringe at SEARS...have some fun and get on the road.
10 speeds may not be made anymore but there is nothing wrong with their principle and the weight is right, and you can update one well.
Think about it...
Elgin/J.C. Higgins
Free Spirit
Open Road?
Some were Snyder/Hawthornes, others Murray, Western Flyer or AMF in disguise and they were generally built really well, back when moms and dads really counted on their value and durability.
Don't Cringe at SEARS...have some fun and get on the road.
10 speeds may not be made anymore but there is nothing wrong with their principle and the weight is right, and you can update one well.
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12-14-15 | 02:44 AM
#15
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From: Great Southern Land
Bikes: ’71 Cinelli SC;‘ 72 Cinelli SC ; 2011 Baum Corretto Ti; 2007 BMC SLC01; 1986 Pinarello Team Bike; 1983 De Rosa Professional; 1959 Bianchi TdF; ’78 Masi GC Ca
you could build a Breaking Away crash bike replica - the bike in the pump crash scene was a Spirit painted as a Masi
12-14-15 | 08:45 AM
#16
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From: USA Midwest
Bikes: In Signature
My thinking would be, "If I can refurbish this for a few hours and $60 in consumables, how much will I have to ride it to get my time and money's worth? Will I ride it that much?" If it's a bike that has meaning for me, that's more enjoyment in fewer hours; if I could sell it for what it's cost, that's a bonus.
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Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
"I had a great ride this morning, except for that part about winding up at work."
Bikes so far: 2011 Felt Z85, 80's Raleigh Sovereign (USA), 91 Bianchi Peregrine, 91 Austro-Daimler Pathfinder, 90's Trek 730 Multitrack, STOLEN: 80 Schwinn Voyageur (Japan)
12-14-15 | 12:17 PM
#17
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From: oregon
Bikes: 97 specialized rockhopper,91 trek 800 commuter bike, 72 schwinn varsity
long as the wheel stays are welded I think it is worth it........
< this is what you dont want
old 10 speeds are great builds.....fixie, single speed or just freshen up whats there
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASU8F9k2tw
I built up a 72 schwinn varsity as a single speed.....I love it........ however I would do a wheel upgrade.....those old 26x 1 3/8" havent been on bikes in a few decades, so tire selection is limited....the bead area is not the same size as a 26" mountain bike wheel....
old 10 speeds are great builds.....fixie, single speed or just freshen up whats there
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mASU8F9k2tw
I built up a 72 schwinn varsity as a single speed.....I love it........ however I would do a wheel upgrade.....those old 26x 1 3/8" havent been on bikes in a few decades, so tire selection is limited....the bead area is not the same size as a 26" mountain bike wheel....
12-14-15 | 01:19 PM
#19
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From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
...I built up a 72 schwinn varsity as a single speed.....I love it........ however I would do a wheel upgrade.....those old 26x 1 3/8" havent been on bikes in a few decades, so tire selection is limited....the bead area is not the same size as a 26" mountain bike wheel....
The relatively LARGE frame size gets you the forward reach that these frames are short of, while the short stem and flat bar jibe well with the frame's relaxed headtube angle for good, neutral steering (no "steering heave" while honking uphill, off of the saddle!).
As for the 590mm version of "26-inch" wheels, aren't there still several choices in tires available for those? A Pasela maybe, or a Continental or Schwalbe(?), for those who are looking for better than cheap Kenda, LHR or Duro tires.
https://harriscyclery.net/product-lis...ea3-650a-1347/
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-new-whit...-/291482062795
Last edited by dddd; 12-14-15 at 01:42 PM.
12-14-15 | 02:08 PM
#20
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From: Mission Viejo
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
If you want to rebuild it then go for it. If you ask me if it is worth it, I'd probably have to reach back into my past and re-live the day I took my early 80's Sears Free Spirit into an LBS run by knowledgeable gentleman who had been around a long time. With delusions of grandeur, I asked him what I could do to make my Free Spirit better, faster, lighter. He looked at me and said ... nothing.
I'm sure there are those that will cheer you on, but I'd rather look for something like an old Univega.
John
I'm sure there are those that will cheer you on, but I'd rather look for something like an old Univega.
John
