There are a few threads here on BF about these bikes, branded "Leader". I haven't been able to find anything definitive though as to manufacturer or level of quality. There is one for sale here locally in what might fit for size. I'll go and see it and perhaps take some closeup photos for posterity here on BF. If it is nice up close I'll leave him with a standing offer if he can't move it. If he moves it, power to him. I really don't need it and am preferential to an older Hybrid if anything else. After just finishing installing a new threaded axle (after snapping it during use) on a freewheeled hub on the Kuwahara, I don't want another set of wheels that use a freewheel which this Leader does.

BUT, anyone know anything detailed about these 80's road bikes in terms of quality or original manufacturer?

The Leader brand was owned by Victoria Precision, a Montreal based manufacturing company established in 1941. Cycle production commenced circa 1946, with tricycles. The adult bicycle line was introduced in the very early 1980s. Initially, the adult bicyckes were contract manufactured in Japan but within a couple of years were being manufactured in Montreal.

The subject bicycle appears to be a mid-1980s grand touring model. It has Sanshin Gyro-Master hubs, what appears to be SunTour Mountech derailleurs (the ones with a high seal failure rate), a decent half-step plus granny crankset and a heavy duty, 40 spoke rear wheel. With these features, it should be at least mid-range and possibly even high end, depending on the tubeset.

It already has racks & fenders, too, so what are you waiting for? 😉 If it's a reasonable price, I suggest you grab it, before someone else does.

Thanks T-Mar, for this info and the Squint.

If a bike like this comes along really inexpensively in the right size I'd probably bag it as a spare but I just know I wouldn't use it much. I'm not a collector so no interest from that aspect. I'll go see it though when I get a chance to.

After breaking 3 frames at an average rate of 3-1/3 years each, a rear axle just last week and a barrel bolt rear rack braze-on a few weeks ago, it is wise to have spares!

Go get that one! Its really a nice deal and those are more rare all the time.

That is an attractive bicycle in my book, and I'd be tempted, even if I don't need it. Which I don't.

The guy said it sold this afternoon. Was up for 11 days so go figure. It was a 24" and I take a 25". Maybe another BF member bought it. He wanted $250. I'd rather put that towards something I really could use more.

Apparently it didn't sell so I went and had a look at it. The bike itself is in fine shape, original everything on it. I even recall the name of the shop he said he bought it from long ago; Cycle Centre Sportif on Notre Dame. BUT, I'm no collector.

The forks are High Tensile and the frame High MN - Manganese. Cranks Sugino VP. And it most certainly does have that infamous widowmaker of a rear derailleur as per T-Mar's observation. I left him with my number and suggest he re-try selling in the Spring again when demand is highest. If it doesn't sell then I asked that he give me a call. I never gave him any sort of offer either. I know what I'd pay for it. He needs to find The guy for this bike to pay what he asks though, not just A guy like me. It will take him a while I think. If he was willing to post it and advertised in the right place in Canada (i.e. Montreal or Toronto or Ottawa) then he might get some traction. If that bike were a name brand it would have been gone already.