Owner says it is a Phillips 10 speed and he wants $40 for it. The description on CL is rather vague, all it says is "made in England/made for tall person 36" to top of seat/needs work in all area's/ wheels seem true/ rear tire holds air is pretty good".

Is there anything I should be looking for in particular when I check this out, aside from usual bike mechanics? I am not too familiar with older bikes.

Would you go and check this out (only a 15 minute drive) or would you pass on it?

I don't know anything about Philips bikes, but I don't think I've heard anything great. If you're just looking for a decent riding beater, this could work for you.

From the photo, one thing I'd check immediately is whether the seatpost is seized in the seat tube. It's jammed down very deep. Beyond that, spin the wheels and look down from the top, see if there's any wobble side-to-side. Anything more than a mm or so in either direction means you're going to have to get the wheels trued--either pay or do it yourself. ($10 minimum).

Look at the tires and note if there's cracking in the rubber. Any cracks or breaks in the sidewalls means you're going to want to replace the tires. ($10 minimum).

Bring a ruler and measure the length of the chain from one link to another. If there's more than 12 1/8" between two links, you're going to want to replace the chain. If there's a lot more, you might have to replace the cogs (look at the teeth on the cogs). That'll add a lot more dough. ($15 for the chain, $20 for a new freewheel). And if you have to replace the freewheel, it's probably not worth it for the whole bike (unless you're looking for a fun, cheap project to learn a bit on). If you don't have a ruler, assume you're going to want to replace the chain unless it looks brand new.

See how worn down the brake pads look. And if the cables for the derailleurs or brakes are frayed at the ends. That'll be another $10 minimum to replace w/ your own labor.

Are the wheel rims aluminum alloy or steel? Use a magnet to check. Steel rims are basically outdated these days, and replacing/upgrading will cost you at least $50 scavenging on ebay or CL, likely more.

When looking over a potential buy, you have to take into account any work and money you're going to end up putting into it. I've found that most old 10-speeds are at that point of age and neglect where, unless they're a very nice frame, or they've been upgraded/refurbished, they're just not in good enough shape to be worth the work and money you're going to have to put in. That being said, if you spent the $40 on a frame that's very nice (I'm not convinced a Philips is), then after putting in the money, you can have yourself a very fun project and a nice, old-school bike. YMMV.

I'd take a 15 minute drive almost anywhere… seems like a small investment, in time and in money. My (not always followed) rule for myself is to figure out what I want first and then look for it. Sorting that out is an education in itself and it helps cut down on buyers remorse.

I flipped the image into Photoshop and measured the seat tube against the diameter of the rims… looks like its about a 62cm c-to-t, maybe a hair less… a 24" if the English were still using Imperial. That's a good guess, not hard and true.

Don't know anything about Phillips or English bikes.

I'll tell you... $40 for a bike in that condition is good for this area. That bike with fresh tires and functioning chain/cogs would fetch $100, my guess.

Anyway, are you looking to make money? probably not. In my eyes, if i spend 10 hours on a bike and enjoy it and sell it at a loss of, say, $50, i've spend five dollars per hour for fun. Which is cheap.

also, now's a decent time to buy a bike, since you can almost always sell it during the annual influx of students in september. especially with gas prices up, students are going to want to fill up daddy's car as much.

...fixed .

The above are good points, too. I think it really depends on what you want. If you're just trying to learn, $40 in Boston area really is nothing. Back when I was just learning about all things bike and scouring for good used deals, I would've gone w/ this. But a stuck seatpost is a dealbreaker for me. I have had to deal w/ two nice frames w/ stuck seatposts, and it just wasn't worth the hassle.

Quite honestly, I was looking to fix it up and sell it in about a month, maybe make $20 or $30. I was once part of that annual influx of students and I sure as hell opted to ride a bike instead of having a car on campus.

I'll check the seatpost, for sho'

Thanks!

I recently found a Hercules 10-speed & it is basically a Sports with derailliers & drop bars. IThis bike seems to be similarly equiped, Huret Allvit, the giant stem shifters on the downtube, maybe even the 26x1 3/8 tyres. I do like the White Mattress Brooks seat on the Hercules better than this one's. If I were a foot & a half shorter I'd keep the Hercules as its funky. But I'll get it roadable & sell it with the tag " rare, not to be confused with valuable, Hercules Royal Geoffery..." I'd be thrilled with $40 for it.

I'm going to see this Phillips ina couple of hours. It's free! And ordinarily I would take it, but I'm moving next week and dont want to add to the stress unless it's "worth it".

Any opinions? btw is is one L or two?

Thanks!
Bernard

Oh, it's def. worth more than the asking price, but... it's missing its fenders, rear brake (and cable), and who knows what else. Can't tell if it has a shifter, or an AW hub; if so, I'd take it if just for those, but you're moving soon, so.... If the current owner is going to dump it, take it; but if you think someone else will come for it soon enough, that might be a better option for you. You'll find a better three-speed one day.

If you can't manage to fit it into your plans, let me know . I just across the
river.

Thanks rhm for the good advice

bikemore it's all yours! It seems pretty light (compared to what I was expecting), maybe 30 lbs? Made in Nottingham England, it's a 3 spd hub couldnt make out if it was SA or what. LMK if you need more info. PM for sellers contact info

She also had a Shogun 200 10spd, Made in Japan, and (I think) Tange 900? The gruppo was Shimano but I couldnt make out which model. She had put a lot of money into it and was asking 220.00 so I passed on it too

Last time I was in the Metonomy shop in Cambridge, they had a really shiny pair of black phillips fenders. I forget the price.not unreasonable though.
A Phillips is a good bike, like a low end Raliegh. Not fancy but well made.

Nice bike. Well worth picking up and applying some elbow grease.