I recently picked up a bike for my wife off Craig's List. It's an eighties model bike with a lugged steel frame. It has all Shimano components and 26 inch steel rims. The only decals on the bike are a sticker on the top bar that says 12 speed and a sticker on the down bar that says Pacer. on the front of the bike there is a P emblem. The bike also has a sticker on it that says made in Taiwan. I was wondering if anyone would happen to know anything about who might have made the bike?

Sounds like one of many department store bikes made in Taiwan in the 1980s.

"Sounds like one of many department store bikes made in Taiwan in the 1980s."

With a bike like this, if everything is mechanically sound, it is not abused, and it is intended for light recreational use...ride it for what it is (a bike) and enjoy it until something better comes along.

Thanks for the advice. This bike is a step up from the Next bike from wal-mart my wife was riding. She is enjoying riding the Pacer so that is good. Does anyone have any idea what something like this is worth in good working order? I realize it probably doesn't have a lot of value while at the same time it appears to be nearly identical in components and frame to my 80's Schwinn Caliente?

Generic steel rim bikes have very little value. But it can provide value to you by being a good ride. Without pics, I would estimate it at $25 to $50. Calientes have limited value as well, but benefit from the Schwinn name so can bring more.

The bike has Shimano Tourney shifters. Forgive me for being inexperienced, but I was curious as to what anyone's opinion was on whether or not those came on the bike? I really don't know much about components. I have heard a lot of people say that Shimano shifters were good, but oviously there are your cheaper Shimano components and your more expensive. What brands or types of components are good to look for?

"What brands or types of components are good to look for?"

Campagnolo ... if you see alot of it on a bike under $100 in great condition at a garage sale, break out your wallet fast. It is has a Reynolds 531, or similar, frame...hand over the money & run.

Sun Tour ... they are not around anymore, but made nice components when they were.

Benelux ... if it's original to the bike, the bike is 50 to 60 years old. Not the greatest compared to later components, but it has C&V value.

Dia Compe brakes.

Weinmann brakes.

Huret and Simplex...IMHO...like the Benelux, have C&V value....but there are better components out there. Personally, I like the old Alvit Huret steel deraileurs on the older entry-level Schwinns and Raleighs. IMHO, they are indestructable.

Somebody else can probably add to the list.

Also, look for alloy versus steel. The quality of the finish can also be a good indicator of quality on bike components.

As I mentioned earlier I have an old Schwinn Caliente and this Pacer. The two bikes are almost identical in frame, components, number of gears. I would guess that when they sold new they must have been close in price. Is this an accurate assumption? Does anyone know what they might have cost new?

The Schwinn would of cost more because of the dealership network behind them. Both were probably built by Giant in Tiawan to each sellers specifications. Schwinn generally specified a better bike. Roger