Bicycle Guru's please comment on this find!

[parnold]

I was at an estate sale several weeks ago, and saw this out for sale. I paid 15 dollars for it. Got it home, added air to the tires, and peddled around just enough to determine that the brakes, and gears appear to work. It's got a shifter I'm not familiar with, its kinda like a paddle shifter, doesn't click into different positions for each gear like I'm used to. Shimano gears. It's a columbia, and I know at least when I was a kid Columbia used to be considered a decent brand.



I'm not planning on a marathon, or offroad use. This is just for occasional peddling around my town (mostly level) and around campgrounds when I'm bored. I've already scrapped the original seat for a wider, more comfy model that I had on my last bicycle.

Did I do good for 15 bucks?

[kennyrayandersen]

for $15 bucks you got a deal -- that the price of a new cheap saddle! Enjoy!

[Fenlason]

yeah.. if it works.. and for how you want to use it.. most definately.

On the shifting.. older bikes did not have clicks for each gear. One had to move the lever to "find" the gear. It takes a little more skill.. but it is definitely less fussy about adjustments.

[Fenlason]

looking at that photo first thing without coffee.. I was for a second.. then I realized the photo was turned over..

[Greg M]

15 bucks sounds like a great deal. Got a pic of the shifter?

-Greg

[Cliffmeister2000]

looking at that photo first thing without coffee.. I was for a second.. then I realized the photo was turned over..

That's funny! I looked at the bike, and never noticed the background at all! I had to go back and it took a few moments to realize the bike is hanging from its wheels in a shed.

[emiller]

My old bicycle is a Columbia. First Bicycle maker in the U.S.
http://www.vintagecolumbiabikes.com/
http://www.columbiamfginc.com/bicycles.html
Here is my Columbia

[asianflava]

Cool bike, what's up with the snakeskin tires?

[emiller]

Cool bike, what's up with the snakeskin tires?

They match the color of the bike.

[Cliffmeister2000]

They aren't cheap, but thy ARE sweet!

http://www.geared2go.com/SweetskinZ-Tires-s/314.htm

[emiller]

That Columbia is a great find for $15.00

[Oasis Maker]

"Holy Toledo Batman! That bike really is upside down!"

[mikeschn]

[Oasis Maker]

Suddenly I feel like Foster Brooks.

[Oasis Maker]

Parnold,

Seriously, you did good for $15. The very first production mountain bikes were made in the early 80's of Chromoly steel and didn't have front shocks, so your model (aluminum frame and full suspension) is some time after that.

I would immediately remove your rear cassette and chain and soak them in Simple Greens. Spray bottle rinse with water and let completely dry, then apply a good chain lube. You have some pretty good rust going there. Of course on older bikes you should always do a thorough check and once over with maintenance (cables and housing, brake pads, lube, etc.) but the rust on the cassette and chain is pretty pronounced.

Scott

P.s. And I would just remove the rusty protective disk in the rear entirely (dork disk). Just be sure to have your limit screws set correctly.