She is intelligent, I can say to her "Avoid Free Spirit unless it says Reynolds on it...or it's incredibly light". I let her lift my Schwinn Varsity (about 35 lbs now that it has alloy wheels, used to weigh in at 39 lbs!) and compare it to my Specialized Expedition (22 lbs), and told her that any of these should weigh close to the Specialized (or even lighter).
Eric Phillips Southfield, Michigan, USA
On 9/20/06, Jay Sexton <jvs@sonic.net> wrote:
>
> snipped from Eric Phillips post:
>
> My mother-in-law has decided to help me by looking for bikes when she's
> out
> and about doing her resale and flea market shopping. She's got good
> intentions, but knows nothing about bikes, so I'm trying to put together a
> quick and easy summary of what to look for. Let me know any suggestions
> for
> the list.
>
>
> Brands to avoid:
>
> - Free Spirit
> - Sears
>
> I'm not expecting much to come out of this, but you never know. She might
> be able to get a couple of things worth keeping. The goal is just to find
> something decent worth fixing up. Thanks!
>
> Eric Phillips
> Southfield, Michigan, USA
>
>
> Hey, don't discount the Sears Free Spirit! I picked up -for cheep- a
> Sears Free Spirit Ted Williams model that is double butted Reynolds
> 531. Made by Austro Daimler I believe. Not very refined in terms of
> construction and it's got a ugly with a capital U paint job but it's
> light. I turned it into my year round commuter fixed gear with fenders,
> lights, and bags. Kind of classy (low) in it's own fashion but if it gets
> ripped off it won't break my heart.
>
> Jay Sexton
> Sebastopol, CA