hey bicycle guys tell me about this one

[rfuerst911sc]

My wife and I have decided to get bicycles as a form of exercise. It's been 40 years since we last rode bikes . Last week we picked up a nice used Schwinn 3 speed for her. Nice simple bike she likes it. So now my turn. I like simplicity and have a soft spot for older well made items. I was looking for a 3 speed for myself when I came across this one locally. While it is only a one speed there's something about it I like. I am 5 ' 10 and just from the pics I think I would fit. Our riding will be 99 % at a local bike park which is paved flat trails. Am I crazy to go look at this one ?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/5242809009.html

[vash]

no clue!! but i love it!! buy it..how wrong can it be for that cost.?

[vash]

buy it send it to me, and i'll sell it to a guy with a beard and suede wingtips for a bunch of money!!

[herr_oberst]

Cool bike!

It has a fixed gear, because polo requires going backward as well as forward. Not a problem, if you don't mind never being able to coast.

Heck, if I was closer, I might go take a peek at it myself....I like it! But probably not for you...

[rfuerst911sc]

Hmmmmm convert it to a 3 speed with coaster brake ?

[rwest]

I was thinking fixed gear as well, but it appears to have a coaster brake, so probably be a great bike for what you want.

[Gogar]

Make sure to roll up your chain-side pant leg. All day, not just when you're riding.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

COOL BIKE!
For that price, I'd say go for it- under several conditions. Polo bikes get the snot beat out of them.

To me (and I might be making something out of nothing), it looks like the bike took a hit in the front and either bent the forks back or even bent the frame:



This picture below could just be a camera angle, or it could be a bent downtube (the light reflects in a different direction off the lug than the direction the downtube):



If you go check it out, look for this, also- steel frames have a tendency to crack the paint if it has been bent/ of has a crack in the metal itself- here's a pic of an exaggerated example:



If you look at the bike, check the frame in the area circled, as well as the front of the forks where I put the arrows. Also check around the bottom bracket area.

Finally, that bike has steel cranks- which get bent easily- especially from playing polo.

See if the owner is willing to put the pedals on and take the bike for a spin. Bent crank arms will pedal goofy and you will feel it in your feet as you go through several pedal cycles.

Good luck- looks like a cool bike!

[LEAKYSEALS951]

here's a pic of where I'd look on the bottom bracket- in particular, the paint defect circled in red- although that could be where a kickstand was previously installed and crushed the paint. Flip the bike over and look at these areas from the bottom as well.

[intakexhaust]

Rare find. A steal for a real steel steed

There's nothing really special about the tubing, but still is an interesting bike. It certainly is an Austrian made by Steyr Daimler Puch that Sears imported using their JC Higgins sporting brand label. Interesting enough, Sears also imported and branded the JC Higgins bikes from England and France. Should have a headbadge riveted on the headtube.

However I looked through the old Sears catalog archives and was unable to find this specific polo model. Yet possible it might have been imported by someone working at Sears Roebuck back when. I another odd one having the original paperwork including date stamps and sales receipt. Amazing what some people save, but it tells the story.

Another possibility it may have been a boys bike converted for polo and into fixed gear. Riding fixed is another entire discipline. Be careful.

I'd love to have that one to match my '57 Clubman.

EDIT: Lastly, if you do acquire, remove the saddle and save it for show and keep with the bike. Unable to fully see it as depicted, but it might be rare yet the nose rivet area is poor. I wouldn't trust it. If you'd like, I could recommend someone to replicate another just like it and then safe to use.

[rfuerst911sc]

Great feedback as I would have expected on Pelican. I'm more concerned that I would actually fit the bike. I sent the seller a text stating a was a 5 ' 10 " adult and he stated the bike would be too small. Not sure what his expertise is but it's more than mine ! I may just go look at it and see if I can take it for a ride. There are tons of 3 speed mens bikes for sale so if this isn't a good fit I'll just keep on looking.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

If you get a chance before you ride it- try several newer cruisers in local (real) bike stores for test rides. Get a feel for the different sizes/rides that they provide. Then when you try this bike out, you will either love it or hate it in comparison to the other stuff.

[rfuerst911sc]

I sent the seller a text flat out asking if the frame was bent and he stated no. I asked if it can be ridden as a test drive he said yes. I think I'll go take a look at it tomorrow. I'm a little smarter due to you guys so I know what to look for.

[intakexhaust]

If you're after an upright 3 speed, vintage is always cool to have, especially an English made.
Though many today think they all are collectable and ask large amounts for them.

They made millions of them and eventually under the Raleigh umbrella. Triumph, Humber, Rudge, Dunelt to name a few. Almost all are the same anyway with Sturmey Archer internal geared hub.

I have just a few to play with and do some fun rides with or as guest loaners. The ones I have were absurdly cheap to buy and really nice bikes. Yet I sometimes and still find listings for them in the $30 price range. Just last week in Chicago CL, three of them from one seller.... $30 each. I'm not much to waste time at a garage sale or Goodwill, but they can be another source of finding a cheapie.

If you like something more on the funk, cool retro, seek out a Raleigh DL-1 Tourist. They have poor but cool looking rod actuated brakes. There's solutions to improve the brakes but to me it adds character. Tubing is Reynolds 531 and is still a tank. Once again, silly prices are out there ($1,000 +/-) but I still see a few pop up for under $100. Mine was $40.

[intakexhaust]

Getting back to the polo bike. Details. The lugs look Steyr / Puch but not the seat stay caps. Unusual to see them closed like that. Headset bearing group is specific to that Austrian frame and indeed looks correct. Might have been re-painted, some sort of color band on the seat tube... whatever, still is kind of a neat find.

The hubs, especially the fixed rear would tell a lot. It should have engraved (stamped) Styria (note I did not say Steyr). The stamping will also depict a tiny mountain / Alp's.

Hope it works out for you. Good luck!

[sugarwood]

A 1 speed bike is a total deal breaker unless you're a hipster.
Get a 12 speed. These bikes are dirt cheap.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Good luck tomorrow!- again- the frame and forks might be fine, it might just be a camera angle- even if it did get hit, it's not something that probably couldn't get bent back, or might be so minor you might not even care. It's just something I'd look closely at. To me, the clearance from the front wheel to the downtube looks slightly tight, and the head tube angle looks a little sharp in relation to the other relaxed geometry, but that may have been the trend back then (I couldn't find a comparison pic either). That second head tube/downtube pic just looked wonky- it may be nothing.

Also- spin each wheel independently in the air and feel for smooth bearing action and no popping/ clanking. Same for the steering. Grab the frame, lift the rear of the bike and pedal the crank several times with your hand, feeling for a fairly smooth action in the bottom bracket/drivetrain.

I think you'll know in the first 30 seconds if the 24 inch size is too small for you.

BTW- my mom/dad had the raleigh sturmey archer 3 speed bikes. I think they paid $2 a piece for them in the mid 60's. They are still in my dad's garage. Great bikes!

[Otter74]

I suspect it's a too small for you. I'm confused about the ad text, as it describes it as a "24 inch" bike but the frame clearly is not that big, so I suppose he's saying it has 24" wheels, which seems possible visually based on the images. The text does mention a 19" seat tube, which looks plausible. Based on that, I'd say it's too small for you. I am 6' and have been riding the same mountain bike for 20 years with a 19.5" seat tube and the typical long top tube for the era, and I have a ton of seatpost showing.

You'll probably fit something that's sized at about 55-57cm, depending on frame type.

[LeeH]

Not sure about the polo bike story. Maybe, maybe not. Odds are this was a 3 speed bike that was converted to a coaster brake at some point in its life. Probably came with fenders, too.

[aigel]

I don't have much input on the CL bike, but man, there are so much better bikes out these days. Why risk your health riding some old heap. I'd get a new bike from a good local store. Test ride some bikes that match your exercise goals. Have them FIT you to the bike. I would want at least 6 gears, even riding flat. Seat position, seat, weight, brakes, all are so much better nowadays.

JMHO ...

G