If you are trying to determine the genealogy of your bicycle by it's features, go to our Vintage Bicycle Price Guide
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, brake types, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your old bicycle.
If you are trying to determine the make and model of your bicycle, go to our Vintage Bicycle Picture Database
which details bicycle features, wheel sizes, etc., as well as showing a price estimate for your vintage bicycle.
| My father in law had a 1962 girl's Columbia Thunderbolt, 26 inches (I think), given to him. Can anyone give us an idea if this is worth anything? We're not sure whether to sell, restore, or trash it. Any input is greatly appreciated. The bike is in relatively good condition: the paint is in good shape, and the seat, handle bars, etc. are in good shape. The tires are shot, and need to be replaced, but otherwise, it is in good condition. Thanks!! by: 70.242.165.52 |
| WHAT COMPANY MANUFACTURED J.C.HIGGANS BICYCLES??? by: 68.39.25.89 |
| Murray Ohio Manufacturing made some of them. I'm not sure if any other manufacturers did or not. Some brands were made by several. Pictures of J.C.Higgins bikes can be found at www.bikeicons.com and www.nostalgic.net by: 67.172.19.13 |
| Sold by Sears. There are over a dozen JC Higgins photos in the the picture database here. by: 63.102.203.28 |
| I JUST BOUGHT A BICYCLE AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE IDENTIFYING IT. HAS MOST ORIGINAL PARTS. I THINK IT IS A COLUMBIA OR ELGIN BASED ON PHOTOS FROM THIS SIGHT. BADGE READS "NICETOWN", S/N F198201 ON BOTTOM BRACKET SHELL. CAN ANYONE HELP??? by: 68.39.25.89 |
| The serial number is written in the same manner as the Columbia numbers in the chart on this WEB site. Take a look and see what you think. I don't know anything of Elgin numbers;how they were written etc. I do know Elgin was made by various companies Murray among them which is probably why there are no Elgin charts. by: 67.172.19.13 |
| Elgin is the name of the bikes sold by Sears and Roebuck up until WWII. After the war when they resumed bicycle production, the bikes were called JC Higgins. I have never heard of Murry being involved in bike building in the prewar years. by: 64.70.24.171 |
| Actually, both Columbia and Murray (Mercury) built bikes for Sears before WWII. Compare the Elgins in the Oldroads photo database to this 37 Mercury catalog page: http://www.nostalgic.net/index.asp?L=283 Elgin bikes made by Columbia may be dated using the serial number database on this site. by: 138.26.156.139 |
| You're right about Murray. I should have said Murray Ohio Manufacturing which did later make Murray bikes but at the time the company made bikes for Elgin they called their own line Mercury. Sometime in the 50s they went from Mercury to Murray. by: 67.172.19.13 |
| wow! thanks for all the replies. i am still wondering about the "nicetown" badge. is it original? if not can i get a NOS or replica badge for the head tube. by: 68.39.25.89 |
| I recently got a Shapleigh's Special bike-has 26"-2.125 Goodyear tires Bendix hub single spring front fork-kickstand mount maid in the frame. Think its a Columbia, has Shapleigh hardware badge St Louis,Mo.How can I find the year or if it has any value-minor rust on rims and bars by: 68.63.226.242 |
| I JUST BOUGHT A BICYCLE AND I AM HAVING TROUBLE IDENTIFYING IT. HAS MOST ORIGINAL PARTS. I THINK IT IS A COLUMBIA OR ELGIN BASED ON PHOTOS FROM THIS SIGHT. BADGE READS "NICETOWN", S/N F198201 ON BOTTOM BRACKET SHELL. CAN ANYONE HELP??? by: 68.39.25.89 |
| hi i have a mens 1936 Monark Silver King for sale, when is the best time to list it on Ebay? how much should i get for it?, it's in very clean condition, and it's all complete (battery tube, original wires, Delta headlamp, Troxel tollbox seat, all original reflectors, original white wall tires, original grips, no rust anywhere tks by: 64.228.185.40 |
| I always try and have items end at 9 pm Central time. I figure at that time people on the East Coast haven't gone to bed and people on the West Coast are home from work. As far as how much it will bring, that is anyones guess. I would think it should bring at least $800-$1000, but who knows? by: 64.70.24.171 |
| should i part the bike? if i add all parts together it will bring more than 1000$ from what i have seen in the last few weeks by: 64.228.185.132 |
| then bleed the buyer one week at a time. by: 24.236.207.158 |