new 1937 columbia 3 star
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The owners of columbia are doing these.they are renting out the licensing of their names and designs.. Pacific cycles are the leaders of China made bikes and this is not one. Supposedly they will be trying to bring manufacturing to the U.S. in the next year. I saw one yesterday at Wally world here in Las Vegas. Has the classic characteristics of a China bike. It makes a ting sound when you flick it with your finger. Truss rods are garbage and hollow. They didn't even have a 3 star model in 37 if I'm correct those didn't appear till the 1940s. The welds are garbage it is what it is. Just them trying to get back on the market.. If your smart you would grab as many as you can and sell the tanks for Elgin repop tanks and sell the bike.
It's one thing to snob on a bike just b/c it's cheap and jenky. It's another thing to snob on a bike b/c it's called the "1937 Columbia 3 Star", but it's a new 2015 PAcific or whatever. That's just the lamest thing ever; if it makes me a snob to point that out, I apologize, but dang.
Hard to tell if it is a true 3D tank or a panel insert.
It's strange that they call it a 1937 and I can't find any 1937 Columbia that looks anything like it.
It's strange that they call it a 1937 and I can't find any 1937 Columbia that looks anything like it.
according to mr.columbia on the cabe he personally went through the archives with the owner of columbia and they took several features from several bikes to come up with the concept.The licensing of the name and designs were rented out and production in america is expected in the next year.
the tank is solid and the top bar is a double split bar.
the tank is solid and the top bar is a double split bar.
Thanks for posting some real pics rebel. I like the tank.
Regardless of the whole Wally World, Pacific Cycles, Chinese scrap iron debate, I think it's cool that ANY tank bike is being released to the general public.
Regardless of the whole Wally World, Pacific Cycles, Chinese scrap iron debate, I think it's cool that ANY tank bike is being released to the general public.
From my understanding pacific cycles did not have a hand in production of this and plans are in the works for another model with a tool box tank. Overall the bike is cheap. Classic Walmart huffy style forks horrible welds cheap plastic hubs with soft metal bearings. The truss rods are hollow and almost feel aluminum. The bracket that holds them is real flimsy one bump in the road will tweak it for sure. But the tank is legit. In my opinion buying the bike and stripping the tank bare and marketing it as an Elgin repop tank would easily bring $150-$200 and the bike itself would be profit.the overall design is kool. But like always the components are cheap. Chain guard is flimsy etc etc. give it a year and these will popping up all over ebay as nos still in the box lol. But on the flip of the coin when the columbia rx5 repop hit the market they are still bringing in more money then some true blue westfield products. I believe this bike will be a bridge gapper and start bringing in some newbies to the vintage bike world.
Thanks for all the info. I think the frame styling is perfect even though it does not match one particular model especially a Columbia. Twin top tubes are too cool. As for the tank, it may fit an Elgin Blackhawk. Here is my feebile attempt at photochopping. Now I just need to find a Blackhawk.
There are some more photos over on the CABE.
http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showth...ia-absolutly-pristine-Original-MINT-150/page6
http://thecabe.com/vbulletin/showth...ia-absolutly-pristine-Original-MINT-150/page6
As others have already said at least a bike like this is being made available to the general public at a affordable price. Sure it's Chinese and not of the best quality but little is of the most ideal quality and cost these days.
Since it's currently a department store bike the frame will likely measure similar to a Huffy and many of the other dept. store cruisers. I'm just 1/2" under 6 foot and I can ride the Chinese Huffy bikes comfortably with a tall enough seat post. But I can see where they would be very cramped and difficult to ride for people over 6 foot. Hopefully this will become a bike made here in the future as rumored but with a larger frame. Or at least a larger sized frame as a option.
Since it's currently a department store bike the frame will likely measure similar to a Huffy and many of the other dept. store cruisers. I'm just 1/2" under 6 foot and I can ride the Chinese Huffy bikes comfortably with a tall enough seat post. But I can see where they would be very cramped and difficult to ride for people over 6 foot. Hopefully this will become a bike made here in the future as rumored but with a larger frame. Or at least a larger sized frame as a option.
Actually surprised Columbia is still around in US.
Hope they can pull off building bikes here again.
Maybe inexpensive import bikes at the entry level and domestic premium models for people with deeper pockets.
Hope they can pull off building bikes here again.
Maybe inexpensive import bikes at the entry level and domestic premium models for people with deeper pockets.
One plus for these type of box box store bikes is that if you like patina it comes easy. Park it outside and you can get that 50 year patina in only 2 or 3 years! Then in a few years you'll see them listed on Craigslist and eBay as originals. Just like the krates, the previous repop Columbia, black phantoms, and so on.
I sure would like it a lot more if it had the red/yellow/black Thruster Fixie color scheme.
Oh that is no problem for you. Just buy one and paint it that way. Just be sure to color coordinate a proper riding outfit for it when riding. But I am sure you were planning all this already.
I bet this bike will fly out of the stores. Inexpensive , lite quality, short frame or not.
I am happy the tank bike is going mainstream, rather than that panel they were using.
I have enough projects now. But look forward to see what some of you do with this bike to improve it and make it your own..........
Putting a bike like this into production will inspire more people into the hobby. they will either buy one of these or get into an older original.
But that is their choice. Last time I looked we could still make our own choices. At least I still do.
I am happy the tank bike is going mainstream, rather than that panel they were using.
I have enough projects now. But look forward to see what some of you do with this bike to improve it and make it your own..........
Putting a bike like this into production will inspire more people into the hobby. they will either buy one of these or get into an older original.
But that is their choice. Last time I looked we could still make our own choices. At least I still do.
