What were bike prices like in the '50's?

[Redd Rockett]

How much would a Columbia bike have cost in 1957? I guessed about $30 but my neighbor says more than that. Just curious. I realize that some models might have been more expensive than others.

 

[Oak Tree]

Google old bicycle ads. Some list the price.
I’ve seen some on here before.

 

[Redd Rockett]

Google old bicycle ads. Some list the price.
I’ve seen some on here before.

Okay, thanks!

 

[Oak Tree]

Here’s one

 

[Wildcat]

Schwinns were always more a lot expensive. Usually $29.95 would get a new Murray or Huffy. I remember looking at prices in the mid 60's hoping to find a cheap Schwinn, no luck. The Sears catalog was researched thoroughly. A used bike was what I wound up with.

 

[us56456712]

How much would a Columbia bike have cost in 1957? I guessed about $30 but my neighbor says more than that. Just curious. I realize that some models might have been more expensive than others.

About $500 in todays money.

 

[Redd Rockett]

About $500 in todays money.

I just looked up the inflation calculator, it says that $40 in 1957 would be about $430 today. Wow. It's a wonder how any parents could afford to buy a bike for their kids back then. We have a bike shop here in town that has some bikes for $5,000. Crazy.

 

[Kevin B]

This article says the original price of a Black Phantom was $79. https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/09/...ns-2-wheels-answer-schwinn-black-phantom.html