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| ===== Sears, Roebuck & Co. ===== | ===== Sears, Roebuck & Co. ===== |
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| Sears was the dominant retailer in the world from the 1940s through 1991. The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)|Amazon]] of its century, it built its business via mail order items it out-sourced from a constantly shifting set of manufacturers. It's first bicycles appeared in it 1894 catalog and its last catalog appearance exactly one hundred years later in 1993. They were the first department to sell mass produced mountain bikes. | Sears was the dominant retailer in the world from the 1940s through 1991. The [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_(company)|Amazon]] of its century, it built its business via mail order items it out-sourced from a constantly shifting set of manufacturers. It's first bicycles appeared in its 1894 catalog and the last catalog bicycle appeared exactly one hundred years later in 1993. They were the first department store to sell mass produced mountain bikes. |
| From 1981 -> 1983 Sears sold their "10 speed Trail Bike" under their own Free Spirit brand, and later stocked their stores and catalogs with [[https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/department-store-bikes-good/|department store]] mountain bikes from [[murray:start|Murray]], [[huffy:start|Huffy]] and Spalding. | From 1981 -> 1983 Sears sold their "10 speed Trail Bike" under their own Free Spirit brand, and later stocked their stores and catalogs with [[https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/bikes-and-biking/department-store-bikes-good/|department store]] mountain bikes from [[murray:start|Murray]], [[huffy:start|Huffy]] and Spalding. |
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| 28" wheels, "Messenger Tires", 14-16 butted spokes, "rat trap" pedals, 23 pounds in weight.((Yes, klunkers weighed a heck of a lot more than 1890's velocipedes - but they had gears, drum brakes, shifters, levers and cables.)) It would be at home with today's fixies. All for $43, which equals $1200 in 2022 dollars.((Inflation calculator [[https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1897?amount=35|here]].)) | 28" wheels, "Messenger Tires", 14-16 butted spokes, "rat trap" pedals, 23 pounds in weight.((Yes, klunkers weighed a heck of a lot more than 1890's velocipedes - but they had gears, drum brakes, shifters, levers and cables.)) It would be at home with today's fixies. All for $35, which equals $1200 in 2022 dollars.((Inflation calculator [[https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1897?amount=35|here]].)) |
| ((The 1902 Sears catalog has a bike with fenders and chain guard for $8.95 == $299(2022$).[[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4574037092422305/|pinterest]])) | ((The 1902 Sears catalog has a bike with fenders and chain guard for $8.95 == $299(2022$).[[https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4574037092422305/|pinterest]])) |
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| The Dynasty ends, gets downgraded to 10 speeds and is offered at a hugely cheap $99.99 in the 1987 [[https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1987-Sears-Christmas-Book/0503|catalog]]. | The Dynasty ends, gets downgraded to 10 speeds and is offered at a hugely cheap $99.99 in the 1987 [[https://christmas.musetechnical.com/ShowCatalogPage/1987-Sears-Christmas-Book/0503|catalog]]. |
| The derailleur looks like a Shimano Tourney, available from 1970 -> 2000.((The derailleur is probably a [[https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/shimano_tourney_derailleur_ty10_gs.html|TY10 GS]] (1987+))). | The derailleur looks like a Shimano Tourney, available from 1970 -> 2000.((The derailleur is probably a [[https://www.disraeligears.co.uk/site/shimano_tourney_derailleur_ty10_gs.html|TY10 GS]] (1987+))). |
| No change in specs or price. $169.99 | |
| </div> | </div> |
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| ===== What was the first mass produced mountain bike? ===== | ===== What was the first mass produced mountain bike? ===== |
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| Early in 1981((Sears Spring catalogs were often printed in January)) Sears launched its Free Spirit All Terrain, far in advance of [[special:start|Specialized]], [[univega:start|Univega]] and [[schwinn:start|Schwinn]]. Fat, knobby tires, descent gearing, rim brakes - for 1981, this was a good intro mtb. | Early in 1981((Sears Spring catalogs were often printed in January)) Sears launched its Free Spirit All Terrain, far in advance of [[special:start|Specialized]], [[univega:start|Univega]] and [[schwinn:start|Schwinn]]. Fat, knobby tires, decent gearing, rim brakes - for 1981, this was a good intro mtb. |
| Murray also simultaneously launched their [[murray:start#s1981|Baja]] in 1981. Although no early Baja ads have been found, their 1981 catalog shows //nine// Baja models.((The brochure suggests there's a TV ad for the Baja. When did this air??)) The Murray Baja likely came before the Free Spirit, but the Sears' huge distribution meant that the Free Sprit was the first glimpse most people had of mountain bikes.((J.C. Penny also sold Murray Bajas in 1981 - but none with gears. Montgomery Ward did not sell any Bajas in 1981.)) | Murray also simultaneously launched their [[murray:start#s1981|Baja]] in 1981. Although no early Baja ads have been found, their 1981 catalog shows //nine// Baja models.((The brochure suggests there's a TV ad for the Baja. When did this air??)) The Murray Baja likely came before the Free Spirit, but the Sears' huge distribution meant that the Free Sprit was the first glimpse most people had of mountain bikes.((J.C. Penny also sold Murray Bajas in 1981 - but none with gears. Montgomery Ward did not sell any Bajas in 1981.)) |
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