I'm looking at a Leader Whisper banana seat bike, but I haven't found out a lot of information abut Leader bikes through my research. The guy selling it says its vintage ( didn't give me a year, but said he's had it for a few years now and bought it off a guy who was moving out east). He is asking $110 dollars, but I'm not sure what the bike is even worth. I haven't found any information about the company other then is was US sold, Canadian Manufactured.
If any one knows anything about Leader cycle, please enlighten me!
I have no info or knowledge of this bike but it's cool, looks to be in good shape, and has a multi speed rear hub. If you want it, buy it. I would give a 100 bucks for it.
Someone with a more educated response will chim in soon.
If you want it, buy it.
It is a very low end department store girls bike, I would GUESS mid '60s to mid '70's. It appears to be immaculate, looks almost NOS. It probably sold for around $30- new. It has a Shimano 3 speed rear hub.
Spotting low end:
* notice how the frame tubes are squeezed over the dropouts and spot welded. These have a tendency to fail.
* the fork tubes are just squeezed to form a pseudo dropout.
* one piece crank.
* small welds on the frame.
Girls bikes tend to be much lower value than boys bike - half or less.
If you purchase, don't ride it, keep it as a well protected display piece; it may become valuable in a few more decades. Right now it is too new.
As a riding bike, it might be worth $20-; and any curb hopping will result in a broken frame.
Nigel